Also I saw lately a stand up thing like a Y - shaped skateboard . Feet go one the two 'skateboard' looking things . . .and then there's a handle coming up to direct (like a scooter handle). It just glided along . . what is this ? Guy was going downhill . . .wonder ho it works to get up . . motorized? I've seen one like your talking about at my local bike shop. I don't know much about it. But recumbents are lots of fun, in the country away from hills and heavy traffic. current record on a recumbent style bike is 53 mph. in an hour set by Fast Freddie. There are high priced but I would rather ride a "bent" 100 miles . Over ride a regluar bike 5 miles. I own both and ride between 150 to 200 miles a week. There are several reasons for recumbent bikes. The two main reasons are comfort and aerodynamics. The sitting back in a chair position is quite comfortable and for many people, the only way they can ride. In a recumbent bike you have a much lower center of gravity and also provide a much smaller frontal area for creating drag. Better aerodynamics means greater speed with the same effort. (This means recumbants can be FAST FAST FAST)
Here's a nice article on the history of recumbents http://afchap.home.mindspring.com/BentHi...
Here is a nice FAQ page for recumbents
http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/rec...
Cost can vary as much as any bicycle, and there are many greatly varying styles of recumbents. Starting price is a bit higher than low-end regular bicycles. They are not mass produced on the same scale as regular bicycles. I've seen some priced in the $500's many in the $700 range and on up from there.
As for the other thing you are describing, I don't know at all. That Y shaped thing is I believe called a Chariot and it's not motorized. You get it to move by pushing off like a skate board and then a side to side movement of your body to keep it moving. (Grandson has one)
As far as the Recumbents goe the common answer is they are faster than a road bike, more comfortable and more areodynamic and most people say they can't climb a hill as well as a DF, which IMO is a lot of bull.
It's know different than riding a road bike uphill, it depends on the rider or as some say the engine. I know plenty bent riders that out ride DF riders in the hills, they say those things because DF riders won't or are not willing to accept a bent as a different form of a bicycle.
Cost can vary as much as any bicycle, and there are many greatly varying styles ( High Racer, Low Racer, LWB, SWB, CLWB, Tadpole Trike and Delta ) Starting prices go for as little as $500 to $8000 dollers. All depends on how much you want to spend and how you want to ride, just like a DF. If you would like to see an $8000 bent look at the picture at this site below. Also there website. | 