I'm Gonna Get Bent

Warning for the bandwidth impaired...pictures.

Published on June 27, 2005 By MasonM In Blogging

After much research and discussion with more experienced cyclists and cyclists who have also had hip surgery, I have decided that a recumbent bicycle (bent) is what I need to be riding. The design of these odd looking bikes makes for a much more relaxed and comfortable riding position and produce less stress on the hip joints than a traditional diamon frame bike.

There are a wide variety of styles of bents, so I'll have to do some checking around. These bikes are pretty expensive so I guess I'll have to ride my worn out old Huffy beater until I can eventually save the money for a decent bent. maybe I can get lucky and find a deal on a good used one someplace.

Here are some of the styles I'm considering:

That's just a few of many to choose from. I guess I'll have to do a lot of test rides. LOL

Comments

dynamaso

on Jun 28, 2005

Great looking bikes, Mason. But I still really like the first one i.e. the one you posted a picture of on my blog. How expensive are these bikes? I have had a brief look at some Australian sites but none mention these bent framed bikes. Any information you could pass on would be appeciated.

Cheers,

Maso

MasonM

on Jun 28, 2005

They vary from several thousand dollars to around 500. The first one, I like it too, runs about 1400. Too rich for my blood.

I'm going to be doing some shopping around and try to find one like the 3rd photo for 500 or less.

Here's a link to the folks that build these particular bents. Link

You can also google for a few other companies like Bacchetta, and Rans who build great bikes.

foreverserenity

on Jun 28, 2005

Neat looking bikes. Now that's a bike I'm interested in too!

I think this is a great idea for you M. I'm sure your hip will be the better for it! I like the first one better too, plus you have a rack to put your stuff on!

MasonM

on Jun 28, 2005

Actually a cargo/pannier rack can be addded to any of them. The first one, a long wheel base (LWB), while riding like a Cadillac, doesn't turn corners as well and normally don't pull hills as well as their shorter cousins. They're primarily designed for touring.

The shorter ones, like the 3rd and last pics are better for commuting and general around town riding which will be my main use for it.

Either way they are far more comfortable than a standard diamond frame (DF) bike. They are often referred to as a "lawn chair on wheels".

Oh and just a little trivia. All of the bicycle speed records have been set with recumbents.

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