I Need a Recumbent Bike

Published on May 12, 2005 By MasonM In Blogging

Recumbent bicycles have been becoming more and more popular as people discover the comfort of these very odd looking bikes. While they come in a variety of models and variations, they all have certain things in common.

Recumbent bikes (or "bents") feature pedals which are far forward and higher up than the standard bike, a broad, high-backed seat resembling a loung chair as much as anything, good lumbar support, and are ridden in a more or less reclined position.

For someone such as myself who has had hip surgery/damage these bikes are an ideal way to enjoy bicycling as the more confortable seat/pedal arrangement produces far less stress on the hips while riding. Unfortunately, these bikes are still something of a specialty item and are quite expensive. We have a bent dealer here in town and his bikes sell for between $1300 and $3000 each. That's a lot for a bike.

I guess I'll eventually have to settle for a nice Trek or Giant comfort bike in the $400 price range if and when I can afford that. But a bent sure would be nice.

To get an idea of what a recumbent bike is all about, take a look at the pictures at this link: Link

Comments

MasonM

on May 12, 2005

Hmmm. No bicyclists in our group? Well, I think they're cool anyway.

drmiler

on May 12, 2005

Hmmm. No bicyclists in our group? Well, I think they're cool anyway.

Not since I discovered the internal combustion engine!

MasonM

on May 12, 2005

Not since I discovered the internal combustion engine!

Yeah but those bikes are so cool. You can even get them with full bodies built around them like a car. Well, ok a car with pedals, but you know what I mean.

dharmagrl

on May 12, 2005

It's funny you should write this today; I just saw a guy riding one of those babies yesterday!

They're v. cool, and I want one too!

MasonM

on May 12, 2005

It's funny you should write this today; I just saw a guy riding one of those babies yesterday!

We have a woman here in the neighborhood who owns one and she let me try it out. While it was a little short for me as she isn't as tall as I am, it was still very cool. And far easier for me to ride than my standard mountain bike. Sooo comfortable.

drmiler

on May 12, 2005

Not since I discovered the internal combustion engine!

Yeah but those bikes are so cool. You can even get them with full bodies built around them like a car. Well, ok a car with pedals, but you know what I mean.

Yeah but in that sense, I'm lazy. Why pedal when I can just push/twist the throttle.

MasonM

on May 12, 2005

Yeah but in that sense, I'm lazy. Why pedal when I can just push/twist the throttle.

Ummm, exercise? Fresh air?

drmiler

on May 12, 2005

Ummm, exercise? Fresh air?

I get enough of that when I do my lawn/garden work. Besides the fact that my MS wouldn't allow me to ride a bicycle.

MasonM

on May 13, 2005

I get enough of that when I do my lawn/garden work. Besides the fact that my MS wouldn't allow me to ride a bicycle.

Ah, now that I understand.For a while there I thought you were just lazy.

drmiler

on May 13, 2005

Ah, now that I understand.For a while there I thought you were just lazy.

That's what my old man used to say when I was a kid. Time has shown him to be so wrong on that! At least he fessed up to it.

MasonM

on May 13, 2005

That's what my old man used to say when I was a kid. Time has shown him to be so wrong on that! At least he fessed up to it.

I can understand his perspective on it and yeah is good he fessed up.
My last girlfriend (of 7 years) had a son who, when he was 19, had become very "lazy". He didn't want to go to classess, didn't want to do much of anything except lay around in bed. I'll admit I kinda stayed on his case about it for a while.
Finally, after seeing a doctor repeatedly for an "infection" he was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread throughout his system into his lymph glands, lungs, liver, etc..
Needless to say I felt like a real heel and told him so. His response?
"That's ok, I woulda busted my chops too."
I'm happy to say his treatment was successful and he's happily married and working now.

drmiler

on May 13, 2005

I will say this though in his defence. Back then I "was" a lazy shit! That didn't change till about the time I turned 25.

MasonM

on May 13, 2005

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