Laggard

Why do I always pass those wobbling monstrositie? I have never been passed by one.

Hmm

Machka 

a) You obviously need to get out of your own little world and try new things. Try one and see how you like it.

b) Why don't you ask the people in the Recumbent Forum this question: https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Laggard

Dude, if all I had was a recumbent I wouldn't ride.

But seriously, my question was serious and I have no interest in visiting the recumbent forum. Why are they sooo slow?

Machka 

That's really too bad.

(And it's not "Dude")


So go ask the people in the Recumbent forum your question.

cranky old dude

82.43 mph is slow?

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=468358

Jay D

For me switching to a recumbent wasn't because I wanted to go faster, it was because they're simply FUN TO RIDE!!

Machka 

+1

I don't own one yet, but I've tried a few different kinds, and they're a blast ... something different from the ordinary bicycle. It's good to try different things!! I've put recumbent on my wish list of bicycles, but I'm not sure what kind I want to get yet, and probably won't be able to afford one for a few years anyway.

nymtber

Mountain bikes on slightly technical single track is fun to ride. Taking a turn on a road bike at speeds that barely maintain grip, is fun.

Riding around a lawnchair is what my Kayak is for

I'm just pokin fun. But really, I like normal bikes. Recumbents are to the cycling world what scooters are to the motorcycle world...I'm not saying that's good, just saying its kind of a fair comparison. I might ride a recumbent, but I wouldn't buy one.

knobster

I could ask the same question about the guy riding the Specialized Tarmac SL2 I've seen numerous times that I've rarely seen riding about 12 mph. Why are Tarmac's so slow?

The bike doesn't determine the speed. The rider does.

nymtber

we have a winner!

CCrew

Until they get to the first big hill, then they all lose

I think the trikes are cool, right up until I realize my head is at bumper height.

GreenGrasshoppr

Riding one of my recumbents, I pass people on regular bicycles all the time, except I don't assume they are all racing with me, and I hope those who pass me don't make that assumption about me either.

billyymc

Fail. Goldwings and blinged out FatBoys are the recumbents of the motorcycle world. At least if you think of recumbent riding as riding a easy-chair.

Scooters are nimble, quick, and highly utilitarian. They can also be fast as h-ll in the hands of the right tuner (think case-matched, ported out two stroke manual shift scooter with racing crank, big-bore top end and a racing exhaust), or even in stock form if you can get your hands on certain bikes (Gilera Runner 180 or 250, Italjet Dragster). I've tuned my Stella scooter (essentially an Indian built Vespa PX-150) just a bit, and I can squeeze about 67 mph out of it on a good day. I've got an exhaust in the garage that will get me another 5 mph, but frankly I'm kinda scared of that -- on 10" wheels it's getting a bit sporty.

I tried a recumbent once, about 20 years ago. The kind where the steering is right underneath you. Seemed fun, but I only rode it around a parking lot.

Retro Grouch 

So are you able to pass any riders on conventional bikes?
How can you tell if it's a slow bike or just a slow rider?

DataJunkie

I want one. Keep in mind that I am a roadie. Still want one. Especially a racing bent.

Laggard

So they are not really any faster or efficient than your traditional bike. It's that the type of people who ride them tend to be slower riders in the first place.

mondaycurse

I won't speak for all recumbent riders, but the ones I've talked to mostly buy it for back issues/body problems or because they just want to ride comfortably. They're not looking for a red-light racer bike. Then again, there's the local who rides 30mph all day on his 'bent.

Laggard

Yes. And don't get me started on those recumbent tricycles.

Velo Dog

It's not the 'bents--it's YOU, animal. You're just so strong that decades of cycling history are meaningless when you saddle up.

Is THAT what you wanted to hear? Because I have other opinions if you don't like that one.

HenryL

When you pass are they going 11mph and you 14? There are all different types of recumbent, some are cruisers, some are racers. A low racer with a fit cyclist will challenge anyone in terms of pure speed. Stronger riders move a recumbent faster. On my road bike I cruise at 20-21 with not a whole lot of effort. On my reecumbent same (similar) effort results in 22-23. Of course things change when the terrain varies, downhill the recumbent flys, uphill, not so much but still a decent ride.

give is a try

regards Mr. Dude

Laggard

That works.

mojopt

At one time recumbents were allowed to compete in bike races. After many wins of major races, recumbents were outlawed as being too fast. I believe this happened in the 1920s or 1930s.

Read the history...

Best regards,

Mike

DataJunkie

If only lance rode a bent...

Bikewer

As pointed out above, there are different recumbent types. Short wheelbase, long wheelbase, supine, reclining....

You should not consider that everyone on a 'bent is "racing" with you. The general wisdom is that the low-riding designs are very fast on descents due to very low aerodynamic drag. Likewise semi-faired designs.
Most designs do not climb as well as regular bike designs.

I built a short-wheelbase type a couple of years ago; it was fun to ride and very comfortable, but had drawbacks. Starting from a stop is...Interesting.

GreenGrasshoppr

If you're a beginner or if you forgot to gear down before stopping, yea.

You also forgot to mention starting from a stop, uphill!