[SUX VR40 Rider]

I was recently asked why I ride a recumbent. This same person stated he thought they were for the handicap. I am not sure if he is being sarcastic, a jerk or serious.

It takes more skill to control a recumbent than a diamond frame bike. When i first got mine, 10 years ago, it was like learning how to ride a bike all over again.

As far as why I ride one, well it is simple. I wanted to ride bike and not hurt while I did it or after I a ride.

The part of my body that was always in pain during and after a ride was my upper body. My back, neck, shoulders, entire arm, hands, fingers, etc.

I rode diamond frame bikes for years. I did several thousand miles on them. But after every ride I was in pain. The amount or severity was determined by the length of the ride. The longer the ride, the worse the pain was. I went through numerous steps to prevent it. Proper fit kit, different saddles crank arms, handle bars, etc. Nothing I did mattered, so I just put up with it for many years.

Riding like this always put me in a bad mood after a ride because I hurt.

One day after a ride with a friend, I asked him why he is always smiling after a ride. He stated it is because he feels great.

My friend rides a recumbent. I had seen recumbent before, knew what they were, but did not know a whole lot about them. He also knew I always hurt after a ride. He then stated he was the same way until he got his recumbent. After he started riding his he was in no more pain they way I was and the way he used to be.

Shortly after that I test rode a few models and settled on the one I still have today. My friend was right. I now ride pain free and have been for the past 10 years.

The most interesting thing is my average speed when riding has not changed. Sure it is slower to climb hills, but it is a lot faster down hill, which makes up for it. On flats I am a bit faster and in wind a little faster too.

[airo]

I've always wondered about these contraptions, mainly because I see older folks on them. I know what you mean by pain, I've been riding all damn night. Every night (or morning I should say, I usually am up riding all night) I get in the bed and I stretch my legs out so far I feel like I'm about to fall off the bed. My lower back aches tremendously as well.

What are the costs of these bikes? I would guess they would be slightly more expensive then a standard bicycle. I would love to try one out for a few days.

[Jahwarrior]

Interesting.

I can understand it for health reasons (your case-pain) makes sense, your notch hunched over etc..

reclined and in control, I can see the lure of that.

But I can't see me hitting the singletracks on one, even if there are off-road version, it would be a fail in the trail and technical situations.

If I were a roadie, I would totally try one of these out, as I suffer from a lower back injury and would appreciate the reclined ride rather than the hunched over one. But nothing scares me more than sharing the road with the automobiles, at least in this area- too populated, bunch of in a hurry jerks that would sooner push you off the road than to share the lane.

thanks for your explanation SUX, I wasn't being a jerk by saying that I thought it was for the handicapped, I still think they are in a sense, especially now...

[Industry_Hack]

How much do you weigh?

[rola643]

Originally Posted by SUX VR40 Rider

The part of my body that was always in pain during and after a ride was my upper body. My back, neck, shoulders, entire arm, hands, fingers, etc.

I rode diamond frame bikes for years. I did several thousand miles on them. But after every ride I was in pain. The amount or severity was determined by the length of the ride. The longer the ride, the worse the pain was. I went through numerous steps to prevent it. Proper fit kit, different saddles crank arms, handle bars, etc. Nothing I did mattered, so I just put up with it for many years.

Riding like this always put me in a bad mood after a ride because I hurt.

I didn't see any mention of strength and conditioning mentioned and I'm not trying to be argumentative, just an observation and maybe just forgot to mention it.

I used to experience a lot of that as well. I have a bad back from years of abuse pulling (improperly) equipment on a flight line and working bent over on cars and heavy equipment. At one point, a few years ago (in a different line of work) while I was working, it was sooo bad it literally paralyzed (said somewhat metaphorically and obviously not in a permanent way) me and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and given a nice dose of morphine for the pain

I may be the exception to the rule but last year I started working core and upper body strength and conditioning. This year I made a small investment to continue that and make it easier for me to stick with it. I always figured since I was riding I didn't need to do anything more since I was already using those muscles and muscle groups.

It is WAY better now, the difference is night and day. I won't lie and say I never experience some discomfort but it's nothing I can't deal with.

I'm not saying this would work for everybody since there are so many different and chronic back issues but it has worked very well for me and I'm and advocate for physical conditioning. It has so many benefits and as you get older even helps with things like balance that WILL make a huge difference in your overall quality of life as you age. I'm not that old( I'm sure my kids would say different ) but for example... when I started doing lunges it was as much an exercise in balace as it was anything else for me. Sounds crazy I'm sure, but it is what it is

I'm just afraid of sitting in that " rocking chair" and never getting back out like I see happen to so many others!

[SUX VR40 Rider]

I won't disclose what I weigh, but I am over weight. But that has nothing to do with why it hurts when I ride a diamond frame bike. I was not over weight when I started riding a diamond frame bike and I hurt just as much as when I became over weight. My friend has never been over weight hurt when he used to ride a diamond frame bike, which is why he switched to a recumbent.

As far as I know there is no off road recumbent. Even if there were it would be very difficult to ride a single track on one because of the power to weight ratio required on a mountain bike when off roading. BTW I used to ride single track. I had a Schwinn mountain bike at one time. In fact I never hurt when I road single track on it. So I could go back to riding a mountain bike, but only for off road use, I would never ride it on paved surface.

As far as riding in an urban area with traffic what works for me is I behave like traffic, I am not timid or passive. If anything I may be overly assertive, but I an not an ******* or a jerk either. Yes there are jerks, *******s and idiots out there in motor vehicles, but 95% of the time I don't have any problems.

Not sure if anyone picked up on it, but just in case, when I ride now I am never in pain and usually end my ride with a smile on my face and I am never in a bad mood after a ride.

[Jahwarrior]

I don't hurt when I finish my rides either, and I usually have a goofy smile on my face the whole time. (sometimes it's gas)

But I'm riding for fun, and fitness. In the great outdoors, usually in a wooded area.

I don't like people much, I find it best to avoid them, 90% of the time the wife accompanies me on her mountain bike. it's fun.

I can see it being ideal for the injured/handicapped/handicapable/overweight, or just an enthusiast that enjoys being different/unique/special.

[photosbymark]

Jahwarrior remind me not to ride behind you in a pace line. grin

[Nigal]

I find any type of activity is better when lying down.

[Engyo]

Shoulder, neck and wrist pain were what brought me to try recumbents.

Getting in the saddle the second morning of a two-day 180 mile ride with no wincing is what sold me completely. No 'butter' required, no awkward padding in my shorts, I can see the sky whenever I want.