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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes??

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dawhead

Nov 2, 09 8:10

Post #26 of 68 (738 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Pooks] [In reply to]	Can't Post

> More comfort, better aerodynamics, safer handling, etc.."

Whaaa?? Really? Could you expand on this?

* lower center of gravity: vehicle is more stable (moderated by typical smaller wheel size, reducing gyroscopic effect)
* sitting position makes maintaining a full view of the oncoming situation easier (no head up/down stuff as on drops/upright)
* some collisions see the rider benefit from the "feet+legs first" position (others do not, alas)

the thing is makes them more hazardous in my experience and that of other bent riders i know (Including my stepfather) is that you are typically notably lower than on an upright. Your visibility, but more importantly, your sense of your own visibilty, is reduced.

as for a paceline, well, yeah :) find me a dozen experienced, strong bent riders and maybe i'll get in a line with them. most people who ride 'bents are not, in my experience, examples of people who ride their bikes enough to be safe in a paceline, and it wouldn't matter much if they were on uprights either.

Andy S

Nov 2, 09 8:16

Post #27 of 68 (732 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [jyeager] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Roger that.

When you get proficient on the unicycle try going off-road! I've heard of a few people doing it. Sounds pretty hardcore to me.

I was mountain biking in Telluride a few years ago. We were a couple of miles from the trailhead. My buddy and I were carrying our bikes across a very narrow bridge about 10 feet over a dry creek bed. Two guys came by on unicycles with big knobby tires and road right over the bridge and continued up the trail. Never sam them again. It was one of the coolest (and badass) things I've ever seen.

RChung

Nov 2, 09 8:20

Post #28 of 68 (726 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [dawhead] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

fair point, except that most human powered speed records are in fully faired vehicles.

I'm not sure why that's an "except"? I thought the question was whether reclining limited power production, not whether there was a shell around the rider (actually, we know that for longer events like the hour, overheating within a streamliner becomes an issue -- but that's not about the rider's position). My point was simply that aero drag decreases a lot so you can't use top speed as an indicator that power doesn't drop. If fact, maybe power increases -- there's as much (or as little) evidence for that claim.

dawhead

Nov 2, 09 8:29

Post #29 of 68 (710 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [RChung] [In reply to]	Can't Post

sure. my point was that the difference in drag between a (correctly) fully faired upright and fully faired bent is relatively small. that would suggest that the increase in top speed in the bent (given that the drag isn't that different) loosely suggests that the drop in power is insignificant (if it exists at all, and assuming that hpv guys actually check this stuff out).

RChung

Nov 2, 09 8:53

Post #30 of 68 (687 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [dawhead] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

You'll have difficulty getting information both on drag and on power. The hpv guys don't appear to check this stuff out. That was what kinda surprised me. They were irked that I asked (and I wasn't asking what their drag was, I was only only asking what methods they used to measure it; it turns out I'd assumed they were measuring but they weren't).

snoozer

Nov 2, 09 9:02

Post #31 of 68 (672 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Roger that.

When you get proficient on the unicycle try going off-road! I've heard of a few people doing it. Sounds pretty hardcore to me.

Here's something to work towards on your unicycle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

jyeager

Nov 2, 09 9:18

Post #32 of 68 (653 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [snoozer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Roger that.

When you get proficient on the unicycle try going off-road! I've heard of a few people doing it. Sounds pretty hardcore to me.

Here's something to work towards on your unicycle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

I am now completely freaked out.

last tri in 83

Nov 2, 09 9:23

Post #33 of 68 (649 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

They will kick your ass on the flats but hills are where you exact revenge.

_____________________________________________
No one appreciates my humor anymore. --Sphere

snoozer

Nov 2, 09 9:25

Post #34 of 68 (644 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [jyeager] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Roger that.

When you get proficient on the unicycle try going off-road! I've heard of a few people doing it. Sounds pretty hardcore to me.

Here's something to work towards on your unicycle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

I am now completely freaked out.

Freaked out? Don't you mean that you are now completely inspired to buy a unicycle and update your life insurance policy?

Bob Loblaw

Nov 2, 09 9:34

Post #35 of 68 (628 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [dawhead] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I own a semi-recumbent tandem (counterpoint opus iv; front recumbent stoker, captain sits in the rear in "normal" position), and riding up front is just a joy (particularly since you don't have to do anything except pedal).

what? no pic? not even a 'how's my position?' post?
---------------------------------
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http://positivesplits.blogspot.com

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Stake

Nov 2, 09 10:30

Post #36 of 68 (600 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nothing against recumbent riders, but...

Recently I was running on the Mt Vernon trail in VA and was passed by a 70-80 y/o man riding a recumbent with a 3 ft long flowing white beard in a full-on speedsuit complete w/aero helmet. Had he been wearing compression socks I would have thought it was God himself.

MOP_Mike

Nov 2, 09 10:49

Post #37 of 68 (585 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [dawhead] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Great reply!

A couple more points:

* The CG on a bent is much further back, so they can brake harder and stop shorter than a conventional bike without fear of going over the bars.

* If you pay enough, you can largely eliminate the weight penalty. High end carbon bents are under 20 pounds.

* Bent have a higher stall speed than other bikes, so low speed handling is compromised.

* Bents position riders with a larger hip angle, so muscle recruitment is different than other bikes (i.e. more glutes, less hamstrings.) I don't know which position is physiologically more efficient, but adaptation can overcome much of any initial deficiency in the bent position.

* Yes, you can't stand and climb on a bent. But, much of their reputation for poor climbing stems from the fact that most weigh more than 30 pounds, rider's poor adaptation to the bent position, and attraction to more "recreational" riders with less power output than serious roadies.

"...Sometimes it's about getting the most speed out of the motor you have." -- Tom A.

zebragonzo

Nov 2, 09 11:00

Post #38 of 68 (571 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

dawhead

Nov 2, 09 11:17

Post #39 of 68 (546 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [zebragonzo] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The thing I've always wanted to do was go on grand tour (as in touring, not eg. the giro) on a tandem, recumbent trike.

Basically, if you felt tired, go to sleep and let the other person keep pedalling!

This precisely how the counterpoint opus IV works - its even better than you might imagine because there is a freewheel between the front (bent) pedaller and the rear drivetrain (with a derailleur & a cassette block too). the front stoker can not only use their own gearing, they can actually stop pedalling entirely.

My first wife and I rode nearly 3000 miles from Amsterdam to Athens on that thing, and the ability to change positions 3-4 times a day (25 mile blocks) was a godsend to overall comfort and leg fatigue. The front rider could also prepare lunch sometimes, on days when we really needed to press on. We have an awesome picture that she took from the front position whereshe turned around a bit, held the camera out to one side, and shot the paceline that we were towing along the french riviera on a beautiful spring sunday morning. after 1000+miles already, a nice steady 25mph with 4 panniers, tents+pads, and food supplied a reasonable level of shame to the triathletes and french roadies that were out :)

I did a short summer tour with my (then 12 year old) daughter. She was up front, and read a good part of the (then new) harry potter book. Reminding her to pedal occasionally was a pain, but not too bad since we were on the Pittsburgh->Washington DC trail, with a maximum 1.5% grade.

Its a truly awesome machine for touring, and one day, after i fix a few problems with it, my current wife and i are going to crush the dreams of some overeager upright riders on a nice flat century ride. if you see us, don't chase us :)

xraycharlie

Nov 2, 09 11:26

Post #40 of 68 (538 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [snoozer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Roger that.

When you get proficient on the unicycle try going off-road! I've heard of a few people doing it. Sounds pretty hardcore to me.

Here's something to work towards on your unicycle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

I am now completely freaked out.

Freaked out? Don't you mean that you are now completely inspired to buy a unicycle and update your life insurance policy?

I liked that he was wearing knee pads while doing that stunt on the rail of the bridge. So if he went plummeting into the river below, he'd probably be thinking, "Good thing I'm wearing knee pads!"
-----
Over 900 days bike crash free.

zebragonzo

Nov 2, 09 12:30

Post #41 of 68 (499 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [dawhead] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I did a short summer tour with my (then 12 year old) daughter. She was up front, and read a good part of the (then new) harry potter book. Reminding her to pedal occasionally was a pain, but not too bad since we were on the Pittsburgh->Washington DC trail, with a maximum 1.5% grade.

That's great!

:-D

snoozer

Nov 2, 09 12:32

Post #42 of 68 (496 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [xraycharlie] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Andrew V

Nov 2, 09 13:14

Post #43 of 68 (469 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [snoozer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I liked that he was wearing knee pads while doing that stunt on the rail of the bridge. So if he went plummeting into the river below, he'd probably be thinking, "Good thing I'm wearing knee pads!"

Good eye! I thought the same about the helmet...
Look at the shots of his wheel on the rail. He's very heavily favoring the inside (for good reason), so if he goes down, it's probably on the hard dry side.

FJB

Nov 2, 09 13:33

Post #44 of 68 (450 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I know a guy who biked around the world on a recumbent. He had days that made an IM look like a walk in the park and there was nothing weird about him at all.

Not everyone has to do what everyone else does.

squesen

Nov 2, 09 16:36

Post #45 of 68 (398 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

My friend did a 1240k called "endless mountains" on a recumbent. Here's his ride report.

http://randanneuring.blogspot.com/...240k-2009-uncut.html

Mr. Tibbs

Nov 2, 09 17:04

Post #46 of 68 (386 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Andy S] [In reply to]	Can't Post

All bikes are beautiful. Recumbents are just as awsome as any other velocipede.

Mr. Tibbs will justify your sins.

flying wombat

Nov 2, 09 20:04

Post #47 of 68 (343 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [RChung] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A team mate of mine holds the world record for straight line speed for fully faired recumbent trikes. He was recruited to ride the HPV by people at the firm he works for (large aerospace corporation). He said the real limit to top end speed wasnt his power, but control and stability issues as they approached 70mph.........
I wonder if this is generally the issue with HPV's, which would explain why drag is less of an issue for them.
You need good stability when lying on your back and looking forwards via a video screen.

Kevin
Iron Gear Sports
Opening April 10th Mesa, Arizona
FIST certified, Kuota, Orbea, Cannondale, Zipp, HED, Zoot, 2XU and more
kevin@irongearsports.com

G-man

Nov 2, 09 23:26

Post #48 of 68 (312 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [flying wombat] [In reply to]	Can't Post

My biggest problem with the recumbent cycles are they are so low to the ground, I can't always see them driving. I am a lifetime bike rider and have damn good skills in seeing bikes from my car, but a couple recumbents have sneaked up on me in traffic, and I admit, I could not see them. As much as I hate the little safety flaggy things, I sure would have one on my recumbent.

Hey all velocipedes are good ones, but the recumbent folks need to think visibility even more than the conventional bikes.

jackmott

Nov 3, 09 4:28

Post #49 of 68 (272 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [flying wombat] [In reply to]	Can't Post

your team mate is Sam Whittingham?

In Reply To:

----
What is good in life? - To crush your enemie's dreams, see them dropped behind you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
Cheap Disc Wheel - http://www.wheelbuilder.com Tire Crr Data - http://www.biketechreview.com

jackmott

Nov 3, 09 4:29

Post #50 of 68 (271 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [G-man] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I often seem the with flags attached way up in the air
----
What is good in life? - To crush your enemie's dreams, see them dropped behind you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
Cheap Disc Wheel - http://www.wheelbuilder.com Tire Crr Data - http://www.biketechreview.com

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