Re:New Bent Rider
Posted: 15 Oct 2005, 4:47pm
Have you considered a 'bent trike? I recently got a Windcheetah, had to wait to be built but it's very nice. The joystick steering is a nice touch, means you can brake, steer and signal all at the same time...
I went to the Manchester base of AVD to have a go on a Windcheetah and be measured so it can be made to fit, I'd strongly advise "try before you buy" with a 'bent.
The leg distance is pretty important, as is the back angle. I've got a 'bent following a road accident that left me with upper back/neck damage that hurts when I ride a normal bike, so the support offered by the seat is very important to me. Also, consider the drive train- you will tend to spin more when on a 'bent, so be honest, unless you're super-fit make sure you get low gearing if you live anywhere or are likely to take the 'bent anywhere with hills (and they are sooooo comfy to ride all day you may well want to!)
Don't know about ICE- stuff looks good, and seems to have a reputation for good build quality, but I preferred the joystick appraoch to steering than having my hands down by my sides.
As you really do need to be clipped in on a 'bent, and my back is damaged enough I don't want to fall over anymore, so I went for the trike option. The Windcheetah will go through a standard UPVC door, and is more manoverable than the long wheel-base suggests.
Other things I learned:
Pedals: Eggbeater pedals are good to hold your feet firmly but have lots of float- and they do platform pedal options.
Lights: Get a decent front light if you're going to be riding in traffic at night, makes you visible on a roundabout. I use a Lumicycle HID flood.
Carriers: budget for a rack and panniers, you can't use a rucksack so easily!
Visibility: I get noticed more on the trike than I ever did on a normal bike, but I do use a flag... there is a kite shop in the Garw valley in Wales that does a good line in windsocks to hang off the back!
Finally, take time to find what suits you, and don't try to save pennies- 'bents are still specialist machines. They're also great fun- I have so much more fun on the trike than i ever had on my bikes!
I went to the Manchester base of AVD to have a go on a Windcheetah and be measured so it can be made to fit, I'd strongly advise "try before you buy" with a 'bent.
The leg distance is pretty important, as is the back angle. I've got a 'bent following a road accident that left me with upper back/neck damage that hurts when I ride a normal bike, so the support offered by the seat is very important to me. Also, consider the drive train- you will tend to spin more when on a 'bent, so be honest, unless you're super-fit make sure you get low gearing if you live anywhere or are likely to take the 'bent anywhere with hills (and they are sooooo comfy to ride all day you may well want to!)
Don't know about ICE- stuff looks good, and seems to have a reputation for good build quality, but I preferred the joystick appraoch to steering than having my hands down by my sides.
As you really do need to be clipped in on a 'bent, and my back is damaged enough I don't want to fall over anymore, so I went for the trike option. The Windcheetah will go through a standard UPVC door, and is more manoverable than the long wheel-base suggests.
Other things I learned:
Pedals: Eggbeater pedals are good to hold your feet firmly but have lots of float- and they do platform pedal options.
Lights: Get a decent front light if you're going to be riding in traffic at night, makes you visible on a roundabout. I use a Lumicycle HID flood.
Carriers: budget for a rack and panniers, you can't use a rucksack so easily!
Visibility: I get noticed more on the trike than I ever did on a normal bike, but I do use a flag... there is a kite shop in the Garw valley in Wales that does a good line in windsocks to hang off the back!
Finally, take time to find what suits you, and don't try to save pennies- 'bents are still specialist machines. They're also great fun- I have so much more fun on the trike than i ever had on my bikes!