Riding a bike is a great way to get exercise and in most cases can save strain on your shins and knees from running. Most people think of a traditional bike when they decide to start up this exercise, but a trend towards recumbent bicycles is surging. They are different in design from the traditional bike but allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery when going on a ride. Because of their different design, it is important to remember a few things before your first trip.
Getting on and off these bikes is one of the first critical differences. If you don't swing your leg forward to get on or off the cycle, you stand a pretty good chance of falling over. The seat is a reclining seat so when you swing over the back, as with other bikes, you will probably hit the seat with your foot.
Adjust your seat and handlebars before you begin your first ride. This is more important on this than other bikes because you will want to be able to sit back while you ride. You need to be able to have a light touch on the handlebars and easily reach the pedals without having to lean forward for either.
Be sure to hold the brake when getting on or off. This may seem like common sense, but it is more important on this style of bike. Until you are used to getting on the bike, this will simplify the first and last step of the ride.
Use the gears for easier riding. Some like to use a more difficult gear to get a harder work out on ten speeds, but on this bike, it is better to start in a low gear and work your way up as you need.
Set your pedal angle before starting. While sitting on the seat, spin the pedal to 12 o'clock, straight up and down, so you can have the best push effort when you start riding. Some might suggest a 2 o'clock position, but having the pedal straight up gives you better starting power.
While riding the bike, sit back and relax. This is designed with this purpose in mind. On other bikes, you lean forward and are looking at the ground just in front of you. Here, you actually need to look up and forward so you can use the bike to its full potential.
Use the pedal to get started. As stated before, you should start by pushing on the pedal. Quickly move your ground foot to the other pedal to keep going. Since you are starting in a reclining position you will not have enough leverage to push from the ground to get started like you would with a ten speed.
Stopping is also different. When you apply the brake you need to plant both feet on the ground and make sure the wheels are in a straight alignment. The tendency is to turn the handlebars to allow you to put one foot down. This bike does better if you plant both feet with the handles straight to avoid falling over since you are riding in a reclining position.
Enjoying the scenery and avoiding strain are two big benefits of these bikes. Once you get a couple of good starts on the cycle, you will naturally get a feel for how it works. It is different in some ways, but you will find that you ride longer and farther without tiring as much.
Getting on and off these bikes is one of the first critical differences. If you don't swing your leg forward to get on or off the cycle, you stand a pretty good chance of falling over. The seat is a reclining seat so when you swing over the back, as with other bikes, you will probably hit the seat with your foot.
Adjust your seat and handlebars before you begin your first ride. This is more important on this than other bikes because you will want to be able to sit back while you ride. You need to be able to have a light touch on the handlebars and easily reach the pedals without having to lean forward for either.
Be sure to hold the brake when getting on or off. This may seem like common sense, but it is more important on this style of bike. Until you are used to getting on the bike, this will simplify the first and last step of the ride.
Use the gears for easier riding. Some like to use a more difficult gear to get a harder work out on ten speeds, but on this bike, it is better to start in a low gear and work your way up as you need.
Set your pedal angle before starting. While sitting on the seat, spin the pedal to 12 o'clock, straight up and down, so you can have the best push effort when you start riding. Some might suggest a 2 o'clock position, but having the pedal straight up gives you better starting power.
While riding the bike, sit back and relax. This is designed with this purpose in mind. On other bikes, you lean forward and are looking at the ground just in front of you. Here, you actually need to look up and forward so you can use the bike to its full potential.
Use the pedal to get started. As stated before, you should start by pushing on the pedal. Quickly move your ground foot to the other pedal to keep going. Since you are starting in a reclining position you will not have enough leverage to push from the ground to get started like you would with a ten speed.
Stopping is also different. When you apply the brake you need to plant both feet on the ground and make sure the wheels are in a straight alignment. The tendency is to turn the handlebars to allow you to put one foot down. This bike does better if you plant both feet with the handles straight to avoid falling over since you are riding in a reclining position.
Enjoying the scenery and avoiding strain are two big benefits of these bikes. Once you get a couple of good starts on the cycle, you will naturally get a feel for how it works. It is different in some ways, but you will find that you ride longer and farther without tiring as much.
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You can get a detailed overview of the things to consider when buying recumbent bicycles and view our selection of bicycles at http://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11617617.html right now.
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