The appearance of a recumbent bicycle on the streets of our cities causes universal amazement. Some believe that such an unusual design was created for boasting. Others compare this invention to Frankenstein’s monster or a grasshopper bicycle.

However, those who have ridden a hundred kilometers on a comfortable seat consider the recumbent bicycle an ideal transport for fast or long-distance trips. Experienced users claim: it’s enough to ride this unusual device once out of curiosity to want to switch to it for a long time. On this seemingly awkward bicycle, powered by human muscle strength, a world speed record of 133.78 km/h has been set.

What is a Recumbent Bicycle?

A two- or three-wheeled recumbent is a practically flawless modern bicycle. Owners of such transport get greater comfort and the ability to develop higher speeds. There is no need to climb onto a narrow saddle and lean forward. The well-thought-out body position allows you to freely inspect the road and enjoy the surrounding views. The recumbent (as this type of transport is called in English-speaking countries) differs from a regular bicycle in its design, streamlining, and speed.

On a special seat, a cyclist can comfortably ride a hundred kilometers without getting tired due to the absence of load on the spine. The pedals are located in front, and instead of a handlebar, levers are used to make turns. The back tightly pressed against the chair and the position of the legs at the seat level affect the acceleration dynamics of the recumbent. There are several options for the location of the handlebars, as well as the size and diameter of the wheels. Titanium alloys, alloy steel, and other durable materials are used to make the frame.

A recumbent bicycle with excellent streamlining can reach speeds of up to 52 km/hour. To fully experience the features of this vehicle, you need to ride it for a couple of hundred kilometers. The recumbent attracted the attention of NASA scientists studying the extreme capabilities of humans in space conditions. Experienced racers were invited to participate in an experiment to determine the maximum speed on a recumbent bicycle. The current record belongs to Canadian Sam Whittingham.

Advantages of a Recumbent Bicycle

The recumbent is an unusual lying bicycle with many advantages. The main advantage of a recumbent is considered to be the presence of a more comfortable chair in which the rider can not just sit, but lie down. Many professional cyclists often complain of pain in the wrists, shoulders, and back, but while riding a recumbent, all these body parts are relaxed and not subjected to stress.

The recumbent bicycle contributes to health preservation. According to medical research, riding a recumbent is more beneficial than riding a regular bicycle. This is because, thanks to the comfortable position, a person relaxes the spine, which contributes to the restoration of intervertebral discs. In addition, there is no compression of blood vessels, no unpleasant friction in the buttocks area, and no irritation of peripheral nerves.

Another plus of the recumbent bicycle is minimal air flow resistance. This indicator is 30% lower than when moving on a bicycle with a vertical seat. In a semi-recumbent position, it is easier and faster to develop a higher speed.

The recumbent provides safety for the cyclist in unforeseen road incidents. The elongated frame takes on the main impacts coming to the front part of the structure. In a recumbent position, the risk of head and spinal cord injuries is reduced.

The recumbent bicycle, due to the comfortable position of the rider, allows for maximally efficient energy transfer. Full support of the pelvis and upper body provides good pressure on the pedals.

Main Disadvantages

Price

Recumbents are significantly more expensive than regular bicycles. This is due to the small volume of production and the use of some specific parts, such as the seat, long chain drive, and luggage rack. Due to higher speeds of movement, the cost of such common units as switches and brakes is also high. Repairing the suspension of recumbents is expensive due to the lack of alternative parts, except from the manufacturer of a specific model. The price range for recumbent bicycles varies from 1100 to 10000 euros.

Poor Protection from Precipitation

The owner of a recumbent bicycle without a fairing suffers more from rain than the driver of a regular two-wheeled transport. Raindrops fall on the whole body, and strong wind blows water from below under the clothes. In contrast, there are recumbents completely closed by a fairing that provide good protection from rain. These are usually three-wheeled velomobiles. On open recumbents, you can also easily install a special rain cover fastened to the front rail. However, a recumbent bicycle covered with a tent becomes less stable in crosswinds.

Significant Weight

Many recumbents, due to the massive tubular frame, long chain, and large seat, weigh quite a lot, on average 17 kg. But there are exceptions: non-suspended sports models with minimalistic seating conditions weigh 7.5 kg; sports recumbent bicycles with a chair, without suspension, can weigh about 10 kg; models suitable for everyday use are available starting from 12 kg.

Disturbed Balance

A recumbent bicycle may have suboptimal weight distribution between the wheels due to the immobility of the body in the chair. In addition, the long wheelbase makes steering difficult on turns, for example, when maneuvering in a snake pattern at low speed. The low seating, nevertheless, always allows for safely standing on your feet at low speeds.

Danger of Riding in Traffic Jams

The question of how well recumbent cyclists are visible on the road remains controversial. Many car drivers find it difficult to notice a low recumbent behind parked vehicles, as it is lower than the roofs of cars. On the other hand, a recumbent cyclist attracts more attention than any other road user. Since it is inconvenient to look back when changing lanes in a semi-recumbent position, many models provide a rearview mirror.

Difficulties with Overcoming Curbs

Depending on the design, jumping over a curb stone on a recumbent bicycle is only possible at a very low speed or not at all. It is impossible to lift the front wheel while moving.

Danger of Riding on Ice, Snow, and Mud

The risk of falling on a recumbent bicycle is somewhat higher than on a standard one, as it is more difficult to maintain balance with the body. However, falling occurs from a lower height, which reduces the likelihood of injuries. Three-wheeled recumbents are significantly safer, especially when riding on complex cross-country terrain.

Strong Glare from Oncoming Car Headlights

Due to the low seat position, the recumbent driver is often blinded by headlights. On the other hand, a lying cyclist is fully visible at the headlight level to car drivers, unlike a rider on a high bicycle, whose legs are only visible in the beam of light.

Items Falling Out of Pockets

If you don’t put all your personal belongings in zipped pockets or a separate bag, it’s easy to lose your wallet and keys while riding a recumbent.

Design Features

Cargo Transportation

On touring recumbent bicycles, the luggage rack is significantly stronger than on regular two-wheelers, due to the low center of gravity. Up to four large bags can be placed behind the seat and on side mounts without fear of them sliding to the wheel on the road. Unlike traditional touring bicycles, the weight distribution between the axles when loading the luggage rack does not change significantly on a recumbent. However, there is no possibility of wearing a backpack on your shoulders or hanging a bag on the handlebars. In addition, depending on the design of the rear wheel suspension, it is not always possible to use a trailer.

Repair

Many components, such as the bottom bracket or headset cups, are not standardized, so they cannot be replaced with parts from other recumbent models. Such spare parts are difficult to find in mass sales. They can only be ordered from the manufacturer or supplier. Brakes and switches can be used the same as on regular bicycles.

Small Wheels

Usually, a small 20-inch diameter wheel is installed in front. With such small tire sizes, rolling resistance increases. Higher tire pressure and less weight on the front wheel can compensate for this resistance to movement. Nevertheless, it will still be more difficult to overcome road irregularities, as a small wheel falls into any potholes.

Long Chain

A long chain is required for all recumbents with rear-wheel drive. When using mandatory tensioning devices, problems with chain slippage do not occur. Especially if the chain is in Teflon guides. Now such a design is standard for all modern recumbents. However, a chain of great length (on average 3.5 meters) increases the total mass of the recumbent bicycle.

No Need to Change Position

Unlike a regular bicycle, on a recumbent, you don’t need to lean forward when riding fast and straighten up when slowing down. Usually, changing position is used to reduce air resistance or avoid numbness in the hands, but these problems rarely occur on a recumbent bicycle.

Adjusting for Height

Fitting for the rider, which on a regular bicycle is done by changing the height of the saddle and possibly the handlebars, is also available on a recumbent. However, after moving the bottom bracket assembly, it will be necessary to change the chain length, which excludes the possibility of quick adjustment when shared by several people.

Types of Recumbents

Recumbent bicycles are available in various variations: with front or rear drive, with high or low bottom bracket placement, with handlebars in the front of the frame or under the seat. Numerous models of recumbent machines can be conditionally divided into the following categories according to their control features:

1. Short, with a small wheelbase, suitable for daily use and travel, and are currently the most common recumbent machines.
2. Lowriders, with a small wheelbase and low seating, oriented towards a sporty riding style, particularly for racing.
3. Front-wheel drive have a short wheelbase. The role of the handlebars is performed by an articulated frame that turns when the cyclist’s body moves.
4. Long models provide a high level of comfort, but due to the large wheelbase, they are bulky and less maneuverable when driving.
5. Veloscooters with seating over the wheel are equipped with long handlebars and high seat placement. They are suitable for both city riding and travel.
6. Velochairs with two wheels in front and a rear steering wheel provide sensations similar to driving a go-kart.
7. Velomobiles with three wheels are fully enclosed by a body and provide good protection from bad weather, as well as excellent aerodynamics, but they are heavier than other types.
8. Tandems are designed for two cyclists. They can be two-, three-, and rarely four-wheeled.
9. Rowing bicycles belong to recumbent machines that are propelled by arm strength. They can be two- and three-wheeled.
10. Prone bicycles are characterized by low air resistance, but at the expense of comfort and visibility. You need to ride them lying on your stomach.

Types of Handlebars on Recumbents

There are various types of steering that differ significantly from each other:

1. High handlebars, the handles of which are located above the seat, near the rider’s chest. Installed on lowriders and bicycles with a short wheelbase of the most common models.
2. Tiller is a T-shaped handlebar, the handles of which are relatively close to the chest. The tiller is also available in a folding version, where it can be tilted forward along with the control levers to facilitate getting on and off.
3. Aero handlebars are distinguished by the fact that their tube is curved in an arc around the knee joints. Its handles are most often also at knee level.
4. Low handlebars are usually installed under the seat, and the handles themselves are usually in a vertical position slightly above the seat.
5. Two levers can most often be found only on velomobiles or velochairs. Each of the levers is directly connected to one of the two front wheels and is responsible for turning in a certain direction. The lever handles are located on the sides of the seat.