You want to talk about ‘ape-hanger’ bars? Check out the controls on my LWB Linear OSS.
Not very responsive in the corners — it’s like steering the Queen Mary with a tiller — but boy oh boy does it ride smooth. http://www.linearrecumbent.com/images/protoimage_03_lg.jpg
**note** – I found this image on one of the old Linear boards; it is not a picture of my bike specifically, but I own its twin sister. OTOH, I did buy it second-hand, so maybe this *COULD* be a pic of my bike in its previous life!!
If I remember right, Linears typically came with USS steering. (http://www.linearrecumbent.com/) My first recumbent ride was on one, round the car park near Mick Madgett’s shop. I thought “I could get used to this.”
Bought a swb recumbent; a friend tried it out, and the first thing he said was “I could get used to this.”
For couple of years the swb was all I rode; getting on a wedgie again felt really weird and un-natural….
You are correct, Linears are generally seen with under-seat steering. The crank assembly could be positioned fore-or-aft along the main frame beam, used a high-back mesh-style seat (which was also repositionable), and the design that eventually went into production had a way of folding up into a more compact package so that they could be more easily transported.
Mine, as well as the one pictured, does not fold, and the bottom-bracket assembly is welded into a single fixed position….the seat is an aluminum-frame seat with a nylon attchment that held a butt pad which moved back-and-forth along the beam. Placement is maintenace by friction, as there a single QR-bolt at the bottom that pinched the seat frame against the beam. In addition, the bike doesn’t fold up — not a bit.
And in addition, there doesn’t appear to be any serial number and the decal/head badge says “Kann Mfg” rather than “Linear”, so I’m assuming that I have a very early model if not a prototype variant that represents one of the steps along the way to the foldable USS bike that eventually became the norm.
One year is maybe nowadays. I bought a used one in 2006 and ordered a new one at the same time. The expected waiting time was more than four years then but was reduced to a bit more than two years by increased production.
And I’m sure I look much better with it than driving in a car…
Nothing strange in recumbent-riding. Its true that for short trips, an upright is often more convenient in terms of handling than most recumbents (there are exceptions) – but for more thatn a mile or few recumbentness rocks. It also lets even grey haired middle aged old geezers gain street cred with the younger generation. How kewl is that?
Good words.
Also “everything is meaningful, just because it exists”. (Someone).
I really don’t get why there is so much fuss about recumbents.
Do MTB riders consider road bikes silly? And… the other way round?
Unfortunately, yes, probably many people put an equation between “different” and “strange”. But again, why?
From my experience on the Trandom – it would be even better to let them have a test ride around their locale . . . if they can bear the comments etc, then the setup is okay for them. If the comments get them down, they would save some money by not buying it as they might not go out so often in response?
So far, apart from ignorent drivers honking (who might even be saying ‘great one’ ?) all our comments on the Tandem have been good ones. From the PG Tips advert’s ‘can you ride Tandem?’ to a couple of urchins in Shannon Town, Eire, saying ‘Look, a two legged bike!’
Take it from an experienced tandemer ‘Can you ride Tandem?’ gets old soon and these days only used by people of a certain age who remember those ads. We’ve had ‘double bike’ often and in Slovakia we got kids going ‘bim bom, bim bom’ didn’t understand it unless it was just the pedals going in time or something. We just smile and wave and sometimes say hello. Never enough time for the obvious ‘Yes – can you?’ answer.
I rode my Barcroft bent across the USA and was comfortable the whole way in comfort pulling a BOB trailer and didn’t really care what anyone thought…….and still don’t. BTW, my road bike is a Merlin which I totally enjoy riding also. Why limit yourself to one or the other?
I ride a trike, and work in a community bike shop. I regularly let people try out the trike, and while no one actually wants to own one, they all seem to love riding it.
Yeah, I don’t really get the ‘bent bias either … ride what you like and enjoy. I’d love to have an Azub, just for a change of pace on the commute once or twice a week, but I’m just not ready to plunk down the coin just yet. Wonder if they have a kit? That might be an option.
I have to say…I ride both a SWB recumbent and traditional uprights, (road, city, and mountain). The most comfortable for touring and nicest in wind and weather? The recumbent…NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. (Especially with the wind/rain fairing). Those long wheelbase models like in the picture above are a HOOT to ride: You feel like your a kid again, until you realize that those 25 miles just flew by…. The only downside is not being able to stand on the pedals going up hill, and the turning circle takes some getting used to.
Confucius also say: Having an ugly bike is like having an ugly wife – you’ll be much happier when they leave…
(ouch… I’m sorry babe… I wasn’t typing about you)
I have a Bacchetta Corsa in my stable in addition to a bunch of upright bikes. I ride what I want to ride when I feel like riding it and just let the comments from others roll off my back. I like the Corsa for some rides and my other bikes for other rides. The right tool for the right job.
Rode my ‘bent for a nice tour yesterday, lovely ride. When I looked at my reflection in windows I passed I noticed my smart Walz cap… perhaps if Joe was really interested in looks he wouldn’t wear that ridiculous plastic hat!
Wow. That one looks like it has Ape-Hangers!
You want to talk about ‘ape-hanger’ bars? Check out the controls on my LWB Linear OSS.
Not very responsive in the corners — it’s like steering the Queen Mary with a tiller — but boy oh boy does it ride smooth.
http://www.linearrecumbent.com/images/protoimage_03_lg.jpg
**note** – I found this image on one of the old Linear boards; it is not a picture of my bike specifically, but I own its twin sister. OTOH, I did buy it second-hand, so maybe this *COULD* be a pic of my bike in its previous life!!
If I remember right, Linears typically came with USS steering. (http://www.linearrecumbent.com/) My first recumbent ride was on one, round the car park near Mick Madgett’s shop. I thought “I could get used to this.”
Bought a swb recumbent; a friend tried it out, and the first thing he said was “I could get used to this.”
For couple of years the swb was all I rode; getting on a wedgie again felt really weird and un-natural….
You are correct, Linears are generally seen with under-seat steering. The crank assembly could be positioned fore-or-aft along the main frame beam, used a high-back mesh-style seat (which was also repositionable), and the design that eventually went into production had a way of folding up into a more compact package so that they could be more easily transported.
Mine, as well as the one pictured, does not fold, and the bottom-bracket assembly is welded into a single fixed position….the seat is an aluminum-frame seat with a nylon attchment that held a butt pad which moved back-and-forth along the beam. Placement is maintenace by friction, as there a single QR-bolt at the bottom that pinched the seat frame against the beam. In addition, the bike doesn’t fold up — not a bit.
And in addition, there doesn’t appear to be any serial number and the decal/head badge says “Kann Mfg” rather than “Linear”, so I’m assuming that I have a very early model if not a prototype variant that represents one of the steps along the way to the foldable USS bike that eventually became the norm.
That’s a poor reflection on ‘bent’s Joe.
Why the negative waves Joe?
What an Oddball thing to say
It’s a mother, beautiful bike!
Is it gonna be there?!
I only ride ‘em, I don’t know what makes ‘em work.
Just a seven day wating period?
If you wish to buy a velomobile of a popular brand, the order queue was 1 year or so …
One year is maybe nowadays. I bought a used one in 2006 and ordered a new one at the same time. The expected waiting time was more than four years then but was reduced to a bit more than two years by increased production.
And I’m sure I look much better with it than driving in a car…
People have a right to know how much swag they’ll exude on a recumbent.
or they could just imagine themselves lying in the road fighting off an attacking eagle with their feet.
Better to kick-box with an eagle than expose your head to its talons. Even with a helmet, the claws can still get throught the air-vents.
What came first, riding a recumbent or being strange?
Yes
Nothing strange in recumbent-riding. Its true that for short trips, an upright is often more convenient in terms of handling than most recumbents (there are exceptions) – but for more thatn a mile or few recumbentness rocks. It also lets even grey haired middle aged old geezers gain street cred with the younger generation. How kewl is that?
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ― Confucius
Good words.
Also “everything is meaningful, just because it exists”. (Someone).
I really don’t get why there is so much fuss about recumbents.
Do MTB riders consider road bikes silly? And… the other way round?
Unfortunately, yes, probably many people put an equation between “different” and “strange”. But again, why?
Conficious also said “where everyone sees beauty, already there is ugliness.” Or maybe that was Hunter S. Thompson.
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves maybe we can’t lose! You’re on!
From my experience on the Trandom – it would be even better to let them have a test ride around their locale . . . if they can bear the comments etc, then the setup is okay for them. If the comments get them down, they would save some money by not buying it as they might not go out so often in response?
So far, apart from ignorent drivers honking (who might even be saying ‘great one’ ?) all our comments on the Tandem have been good ones. From the PG Tips advert’s ‘can you ride Tandem?’ to a couple of urchins in Shannon Town, Eire, saying ‘Look, a two legged bike!’
Take it from an experienced tandemer ‘Can you ride Tandem?’ gets old soon and these days only used by people of a certain age who remember those ads. We’ve had ‘double bike’ often and in Slovakia we got kids going ‘bim bom, bim bom’ didn’t understand it unless it was just the pedals going in time or something. We just smile and wave and sometimes say hello. Never enough time for the obvious ‘Yes – can you?’ answer.
I’m intrigued by the Trandom – it’s not a recumbent tandem, is it? If so, please show pics!
As I recall it’s a tandem delta trike, upright.
I rode my Barcroft bent across the USA and was comfortable the whole way in comfort pulling a BOB trailer and didn’t really care what anyone thought…….and still don’t. BTW, my road bike is a Merlin which I totally enjoy riding also. Why limit yourself to one or the other?
Got dropped by a Carbent, eh Joe?
I have a beard and a big gut, I guess I’m about ready for a recumbent.
No…. no one is ever ready for a recumbent.
I ride a trike, and work in a community bike shop. I regularly let people try out the trike, and while no one actually wants to own one, they all seem to love riding it.
Try googling “recumbent grin”. The results say it all.
Bring greater happiness into cycling!
Yeah, I don’t really get the ‘bent bias either … ride what you like and enjoy. I’d love to have an Azub, just for a change of pace on the commute once or twice a week, but I’m just not ready to plunk down the coin just yet. Wonder if they have a kit? That might be an option.
I like the look of the Azub Twin
Yep, riders do tend to look good on a recumbent.
I have to say…I ride both a SWB recumbent and traditional uprights, (road, city, and mountain). The most comfortable for touring and nicest in wind and weather? The recumbent…NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. (Especially with the wind/rain fairing). Those long wheelbase models like in the picture above are a HOOT to ride: You feel like your a kid again, until you realize that those 25 miles just flew by…. The only downside is not being able to stand on the pedals going up hill, and the turning circle takes some getting used to.
re: ‘wind/rain fairing’ – you might as well treat yourself to a sinner mango!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ssP0vJ5s4
Which ensnares more geeks in this forum – “helmet” or “recumbent”?
Pretty even so far….
I feel the same way about both: Don’t use either myself, doesn’t bother me if other people do.
I find I appreciate it in the end, and the neck, and the back, and the wrists, and the shoulders, and the groin…
Confucius also say: Having an ugly bike is like having an ugly wife – you’ll be much happier when they leave…
(ouch… I’m sorry babe… I wasn’t typing about you)
Disagree!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh9ZZgDqzAg
Ao, when did the Kickstand become a RANS dealer (Stratus LX in the background)?
I have a Bacchetta Corsa in my stable in addition to a bunch of upright bikes. I ride what I want to ride when I feel like riding it and just let the comments from others roll off my back. I like the Corsa for some rides and my other bikes for other rides. The right tool for the right job.
Rode my ‘bent for a nice tour yesterday, lovely ride. When I looked at my reflection in windows I passed I noticed my smart Walz cap… perhaps if Joe was really interested in looks he wouldn’t wear that ridiculous plastic hat!
Most common comment I get is “Nice bike!”
Strangest one I remember, re: my socked LWB bike was “Condom bike!”