RideOn
New Member
My story is similar to others here on the forum, transitioning from years on a DF to the idea of trying a recumbent. Then came the research into which recumbent design to narrow down the choices.
My wife had stopped riding her DF bike due to back issues, so the first recumbent went to her. After test riding 2 stick frame designs (a Rans and a Bacchetta), the LBS also showed us a used Rans Tailwind, a compact long wheelbase. It looked brand new, after adjusting the bars and seat, she gave it a ride. This was the one. Relaxed, slow steering and easy for her to get her feet down. She named it Sally, so I know she really loves her new (to her) bike.
For the next month we rode together, her on the recumbent, me still on my upright DF. The wife was perfectly comfortable, and I was still getting the numb wrists and butt pains after 10-20 mile rides.
So that led to the search for my first recumbent. Top candidates - Bacchetta, Rans, Schlitter, or Cruzbike.
After considering the type of riding conditions we come across while traveling full-time, I felt that a pure road bike wasn't the answer, the bike would need to have wider tires for dirt/gravel/stone trails.
That narrowed it down to maybe the Schlitter or a Cruzbike. I wanted to lean towards the Silvio, but felt the QX100 was the better choice. Especially after reading through this forum and the BentRider forum.
So after speaking to Robert about delivery times, I placed my order and a week later a brand new green QX100 arrived. After watching the YouTube assembly videos, I had it put together in a few hours. Spent a while double checking everything and adjusting the boom for a first time rider.
I resisted the urge to attempt to just go for it and ride it. Following the Ratz protocol, I pushed the bike to a nearby sloped parking lot and started practicing - after 30 minutes of drills I went for it and started pedaling.
It was easier than I was made to believe, but still a totally different experience.
Day 1: Get acquainted day. Start without immediately putting my foot back down. Wife advised me to just commit to the start. Go slow. Staying in a low gear to keep cadence up. Corner with/without pedaling. Keep it simple. Aim for riding a straight line, using the lines in the parking lot. Take your feet off the pedals and steer w/ your arms, that saved me a few times when things didn't feel right. This bike is fun!
Day 2: Two rides of "drills" and a short ride on a really wide path. Practiced figure eights, starts/stops, uphill starts, imagined riding through tight spaces (tried staying in a half lane). The free ride gave me a chance to shift through all the gears and check out the bike. Noticed a rubbing noise in the rear, discovered the kickstand was just touching the rear disc. Will have to adjust/tweak. The seating position is very comfortable.
Day 3: Drills and had fun riding the wide path again. I got brave enough to scratch my nose. I'm not to the point of letting go of the bars to wave at other people yet. To drink from the water bottle requires a stop, I can't reach back to grab the bottle yet.
Day 4: Rest day - other commitments, no riding. Spent some time checking over the bike, tightened the seat pan and noticed the rear brake cable housing looks a little tight.
I think drilling was an important part of the learning process. Many thanks to the forum members for their tips and advice.
My wife had stopped riding her DF bike due to back issues, so the first recumbent went to her. After test riding 2 stick frame designs (a Rans and a Bacchetta), the LBS also showed us a used Rans Tailwind, a compact long wheelbase. It looked brand new, after adjusting the bars and seat, she gave it a ride. This was the one. Relaxed, slow steering and easy for her to get her feet down. She named it Sally, so I know she really loves her new (to her) bike.
For the next month we rode together, her on the recumbent, me still on my upright DF. The wife was perfectly comfortable, and I was still getting the numb wrists and butt pains after 10-20 mile rides.
So that led to the search for my first recumbent. Top candidates - Bacchetta, Rans, Schlitter, or Cruzbike.
After considering the type of riding conditions we come across while traveling full-time, I felt that a pure road bike wasn't the answer, the bike would need to have wider tires for dirt/gravel/stone trails.
That narrowed it down to maybe the Schlitter or a Cruzbike. I wanted to lean towards the Silvio, but felt the QX100 was the better choice. Especially after reading through this forum and the BentRider forum.
So after speaking to Robert about delivery times, I placed my order and a week later a brand new green QX100 arrived. After watching the YouTube assembly videos, I had it put together in a few hours. Spent a while double checking everything and adjusting the boom for a first time rider.
I resisted the urge to attempt to just go for it and ride it. Following the Ratz protocol, I pushed the bike to a nearby sloped parking lot and started practicing - after 30 minutes of drills I went for it and started pedaling.
It was easier than I was made to believe, but still a totally different experience.
Day 1: Get acquainted day. Start without immediately putting my foot back down. Wife advised me to just commit to the start. Go slow. Staying in a low gear to keep cadence up. Corner with/without pedaling. Keep it simple. Aim for riding a straight line, using the lines in the parking lot. Take your feet off the pedals and steer w/ your arms, that saved me a few times when things didn't feel right. This bike is fun!
Day 2: Two rides of "drills" and a short ride on a really wide path. Practiced figure eights, starts/stops, uphill starts, imagined riding through tight spaces (tried staying in a half lane). The free ride gave me a chance to shift through all the gears and check out the bike. Noticed a rubbing noise in the rear, discovered the kickstand was just touching the rear disc. Will have to adjust/tweak. The seating position is very comfortable.
Day 3: Drills and had fun riding the wide path again. I got brave enough to scratch my nose. I'm not to the point of letting go of the bars to wave at other people yet. To drink from the water bottle requires a stop, I can't reach back to grab the bottle yet.
Day 4: Rest day - other commitments, no riding. Spent some time checking over the bike, tightened the seat pan and noticed the rear brake cable housing looks a little tight.
I think drilling was an important part of the learning process. Many thanks to the forum members for their tips and advice.
