Crank-forward bicycling.

fitmpg · #1 07-29-2009, 08:30 PM

Hello all. Just wanted to tout crank-forward bike riding as an alternative to conventional diamond frame bicycling. It's so much more comfortable for those of us who are getting a little older... Call it semi-recumbent bicycling. Rans offers probably the best line of bikes in this genre. Check out their website at www.rans.com. I just picked up a used "Citi" model.
Others include, but are not limited to, Electra Townie and Trek "Pure" series.
I'm enjoying bike riding again!
Brian

WriConsult · #2 07-29-2009, 09:28 PM

Good for you. I'm strongly considering a crank forward as my next bike too. I looked into recumbents a few years ago (and found the Bacchetta Giro to be the best of the bunch for my needs) but the slow hill climbing was just something I couldn't get over. I'm slow enough on the climbs as it is!

Crank Forwards solve the climbing problem, and from my test ride a few weeks ago they actually seem to climb better when seated than diamond frame bikes. Overall the riding position seems more efficient for long rides (when comfort issues start to pile up) than a DF. I still like to stand when climbing at times, which is why I would go for either the 700X or the Dynamik, but either way Crank Forwards are an awesome and underrated solution.

Yaris Hilton · #3 07-30-2009, 12:56 AM

I rode a RANS Stratus for 6 years. It was a wonderful bike!

Sledge · #4 07-31-2009, 10:21 AM

Semi-recumbent also means semi-not-recumbent which is of course a bad thing

I have a Bacchetta Giro 26 and it's the best bike I've ever owned.

fitmpg · #5 08-03-2009, 06:26 PM

One can stand to pedal on the "Citi" and "Street" as well. A very nice, nearly new 700X which I almost bit on in Alfred Station, New York. A few add-ons and they want 1100.00 for it. I'll be happy with the "Citi," though I'll probably end up owning several Rans bikes!
Brian

Yaris Hilton · #6 08-04-2009, 09:48 PM

I bought my RANS 15 years ago, but they were good people to deal with. I'm glad to hear they're still doing well.

sno779 · #7 08-07-2009, 01:06 AM

A lot of people blame the bike for slow climbing performance. I think it's mostly the rider. Did you see that the 4 rider RAAM was won this year by a team of men riding Rans XStream recumbents. They were ahead in the climbs and flats....Louis

NiHaoMike · #8 08-07-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sno779

A lot of people blame the bike for slow climbing performance. I think it's mostly the rider. Did you see that the 4 rider RAAM was won this year by a team of men riding Rans XStream recumbents. They were ahead in the climbs and flats....Louis

A good hybrid will rocket right up those hills. Electric motors have excellent torque over much of their design speed range.

What could get interesting is a recumbent with HSD. Especially one that can be expanded for multiple riders. (In that case, the split motor/generators would be MG# where # is a number and the direct motor/generator would be MGW.)

Yaris Hilton · #9 08-07-2009, 12:33 PM

I can tell you from experience that the "recumbent hill climbing problem" is mythological.

Shiba3420 · #10 08-07-2009, 02:19 PM

Yea I never understood it. I had more power because I'm solidly lodged between the seat and pedals, so I can put more power to the ground that the standing person. However, there is a danger that you can push too hard and run out of strength. Also, starting from a stop on a recumbent is much more difficult than a tradtional bike, but more because of balance than power.