My ride behind a fast recumbent bike

I met a nice guy on my ride tonight, he was the fastest recumbent rider I have ever ridden with. He is an interesting guy, here is his website www.lifeonabaron.blogspot.com

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• bicycles
• recumbent
• cycling
• fast
• bike
• bicycle

[roamic]

Where is that park?

[cycleview]

It is in Dallas Texas

[MegaDumbdog]

I have ridden over 200,000 miles on Uprights before starting on a recumbent 11 years ago. When you stand on an upright , and you weigh 180 pounds, that is what pressure you can put on the pedals. When you are pushing on a recumbent pedal with against the seat, I can generate alot more force than that. All the cycling world speed records are held by recumbents.

[songnsword]

Have you ever ridden one? They're awesome!

[phyotyla]

Based on the name of his blog and some references there, I'd say it's Optima Baron

[tecnocato]

Do you know the brand and model of the recumbent?

[tecnocato]

@Daz555Daz Not entirely correct. In both types you can use your upper body to apply force in a similar manner BUT in an upright bicycle your are limited to your weight plus the downward force component of your arms which is a lot than what you can push on a leg press with just one leg. Something I read too little about is cardiovascular efficiency. Your heart is more efficient in a reclined position as it pumps bloods with less mechanical head (height).

[howhypno]

What kind of speeds were you seeing on this ride? I just finished building my own recumbent and it really uses different muscles to ride, but so much better on my back!

[deezynar]

@Daz555Daz

I ride both types and you are correct. You leverage the handle bars in a sprint on a diamond frame bike as well as use your cleats. Recumbents have aero advantage only when you are focusing on performance. Recumbents are more comfortable.

[viperman5686]

@MegaDumbdog Yes, but the real reason recumbents are faster is because of wind drag, not the ability to push with more force than your weight.

[stackedhippiechick]

top bicycle speed

[area43]

Does the guy on the recumbent have a beard?

[triketrek11]

@Daz555Daz i agree with everything you said except generating power through the handlebars... that just doesnt make sense to me. i ride uprights and recumbents but there is no way to produce more thrust to the pedals by using your upper body. top sprinters are normally in good shape :)

[Daz555Daz]

@MegaDumbdog Remember though that with standard bike you can utilise the muscles in your upper body to generate power through the handlebars - you are not at all limited by rider weight. This is why top sprinters like Chris Hoy have very developed upper bodies. I would put money on a standard bike being far better at accelerating from a standing start than a recumbent. Recumbants are faster due to aero benefits rather than pedalling action I'd argue.