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This FAQ was kindly donated by the best
online Recumbent Magazine "BentRider Online Magazine".
Go see them at www.bentrideronline.com
Why should I ride a ScooterBike
?
Lots of reasons, but the main reason is comfort. There is really
nothing like it. Many long distance touring riders swear that
their gel, Brooks, etc. saddle is comfortable. They may be more
comfortable than a racing saddle but cannot compare to a ScooterBike.
If conventional bike seats were so great we would furnish our
homes with them, cars would come with them, and we would take
them along to sit on at the beach or picnics. Of course this
is silly, we sit on chairs and chairs are what you sit on when
you ride a recumbent bike. On conventional bikes 20-40% of your
weight is supported by your hands, but on a recumbent 100% of
your weight is supported over your bottom and back. On a ScooterBike
you sit on your buns, not your groin. Weight is more evenly
distributed over a much larger area and you do not support yourself
with your hands.
Another reason is safety. On a conventional bike your body is
in a vertical plane with your head first, and you sit above
the wheels with a high center of gravity. If you hit something,
lock-up your front brake or drop the front wheel in a porthole
you can easily go over the handlebars onto your head. On a ScooterBike
your body is in a horizontal plane and your feet first. Your
weight and center of gravity is lower and between the wheels.
In the same circumstances you will likely fall over onto your
side.
Why does the ScooterBike look
so different ?
Because they are different. Very different! Conventional bikes
attempt to configure the body around the bike. ScooterBikes
configure the bike around the body, laws of efficiency and aerodynamics.
Consider that the conventional bicycling position evolved from
an 1800's contraption with a beam of wood, two carriage wheels,
and a handlebar. This was called a "Draise". This
position really had nothing to do with efficiency or comfort.
Is the ScooterBike hard to ride
and balance ?
Not at all, but it is a very different experience unlike riding
a conventional bike. The experience is more like "driving"
rather than "riding". Amazingly a ScooterBike takes
very little balance and this is the toughest part for a new
rider. Learning the "Zen" of the ScooterBike is in
itself relaxing. The more relaxed the rider, the more responsive
and controllable the ScooterBike. A ScooterBike is kept upright
by steering, not by body English. Speed in learning has much
to do with the rider's willingness to let go and learn something
new. Persons attempting to ride a recumbent as they would a
conventional bike will likely fall over or have a bad experience.
Klaus Schröder from Velvet Systems has taught hundreds
of people to ride ScooterBikes and typically they have the basics
in 15 minutes.
Are ScooterBikes slow and how
are they on hills ?
Generally speaking ScooterBikes are much more aerodynamic than
a conventional bike. Recumbents of one form or another hold
almost all human powered speed records. The latest top speed
recorded over a mile was on the "Wind Cheetah" , a
specially built, fully enclosed recumbent. In 1992 Chris Huber
powered the bike to a record of 68.7 miles per hour. In the
real world a recumbent designed for speed can easily be faster
than a conventional bike designed for speed. Most riders become
faster simply because they can train longer as the bike isn't
causing them pain. To be fast and efficient on a ScooterBike
does take some time as your muscles have to adjust and you get
your "recumbent legs". Recumbents utilize muscles
differently than conventional bikes so it is difficult for a
fast rider to just jump on a ScooterBike and be fast, but with
a little training the payoff is fantastic. As for hill climbing
you learn to "sit and spin" while climbing rather
than standing and pulling the bike side to side. Again it takes
some training but you can be comparable. The payoff is the descents.
ScooterBikes can be tremendously fast on descents and this is
why they have superior brakes.
ScooterBikes look low. Are they
visible in traffic ?
Most people have to really ride a ScooterBike in traffic to
believe the advantage. A ScooterBike rider is at about the same
height and position as a car driver. On a ScooterBike you are
looking out at the road scanning for problems and getting eye
contact with drivers. On a conventional bike you have to crane
your head up to see past the front wheel. Eye contact with a
car driver is very important, as this causes the driver to acknowledge
you as a person and not an obstacle. Also ScooterBikes are still
a bit unusual and often drivers are watching you just to understand
the bike.
Why are ScooterBikes so expensive
?
Actually they aren't. Most ScooterBikes are a really good value
and will be similar in price to a conventional bike of the same
quality level. Also consider that there may be more involved
in the construction of a ScooterBike, just look at the seat,
for example.
Are ScooterBikes heavy and how
do you transport them ?
Recumbents can be slightly heavier or as light as a comparable
conventional bike. But remember the advantage to a ScooterBike
is greater efficiency and aerodynamics. Weight plays a much
smaller factor. As for transporting, ScooterBikes will fit on
most bike racks. Sometimes attaching the bike to the rack needs
a little extra attention. If you have not bought a rack ask
your recumbent professional which racks work best.
This sounds good, tell me more
?
• A more comfortable rider will likely ride more and gain
more benefit from aerobic, low impact exercise.
• The view from a ScooterBike seat is spectacular! You can
easily talk to other riders and focus on the fun rather than
the pain of riding.
• Recumbents carry loads well and have toured destinations
like Africa, Turkey, Europe, New Zealand, across the U.S. and
around your neighborhood.
• It is not necessary to wear special padded shorts on long
rides, simply wear whatever is comfy.
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