June 13, 2004, 12:18AM
'Bent' bikes easy on older riders
By DAN LEWERENZ
Associated Press
RECUMBENT RULES OF THUMB
The recumbent market runs the gamut from high-end touring bicycles to grown-up tricycles to tandems. Some things to keep in mind when considering a recumbent bike:
·Try before you buy. There is wide variety in the recumbent market. Some seats are level, others are reclined; some use standard bicycles wheels, others use one or more smaller wheels; steering can be either above or below the seat. Each of these factors can affect the feel of the bike, so it's best to try a variety to see which fits you best.
·Don't let it throw you. Riding recumbent is not "just like riding a bike." Because of the dramatic difference in design, the balance is different, and tends to be a bit squirrely for first-time riders. And because the steering systems and wheel bases are different on recumbents, they can seem twitchy at first. "I thought I was going to just hop on and ride like I'd always done," said Bob Strosnider, 73, of Winchester, Ky. "I almost ran over a whole crowd of people." Most people, however, are able to adjust after riding for a few minutes. Strosnider now rides 15 to 20 miles two to three times a week, with an additional 30- to 40-mile ride on the weekend.
·Watch your speed. There's nothing quite like the feeling of cruising 40 mph downhill in what is essentially a recliner -- and riders who want to can easily hit 40 mph or faster. But new recumbent riders should make sure they're familiar with the bike's braking, steering and balance before speeding off.
-- ASSOCIATED PRESS
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The first time Rob Gentry saw a friend riding an odd-looking contraption known as a recumbent bike, he laughed. But not for long.
"After I got done making fun of it," Gentry said, "I found I really liked it."
It wasn't just the comfortable ride Gentry liked, but also the panoramic view and the bike's speed. Now, barely five years after buying his first "bent," Gentry is not only riding recumbent, he's doing a brisk businesses selling recumbents -- and only recumbents -- from his central Pennsylvania bike shop.
More and more baby boomers who want to stay physically active are turning to recumbents to ease the strain on their shoulders, arms, backs and knees. As a consequence, sales are rising for these laid-back bikes -- known as "bents" to those who ride them.
Not that there's a recumbent revolution under way. Recumbent specialists estimate that these bikes make up just 1 percent of bicycle sales; Mike Gamstetter, editor-in-chief of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, said it's probably less than that.
But even those dedicated to their upright touring bikes say they're seeing more recumbents on the road.
"It's definitely been a growing segment of the market, although it's still pretty small," said Mike Deme, editor of Adventure Cyclist magazine.
Chris and Jane Webb of Cleveland are typical recumbent riders. Chris bought his recumbent when riding upright was no longer comfortable; Jane bought one so they could ride together. The couple and their 13-year-old son, Matt, came to State College in May for a recumbent rally sponsored by Gentry's shop, Recumbent Bike Riders Inc.
Bob Strosnider, 73, of Winchester, Ky., who also came up for the rally, said prostate trouble aggravated by his bicycle seat almost forced him to give up bicycling. But since buying his RANS Rocket two years ago, Strosnider has been able to ride 60 to 100 miles per week without any problems.
"It's really been great for me, because there's no way I would be riding today if I hadn't switched bikes," Strosnider said.
Among the benefits of bents:
· Comfort. With a full-size seat in a reclined position, the bikes put far less strain on the tailbone. And because the rider isn't leaning over the handlebars, there is no strain on shoulders, arms, wrists or back.
Rich Pinto, who works in research and development for Florida-based recumbent maker Bacchetta, said that's why so many middle-age and older riders are attracted to recumbents.
"It's baby boomers who want to work out, with all of the benefits, but none of the pain," Pinto said.
· The view. The rider is reclined with his head up, not leaning over the front of the bike looking down.
"My first reaction was how well you could see," said Deme, who tried out a recumbent a couple of years ago when his magazine did a special issue on the bikes. "It's really like riding around in chair. It took a little getting used to, but I liked it."
· Speed. Because of their aerodynamic design, the rider has a much smaller wind profile -- so much smaller that international racing officials banned bents back in 1934.
"They do hold all the speed records," Deme said.
Sam Blevins, 34, bought his first one four years ago after seeing a friend's wife riding one.
"I saw how fast she was going -- a woman who hadn't been on a bicycle in 15 years was keeping up with us, and we were not weak cyclists. I was amazed," said Blevins, who now manages St. Louis Recumbent Bicycles, a recumbent-only store in Maryville, Ill. Blevins said the biggest obstacle he has to overcome with potential buyers is image. "It just looks weird," he said.
The second hurdle is price. "A lot of people still think a bike is something you get at Wal-Mart for $80. There's nothing like that in the recumbent world, and there won't be until someone starts mass-producing recumbents," he said.
Pinto says the average recumbent sale is about $1,300, with prices ranging from about $500 up to $7,000 for high-end trikes.
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