 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Well, it's not that bad! You've taken the first step towards "recumbency" - discovering that recumbent bicycles exist! If you're rolling your eyes thinking "I've owned one of these for years!" then maybe the Extras section will be more to your liking. Otherwise, read on...
If you're totally new to recumbent bicycles, you've come to the right place. I'll explain what a recumbent bicycle is, what the different types are, and why you should consider riding one. Then, I'll try to explain how to ride one, train to be a better rider, and how to put one together! I'd do it in person, but the commute is brutal...
Section 1: What is a Recumbent Bike?
The Rebel Cycles Ghost
The defining feature that sets a recumbent apart from a regular bike is the reclined seating position. Regardless of the specific type of recumbent bike, this design aspect is a constant. All recumbents feature a large, reclined seat in which part or all of the rider's back and head is supported. The pedals are out front, approximately at the same height as the rider's hips (give or take a few inches).
Steering is accomplished via handlebars that are mounted either above the seat (ASS or OSS, for Above Seat Steering or Over the Seat Steering), or below the seat (USS, or Under Seat Steering). The Ghost is an example of USS. Some recumbents have no moveable handlebars at all, they are simply steered by leaning.
Despite the unique layout and multiple handlebar positions, virtually every other part on a recumbent is standard bike fare. A recumbent brakes, pedals and shifts the same as any other bike. If you or your local bike shop can maintain a regular bike, a recumbent will be no different.
Section 2: Variations on a Theme
Unlike regular bikes, which all share a pretty standard "diamond frame" design, recumbents are a little more varied. There are three main categories: Short Wheelbase (SWB), Long Wheelbase (LWB) and Trikes. Each of these has a few variations.
Short Wheelbase recumbents are characterized by the pedals placed ahead of the front wheel. Both the Ghost and Amigo are examples of this design. SWB bikes are designed in this way to help reduce the length of the bike - often a SWB is no longer than a regular bike. It also serves to place the rider's legs in the same airspace as his/her body, which aids in aerodynamics. Usually a "regular" short wheelbase recumbent has either dual 20" wheels, or a 26"/700c wheel in the rear and a 20" wheel up front.
There are two variations of the SWB: The highracer and the lowracer. The highracer puts a 26" or 700c wheel in the front an rear position. This elevates the rider further off the ground, and usually creates an even smaller aerodynamic profile. The main benefit of this is typically a boost in speed. A lowracer goes in the opposite direction - closer to the ground. On a lowracer, the rider's body is mere inches from the ground, tucked between the two wheels. Again the benefit is a smaller profile - and a boost in speed.
With a short wheelbase and a small front wheel, short wheelbase recumbents have very precise handling, like a sports car. Most people find the steering twitchy at first, but adapt quickly.
Long Wheelbase recumbents differ, in that the front wheel is placed in front of the pedals. This makes the bike quite long, at least 6 feet, and usually longer. However, they steer like luxury cars, smooth and forgiving. LWB recumbents can be excellent cruising machines, but aren't necessarily slouches, either. They usually have a 26" wheel in the rear and a 20" wheel in the front, though these are some exceptions.
The pedals on a LWB are usually lower than the rider's hips, which still keeps most of the rider's legs in the same airspace as the body. Some find that the lower pedals make the LWB easier to ride, or at the very least easier to get started.
There a variation of the long wheelbase recumbent: the compact long wheelbase. This design usually features dual 20" wheels, and moves the rear wheel slightly under the seat. This is done to help reduce the overall length of the bike, making it easier to store and transport, and lightly more maneuvrable.
Trikes are named as such for a very obvious reason: they have three wheels. The biggest advantage of this is stability. It takes a decent amount of effort to tip over on one! Most trikes, including the Rebel Cycles Trike, have two wheels in the front and one wheel in the rear. The front wheels are usually 16" or 20", and the rear wheel is usually 20", 26" or 700c. The pedals are out front, ahead of the front wheels and at or above the rider's hips. This configuration allows the rider to sit relatively close to the ground, which also aids in stability.
Most trikes are under seat steering, with a few exceptions. Steering can be either direct or indirect. Direct-steered trikes (like the Rebel Cycles Trike) have the steering handle connected directly to the wheel hubs, for a more precise feel. Indirect steering connects the handles to the hubs through a set of rods. This makes the steering less twitchy due to road vibrations, but can also limit turning radius and add complexity to the design.
One variation of the trike is the Delta configuration. Delta trikes have two wheels in the rear, and a sincle wheel in the rear. The front wheel and rear wheels are almost always 20" all around. Delta trikes usually place the rider higher off the ground and are more easily adjusted for leg lenght, but can suffer from stability issues due to the higher centre of gravity.
