Recumbent Bicycles

Dave Stevens wants some information on Recumbent Bikes, we don’t usually write about them, so we have done a little reading up and we now have two Bike Cycling Reviews Recumbent recommendations. If you have ever thought about cycling lying down? Then read on

Question: Do you ever run articles on recumbent bicycles??
Thanks,
Dave.

Hi Dave,
We have written a short description of Recumbent Bikes and here it is for you to read again:-

“Get a recumbent bike and do your cycling lying down.

Recumbent bicycles are built to be close to the ground, this cuts a lot of wind resistance and you are lying down on the job! The position is radically different from a normal bike and needs a lot of practice to get the hang of pedalling on your back close to the ground. Unlike a normal bike position you can’t get out of the saddle to climb a hill, you have to change down a gear and pedal up.

If you can find a second hand recumbent frame you could build up a homebuilt recumbent bicycle, most of the parts are the same are normal bikes, the wheel size is smaller and the steering is more complicated, the saddle is obviously different, the gearing will be the same, but with a longer chain for the longer frame. The braking system is best to be discs as they run on the hub as opposed to the stirrup normal system, which has to straddle the wheel and tire.

If you are more adventurous you could make a solar powered recumbent bicycle. These have large solar panels fitted on the top of the bike, which charge batteries and then power electric a motor to push the bike forward. You need a lot of sun and flat roads, Arizona in the USA or Australia are the best places, but don’t try to go out at night!”

That was our basic thoughts on Recumbent bikes, but having a good look around at Recumbent’s we like the look of the Bacchetta range of bikes. They are well made and innovative in there design. The Bacchetta Cafe is a great bike for beginners as it has a medium wheel base (57 inch) and you don’t sit too high. The gears are SRAM, the wheels are 20 inch front and 26 inch rear and the brakes are “V” by Alhonga. The Bacchetta Cafe weighs in at 33.6 lbs and costs around $1,000.

Bacchetta Cafe

We also liked the Bacchetta Corsa as it has an aluminum frame bringing the bike’s weight down to 24 lbs. At just over $2000 with the Euro mesh seat and around $2400 with the hard-shell seat it is one of the overall fastest bikes in its price range. The Corsa frame is well made by Kenisis. The Bacchetta Euro mesh seat is the most comfy Euro style seat. It is not quite as light as the carbon seats but the padding fits and stays put better and it breathes better also. The Euro mesh seat also has mounts on the back for two water bottle cages, a nice feature lacking on the carbon seats.

As with all dual 26 inch high-racers, shorter riders may find it hard to start and stop due to the higher seats. Like on many high racers the Corsa’s dual 650C wheels will fit a variety of go fast tires. The Corsa favors speed over relaxation and tire durability, making it great for riding with your buddies on their diamond frame bikes or doing fast century rides.

Bacchetta Corsa

So those are our favorite Recumbent’s, one for starters and another for fast experienced riders. I hope that answers your question?