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

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Andy S

Nov 2, 09 4:22

Post #1 of 67 (2095 views)

What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes??	Can't Post

I live in South Florida and do all my training on A1A. On the weekends there are lots of people riding recumbent bikes. I had a guy riding one trying to race me or something on Saturday (and no, sadly, I couldn't really drop the hammer on him). I'm just curious what motivates somebody to ride one of those things. It seems like you loose so much power because you can't really engage your core muscles.

yaquaman1

Nov 2, 09 4:28

Post #2 of 67 (2087 views)

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

back issues, comfort..... I used to have a recumbent exercise bike in my living room. i referred to it as a "lazy boy", because i would sit on it infront of my tv when my back was sore (where my injury site is at).

Andy S

Nov 2, 09 4:32

Post #3 of 67 (2077 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [yaquaman1] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I guess I didn't think of the injury issue.

jackmott

Nov 2, 09 4:49

Post #4 of 67 (2050 views)

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

they are more comfortable and faster as long as it isn't uphill

the question is why don't we ALL ride them

lol

In Reply To:

----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

yaquaman1

Nov 2, 09 4:52

Post #5 of 67 (2043 views)

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

My back got messed in a car accident, so i ride and race Softrides to help with it.

I know on the exercise recumbent my back had the seat to rest against, and all i had to do was keep the legs cranking. I did learn the computer resets at 99:59:59 back to 0:00:00

JohninMadisonWI

Nov 2, 09 4:59

Post #6 of 67 (2026 views)

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

Yet another xenophobic thread on ST. What a shock.

Hey, they do something different than how I do it, let's ridicule them!!!

FYI, a recumbent keeps some people riding a bike who otherwise would have to give up the sport due to injury or comfort. And some people just like the idea that they go fast as hell.

Andy S

Nov 2, 09 5:23

Post #7 of 67 (1976 views)

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

What makes them faster? Less wind resistance?

johnnybefit

Nov 2, 09 5:28

Post #8 of 67 (1960 views)

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

Is a recumbent the same as the bikes with 3 wheels that are very low to the ground? A guy rides one during our time trials and smokes the rest of the field. No balancing to worry about and you can't fall off. I would worry about being run over but otherwise it looks cool and goes like stink.

jackmott

Nov 2, 09 5:32

Post #9 of 67 (1947 views)

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

In Reply To:

What makes them faster? Less wind resistance?

yes, the is the main reason. depends on the design of course.

there is a weight penalty and some drivetrain efficiency loss but when its flattish they are usually faster.
----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

IKnowEverything

Nov 2, 09 5:45

Post #10 of 67 (1917 views)

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

Umm.... maybe we're reading different threads, but I don't see a lot of mocking... I think the OP genuinely didn't know what the benefit was to a recumbent and was curious. Obviously, if there are a ton of people riding them then there is a major draw, but it's not necessarily intuitive, you know? Frankly, until I talked with someone that had one, I didn't understand either. I didn't mock them, I just didn't realize it was more comfortable.

Turns out, in addition to what everyone else has said, they're kind of absurdly fun to ride, it's like street luging everywhere you go.

hgrong

Nov 2, 09 5:51

Post #11 of 67 (1906 views)

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

In Reply To:

I believe it was the OP's use of the word "weirdos" to describe the people who ride recumbents that raised the ire.

Nothing wrong with the OP asking the question if he was honestly curious. But also no reason for name-calling.

dawhead

Nov 2, 09 5:57

Post #12 of 67 (1890 views)

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

It seems like you loose so much power because you can't really engage your core muscles.

Errr, no. The world human powered speed record is generally set by people riding in this position.

Recumbents are basically superior bicycles in almost every way. More comfort, better aerodynamics, safer handling, etc. In theory. In practice they have never been allowed at regular races (cycling or triathlon), many variants of them have disadvantages for use in dense traffic, and as a result the market for them is small. There are also claims that you can never well as well on a recumbent because you cannot "honk". Its not totally clear that this is true, but it is clear that if you haven't grown up riding in this position, then you almost certainly cannot climb well on them.

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).

jyeager

Nov 2, 09 6:26

Post #13 of 67 (1831 views)

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

Andy, you need to try it.

And you sound exactly like the ignoramus's in cars that hate us cyclists.

Andy S

Nov 2, 09 6:45

Post #14 of 67 (1788 views)

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

In Reply To:

Andy, you need to try it.

And you sound exactly like the ignoramus's in cars that hate us cyclists.

I didn't do a good job of explaining the whole situation while riding on Saturday. I should not have used the word wierdos, but it stems from the fact the man riding the recumbent biker was a wierdo, but it had nothing to do with what he was riding. Basically, he raced me for 26 miles and everytime we passed, didn't even acknowlegde me. I tried saying hello and smiling, but he just focused straight ahead like I wasn't even there. He then joined a large group ride for a few miles and when I passed him again, he finally said something along the lines of "home stretch, we're almost there", assuming I was only out for a 26 mile bike ride with my three full water bottles. He just seemed super intense, in his own world and well, a wierdo.

And I'm all for trying new cycling styles. Heck, I just got a unicycle and am going to try and learn during my "off-season".

jackmott

Nov 2, 09 6:49

Post #15 of 67 (1774 views)

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

they are in fact, often weirdos

but in a good way I think

not we like aren't
----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

jyeager

Nov 2, 09 6:51

Post #16 of 67 (1767 views)

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

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.

Johnny99

Nov 2, 09 6:55

Post #17 of 67 (1758 views)

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

I used to share your disdain. I was recently toying with trying to build up the fastest bike possible without rule constraints. I wouldn't be racing it just to take out on a rural road and see how fast I can go. The HPVs setting the records all seem to be recumbents. I wonder how hard it is to build up some kind of fairing for one.

jackmott

Nov 2, 09 7:03

Post #18 of 67 (1731 views)

Re: What's up with wierdos on recumbent bikes?? [Johnny99] [In reply to]	Can't Post

some guys just use stretchy fabric as a quick/easy way to fair the whole thing.

In Reply To:

SeasonsChange

Nov 2, 09 7:08

Post #19 of 67 (1723 views)

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

weirdasses do ride them. theyre always giving you that pedi-smile and they cant steer worth poop.

(This post was edited by SeasonsChange on Nov 2, 09 7:09)

RChung

Nov 2, 09 7:28

Post #20 of 67 (1691 views)

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

In Reply To:

It seems like you loose so much power because you can't really engage your core muscles.

Errr, no. The world human powered speed record is generally set by people riding in this position.

You'll have a hard time finding power numbers for riders in those record attempts. Top speed is a function of both power and drag and we know the drag is lower (though how much lower is also hard to know) so it's not clear what happens to top end power.

I've just spent some time asking on recumbent forums how they measure aerodynamic and rolling drag. I wasn't asking what that drag was, I was just asking how they do it. In general, they don't and several people got angry that I asked. The consensus was that measuring was either impossible or impractical or useless.

[Edit:] BTW, I wasn't criticizing that point of view -- I was surprised by it.

(This post was edited by RChung on Nov 2, 09 7:36)

gbot

Nov 2, 09 7:32

Post #21 of 67 (1682 views)

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

In Reply To:

So are the beards mandatory, or just coincidence?

Pooks

Nov 2, 09 7:35

Post #22 of 67 (1672 views)

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

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

Whaaa?? Really? Could you expand on this? This is one area where I've always considered 'bents to be at a significant disadvantage to traditional bicycles. Perhaps it comes down to rider ability, but my experience with riding near recumbents is far from positive. A guy used to participate in a large roadie group ride I used to do on a 'bent and could not hold a line at slower speeds. I've also seen 'bent riders have what appeared to be a much more difficult time controlling their rides in strong (cross)winds.

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There�s no "x" in "espresso"

Bio_McGeek

Nov 2, 09 7:47

Post #23 of 67 (1639 views)

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

Interesting thread. I've been intrigued with recumbents ever since I read an article in Cycling Science back in the early 90s. You can read parts of it here: http://cyclegenius.com/history.php and below you will see a pic of Fancis Faure from 1933. My sense is that if it had been a legitimate rider on the recumbent (Faure was a cat 2) we would all be riding recumbents today.

Because I have been intrigued with recumbents, I always try to have a conversation with those riding them. In some cases the guys are pretty odd but in other cases they are regular friendly riders. Probably as variable as a cross section of triathletes or road cyclists.

Viva la difference!

Cheers,

Jim

(This post was edited by Bio_McGeek on Nov 2, 09 8:22)

dawhead

Nov 2, 09 7:54

Post #24 of 67 (1618 views)

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

fair point, except that most human powered speed records are in fully faired vehicles. its true that a diamond frame/upright position will necessarily be taller than a reclining one, and so there will be some attraction to the lower design just for that reason. but i think it would be reasonable to guestimate that in the trade off of power vs. drag, whatever increase might arise from the upright position is at least offset by the increase in drag even of a fully faired vehicle. if that guestimate is true (and i admit that it relies on the idea that the HPV guys really do take care of issues like this - not an unreasonable assumption but an assumption nevertheless), then the postulated reduction in power in a reclined position is relatively small, since the drag difference between a fully faired upright and a full faired recumbent is also pretty small.

i do know that some people have gone awfully fast on faired upright bikes. to the best of my knowledge, just not quite as fast as when they or others ride a faired-bent.

i'd also note that many people who speculate on what happens when riding a recumbent have never actually done so. in contrast the OP's comment about core muscle engagement, i'd say that my experience of "power riding" in a bent position is that i can engage far more of my core muscles because i have a huge, "solid" platform behind and under me (the seat). its more like doing squats on an incline press than the terribly dainty position one is in on an upright, triangulated between the pedals, bars and (maybe) the saddle). that said, it definitely engages different leg musculature, and i can imagine that its possible that total power output for a given rider is higher on the upright. this is going to be hard to settle because given the muscle specificity being as different as it is, doing a "fair" test of the same rider in the two different positions is not likely to ever happen. the most qualified person i know to comment on this sort of thing is/was a guy called eric house who used to race/ride bents on the california double century series. eric had been a modestly good ultra racer on an upright. he always felt that if he had grown up riding a bent and had been allowed to race them in UCI-sanctioned races that his performance on the bent would have been close to or exceeded that on an upright. given that no serious UCI or triathlon racer is going to spend any substantial time on a bent, we'll never really know what they could do, and frankly, the idea of a bent pace group is pretty terrifying.

roubaixman

Nov 2, 09 7:56

Post #25 of 67 (1609 views)

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

While training for my first IM, I had a tribike with poor fit and managed to get trumatic prostatitis. My urologist forbade riding a regular bike but did allow a recumbent. I bought a used Easy Rider, long wheelbase, and absolute barca lounger with the ability to keep up with any upright bike. On the path, it was fun to pass the mountain bikes, crossbikes and road bikes. On the street, the only time I would get dropped would be if there was an incline--they don't climb well. The other issue is looking a big dog eye to eye if it comes after you, and generally not being seen in traffic.

The 'bents are for the most part much more ergonomically friendly than uprights. Still, since getting fitted on both tribike and road bike, I sold the 'bent and am back to regular upright riding.

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