Can I convert this Columba bike (which I own)?

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Susan,
A few different

Hi Susan,

A few different things.

First, if you haven't already, look at Kim's videos about learning how to ride. It's worth going through all of the steps again. (You can read about my experiences learning to ride here.)

Second, when you feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. This is a very simple thing that you can do that can make a huge difference as far as feeling out of control.

I recommend taking off the toe clips until you are more comfortable on the bike. (I now ride clipped in, but it took several months before I tried).

Third, I can't tell without seeing the bike in person, but it might be that putting your hands on the bar extenders as they are, they might give you a lot less leverage which wouldn't help with your stability problems.

I ride the Sofrider which is (fairly) similar to what you have. Because we are sitting so much closer to the steering pivot, I found the bike feels very different and a lot more twitchy than an upright bike. It does take a little while to get used to. (I think this may be the case with all short wheel base recumbents, but I've never ridden any other SWB bike).

Good luck,

Charles

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Susan,
A few different

Hi Susan,

A few different things.

First, if you haven't already, look at Kim's videos about learning how to ride. It's worth going through all of the steps again. (You can read about my experiences learning to ride here.)

Second, when you feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. This is a very simple thing that you can do that can make a huge difference as far as feeling out of control.

I recommend taking off the toe clips until you are more comfortable on the bike. (I now ride clipped in, but it took several months before I tried).

Third, I can't tell without seeing the bike in person, but it might be that putting your hands on the bar extenders as they are, they might give you a lot less leverage which wouldn't help with your stability problems.

I ride the Sofrider which is (fairly) similar to what you have. Because we are sitting so much closer to the steering pivot, I found the bike feels very different and a lot more twitchy than an upright bike. It does take a little while to get used to. (I think this may be the case with all short wheel base recumbents, but I've never ridden any other SWB bike).

Good luck,

Charles

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Susan,
A few different

Hi Susan,

A few different things.

First, if you haven't already, look at Kim's videos about learning how to ride. It's worth going through all of the steps again. (You can read about my experiences learning to ride here.)

Second, when you feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. This is a very simple thing that you can do that can make a huge difference as far as feeling out of control.

I recommend taking off the toe clips until you are more comfortable on the bike. (I now ride clipped in, but it took several months before I tried).

Third, I can't tell without seeing the bike in person, but it might be that putting your hands on the bar extenders as they are, they might give you a lot less leverage which wouldn't help with your stability problems.

I ride the Sofrider which is (fairly) similar to what you have. Because we are sitting so much closer to the steering pivot, I found the bike feels very different and a lot more twitchy than an upright bike. It does take a little while to get used to. (I think this may be the case with all short wheel base recumbents, but I've never ridden any other SWB bike).

Good luck,

Charles

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Susan,
A few different

Hi Susan,

A few different things.

First, if you haven't already, look at Kim's videos about learning how to ride. It's worth going through all of the steps again. (You can read about my experiences learning to ride here.)

Second, when you feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. This is a very simple thing that you can do that can make a huge difference as far as feeling out of control.

I recommend taking off the toe clips until you are more comfortable on the bike. (I now ride clipped in, but it took several months before I tried).

Third, I can't tell without seeing the bike in person, but it might be that putting your hands on the bar extenders as they are, they might give you a lot less leverage which wouldn't help with your stability problems.

I ride the Sofrider which is (fairly) similar to what you have. Because we are sitting so much closer to the steering pivot, I found the bike feels very different and a lot more twitchy than an upright bike. It does take a little while to get used to. (I think this may be the case with all short wheel base recumbents, but I've never ridden any other SWB bike).

Good luck,

Charles

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Susan,
A few different

Hi Susan,

A few different things.

First, if you haven't already, look at Kim's videos about learning how to ride. It's worth going through all of the steps again. (You can read about my experiences learning to ride here.)

Second, when you feel out of control, take your feet off of the pedals. This is a very simple thing that you can do that can make a huge difference as far as feeling out of control.

I recommend taking off the toe clips until you are more comfortable on the bike. (I now ride clipped in, but it took several months before I tried).

Third, I can't tell without seeing the bike in person, but it might be that putting your hands on the bar extenders as they are, they might give you a lot less leverage which wouldn't help with your stability problems.

I ride the Sofrider which is (fairly) similar to what you have. Because we are sitting so much closer to the steering pivot, I found the bike feels very different and a lot more twitchy than an upright bike. It does take a little while to get used to. (I think this may be the case with all short wheel base recumbents, but I've never ridden any other SWB bike).

Good luck,

Charles

 

[CruzinSusan]

Handlebars set wide for maximum control of heavy front.

Thanks for the input Charles, I watched your suggestions, and also discovered many posts around the topic of widened handlebars.

Doug Burton once as much as said, that only bar width gives leverage, and not mounting bars in front if headset. I also found the following good presentation on the topic of MTbikers moving to wider bars for more control.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Handlebars-How-Wide-Affects-Your-Ride-2011.html

So here is my temporary fix, until I can get some morotcycle bars or some other 1-piece custom solution.

To any who have complained about this weave and wobble issue, this is an instant fix that others have discovered too. Pictured is my 1000mm span -- very very comfortable and controlable -- and gets Susan cruzin' almost like a regular bike.