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Q. What IS that thing ?!?

A. Well, it's called a 'recumbent' bicycle. The word recumbent refers to the seated position; many enthusiasts have also taken to calling them 'bents'. They usually have two wheels although some have three. Those with three wheels are referred to as trikes. They are most often powered by pedaling with your legs, but some bents are hand powered, some are both hand and foot powered.

Q. Are they comfortable?

A. They are very comfortable. Recumbents seats are larger and you actually sit in the seat. You aren't perched on top of a narrow saddle which can tend to cause numbness and chafing. The handlebars are either above the seat at shoulder level, or below the seat at a position where your arms hang down naturally. This combination creates a comfortable ride, making long distance riding free from neck strain, saddle sores, and wrist pain.

Q. Are they difficult to ride?

A. No. It may take you a little time to get used to the feel and handling of the bike. There are variations in handling just as there are in uprights- some are fast, twitchy racing models and others are smooth, stable touring models. Be forewarned though, recumbents use different muscles, so even if you are a very fit upright rider, you will experience difficulty climbing hills until you develop the new muscle groups.

Q. Do they "do" hills?

A. Yes, they do "do" hills. Some people think that because you can't stand on the pedals, that you can't ride up hills. Recumbents do tend to be slower going up hills, but as long as you keep pedaling the bike keeps moving. Depending on how steep a hill you're climbing, you may want a low granny gear ( and a good set of lungs), which will enable you to spin your way to the top. Usually you can keep up with some of the upright riders, and if any time was lost climbing, you will make up for it on the downhills and flat ground.

Q. Are they faster?

A. Well, this is very controversial. In the IHPVA sanctioned events, all the land speed records are held by recumbent or semi-recumbent designs. The real question you are asking is, will you be faster on a recumbent?

The answer is, "maybe". There are so many factors involved; how long you've been riding, how long you've trained on the recumbent, style and weight of the bike, topography - hilly, mountainous, flat.

Since the biggest factor limiting speed is aerodynamic drag, if you want to go really fast, use a recumbent with a well-designed fairing or a full body.

Q. Are recumbents hard to see?

A. Since recumbents are relatively uncommon, they are "noticed"; "visible" is another question. You do sit lower than on a traditional diamond frame bike. Depending on which recumbent you own, you may want to make yourself a little more visible. You can do that by adding a flag to your bike on an extended rod (Burley style), and also by wearing a bright helmet or jacket/vest. To be fair to car drivers, whose attention and concentration are on everything except their driving, I would recommend doing something to get their attention especially if you're riding on heavily used roads.

Q. How do you steer it?

A. Generally, recumbents have either 'above seat steering' (ASS), or 'under seat steering' (USS). On the above seat steering bents, the handlebars are located at about shoulder height giving them the "chopper" look. On the under seat steering bikes, they are located just beneath the seat. If you are sitting on a chair right now, let your hands hang loosely at your side; this is where your handlebars would be.

Above seat steering looks more conventional and is therefore sometimes favored by beginners; but USS bents are really no more difficult to control.

Q. What are the different styles of recumbents?

A. The most noticable difference between the different styles is the length of the bike. There are long wheel base (lwb), short wheel base (swb), and compact long wheel base bikes (clwb).

A long wheelbase bike (LWB) is 65" - 71". Their ride is quite smooth, comfortable, fast and stable but due to their length, low speed maneuverability can be a bit tricky on busy streets or on narrow paths. Examples: Rans Stratus like mine, Ryan, Linear, Infinity.

A short wheelbase bike (SWB) is 33" - 45". Their front wheel is underneath or a little ahead of the riders knees, with the crankset mounted on a boom. They have quick handling, are easy to maneuver, and they are more compact, making it easier to transport and stow than a lwb. Examples: Lightning P-38, Presto.

A compact long wheelbase bike (CLWB) is 46" - 64". These bikes are the easiest bikes to learn on. They are responsive, very stable, and with a higher seat- they are more visible, making great commuters. Examples: BikeE, ReBike.

Q. I'm still slow! How long does it take before I'm up to speed?

A. Since it takes time to develop new leg muscles it will depend on how often and the amount of time you spend on your trusty steed. For me, it took about two weeks riding it 20 or 25 miles a day. For others, it may take longer or it may take less time. It all depends on your physical fitness and how hard you choose to ride.

Q. How much do they cost?

A. You can probably find a low end recumbent in the $500 range and they can go as high as you want to pay. Because of their low production volumes, a recumbent tends to be more expensive than a mass-produced upright bike. So when comparing prices, keep in mind you're buying a custom or very low production bike. Expect to pay $1000 or even much more for a high quality bike. This price range will give you very good components, a good frame and less weight.My Rans Stratus XP cost me $1,600.