Riding a 'bent is like riding a moped is like riding a....

**Shin-to-Win** · 03-17-2005, 11:55 AM

[QUOTE=Spats]Let me sum it up: Recumbents are the Spatula of bicycles.[QUOTE]

Perfect, now I know what bike to grab for the next powder day!!

I think recumbents may be more like Volant in general than just Spatulas. Loved by the older less aggro set, but as McSchlonkey shows, capable of much more. Chubbs for the bearded chubbies, Spats for the core.

Personally, I have real issues with the safety factor. I know Spats has dismissed this but I think it's a big big issue. On a roadie, my head is higher than most cars, so I have better visibility than most drivers. On a bent, it is more like door handle high. Not good. Also, while I appreciate that bents can handle well, there is no way they are capable of swerving to avoid a car or object as well as a roadie. Maybe that's why 85% of bents I see out there are on the local paved rail trails not the street.

Bents = Gold Wings very proficient at touring and carrying STUFF but missing the point in many ways.

**Spats** · 03-17-2005, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Shin-to-Win

On a roadie, my head is higher than most cars, so I have better visibility than most drivers. On a bent, it is more like door handle high. Not good.

Since I was curious, I went out and measured myself, my bike, and some cars on the street. My eyes are about 50" off the ground. That's higher than eye level to a passenger car, and neck level to my pickup. I'm not worried.

Originally Posted by Shin-to-Win

Also, while I appreciate that bents can handle well, there is no way they are capable of swerving to avoid a car or object as well as a roadie.

I have ridden both on the road for years, and I haven't noticed any sluggishness with the bents I ride. In fact, I've found myself less prone to close calls because I can see forward better on the bent.

Sure, there are recumbents with slow geometry and crappy brakes, but the same is true of uprights. A coaster-brake beach cruiser with longhorn bars and 2" slicks isn't going to dodge traffic like an OCLV.