I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a sort of 
upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a recumbent but 
the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest freaks me out!

I have been looking at the Cruzbike - are there any trikes suitable?  I 
don't mind looking at bikes in the UK/US.

Thanks in advance.

Rachel

Rachel Grier wrote:
> I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a sort of 
> upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a recumbent but 
> the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest freaks me out!
> 
> I have been looking at the Cruzbike - are there any trikes suitable?  I 
> don't mind looking at bikes in the UK/US.
> 
> Thanks in advance.

Anthrotechs have a very upright position.

	http://www.anthrotech.de/Pages-e/index-e.html

On 29/09/2008 19:08, Rachel Grier wrote:
> I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a sort of 
> upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a recumbent but 
> the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest freaks me out!

ISTM you want a compact long wheelbase (CLWB) recumbent.  The ones that 
spring to mind are the BikeE and the Flevobike OkeJa, both discontinued, 
but you might find one second hand.  ISTR Giant also made something 
similar a few years ago.

I don't know much about the CLWB market, because having ridden a couple 
I lost interest in them (they were far too upright for my tastes).  You 
might find something to suit you in the RANS range:
http://www.ransbikes.com/

How high up do you want to be?  A lot of touring recumbents (e.g. the 
HPVelotechnik Street Machine) really aren't low (in fact I sometimes 
wish I'd gone for something lower).  How high a bike you can ride is 
likely to be affected by the length of your shin bone - you need to be 
able to get a foot to the floor when you stop.

> I have been looking at the Cruzbike - are there any trikes suitable?  I 
> don't mind looking at bikes in the UK/US.

The Kettwiesel, perhaps:
http://www.hasebikes.com/29-1-kettwiesel.html

Have you tried asking on alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent?

-- 
Danny Colyer  <http://www.redpedals.co.uk>
Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often
"The plural of anecdote is not data" - Frank Kotsonis

On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:39:18 +0100
Danny Colyer  wrote:

> On 29/09/2008 19:08, Rachel Grier wrote:
> > I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a
> > sort of upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want
> > a recumbent but the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest
> > freaks me out!
> 
> ISTM you want a compact long wheelbase (CLWB) recumbent.

Why not a high racer on 700C wheels?

Danny Colyer wrote:
> On 29/09/2008 19:08, Rachel Grier wrote:
>> I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a
>> sort of upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a
>> recumbent but the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest
>> freaks me out!
> 
> ISTM you want a compact long wheelbase (CLWB) recumbent.  The ones that
> spring to mind are the BikeE and the Flevobike OkeJa, both discontinued,
> but you might find one second hand.  ISTR Giant also made something
> similar a few years ago.

I think Danny is right about the compact, but the obvious contender
these days is the HP Velotechnik Spirit: see
http://www.bikefix.co.uk/index.php?unique=408738766cad59bb7596786959cf8b55&get_ol_id=4&get_gl_id=7&get_sgl_id=17#a7

It's very easy to ride and very, very comfortable.

> How high up do you want to be?  A lot of touring recumbents (e.g. the
> HPVelotechnik Street Machine) really aren't low (in fact I sometimes
> wish I'd gone for something lower). 

People assume my Streetmachine is really low.  I point out my head (with
seat at maximum recline angle) is the same height as a car driver's.  I
am not believed, so I demonstrate using a handy car... and they're
amazed to see it's true.

I'd visit a good 'bentmonger (D-Tek, Bikefix, Kinetics, London
Recumbents, Futurecycles, Norman Fay, Laidback Ligfiets, Westcountry
Recumbents, Rainbow Recumbents) and try a few.  Might not be as scary as
you think in advance.

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:08:48 +0100, "Rachel Grier"
 said in
<KQ8Ek.47560$kM7.13700@newsfe03.ams2>:

>I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a sort of 
>upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a recumbent but 
>the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest freaks me out!

Maybe a Bacchetta? http://www.bacchettabikes.com/

But your best bet is to find a friendly bentmonger and try some. You
will never know what it's really like until you try.  Me, I wanted
MOAR LOWNESS and never regretted it :-)

Guy
-- 
May contain traces of irony.  Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

Rachel Grier wrote:
> I know it is a contradiction in terms but can anyone recommended a
> sort of upright recumbent - the uprightest there is.  I really want a
> recumbent but the idea of being as low down as some specs suggest
> freaks me out!
> I have been looking at the Cruzbike - are there any trikes suitable? I 
> don't mind looking at bikes in the UK/US.

Visit a decent dealer, they'll have some at various angles, including 
"cruzbike" style.

eg., if within any chance of getting to Ely, go to D-Tek. Kevin definitely 
has some of that arrangement.


- Nigel


-- 
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

On 30/09/08 08:27, Peter Clinch wrote:

> I think Danny is right about the compact, but the obvious contender
> these days is the HP Velotechnik Spirit: see
> http://www.bikefix.co.uk/index.php?unique=408738766cad59bb7596786959cf8b55&get_ol_id=4&get_gl_id=7&get_sgl_id=17#a7
> 
> It's very easy to ride and very, very comfortable.

It's also disturbingly Raleigh Chopper-esque. All it needs now is a 
column shift to finish it off ;-)

-- 
Paul Oldham ----------> http://the-hug.org/paul
Milton villager ------> http://www.miltonvillage.org.uk/
and FAQ wiki owner ---> http://cam.misc.org.uk
"All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors"

Paul Oldham wrote:

> It's also disturbingly Raleigh Chopper-esque. 

There are significant differences, however.  Viz, the Spirit isn't crap...

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article <i8mdnUYfD-JKvXzVnZ2dnUVZ8j2dnZ2d@posted.plusnet>, Danny Colyer wrote:
>ISTM you want a compact long wheelbase (CLWB) recumbent.  The ones that 
>spring to mind are the BikeE and the Flevobike OkeJa, both discontinued, 
>but you might find one second hand.  ISTR Giant also made something 
>similar a few years ago.

Giant Revive. LBS had one, and it seemed to be very heavy.
http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/recumbents/revive-21.html
There is (or was) an electric assist option.
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030.000.000/030.010.000.asp?year=2006&range=215

The OP might want to consider something like http://www.crankforward.com/ 
too. It's probably on the side of "upright bike with a relatively
laid back seating position" rather than "recumbent bike with a relatively
upright seating position".
(Made by Rans, who do "proper" recumbents too. http://www.ransbikes.com/
They list one UK dealer with no website....)

Alan Braggins wrote:
>
> Giant Revive. LBS had one, and it seemed to be very heavy.
> http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/recumbents/revive-21.html

One of those compromises that seemed to combine the weaknesses of the
two things it's compromising between rather than the strengths.  So you
have the comfort of an upright with all the weight and user-friendly
luggability of a 'bent...

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On 30/09/08 12:56, Peter Clinch wrote:

> Paul Oldham wrote:
> 
>> It's also disturbingly Raleigh Chopper-esque. 
> 
> There are significant differences, however.  Viz, the Spirit isn't crap...

I don't doubt it - the upright position looks like it should suit the OP 
nicely too.

-- 
Paul Oldham ----------> http://the-hug.org/paul
Milton villager ------> http://www.miltonvillage.org.uk/
and FAQ wiki owner ---> http://cam.misc.org.uk
"How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?"

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:35:55 +0100
Paul Oldham  wrote:

> On 30/09/08 08:27, Peter Clinch wrote:
> 
> > I think Danny is right about the compact, but the obvious contender
> > these days is the HP Velotechnik Spirit: see
> > http://www.bikefix.co.uk/index.php?unique=408738766cad59bb7596786959cf8b55&get_ol_id=4&get_gl_id=7&get_sgl_id=17#a7
> > 
> > It's very easy to ride and very, very comfortable.
> 
> It's also disturbingly Raleigh Chopper-esque. All it needs now is a 
> column shift to finish it off ;-)
> 
I was looking at a MkIII Chopper a while ago, and it would seem to make
a remarkably good base for a cheap SWB recumbent project if you're good
at ally welding.

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone.

However, I saw this website - http://www.day6bicycles.com.  Maybe what I am 
looking for is a laid back upright rather than an upright laid back!

Thanks again

Rachel



"Peter Clinch"  wrote in message 
news:6kemrfF7j9jeU1@mid.individual.net...
> Alan Braggins wrote:
>>
>> Giant Revive. LBS had one, and it seemed to be very heavy.
>> http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/recumbents/revive-21.html
>
> One of those compromises that seemed to combine the weaknesses of the
> two things it's compromising between rather than the strengths.  So you
> have the comfort of an upright with all the weight and user-friendly
> luggability of a 'bent...
>
> Pete.
> -- 
> Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
> Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
> Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
> net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Rachel Grier wrote:
> Thanks for all your suggestions everyone.
>
> However, I saw this website - http://www.day6bicycles.com.  Maybe
> what I am looking for is a laid back upright rather than an upright
> laid back!

Hmm, I am not convinced by their design, appears to be another "combine the 
weaknesses" solution...


If after upright and comfortable, then I suggest trying a Pashley Princess 
(UK made and lots of UK dealers) or a Pedersen (made in very small numbers 
by a couple of European companies, so hard to find in UK).

If neither of those suit, perhaps a Moulton (Pashley TSR version, rather 
than the handbuilt by Alex Moulton types).


- Nigel





>
>
> "Peter Clinch"  wrote in message
> news:6kemrfF7j9jeU1@mid.individual.net...
>> Alan Braggins wrote:
>>>
>>> Giant Revive. LBS had one, and it seemed to be very heavy.
>>> http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/recumbents/revive-21.html
>>
>> One of those compromises that seemed to combine the weaknesses of the
>> two things it's compromising between rather than the strengths.  So
>> you have the comfort of an upright with all the weight and
>> user-friendly luggability of a 'bent...
>>
>> Pete.
>> --
>> Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
>> Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
>> Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
>> net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

-- 
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:05:42 +0100
"Nigel Cliffe"  wrote:

> Rachel Grier wrote:
> > Thanks for all your suggestions everyone.
> >
> > However, I saw this website - http://www.day6bicycles.com.  Maybe
> > what I am looking for is a laid back upright rather than an upright
> > laid back!
> 
> Hmm, I am not convinced by their design, appears to be another
> "combine the weaknesses" solution...
> 
> 
> If after upright and comfortable, then I suggest trying a Pashley
> Princess (UK made and lots of UK dealers) or a Pedersen (made in very
> small numbers by a couple of European companies, so hard to find in
> UK).
> 
> If neither of those suit, perhaps a Moulton (Pashley TSR version,
> rather than the handbuilt by Alex Moulton types).
> 
None of which has a low chair-like seat, unlike the funnybikes on that
site.

On 30/09/08 15:26, Rob Morley wrote:

> On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:35:55 +0100
> Paul Oldham  wrote:
> 
>> [The Velotechnik Spirit is] also disturbingly Raleigh Chopper-esque.
>> All it needs now is a column shift to finish it off ;-)
>>
> I was looking at a MkIII Chopper a while ago, and it would seem to make
> a remarkably good base for a cheap SWB recumbent project if you're good
> at ally welding.

<grin> What an interesting idea. Looking on the Web they're only about 
UKP300 new and given the typical price of a recumbent that would leave 
you with a lot of headroom for what is a (relatively) small modification 
to bring the pedals out front and (somehow) lead the chain back.

But would they be too SWB for an adult? I've not seen one in the flesh 
since I was a nipper.

-- 
Paul Oldham ----------> http://the-hug.org/paul
Milton villager ------> http://www.miltonvillage.org.uk/
and FAQ wiki owner ---> http://cam.misc.org.uk
"If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kick boxing"

Rob Morley wrote:

> None of which has a low chair-like seat, unlike the funnybikes on that
> site.

It's a means to an end, the usual end being "comfort" (but not
necessarily what the OP's primary motivation is).

But the Pashley Moulton/TSR only adds suspension, it doesn't take away
the forward crouch and leaning on the arms.  But a bolt-upright design
like a Dutch Roadster or a Pedersen is really /very/ comfortable: the
downside is you maximise wind resistance, but for short journeys not
carried out at high speed that's often less important than comfort.

On a recumbent you get the comfort /and/ the wind reistance, but you
also get a much smaller choice of accessories like racks, you get a
higher price and it's much more likely to be a PITA to store.

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:43:54 +0100
Peter Clinch  wrote:

> But a bolt-upright design
> like a Dutch Roadster or a Pedersen is really /very/ comfortable: the
> downside is you maximise wind resistance, but for short journeys not
> carried out at high speed that's often less important than comfort.

But you can still only reach the ground on tip-toe from the saddle.
> 
> On a recumbent ... it's much more likely to be a PITA to store.
> 
Why?  Surely if you hang it by a wheel it takes no more room than a
regular bike?

Rob Morley wrote:

> Why?  Surely if you hang it by a wheel it takes no more room than a
> regular bike?

http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/pix/bikeontrain.jpg suggests
not the case.  Plus it's generally more of a game to get it there in the
first place, and subsequently back down again.

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:47:36 +0100
Peter Clinch  wrote:

> Rob Morley wrote:
> 
> > Why?  Surely if you hang it by a wheel it takes no more room than a
> > regular bike?
> 
> http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/pix/bikeontrain.jpg
> suggests not the case.

That doesn't look to take significantly more floor space to me.

>  Plus it's generally more of a game to get it
> there in the first place, and subsequently back down again.
> 
Pulleys.  :-)

Rob Morley wrote:

> That doesn't look to take significantly more floor space to me.

Floor space, no, just vertical volume.  /Both/ are useful, however...

>>  Plus it's generally more of a game to get it
>> there in the first place, and subsequently back down again.
>>
> Pulleys.  :-)

Yes, we take a set with us every time we travel on the West Highland
line...  There's more places than "at home" where you need to store a bike.

I am, of course, a huge fan of recumbent bikes.  But it's only
reasonable to point out that they are more difficult to lug around than
wedgies when you're not on them.  If I still lived in a tenement above
the ground floor with no external secure parking I would not own one: a
right PITA to carry up stairs, and a much bigger PITA than that if the
stairs have several tight corners.

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article , Peter Clinch wrote:
>Alan Braggins wrote:
>>
>> Giant Revive. LBS had one, and it seemed to be very heavy.
>
>One of those compromises that seemed to combine the weaknesses of the
>two things it's compromising between rather than the strengths.  So you
>have the comfort of an upright with all the weight and user-friendly
>luggability of a 'bent...

I can't comment on the comfort of the Revive, not having ridden it,
but I have ridden lighter more luggable 'bents.

Alan Braggins wrote:

> I can't comment on the comfort of the Revive, not having ridden it,
> but I have ridden lighter more luggable 'bents.

But lighter than what, and luggable where?  A NoComm weighs very little,
but I'd hazard a guess that carrying it up a tenement stair will be some
fairly high order of No Fun At All...

For almost any recumbent you'll very probably be able to find an
equivalent (by which I mean functional area) upright that weighs less.

Pete.
-- 
Peter Clinch                    Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk     http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article , Peter Clinch wrote:
>Alan Braggins wrote:
>
>>> have the comfort of an upright with all the weight and user-friendly
>>> luggability of a 'bent...
>>
>> I can't comment on the comfort of the Revive, not having ridden it,
>> but I have ridden lighter more luggable 'bents.
>
>But lighter than what, and luggable where?

Lighter than a Revive, and more luggable anywhere.