The Bike Doc 250+
Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 1398 Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:13 am GMT +0000 Post subject: |
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Trapper:
A recumbent bike definitely should be in your future. As you have already read my article on recumbent bikes, I will only post the link for voyeurs who may be following this thread. http://bicycling.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bikeroute.com%2FBentMedBenefits.html
Laid back markedly reclined recumbents “low racers” and “high racers” are the fastest of the recumbents without fairings but the low reclined angle may be hard on your neck. Instead I would look at some of the more upright riding models. Lightning P-38 allows a very neutral head up position and has a reputation for being an extremely good climber. I have ridding the Texas Chainring Challenge several times and noted these models climbed well and were wicked fast on the flats and the decents. (I couldn’t keep up with them when I was on my conventional diamond frame (DF) road bike. Tour Easy Gold Rush and Ti Rush are other models to consider. It is not quite as fast in the climbing as the Lighting P38 but still is quite respectable. Other models to consider are the RANS rocket or the RANS Force 5 (F5), Barcroft Virginia GT and the Bachetta Aero to name just a few on my short list. Recumbent tadpole trikes (two wheels in front one in the rear) tend not to be as fast on the climbs or the flats but are an absolute scream to ride. Critical for you in this area is an adjustable seat angle so you can get an angle that is comfortable for your head. Two lines I can specifically recommend for you are the Whizwheels and the Greenspeed. They both have higher end sport trikes that may server your needs. Go to http://www.bentrideronline.com/ and http://www.recumbentcyclistnews.com for some further enlightenment and reviews. Do ride as many models as possible to get a good feel of what your body tolerates and needs. Check out http://www.easystreetrecumbents.com/ in Austin. I have been to the shop and the owners are knowledgeable and helpful. They have several models for you to try.
Off road, mountain bikes still rule. Though if you are looking for some serious off road wheels that can climb just about anything but just doesn’t do single track well look at the Crank-it Mountain Quad. On road it is too slow and heavy for anything more than commuter jaunts.
One thing to keep in mind when you switch to recumbents, they use different muscle groups than on a regular DF bike. So give your self 2-3 months to condition those muscles. Climbing style also has to be adjusted. If you are a stand up and mash the gears kind of rider, you will need to adjust to a higher cadences smooth spinning style of riding. You will have an advantage that you can effectively leg press the cranks by pushing against the back of the seat.
Go recumbent, go faster!
Thanks, _________________ Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc |
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