Where is the best place to find a recumbent bicycle?

Question

I am a novice at cycling, and am interested in purchasing a recumbent bicycle. What should I look for, and how much should I expect to spend?

Answer 1

Try this link this is near the cheapest on the market. The price goes up in leaps and bounds from here. (these are TW-Bents)

http://www.actionbent.com/products.html

Other manufactures Optima, Bacchetta, Challenge, Azub, Velokraft, Volae, Carbent, M5 ,Greenspeed,Trisled.(many more)

The same things apply to recumbents as all type of cycling. Have a good look around. Make sure it fits you. Make sure it goes were you want to take it. Decision usually comes down to price versus components.

You will have to do most of your research on-line. For some reason not that many shops stock them. (yet)

P.s. I would agree with Ric that you should test ride as many as possible. Unless your really lucky the chances of finding a shop, near you, that stocks many, let alone, many brands is very slim. Hopefully this will change. Until then on-line research may be your only option.

If you have a little mechanical nous assembling a recumbent isn't that hard. Most good bike mechanics will help you out if you get stuck. (a novelty thing).

I have heard some bad reports about Actionbents after sales support but there are other options. The reasoning behind using the link is because it shows a good selection of styles. They bring the price of a recumbent to a level where a lot more people can consider them a realistic option. This is an ingredient that the recumbent market has been missing for years. It will only help to raise awareness.

As far as Tw-bents quality goes I wouldn't rate the components that badly (most are at least sora grade many are 105, xt, fsa,). They are up gradable and most of the "independent" reviews have been favourable. I can not see the Wal-mart parallel

In my situation. The nearest stockist with any variety of recumbent bikes is about 1200 km (750 mile) away. Test riding many is not really an option.

This discussion might be of a particular interest (about half way through)
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-147324.html

Answer 2

I know that Glenn gave you a link for on-line use but under know circumstance buy on-line. When purchasing a recumbent you need to ride as many as possible.
There are so many variations CLWB, SWB, LWB, Low rider, High Racer , Uss (under the seat steering) *** (above the seat steering) and then you have the ultimate fun machine in a Trike.
Except for the clwb I own each of the others and the reason I say this is they all ride different and have a different purpose.
http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.php (click image details to inlarge)
As far as what to expect to spend, it's up to you pretty much. You can spend from $500 to $9000 on a recumbent. Bacchettas new carbon HR is running $5300, Greenspeeds Trikes are at $3000 to around $8500 for the Tandem.
Action bent are running anywhere from $495 to $1400 but IMO and to put it nicely they are the Wal-mart brand of the recumbent world (you get what you pay for) and unless you a bike mechanic stay away from AB because you have to assemble the bike and it can be a pain if you don't know what your doing. As far as components go you'll find them much the same as the DF.
My advice is to find a Recumbent shop and test ride as many as possible and I can't stress that enough.
For a newbie I'd say find the style of bent you like and buy used if possible and make sure it's what you want to ride before start spending big bucks.

Answer 3

seen recumbent: sure Ridden recumbent: sure impression: relies upon on motorbike. some are garish and meant to snatch interest. maximum are only yet another bike proprietor that has stumbled on a more suitable unique gadget to journey. advantages: a lot more suitable positive aerodynamics than classic bicycles. decrease middle of gravity ability more suitable stability. Being decrease to the floor ability a lot less threat of severe damage in case of fall. because it truly is unusual human beings see it more suitable usually. If it has a fairing, they are frequently stated as a velomobile and customarily used like small autos. usually large for individuals with again issues as there's a lot less pressure on the backbone. Cons: critically more suitable severe priced to purchase. Heavier. Fewer options. Fewer places promote and preserve them. diverse muscle tissues used so may no longer be suitable for all riders. BTW, the medical terminology for the "sit down bones" are the Ischial Tuberosities, and the wrists are the carpal bones. the massive advantages are the inability of nerve impingement using severe stress on those bones.