For a First Bent Bicycle

I am Loving my Trike but of course I am interested in " the 2 wheel Bent ".
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Looking for comments on style of first recumbent Bicycle.
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I would like it to be reasonably fast and not Incredibly Difficult to ride....
So am thinking of building this Atomic Zombie Front Runner ,


any thoughts appreciated.

 

Looking at it

I am looking at that bike in the picture and something just gnaws at me. With some of the bikes I've built I have had to fix "heel strike". What is gnawing at me is not a heel strike but a leg strike. I don't know much about FWD bikes but it looks to me that the wheel will turn into the leg. Might like to try a slightly smaller front wheel to avoid that

 

Those moving front Bottom Bracket bikes can be a bit hard to learn to ride. If you can master it, seems to be a good platform. But there is a big learning curve. I had a friend make one for me and I never even rode it. Just couldn't bring myself to trust it. Never had a moments thought about riding any other recumbent.

 

thanks for the comments.
I see what you mean about leg strike but have always had to plan turns on DF bikes so dont think that will worry me.
- The " hard to learn to ride " concerns me .I thought it would be more intuitive because you pull on the bars as you pedal - which I thought would decrease the super sensitive balance issue I have read about on some Bents.......
Hmm.
Wonder if there is a shop around that might have test bike.... perhaps not in Sydney

 

Cruzbike is a FWD bike. They also sell a conversion kit for under $400. It looks to me that they make the BB well above the tire to avoid the strike. Something to think about and modify when building.

 

Yes, I will look into that . I am not adverse to adjusting the design for improved function - good point.

 

Cruzbike

Say, "Cruzbike" and opinionated people will tell you their opinion, positive or negative, as if it were law, iron-clad and immutable.
If you disagree with such a person's diamond-grade opinion, you're an idiot.

This is why I very, very seldom appear on any bicycle forum anywhere.

The reason is simple: I'm an idiot.

Why?
My Cruzbike has years of use, at all the speeds I'm capable of.
I like it so much and it works so well for me, that I do not care to upgrade, sidegrade, retrograde or otherwise mess around with other bikes.

I bet you'll hate moving bottom bracket bikes.
I hope so.
This way, I remain King of MBB recumbentdom....

Muahahaha.

Seriously, the only way you'll ever learn whether MBB is for you,
is to try one.
Don't ask me: my bike is mine and I am not your teacher.

Good luck,

-Steve

 

Steve, you crack me up. You are actually the reason I had one made. Unfortunatly the timing was bad. When I fell on my MTB and separated my shoulder I am REALLY worried about falling again. The Vendetta clone just didn't inspire any confidence when I sat on it. Finally just gave the frame back to the maker.

 

What model of Cruzbike do you ride Steve?
- yes I should try one, just difficult here in Oz

 

I like your Optimistic outlook A.D. , Yes I will try what you suggest but the bicycle industry in Oz is poor to say the least - shouldnt be that way, but small population and expensive manufacturing...
but tracking down the one Cruzbike in Australia could be fun.

 

So am getting prepared to build a Bike.
seat first


This is what I am thinking of making.

 

first I need to work out my ergonomic design, so ....

 

then Trace shape and cut it in Plywood.......

 

The Wood Slat Seat:
Ive put it together [ pic when I get home - at work at present - last Day ]
Its not lacquered yet but weight is a nice 1005g. Thats 35 Ounces.
Sat on it very gingerly , feels good , solid , Am very pleased thus far.
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You know what , it fitted me perfectly
I may have made the lumbar support too big - but it feels ok just sitting on it.