Why A Recumbent Bike
Posted: Sunday, March 04, 2007
by Gary Lampert
Lampert & Associates
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WHY A RECUMBENT BIKE 
Recumbent bikes hold the one hour and 4000 meter pursuit records along with many other speed records. Most important, comfort was an interesting side result of the engineer's quest for world speed records. No More sore behinds, knees, backs, hands, arms, numb hands, necks and less fatigue make for a better riding experience. Recumbent riders experience greater comfort and a better view. You tone and strengthen your stomach muscles. You use you body strength instead of gravity to help push the pedals. Pushing on the pedals of a recumbent is like using your legs when you put your back against an object like a refrigerator to move it. A conventional bike uses gravity, your weight, your knees and your arms to try to develop the leverage to push the pedals. Your heart has to pump the blood all the way to the bottom of your feet and up again. On a recumbent the heart is on a more even level with your legs allowing for more energy with less heart strain. This makes it easier for blood, food and oxygen to reach you muscles. This results in being able to go farther and faster in comfort.
Recumbents are not any more dangerous than other bikes. If anything they are safer with their lower center of gravity and being close to the ground. The design results in your feet absorbing the impact of a possible crash and better handling. With your weight over the rear wheel, recumbents stop faster. Automobiles can see you easier, because your body is in the car driver's site. The web has brought the recumbent bicycle to an even higher level of acceptance around the world. The new popularity of these bikes has brought about a great sensation to the bicycle riding public.I am 58 years young and have a bad knee, and back and I can ride for hours and get off the bike feeling great and ready to go again. I can't ride my other bikes for more than a 1/2 hour without a sore knee, back and bottom. Thanks to the recumbent I can now ride a bike again.
Most recumbent manufactureres do their best to assure you the best in comfort, speed, handling with an attention to detail. The best bikes are designed to give you the right heart to leg ratios and the best back position possible. Gary believes in the products he designs and sells. Young or old you will enjoy riding a recumbent. On 2 wheels or three you will find it a pleasure. It is great exercise for those who can't ride a regular bike and even more fun for those who can. Just try One I know you will love it. I was reluctant to try one when I first started riding because of my knee. I found once I started riding a recumbent that it was one of my best experiences.
Once you Go recumbent you will never go back.
Gary B. Lampert Ph.D.
Interesting article but you missed the most important aspect of a recumbent bike, safety. You are below a drivers eye level, you are lower than they expect to see, you can't be seen if you are next to their car or cycling between 2 lanes of cars. Without doubt they are more comfortable but they're also considerably more dabgerous if you ride on the road.
