From: freytag@seas.gwu.edu (Richard Freytag)
Subject: Re: Tour sitting down (was Re: Demise of the touring bike?)
Followup-To: freytag@seas.gwu.edu
Summary: Misperceptions 
Keywords: recumbents, touring
Organization: George Washington University
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 22:18:01 GMT

In article <Bv79H9.483@well.sf.ca.us> marquis@well.sf.ca.us (Roger Marquis) writes:
>
>I can't really see recumbent sales taking off any time soon Rich.
>Having been on a few 'bent rides I much prefer the diamond frame.
>Recumbents tend to be heavy and this makes climbing a chore.  

My recumbent weighs in at 32 lbs.  This may not be "feather" light but
it is not going to be the source of hill-climbing difficulties.  The
way to climb hills in a recumbent is to use the gears.  Standing on the
pedals is not an option since you are sitting down.  Shortcoming?  No,
the seat back allows one to place more pressure on the pedals provided
one is strong enough.  When riding a diamond frame the rider is limited
to the force that can be generated by lifting one's own weight.  If the
rider is 150lbs that is the maximum force (plus some acceleration 
component derived from the standing motion), available to rotate the crank.

>They also have long wheelbases and a high center of gravity which makes 
>descending tedious.  

I don't see how wheelbase length affects descent characteristcs.  Also my
recumbent has what is generally known as a short wheelbase (SWB) making its
length from road contact point to road contact point merely and inch longer
than my old Giant Innova.  

I have found LWB bikes much safer and controllable in descents because my
center of gravity is lower (you're sitting back in a seat with a seatback),
allowing you to brake immediately and fully with BOTH wheels should it
be necessary without doing a header.  This is one reason why the diamond
frame (aka "safety"), replaced the penny-farthing.  I submit that reduced
risk of "headers", are another reason for a bright future for recumbents.  
If I do come off a recumbent then my feet and buttocks hit the ground first
saving my head.  Since, higher speeds can be attained with less fear descents
on a recumbent are thrilling.  I find that I "spin out" much more frequently
on recumbent descents than I ever did on a diamond frame.  

>It's also very difficult to suspend yourself on 
>uneven pavement.  This combined with the low profile, which is
>difficult to see from a car, especially in traffic, make a recumbent
>really useful only in flat, untrafficked, well paved environments.
>These are serious restrictions for any riding, touring included.
>
>
>Roger (marquis@netcom.com)

The suspended seats on recubents soak up the vibration that you are speaking
of.  The underseat steering recumbents allow especially bad bumps to be
avoided by raising oneself onto ones hands.  If touring means "extended
rock hopping" then 'bents probably won't be the answer.  Vibration isn't the
problem, but because balance is controlled by steering rather than by 
horsing the frame around with your body's mass.  

I have never had a problem with a motorist not seeing me.  They almost 
always slow when passing, lots of stares, and a wide berth.  In my opinion
it helps to be at eye level with the driver (most 'bents have the same seat
height as a car), as eye contact is possible.  My theory is that from the
car's perspective this makes the 'bent more of a vehicle with a right to
the road.  This last is only conjecture and natureally bicycles of
all sorts have the general legal right to share the road.  For all bikes
visibility can be improved with flags, lights, and bright clothing.  

Experience and those of other 'bent riders indicate that touring
on a 'bent is alot of fun providing no more difficulty than on a diamond
frame.  There is the added advantage that at the end of a touring day
one's weight has not been supported by one's wrists, feet, and the forward
edge of your crotch.  Recumbent touring means that you don't have to
crane your head back to see the road or the sky; and that is what touring
is all about seeing the world while biking.  

Thanks for your thoughts; more opinions anyone?

-Richard Freytag
From: jbrandt@hplred.HP.COM (Jobst Brandt)
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 18:13:02 GMT
Subject: Re: Hit and Run (the results)
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA