Recumbent Bike
Most of you will have seen cyclists riding something that looks like a bicycle, but the rider is in a laid back position. This is a recumbent bike. There are several advantages to using a recumbent bike as opposed to an upright one. Nowadays there are also recumbent tricycles, as well as the original design of the bike. Obviously, along with the advantages to using a recumbent bike, there are some negative aspects. If you are looking to buy a recumbent bike, then it is important that you look at the pros and cons before making a purchase. Let’s first take a look at the pros.
The first advantage to a recumbent bike, is the safety of the rider. With a standard bicycle, the distance between the rider and the ground is significant enough to cause serious injury if there were to be an accident and the rider were to fall off. However, with a recumbent bike, the rider is a lot closer to the ground, so the risk of falling off and sustaining a serious injury is fairly minimal. The brake system on the recumbent bike is a lot easier and safer to use than that of the standard bicycle, so stopping and controlling a recumbent bike is a lot easier.
The next plus point is comfort. With a standard bicycle the rider has to sit on a very uncomfortable seat as it is very small. With a recumbent bike there is a full sized seat that allows the rider to recline whilst riding the bike. On a standard bike, the rider has to balance, whereas on a recumbent bike no balancing is needed. This is because the rider is in a reclined position so it is just like sitting down as you normally would.
The next advantage to a recumbent bike is the health benefits that come with it. For a start, if you have ever rode long distances on a standard bike, then you will notice that your back, neck and arms end up in a lot of pain by the time you have stopped riding. With a recumbent bicycle, the riders back is fully supported. It strengthens leg muscles too as more power has to be used when cycling on a recumbent bike.
As with all things, there are also negative aspects to consider when it comes to a recumbent bike. One obvious disadvantage to a recumbent bike appears when it comes to riding uphill. It requires a lot of strength to cycle uphill as you can’t stand up to produce more power. As a result, the overall time that you will have to spend travelling would more than likely work out more than it would if you were using a standard bike.
Another disadvantage is the price. You can expect to pay a significant amount more for a recumbent bike than you would for a standard bike. This is understandable, as a recumbent bike obviously needs more materials than a standard bike. It can also be difficult to ride a recumbent bike safely as it is hard to see the road that you are travelling because you are so close to the ground.
You should consider all of the pros and cons before you purchase a recumbent bike. There are several disadvantages, but also several plus points too, so it is totally down to what meets your needs. The price range will vary greatly so be prepared to look around for the best deal. Be sure you are buying a recumbent bike that is highly durable if you are going to be riding it on the road for safety purposes.
