Note that the recumbent shown in the background looks like a trike?
If so it may have similar gearing to my Trandem and be able to climb ANY hill – s l o w l y!
What is this hate for Recumbents…its the same as hating fixies or carbon fiber racers or cargo bikes, or dutch bikes or Penny Farthings! We are all cyclists! DIVIDED WE FALL!
A lot of it comes, I think, from the smug, snarky remarks that a lot of ‘bent riders make about cyclists on normal-framed bikes. I can’t even begin to count the number of holier-and-smarter-than-thou ‘bent riders I’ve encountered over the years.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I bike both and I’ve heard far more from upright cyclists than bent cyclists… I think a lot of bent snarkiness is the “chip on the shoulder” from having been made fun of for so long: After all, no one disqualifed upright bikes from racing in the early days, did they?
If you’ve ridden a nice ‘bent you know that both upright and bents have things they, individually, do better. Hills? I’m going for my lightweight roadbike. Pulling a trailer or carrying stuff? My Peugeot Cty/Mtn hybrid “truck”. My Specialized for the Mountain trails, and the SWB recumbent for long distance comfort, inclement weather, and wind.
I’m finding Joe’s snarkiness really tiresome and off putting.
The concept of the egg, it’s existance as an avenue for reproduction, is far older than the origin of any bird species. I hate that question. Nerely as much as snark from ‘bent riders.
I actually average higher speeds and climb better on a recumbent than on a traditional bike. For me the difference is the engine. Riding in comfort resulted in many more hours and miles which, in turn, resulted in more engine power.
Two things: a) wind resistance. b) stable base to push against. With the recumbent, you have a seat back to push against which allows you to generate more power. On an upright, it’s all core strength to stabilize you, stealing away pedaling energy.
I learned this in grade school: when the 6th graders tried to force me out of my bus seat by pushing me towards the wall, I just swung my feet to the bus wall and pushed them out with my back. The two 6th graders were completely embarassed to have lost a challenge of strength to a single 3rd grade girl in a cotton dress. What they didn’t know is that they’d really lost a challenge of wits and physics.
Theres a lot of snarky snob culture among racers who eschew even the beginners of their sport or anyone in a lower category which I have not found among endurance runners but for some reason it is prominent among bike racers. Joe is definitely a racer and seems to follow this. At least that is my opinion and experience. Maybe it stems from the French roots or some other source it get’s downright silly at times and is counter productive to the sport. You can veil it under an umbrella of “safety issue” but folks know when your offering friendly advice and when your being snooty and my experience tends to see racers as snooty. It’s only natural Joe would carry this over but I like Joe and hope he eventually comes to understand things from Yehuda’s side that basically all human powered wheeled contraptions are inherently good (even if Yehuda’s not too hip on racing gear he doesn’t mock or harangue like Joe does).
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” The conceptof the egg, it’s existance as an avenue for reproduction, is far older than the origin of any bird species. I hate that question. Nerely as much as snark from ‘bent riders.
I think it’s just the natural human tendency to view our own likes and dislikes as better than everyone else’s. Fans of one sports team disparage all the others; people who love one type of music often disparage other types; archers who use recurve bows look down on those who use compound bows as “cheaters” who substitute technology for skill, and those who use compounds look down on recurve users as Luddites with a stubborn preference for outmoded technology. We like what we like, and we make fun of those who don’t, and bikes are no different.
“… archers who use recurve bows look down on those who use compound bows as “cheaters” who substitute technology for skill, and those who use compounds look down on recurve users as Luddites with a stubborn preference for outmoded technology.”
So what does that make those of us who still use the straight English longbow?
Which also applies to religion and leads to things like the Crusades and the Inquisition. I’m right, you’re wrong, and you’ll either change or die.
Joe is simply playing his role as a bike shop veteran. No need to get “tired of his snarkiness” – he isn’t real. However, he is demonstrating one of the problems with some bike shops.
I have both.. My bike is a custom made road bike, that I love.
My boyfriend has about 6 bikes, including a cat trike, 2 recumbents, and several road bikes. He rides his recumbent almost all the time and his second recumbent has morphed into mine
I like the comfortable ride, my butt doesn’t hurt and once I get moving, I feel more stable and less concerned about falling.
It is like driving a stick, starting is a little more difficult, but once you are moving it is not a problem.
Balancing is different. I go much faster on my Seven than on the recumbent, but if I am riding with him, that doesn’t make a difference. My Seven weighs about 1/2 the recumbent.
When riding with him, lots of people commented about his cool bike.
I have both.. My bike is a custom made road bike, that I love.
My boyfriend has about 6 bikes, including a cat trike, 2 recumbents, and several road bikes. He rides his recumbent almost all the time and his second recumbent has morphed into mine
I like the comfortable ride, my butt doesn’t hurt and once I get moving, I feel more stable and less concerned about falling.
It is like driving a stick, starting is a little more difficult, but once you are moving it is not a problem.
Balancing is different. I go much faster on my Seven than on the recumbent, but if I am riding with him, that doesn’t make a difference. My Seven weighs about 1/2 the recumbent.
When riding with him, lots of people commented about his cool bike.
trike …
LOL:) Take that Joe!
Stu should take him up on that bet. When he wins, instead of $100, Joe has to ride a recumbent for a month.
A pity there is no button to ‘like’ the cartoon!
Note that the recumbent shown in the background looks like a trike?
If so it may have similar gearing to my Trandem and be able to climb ANY hill – s l o w l y!
Hey! Isn’t that Yehuda riding the ‘bent/trike in the background?
Sure looks like it:)
Looks more like a velomobile to me. A recumbent with a windsock does not have anything over the head like that one does.
I can track stand for as long as you like on a Windcheetah…
I want to know more about what Yehuda is riding in the background.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/goblin-aero.htm
I wonder if Yehuda makes “vroom vroom” sounds when he’s pedaling?
Yesterday I rode my trike to the top of Flagstaff here in Boulder. I didn’t see Joe’s $100 up there.
What is this hate for Recumbents…its the same as hating fixies or carbon fiber racers or cargo bikes, or dutch bikes or Penny Farthings! We are all cyclists! DIVIDED WE FALL!
A lot of it comes, I think, from the smug, snarky remarks that a lot of ‘bent riders make about cyclists on normal-framed bikes. I can’t even begin to count the number of holier-and-smarter-than-thou ‘bent riders I’ve encountered over the years.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I bike both and I’ve heard far more from upright cyclists than bent cyclists… I think a lot of bent snarkiness is the “chip on the shoulder” from having been made fun of for so long: After all, no one disqualifed upright bikes from racing in the early days, did they?
If you’ve ridden a nice ‘bent you know that both upright and bents have things they, individually, do better. Hills? I’m going for my lightweight roadbike. Pulling a trailer or carrying stuff? My Peugeot Cty/Mtn hybrid “truck”. My Specialized for the Mountain trails, and the SWB recumbent for long distance comfort, inclement weather, and wind.
I’m finding Joe’s snarkiness really tiresome and off putting.
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
The concept of the egg, it’s existance as an avenue for reproduction, is far older than the origin of any bird species. I hate that question. Nerely as much as snark from ‘bent riders.
It’s not hate. It’s more like teasing your little brother… or maybe your big brother, I mean, aren’t all recumbent riders old?
I concur; disdain for any pedal-power weakens us all. And honestly, isn’t it a bit hypocritical?
I’ve done Kitchen Creek 2x on a recumbent.
Just saying.
I don’t understand why they’re slower. If they weigh about the same, and the rider can get full leg extension, shouldn’t they move the same?
I actually average higher speeds and climb better on a recumbent than on a traditional bike. For me the difference is the engine. Riding in comfort resulted in many more hours and miles which, in turn, resulted in more engine power.
Two things: a) wind resistance. b) stable base to push against. With the recumbent, you have a seat back to push against which allows you to generate more power. On an upright, it’s all core strength to stabilize you, stealing away pedaling energy.
I learned this in grade school: when the 6th graders tried to force me out of my bus seat by pushing me towards the wall, I just swung my feet to the bus wall and pushed them out with my back. The two 6th graders were completely embarassed to have lost a challenge of strength to a single 3rd grade girl in a cotton dress. What they didn’t know is that they’d really lost a challenge of wits and physics.
Recumbents tend to weight more. You also can’t get “out of the saddle”.
That being said the good ones are faster on the flat and on downhills.
Oh yeah, DOWNHILLS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4EKoE-xufs
Theres a lot of snarky snob culture among racers who eschew even the beginners of their sport or anyone in a lower category which I have not found among endurance runners but for some reason it is prominent among bike racers. Joe is definitely a racer and seems to follow this. At least that is my opinion and experience. Maybe it stems from the French roots or some other source it get’s downright silly at times and is counter productive to the sport. You can veil it under an umbrella of “safety issue” but folks know when your offering friendly advice and when your being snooty and my experience tends to see racers as snooty. It’s only natural Joe would carry this over but I like Joe and hope he eventually comes to understand things from Yehuda’s side that basically all human powered wheeled contraptions are inherently good (even if Yehuda’s not too hip on racing gear he doesn’t mock or harangue like Joe does).
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
The concept of the egg, it’s existance as an avenue for reproduction, is far older than the origin of any bird species. I hate that question. Nerely as much as snark from ‘bent riders.
I think it’s just the natural human tendency to view our own likes and dislikes as better than everyone else’s. Fans of one sports team disparage all the others; people who love one type of music often disparage other types; archers who use recurve bows look down on those who use compound bows as “cheaters” who substitute technology for skill, and those who use compounds look down on recurve users as Luddites with a stubborn preference for outmoded technology. We like what we like, and we make fun of those who don’t, and bikes are no different.
“… archers who use recurve bows look down on those who use compound bows as “cheaters” who substitute technology for skill, and those who use compounds look down on recurve users as Luddites with a stubborn preference for outmoded technology.”
So what does that make those of us who still use the straight English longbow?
In my opinion–Cool!
Which also applies to religion and leads to things like the Crusades and the Inquisition. I’m right, you’re wrong, and you’ll either change or die.
Joe is simply playing his role as a bike shop veteran. No need to get “tired of his snarkiness” – he isn’t real. However, he is demonstrating one of the problems with some bike shops.
I have both.. My bike is a custom made road bike, that I love.
My boyfriend has about 6 bikes, including a cat trike, 2 recumbents, and several road bikes. He rides his recumbent almost all the time and his second recumbent has morphed into mine
I like the comfortable ride, my butt doesn’t hurt and once I get moving, I feel more stable and less concerned about falling.
It is like driving a stick, starting is a little more difficult, but once you are moving it is not a problem.
Balancing is different. I go much faster on my Seven than on the recumbent, but if I am riding with him, that doesn’t make a difference. My Seven weighs about 1/2 the recumbent.
When riding with him, lots of people commented about his cool bike.
I have both.. My bike is a custom made road bike, that I love.
My boyfriend has about 6 bikes, including a cat trike, 2 recumbents, and several road bikes. He rides his recumbent almost all the time and his second recumbent has morphed into mine
I like the comfortable ride, my butt doesn’t hurt and once I get moving, I feel more stable and less concerned about falling.
It is like driving a stick, starting is a little more difficult, but once you are moving it is not a problem.
Balancing is different. I go much faster on my Seven than on the recumbent, but if I am riding with him, that doesn’t make a difference. My Seven weighs about 1/2 the recumbent.
When riding with him, lots of people commented about his cool bike.
we all proudly make fun of recumbents at my shop
we all proudly make fun of recumbents at my shop
we all proudly make fun of recumbents at my shop