osco53

Try these,

-no butt pain.
-no crotch pain.
-no back pain.
-no neck pain.
-no wrist pain.
-no hand pain.
-sit on a lawn chair instead of a fence post.
-face forward instead of face down.

got any more ?

Shahmatt

Safety.

This was the only reason I switched.

the_tool_man

You're

JanMM

Not as far to fall to the ground as from a DF, generally. Less risk of endos. But, not aware of any data that shows less risk of injury/death on 'bents as opposed to safety bikes.
Get hit by a truck on either kind of bike ---> no difference.

Shahmatt

I first became acquainted with bents after watching a video for an Airzound airhorn (which at the time I was considering buying) demonstrated by the youtube personality "CyclingMikey", who I believe rides a Challenge Fujin lowracer. IIRC he is also a driving instructor.

In several of his videos he swears by the improved motorist behavior when he rides his bent. Somehow he is more visible. This despite his beat being usually in the crowded and busy streets of London city. Furthermore he rides a lowracer and no flag either (I checked). He puts it down to the unique shape of the bike somehow catching the eye of motorists. Thus it could be inferred that a regular upright is in fact seen, but not registered/noticed by motorists, or simply it seems to be that regular cyclists are taken for granted.

My situation is much the same. I ride in a city environment with fast moving vehicles and frequent road junctions. I made the switch in light of this info. I am happy to say that it works. It is rare that I am buzzed by a motorist these days. Riding on city roads has become far more pleasant.

Rcrxjlb

How much do recumbent bikes usually weigh?

JanMM

My two single recumbent bikes, one a long wheelbase and the other a short wheelbase, each weigh about 30 pounds. That's not unusual for a cromo steel 'bent. Our tandem is somewhere around 45 pounds - haven't weighed it.
A 25 pound 'bent would be considered pretty light.

JanMM

So, you and CyclingMikey and me ride 'bents in the city and are still alive. That's good but it's a stretch to extrapolate from that to say that 'bents are safer than 'normal' bikes.

Shahmatt

My own bent riding experience has borne true CMs observation. Surely more space by motorists contributes to safety! It also has the added positive side effect of relaxing me, and being relaxed helps lots in not making stupid decisions.

A second safety consideration was speed. Bents are faster. The faster you go the closer you are to matching vehicle speeds. When the speeds are more evenly matched you have more time to make decisions. You also feel more comfortable taking the lane. Also again, more relaxed!

The seated front facing posture is great for taking in the environment. Another plus for safety.

Breaking hard on the front wheel (the more effective wheel for slowing down) is less likely to result in me getting thrown over the handlebars because the handlebars are literally in the way (unless you've got USS).

That's just from the top of my head. I'm sure there are more.

10 Wheels

Same for me...Never want to crash again.

My butt is now 10 inches above the road.

Front wheels are 38 inches apart.

molten

So you look like a cuCUMBEr.

Darth Lefty 

"I got tired of waiting for my Brooks to break in"

...is what I'd say if my wife would let me have a recumbent

10 Wheels

With two holes drilled into my head.

Tony Marley

- it's fun
- lots of people want to talk with you, or even test ride it.

rydabent

+1 on post #1 and #2 !!!

Plus sitting on a DF with you rump way up in the air and your head down makes you look like an old hen picking at a cow pie. And-----------life is too short to abuse your body on a DF!!!!

delcrossv

Faster (M5)
More respect/visibility from motorists (all of them)
More comfortable (all of them)
Safer (endos and falls)

I also concur with Cycling Monkey's experience. for some reason, a bent causes drivers to give me a lot more room. The bent's that have a mesh seat (Ryan, P-38 and now the Trice) give me the most room from cars. There was a thread on this on BROL: I attribute it to the "gimp factor". Riding a bent, particularly a trike, is associated with being disabled- no one wants to hit a gimp- so therefore cars are more cautious around bents. I won't insist on that interpretation, but it seems to fit the facts.

JanMM

I can relate to that.....I've been accused of being paralyzed from the neck up.

Retro Grouch 

My answer: "Why not."

If somebody has a specific question I'm glad to give an honest, objective answer. I'm old enough, however, to have grown tired of constant "There's my way and there's the wrong way" bickering.

delcrossv

As long as it works for you......

osco53

My Long Wheel Base Easy Racer Tour Easy LE model was 36 pounds from the factory.
I added a few things, now It's 41 pounds. Even a fatter rear tire..
Did I slow it down ? No,, I got stronger,, I can hang with wedgie bikes when they are piloted with riders my age or even,,ten years younger...

BUT I cannot draft with them...

Dudelsack 

I'm in it for the babes. Recumbent riders get all the babes.

Dudelsack 

You've joined the Dark Side! Good for you. Welcome. The Dark Side has cookies.

rydabent

Or why ride a bike (DF) that is an antique invented in approx 1895? Ride a modern bike, a recumbent that is fast, safe, and causes no pain!!!

Retro Grouch 

Why ride a recumbent? I can't understand why there are so many people who don't."

BlazingPedals

Do, or do not. No "why" there is.