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19224. Adam Selene - 4/26/2006 3:06:36 AM BTW, any bikers here? The human-powered type I mean. I bought a short-wheeled recumbent last spring and I absolutely love it. Looks kinda wierd/cool and I get stares every where I go, but it is sooo comfortable once you get used to it. And having the occasional young miss yell out, "cool bike!" is soo worth it. :)
I bought it as basically a kit from ActionBent, built it myself in a long afternoon, then had it professionally tuned after a couple weeks of breaking it in. They don't have the exact model I bought, but this one is the new version: Tidal Wave III. (Mine is the II.)
This is by far the cheapest way to get 'bent', but I advise anyone interested to find a local dealer and test drive the different configurations. Mine is towards the more difficult end of the spectrum in terms of different physics.
The hardest part is just getting started - you can't push off and roll, you must peddle from a dead stop. But after a week or so, it's second nature.
All the speed records are held by recumbents - but they're not legal in sanctioned races. Too much mechanical advantage, I guess. 19225. alistairconnor - 4/26/2006 10:55:59 AM MsGreer dropped in a month or so ago, she seemed fine. I don't know if anyone has any other news? 19226. alistairconnor - 4/26/2006 11:14:29 AM Adam : I'm the usual bike-bore around here. I do an annual mountain biking tour with a bunch of mates, I'm organising this year's ride in mid-July, so you'll probably be subjected to more photos and details than you want on Normandy mud...
I'm also a keen user, when the occasion arises, of the public-bicycle scheme of the city where I work. I've probably already written it up somewhere.
As for your recumbent bike. Looks like fun, but I'd never ride one of those on the street. Cycleways only. I'm a great believer in eye contact with motorists, and you need all the height you can get. 19227. Adam Selene - 4/26/2006 1:44:25 PM Alistair,
I mostly ride on the 92 miles of paved bike/walking paths in Columbia, Maryland, and I agree about visibility. I do have a flag on the back, but that's barely sufficient. It's also a pain when you have to ride with stop & go pedestrians because getting started again is an exercise in planting one foot, cocking the peddle just right, making sure you're in low gear, and peddling hard from a dead stop. Of course, this is only a problem with the more extreme recumbents (like mine) that put your feet over the front wheel.
As for eye contact - you're actually the same height at most drivers... which is unexpected. One major benefit is that you're looking straight ahead or even slightly upwards, not looking at the front wheel like you do on most bikes when you're doing anything more than coasting. It's nice to watch the trees and birds when riding. ;) 19228. Adam Selene - 4/26/2006 2:02:22 PM Here's a less radical variation: Long Wheel Base Recumbent. This one sits almost as tall as a normal bike and let's you navigate starts and stops just like a standard diamond-frame bike. The downside is that it doesn't turn as sharp as the short-wheel base version, but for most roads this isn't a problem. If I were using to commute in any kind of traffic, I use this one. Or... possibly a city bike, which is even closer to the standard, like this one: City Bike. It still has the basic comfort advantage of a recumbent (non-wedgie saddle) but not nearly as extreme. 19229. alistairconnor - 4/26/2006 2:15:39 PM "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race."
—H. G. Wells, 1904 19230. RickNelson - 4/26/2006 3:06:06 PM Webby,
I miss Ms.Greer too, as she was good in the Health thread.
When she departed to spend more time with home and I think her patient advocacy work, she seemed happy enough.
I'm glad alistair saw her in here a bit ago. I've missed any posts. 19231. RickNelson - 4/26/2006 3:06:56 PM Happy Birthday Adam Selene!
One of these days, I'm going to check into a recumbent bike. 19232. Adam Selene - 4/26/2006 3:40:09 PM Thanks for the good wishies. Rick, Wonkers, and the Captain and Tennile (that's showing my age a bit!). 19233. iiibbb - 4/26/2006 3:42:53 PM Message # 19224
I like recumbents. I have ridden a I favor the Lightning P38.
I have friends who rides many makes and models. For a long wheelbase I think I'd favor an easy-rider (perhaps easy-racer).
I have contemplated building the Groundhugger XR2 but worry if I have the skills to do it.
My only gripe about recumbents is they are just awful on hills... especially starting from a standstill.
What I love about 'bents is that they are actually relaxing to ride, and easy on the back, neck, shoulders, and butt. You're basically pedalling a lawn chair. The visibility issues freak some people out, but I don't have a major issue with it. 19234. alistairconnor - 4/26/2006 3:45:42 PM Hey iii!
Just for you : Emoticon theatre : An American Marriage 19235. iiibbb - 4/26/2006 3:52:54 PM Thanks for the 'good'? wishes Alistar... :/ 19236. iiibbb - 4/26/2006 3:58:46 PM I meant to say that I had a Vision recumbent (borrowed) for a while. Not sure if they still make those. It was ok, but a little unstable. 19237. alistairconnor - 4/26/2006 4:42:38 PM Black humour ii...
I wish you all the best. 19238. uzmakk - 4/26/2006 6:17:25 PM I intend to get back into biking this summer. That said, please pass the word that I would like to know whether there is a good time to meet both Pelle Nilsson and Arkymalarky in the Cafe for drinks,realtime. You can always contact me on "my thread". 19239. uzmakk - 4/26/2006 6:21:34 PM I know I should have the Mote Clock mastered,but I can say that I am available from 5AM to 9PM EST. An early start time will necessitate mimosas. 19240. uzmakk - 4/26/2006 6:32:30 PM I'm ready for a little fiction. 19241. uzmakk - 4/26/2006 6:37:59 PM P'rahps another tall tale. P'rhaps a real plan. P'rhaps some real action. Do you remember when I slaughtered all the Moties in the Cantina, Nilsson? If I recall correctly, your comment was, "Beautiful". 19242. PelleNilsson - 4/26/2006 7:27:41 PM Let us remember that day in Ulan-Bator, when after a heartening breakfast of camel yoghurt, dates and eagle eggs, you conquered twelve willing virgins and then distributed them among the chieftains, except the lovely Alisha whom you reserved for yourself. It might be argued that your ascendancy to Master of the Steppes started on that very day.
How do you recall it? 19243. uzmakk - 4/26/2006 7:59:30 PM I recall that the Cantina was actually an ashram wired to the internet. This because the slaughter took place on the Religion and Philosophy thread.
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