What to Look for When Buying a Recumbent Bike
Once something you would stop and stare at, recumbent bikes are quickly becoming more popular amongst the biking community. A recumbent bike is a cycle where the rider sits in a laid back reclining position, with the pedals in front of them.
Many riders ride recumbent bikes because they are much more comfortable that regular bikes. The body’s weight is more evenly distributed over a larger area. Instead of all your weight being on your hands, feet and sitting area, your weight is supported by your entire back and bottom.
While it may not look like it at first glance, recumbent bikes are very fast. Their design is aerodynamically superior to traditional bikes. In the recumbent position there is less of a frontal profile to create drag, allowing for less resistance and more speed. In fact, a recumbent bike actually holds the world speed record for a bicycle. In 1934, this variation of bike was banned from international racing due to having such a big aerodynamic advantage.
Recumbents have safety advantages over road bikes, and other regular bikes too. Since you sit lower to the ground you less distance to fall and the severity of your impact is dramatically reduced. With a feet forward design it very unlikely that you will come to a complete stop and get fired over the handlebars, which, as any experienced rider will tell you, exposes you to serious head and neck injuries. Braking and stopping power is also much improved due to your low center of gravity.
Features
If you’re interested in buying a recumbent, then check out these features to get more acquainted with this increasingly popular style of bike:
Wheelbase: Recumbent bikes have three main wheelbase set-ups: long, short and compact. On a long wheelbase version, the pedals are located between the front and rear wheels. On the short wheelbase model, the pedals are in front of the front wheel and compact wheel base models have pedals very close to the front wheel or above it.
Wheel sizes: The rear wheel on recumbents can range from 16 inches to 700c. The front wheel is usually a smaller tyre. The most common wheel combination of wheel sizes on the recumbent bikes is a 26 inch rear wheel and 20 inch front wheel.
Steering: When it comes to steering, recumbents are broken down into three main categories; over seat or above seat, under seat and center or pivot steering. Depending on what kind of steering you prefer you may opt for a bike with larger “Superman” handlebars to help you better control the bike.
Drive Systems: Just like their traditional cousins, recumbent bikes are usually rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive options are possible due to the proximity of the crank to the front wheel. There is also a unique system called Pivot-boom front wheel drive on some recumbents, too.
Suspension: Just like traditional bikes, recumbents come equipped with more and better suspension systems. Front and rear suspensions are very common on recumbents as well as a variety of systems like coil, air sprung and elastomer suspensions.
Fairings: Just like a motorcycles, many recumbent bikes have fairings to increase the aerodynamic properties of these bikes. Not only do they reduce drag but they also keep the rider warmer and dryer in nasty weather.
Variations
Just like road bikes and mountain bikes, the recumbents come in a variety of setups with different options for riders looking for different things. What variation will suit you best depends on a host of factors. Check these out and see if any fit you:
Low-racers: More common in Europe, these recumbents usually have two 20″ or 26″ wheels or a 26″ in the rear and a 20″ in the front. The seat is between the wheels rather than above them and provides an extremely reclined position. If you’re looking for aerodynamic heaven, this is it.
High-racers: These versions have two large wheels with the rider’s legs sitting above the wheels. This style is more stable than low-racers, and very popular.
Mountain Bike Recumbents: With the right tyres, gearing and a longer wheelbase, these bikes are awesome off road and on unpaved roads.
Crank Forward Recumbents: These variations provide a seating position between a traditional recumbent and traditional bikes.
Tandem Recumbents: Built for two, these versions are marked by having the stokers crankset under the captain’s seat.
Recumbent Trikes: These bikes are available in two different versions. The delta has two rear wheels and one front one while the tadpole has the reverse set up.
Handycycles: Another form of recumbent bike, made especially for the handicapped who don’t have much or any use of their legs. These are often referred to as hand powered vehicles (HPV).
Hand and Foot Recumbent Trikes: If you’re looking for a full body workout then check out these recumbent variations that use hand power and leg power to propel you along.
About the Author
Installing a Crankset on your Bike
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used TA Specialites double crank set 42/50 170mm french threaded good cond $59.00 |
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Hot Bodies D8 Steering Crank Set 67397 $21.41 |
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Shimano Saint Crankset 170mm with BB and Bash Guard 36 T Super nice!! DH Cranks $217.99 |
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GT CRANK SET 175 BMX 1/2″ ONE PIECE FREESTYLE CRUISER RACING BICYCLE $35.00 |
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Sram Force Crankset Cranks GXP Compact with BB 46 36 cross cyclocross carbon $0.99 |
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Vintage stronglight crank set dust steel cap (2) one pair FRANCE** $10.00 |
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Associated 21322 Steering Rack Bellcrank/Bell-Crank Set: SC18 New $2.68 |
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Campagnolo Super Record Crank Arms/Crankset Campy 1970s 1980s VC Con Vintage $0.99 |
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NEW 2011 Shimano Ultegra FC-6700 Crank Set 165mm Road Bike 53x39T Glossy Grey $179.99 |
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2012 Vision FSA TriMax Crank Set 110mm with 52/38 tooth 175mm w/BB $10.00 |
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SHIMANO ULTEGRA FC-6700 Grey 172.5mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Crank Alloy NIB $209.97 |
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SHIMANO ULTEGRA FC-6700 Grey 175mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Crank Alloy NEW $189.97 |
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Shimano XTR FC-M960 Crankset 175mm Crank $99.00 |
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SHIMANO ULTEGRA FC-6700 Grey 172.5mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Crank Alloy NEW $199.97 |
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Campagnolo Record Crank Set/Crank Arms Brev 1982 170mm VG to EXC Condition $2.25 |
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FSA ALPHA DRIVE Double Bash Guard 36/24 Bike Crankset 170mm Crank CK-715 NEW $24.97 |
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SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 170mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Crank Alloy Silver NEW $79.97 |
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FSA Triple MTB Crankset Cranks 165mm with 68mm BB NEW $0.99 |
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2010 SHIMANO 105 FC-5600 Grey 175mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Crank Alloy NEW $119.97 |
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CAMPAGNOLO SUPER RECORD Crankset 11 39×53 175m Carbon Crank FC9-SR593C NEWm $399.97 |
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TAKAGI NOS Gold CRANK SET Vintage old School BMX $399.99 |
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Sram Red Carbon Fiber 10 Speed 172.5 Crankset Crank $1.25 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 175mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $0.99 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 170mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $99.97 |
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NEW TruVativ Omnium Track Crank Set // 170 48T SRAM Road Bike GXP $124.99 |
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Lot 2 Sugino 75 Track Crank Set Sram Chain // 170mm 144BCD 49T 68 1.37 SG75 BB $0.99 |
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Sram Apex GXP Road Bicycle Crank Set and BB 53/39T Double 175L $74.99 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 175mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $59.97 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 172.5mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $59.97 |
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NOS Set: Outer Chain Ring Bolts & Nuts Campagnolo Gran Sport 3-Spoke Crank Set $9.99 |
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SHIMANO ULTEGRA 6700 CRANK SET 53/39 170MM $140.00 |
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170 Suntour Superbe Mighty Competition 144 BCD Double 53/42 Crank Set $110.00 |
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172.5 Vintage Stronglight Steel Cotter Pin Double 52/42 Crank Set $30.00 |
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Shimano Ultegra FC 6700 Crank Road Bicycle Crankset 172.5 53/39 T $179.00 |
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Resist 165mm Relapse Crank Set $105.99 |
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Stronglight 99bis triple crank set 30/38/48 170mm french threads $59.00 |
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Crupi 145 BMX Crank Set $55.00 |
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Vintage (well late 80′s) shimano 600 crank set, chain Ring & Seatpost $0.02 |
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Answer BMX 170mm Crank Set $40.00 |
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172.5 FSA SL-K 110 BCD Double 50/34 Road Crank Set $120.00 |
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Fixed Gear SingleSpeed Track Crank Crankset 165mm 46t Black $39.50 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 175mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $59.97 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 172.5mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset W/BB Alloy Crank NEW $59.97 |
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Vintage French Stronglight 93 cranks crankset 170mm 52/45 $59.00 |
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Prewar heart-shaped skiptooth crank set for balloon tire bicycle Schwinn? $19.99 |
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VINTAGE CAMPAGNOLO CHORUS 8 SPD BICYCLE 175 MM 53/42 TOOTH CRANK SET $79.99 |
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SRAM Red Crankset // 10 Speed 46-39T Road Cyclocross Bike Crank Set BB30 130 BCD $174.99 |
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Vintage Bicycle Arnold Schwinn 1950′s Crank Set 26″ bike $8.99 |
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Shimano Crankset Cranks FC-M780 175×42-32-24 HT2 Black $364.78 |
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Sram Cranks Crankset X5 175×42/28 GXP Black 10s $150.08 |
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SRAM TRUVATIV Single Speed Fixie Cranks CRANKSET ISOFLOW 38T 170mm $0.98 |
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Campagnolo Speed Road Bike Crankset Square Taper Crank (172,5 – 53/39, 44 AS) $40.00 |
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SRAM Rival OCT Chainset 165mm 53-39t Inc GXP BB Black Road Bike Cranks Crankset $198.98 |
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SEARS FREESPIRIT 26″ 3 SPEED ROAD BIKE(CRANK SET/PEDELS,CHROME GOOD COND $30.00 |
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248 06 KAWASAKI VULCAN LTD EN 500 CONNECTING RODS PISTON CRANK SET $85.00 |
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FSA Gossamer Standard Crankset 172.5mm 53t 39t Road Triathlon Crank Set 800g $109.00 |
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FSA Gossamer Crankset Compact 172.5mm 46t 36t Cyclocross Road Crank Set 780g +BB $124.95 |
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Associated 21322 Steering Rack Bellcrank/Bell-Crank Set: RC18-T2 RC18-B2 New $2.68 |
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Lasco crankset fixie fixed gear road beach cruiser bike crank set Taiwan WHITE $39.99 |
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BICYCLE TOOL CRANKSET REMOVER FOR STANDARD SQUARE AXLE CRANK PULLER EXTRACTOR $13.26 |
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1963 Ford Fairlane Chrome Door Handle Window Crank Set $89.95 |
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Ford Model A Coupe Tudor Door Handle & Window Crank Set $44.95 |
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Ford Car CHROME Door Handle Window Crank Set $69.00 |
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Ford Pickup Truck Chrome Window Crank Set $32.00 |
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1953 -1955 Ford Truck Door Handle Window Crank Set F100 $89.00 |
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1940 Ford Deluxe Interior Window Crank Set ’40 Car $34.00 |
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Ford Closed Car Chrome Window Crank Set $31.00 |
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1940 Ford Deluxe Door Handle Window Crank Set ’40 Car $57.00 |
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1932 Ford Closed Car Door Handle Window Crank Set 32 $49.50 |
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1957 Ford Pickup Truck Window Crank Set ’57 F100 $49.95 |
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1932 Ford Closed Car Window Crank Set 32 Street Rat Rod $29.00 |
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1962 Ford Fairlane Chrome Door Handle Window Crank Set $92.00 |
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Ford Pickup Truck Chrome Door Handle Window Crank Set $59.00 |
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1960-1962 Ford Car Chrome Door Handle Window Crank Set $94.95 |
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1958 1959 1960 Ford Truck Window Crank Set 58 59 60 $53.00 |
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1960 61 62 Ford Full Size Car Chrome Window Crank Set $59.95 |
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1956 Ford Truck Door Handle Window Crank Set ’56 F100 $87.00 |
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1963 Ford Fairlane Chrome Window Crank Set ’63 $59.95 |
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Ford Car CHROME Window Crank Set Hot Rod $32.99 |
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1958 59 Ford Full Size Car Door Handle Window Crank Set $89.00 |
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1936 Ford Car 36 37 Truck Door Handle Window Crank Set $59.00 |
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Fixed Gear Single Speed Track Crank Crankset 170mm 44t $15.00 |
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SHIMANO Deore XT Mountain Bike CRANK SET w/ Bottom Bracket Used SINGLE SPEED $0.99 |
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Sram Red Crank Set // 53/39t 167.5mm GXP Road Bike Carbon $21.50 |
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Campagnolo Chorus 10 Speed Road Bike Crankset Square Taper Crank $0.01 |
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FSA Triple MTB Crankset Cranks 165mm with 68mm BB NEW $1.04 |
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SHIMANO 105 HOLLOWTECH CRANKSET 172.5 cranks includes bottom bracket $60.00 |
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FSA Team Issue Carbon Road Crank Set // 170mm 9,10 spd Compact 50/34t $99.99 |
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2011 CAMPAGNOLO VELOCE 10 Speed Crankset 39 x 53 172.5mm Black Crank CAMPY NEW $99.97 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 172.5mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Alloy Crank NEW $59.97 |
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2010 SHIMANO 550 FC-R550 170mm 39/53t Road Bike Crankset Alloy Crank NEW $89.97 |
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VINTAGE MAVIC SSC 170MM X 9/16X 20 ALLOY CRANK SET..REAL NICE USED SHAPE. $125.00 |
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Sugino 8mm Hex Crank Arm Fixing Bolts & Caps Pair $3.44 Sugino Hex Crank Arm… |
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Crank $5.20 Ellen Hopkins’s semi-autobiographical verse novel, Crank, reads like a Go Ask Alice for the 21st century. In it, she chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the “monster,” the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or “crank.” Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne’er-do-well father. W… |
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Pace Logo Traditional Cycling Cap Lightweight cotton twill. 4-Panel dome with flip-up visor. KoolFit elastic sweatband. Made in the USA…. |
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Ride2 Crank Arm Shorteners for up to 43mm wide 9/16 arms $112.99 Ride2 Crank Arm Shorteners.Threads into crankarm and pinches arm with adjustable camsShortens cranks by 24, 41, 59 and 76mmTwo versions for narrow or wide crankarmsItem SpecificationsWeight380g… |
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BMX – VSI PRODUCTS SINZ 160MM SQ TAPER CRANK SEC-06 $1.00 Photo’s are for reference only. Please read item title carefully as the manufacturers part number is the item you will receive…. |
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BMX – VSI PRODUCTS SINZ 150MM SQ TAPER CRANK SEC-04 $1.00 Photo’s are for reference only. Please read item title carefully as the manufacturers part number is the item you will receive…. |
