Wow, I practically lived on bikes when I was a kid. Give one a test ride. Any good dealer will set it up to fit you and give you instructions on how to ride it.
Balance is easier on a bent due to the lower center of gravity so you’ll probably do just fine.
Just don’t make the mistake one lady at our dealership made during a test ride. She took off and rode it around the park just fine. She really did take to it right off.
When she came back to where we were standing she rode up, slowed to a stop, and fell over.
She forgot to put her feet down when she stopped so naturally the bike fell over
I was another one who never learned to ride a bike when i was a kid. I eventually did when i was 13 (having stabilizers on a bike at age 13 is not the best for your confidence!) but because of the embarresment factore etc never realy took to it. I would like to ride a bike more often but as i ahve problems with my knees bike riding can be a problem … maybe i should look into a recumbent. thanks for the info Mason.
Interesting that you brought up this subject, Mason. I’m right in the middle of building mine. It’s about 7 feet in length, from front tire to rear. I’m using a carbon fiber layup over a Urethane core, so to keep the weight down. I’ll have pics of it when I’m done if you would like to see it.
Very cool. I’ve always wanted to build one as I used to spend a lot of my youth building custom bikes, but alas these days I simply don’t have the time.
By that length I assume it’s a long wheel base model. Similar to a Rans Stratus (my dream bike) perhaps? I look forward to seeing it.
We’re a cycling family too, but in our 'hood, with all the hills, plus towing kids, weight is a HUGE factor. I did really enjoy using my FIL’s tricycle 'bent when I couldn’t get on my bike seat after my last baby was born, though :teehee:
I actually just came here though to promote another bike that doesn’t get a lot of press - check out Day6 bikes My MIL, who has ridden 'bents and diamond frames, is currently riding one of these. The benefits of a 'bent - great stability, forward peddling, natural uprighting seating - plus the height and familiar “shape” most are used to in a bike!
Of course now I’m looking into a tandem. Right now I’m riding a road bike, with my son behind me on a trail-a-bike, and the other 2 in the Burley trailer behind him. I’m hoping to limit my tail shaking and increase stability. Biggest problem is I’m only 5ft flat, so finding any bike to fit me is a challenge, but a tandem I can captain well is harder still - if anyone has a rec, let me know! - oh, and I have tried a 'bent tandem, but man, I’m not so sure I want to drag that plus trailer up the hill to the store and back!!
That looks like it would be right up my alley… I’ve tried the bents and did have knee problems. (I have arthritis and it was recommended to me but I was doing something wrong and it really thrashed my knees. I am also short and that could have made a difference.) This Day6 bike looks like it would work…
I’ve seen those bikes before although I’ve never ridden one. They are a type of recumbent. I’ve even seen mountain bikes of similar design.
As for your knee issues, the trick to not hurting your knees on a bent is to use lower gears and a faster cadence. Let the bike do the work. You just pedal faster and maintain a gear that allows the speed you want without having to press hard against the pedals.
:teehee: