Hi guys,
I'm trying to get back into cycling after a bad car accident but I'm having trouble with my old trusty MTB.
I now have very bad, constant lower back pain and any minor bumps on my MTB cause me wicked pain, so I need to switch to something more suitable.
After some searching I came across some semi-recumbent, chopper style bike that I think might work for me. Only problem is.... I can't find anywhere to try them out.
Looking for something like this:
I use a recumbent exercise bike at my gym and the riding position is excellent. So I'm hoping it will transfer on to the roads/bike paths in and around Williamstown and the inner West.
Anyone know of somewhere in Melbourne that can help?
TIA
Getting back to cycling, need some help please
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- rdp_au
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby rdp_au » Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:33 pm
That is a Long Wheelbase (LWB) style recumbent - popular in the USA, but not so much anywhere else. I doubt you'll find any new ones for sale in Australia.
However, there are Short Wheelbase (SWB) style recumbents which can offer a very similar riding position. Something like this http://recumbent.net.au/hp-velotechnik-bikes/ These are much more popular and you should be able to find something here in Oz. Not sure about Melbourne, but there is a dealer in Sydney who should be able to source one for you.
However, there are Short Wheelbase (SWB) style recumbents which can offer a very similar riding position. Something like this http://recumbent.net.au/hp-velotechnik-bikes/ These are much more popular and you should be able to find something here in Oz. Not sure about Melbourne, but there is a dealer in Sydney who should be able to source one for you.
- Duck!
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby Duck! » Wed Jun 08, 2016 1:55 pm
Not sure about that specific design, but in Melbourne have a chat to Greenspeed and Trisled, both manufacturers of recumbents. Greenspeed is predominantly trikes, but possibly also do some bikes, while Trisled are a lot more diverse, building just about anything unconventional.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby zebee » Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:07 am
It's fairly hard to find a 2 wheeler in Oz that has pedals lower than seat. If you want that, then you might want to look at a Greenspeed trike with adjustable seat like a Magnum (if you are a big bod) or a GT20.
You can put the seat up fairly high and get a vaguely similar seat to pedal ratio.
IF bumps cause you issues then any 'bent will need either suspension or a mesh seatback. The seat on the illustration is similar to the one on the Bachetta I had and wasn't too bad bumpwise, the full mesh of the Greenspeed is similar in feel.
I've been a two wheel recumbent rider for years, but trikes are taking over everywhere and with good reason... I wouldn't want one for commuter cut and thrust but for recreational riding or training then the ease of riding and the general fun factor are hard to beat.
You can put the seat up fairly high and get a vaguely similar seat to pedal ratio.
IF bumps cause you issues then any 'bent will need either suspension or a mesh seatback. The seat on the illustration is similar to the one on the Bachetta I had and wasn't too bad bumpwise, the full mesh of the Greenspeed is similar in feel.
I've been a two wheel recumbent rider for years, but trikes are taking over everywhere and with good reason... I wouldn't want one for commuter cut and thrust but for recreational riding or training then the ease of riding and the general fun factor are hard to beat.
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby Sticman » Fri Jun 10, 2016 8:16 am
Thank you all for the replies, much appreciated.
My back pain comes from where my spine meets my pelvis and they think is probably damages/rooted discs or odema in the vertebrae. Either way, any form of impacting/compacting (esp when seated!) is nearly unbearable. Which is why I'm hoping the 'laid-back- style will work.
I need to lose some of this old spare tyre that I have gained, due to being off work for 3 years!
I recently took a cruise on my brothers Electra Straight-8 and while it is a great bike and very comfortable, the seating position still wasn't perfect.
I have next week off so I will call around the places you guys have mentioned and see what happens from there.
Thanks again
Craig
My back pain comes from where my spine meets my pelvis and they think is probably damages/rooted discs or odema in the vertebrae. Either way, any form of impacting/compacting (esp when seated!) is nearly unbearable. Which is why I'm hoping the 'laid-back- style will work.
I need to lose some of this old spare tyre that I have gained, due to being off work for 3 years!
I recently took a cruise on my brothers Electra Straight-8 and while it is a great bike and very comfortable, the seating position still wasn't perfect.
I have next week off so I will call around the places you guys have mentioned and see what happens from there.
Thanks again
Craig
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby OldBloke » Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:11 am
Have a look at this:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide ... 1112907780
In Adelaide, unfortunately, but might give you a start.
OB
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide ... 1112907780
In Adelaide, unfortunately, but might give you a start.
OB
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby Sticman » Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:57 am
Thanks oldbloke. Nice contraption but not my cuppa tea.
So, after a pretty exhaustive internet/phone search, I came to the conslusion that I'm either gonna have to gamble on importing one or build my own. Both crappy options.
I then remembered that my brothers Electra 'Ghostrider', that I rode in NZ last year, was a pretty comfy ride and seeing as how I saw some for sale at Ashburton cycles, I went for a look.
Met Glendon there and spent near on an hour talking to him. What a great bloke! Helpful, very experienced and has a fantastic range of bikes in his shop. He even showed me his 'Tanker' cruiser that he has stored upstairs. What a beautiful bike that is!
Glendon worked out that a LWB cruiser, like the Electras, with a sprung-saddle and a shock absorber seat stem will be near on perfect for me. After trying that exact set up, I had to agree.
His Rat Fink bike is a piece of art.... its on my wishlist.
Anyone know of someone selling a 2nd hand Electra? Straight-8, Ghostrider or Rat fink?
Thanks for listening and helping too
Craig
So, after a pretty exhaustive internet/phone search, I came to the conslusion that I'm either gonna have to gamble on importing one or build my own. Both crappy options.
I then remembered that my brothers Electra 'Ghostrider', that I rode in NZ last year, was a pretty comfy ride and seeing as how I saw some for sale at Ashburton cycles, I went for a look.
Met Glendon there and spent near on an hour talking to him. What a great bloke! Helpful, very experienced and has a fantastic range of bikes in his shop. He even showed me his 'Tanker' cruiser that he has stored upstairs. What a beautiful bike that is!
Glendon worked out that a LWB cruiser, like the Electras, with a sprung-saddle and a shock absorber seat stem will be near on perfect for me. After trying that exact set up, I had to agree.
His Rat Fink bike is a piece of art.... its on my wishlist.
Anyone know of someone selling a 2nd hand Electra? Straight-8, Ghostrider or Rat fink?
Thanks for listening and helping too
Craig
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- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:27 pm
Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby OldBloke » Mon Jun 13, 2016 11:27 am
There's a heap of ads on Bikeexchange:
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/electra
Might be some 2nd hand amongst them.
There are also some on Gumtree:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-bicycles/el ... chBox=true
OB
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/bikes/electra
Might be some 2nd hand amongst them.
There are also some on Gumtree:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-bicycles/el ... chBox=true
OB
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby Sticman » Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:03 am
Thanks again OB... will start my search.
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Re: Getting back to cycling, need some help please
Postby avolve » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:50 pm
I acquired a Catrike Trail for commuting about 3 months back. I had always wanted a trike, and it seemed like a viable option for the addressing coastal headwinds on my ~16km each way commute (the winds often swing around morning to evening here).zebee wrote: I've been a two wheel recumbent rider for years, but trikes are taking over everywhere and with good reason... I wouldn't want one for commuter cut and thrust but for recreational riding or training then the ease of riding and the general fun factor are hard to beat.
Quite fun to ride recreationally, not enjoying it so much as a commuter though...
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