Cool bike! In retirement I have taken up riding again. My family thinks that I have balance problem so I got a delta trike (it's really just a bad knee that makes me move like somebody with a balance problem but trikes are fun too). A recumbent may be my next trike!
Dan, good luck with your Delta trike. I've tried the trikes, but still like the two wheeled bikes - something about leaning into turns. Two wheel long wheelbase (LWB) recumbent bikes are fairly inexpensive these days on FB Marketplace. If you want to try one out, you can buy a Rans Stratus or Burley Koosah (or similar) for ~$300 - $400 in many cases.
Bob, I want to say good luck, buddy. I think you're going to need it. How much experience do you have riding recumbents and/or trikes, Bob? How about pulling a trailer? Have you ever loaded "a lot" of weight onto a bike before... say a hundred pounds? Or pulled a heavily loaded trailer? Do you have hundreds of miles logged, thousands, tens of thousands? Do you feel capable of _guiding_ someone with your accumulated experience? Or is this a new "hobby" that looks fun? You have the right idea of being able to use the bike for lots of different things. Grocery getter, golf buddy, maybe a little bike camping, but mostly a day rider? The more uses you have for her the less time she will be sitting in your garage. You've put a fair amount of money into this project, and I'm sure you want to get the most out of it. I have a few suggestions and a couple observations if you will allow me. That rig of yours must have a *huge* turning radius that's even larger when pulling an axle-mounted single-wheel trailer. So, do you plan to stay on roads and hard-surfaced trails predominately? If you haven't ridden in a while and this is a new bike, spend a year riding to get to know her and her idiosyncrasies; there will be a bunch of them. Don't pull a loaded trailer without addition weight on the bike, it will push you around. If you don't have any experience with mid-drive motors, read up on the BaFang BBSHD. Adding a mid-drive will make it more of a pleasure to ride and less of a chore to ride, especially with the trailer. If you're interested in making it an assisted bike, read up on lithium battery maintenance. Batteryuniversity.com is a great place to start. Regardless of whether you add a mid-drive or not, you should think about having a Rohloff Speedhub installed. They are expensive and worth every penny. Also, look into a center stand. Filling the panniers will overload that side stand, even more so when you start loading the trailer simultaneously. A good center can't be beaten. I'm not much of a recumbent guy but I'm interested to see how much you are going to ride. This is my version of your build: photos.app.goo.gl/wP8vs7T5hLpNjSBX8 Good luck.
Bob, I want to say good luck, buddy. I think you're going to need it. From this opening statement it doth appear that you have not ridden a recumbent for much time. How much experience do you have riding recumbents and/or trikes, Bob? There is a 3-9 week learning curve where you un learn various things that on a diamond frame you come to expect. It also takes a good 200 miles of riding to get you leg muscles tuned into the recumbent position! How about pulling a trailer? No need for a trailer as touring panniers will hold more than you need. Have you ever loaded "a lot" of weight onto a bike before... say a hundred pounds? You can load up the recumbent with rear panniers and midframe panniers Or pulled a heavily loaded trailer? Why are you pulling a trailer? Do you have hundreds of miles logged, thousands, tens of thousands? Do you feel capable of guiding someone with your accumulated experience? Or is this a new "hobby" that looks fun? You have the right idea of being able to use the bike for lots of different things. Grocery getter, golf buddy, maybe a little bike camping, but mostly a day rider? The more uses you have for her the less time she will be sitting in your garage. You've put a fair amount of money into this project, and I'm sure you want to get the most out of it. Where I live there is a bike shop called Obsession bikes and when you walk in the prices start around 3600 and the top of the line diamond frame bikes are upwards of 21000.00 They don't have racks /panniers , they don't travel on anything but smooth pavement . they like them for speed but not long distance, and the thought of groceries on the diamond frame top of the line bikes is laughable. That rig of yours must have a huge turning radius that's even larger when pulling an axle-mounted single-wheel trailer. Well you got that correct ,turning radius is really big , but why are you turning? Do you do a lot of U-turns? Why would you be hauling a trailer when your bent can be" more than enough" ,loaded? So, do you plan to stay on roads and hard-surfaced trails predominately? Yes you can ride pavement or trails and do it in comfort. If you haven't ridden in a while and this is a new bike, spend a year riding to get to know her and her idiosyncrasies; there will be a bunch of them. Don't pull a loaded trailer without addition weight on the bike, it will push you around. Still have no use for the trailer so no pushing around ! If you don't have any experience with mid-drive motors, read up on the BaFang BBSHD. Adding a mid-drive will make it more of a pleasure to ride and less of a chore to ride, especially with the trailer. If you're interested in making it an assisted bike, read up on lithium battery maintenance. Batteryuniversity.com is a great place to start. The majority of us who ride ,do not need the E-bike motor and added weight to enjoy a days outing. Regardless of whether you add a mid-drive or not, you should think about having a Rohloff Speedhub installed. Last time I checked the Rohlof hub was 1700 plus the wheel build and yes they are a great hub, but not necessary at all. They are expensive and worth every penny. Also, look into a center stand. Filling the panniers will overload that side stand, even more so when you start loading the trailer simultaneously. A good center can't be beaten. So on my bent I do not have a kickstand nor do I drag a trailer around for carrying all the stuff that fits on my bent already . I do have a trailer for objects that are either fragile in large containers or things that would not fit in my custom built panniers, but to go camping, the trailer stays home. I'm not much of a recumbent guy but I'm interested to see how much you are going to ride. It is high time you got yourself a recumbent ( used not new ) and find out the difference for yourself. Imagine riding your diamond frame bike pulling your trailer and not standing up on a hill or slope? Not moving your hands around the different positions to avoid numbness of holding your body weight on the bars , and not sitting upright without your hands on the bars as you rest those hands? As i rode diamond frame bikes for 37 years I got used to all the things riders do and standing up while riding to rest the butt was normal , just as wringing the hands out or sitting up and ribbing sore neck muscles? We just take it for granted but eventually the body starts objecting . I have pain free riding , I have comfort , I have speed, what more can you ask for? You have a lot of images to scroll through but what I do not see is images of comfort?
Your burley trailers are not only easy for you to take off but for thieves aswell Was going to get a burley nomad for the ICE Sprint X Tour , but realised that it wont fit due to the Rohloff hub as standard.
Big believer in the N+1 theory. I've lost track of the number of bikes I have, but I have at least 10 recumbents including a couple lwb bents that I like. I LOVE your SUV Bacchetta btw. I've got one of those Bacchetta Big Bags, but I should probably get a trailer myself someday.
That Bachetta is as good as ANY recumbent that exists! My no-balance "Bachetta twin" is my Hase Lepus delta trike. 25-inch-high seat option to match wheelchair seat. USS allows upper arms to remain vertical at one's sides. Gary AKA: "Jason Stillwater" in the recumbent world.
No way will I ever go back to 2 wheel bike. I don't worry about balance with my Recumbent Catrike Dumont Trike. Your to old for 2 wheels. I'm 73 and wish I had my Dumont 30 years ago.
Good review!
Just subscribed! Thanks for the great information, Bob!
Very practical advice!
Cool bike!
Cool bike! In retirement I have taken up riding again. My family thinks that I have balance problem so I got a delta trike (it's really just a bad knee that makes me move like somebody with a balance problem but trikes are fun too). A recumbent may be my next trike!
Dan, good luck with your Delta trike. I've tried the trikes, but still like the two wheeled bikes - something about leaning into turns. Two wheel long wheelbase (LWB) recumbent bikes are fairly inexpensive these days on FB Marketplace. If you want to try one out, you can buy a Rans Stratus or Burley Koosah (or similar) for ~$300 - $400 in many cases.
Bob, I want to say good luck, buddy. I think you're going to need it. How much experience do you have riding recumbents and/or trikes, Bob? How about pulling a trailer? Have you ever loaded "a lot" of weight onto a bike before... say a hundred pounds? Or pulled a heavily loaded trailer? Do you have hundreds of miles logged, thousands, tens of thousands? Do you feel capable of _guiding_ someone with your accumulated experience? Or is this a new "hobby" that looks fun? You have the right idea of being able to use the bike for lots of different things. Grocery getter, golf buddy, maybe a little bike camping, but mostly a day rider? The more uses you have for her the less time she will be sitting in your garage. You've put a fair amount of money into this project, and I'm sure you want to get the most out of it.
I have a few suggestions and a couple observations if you will allow me.
That rig of yours must have a *huge* turning radius that's even larger when pulling an axle-mounted single-wheel trailer. So, do you plan to stay on roads and hard-surfaced trails predominately? If you haven't ridden in a while and this is a new bike, spend a year riding to get to know her and her idiosyncrasies; there will be a bunch of them. Don't pull a loaded trailer without addition weight on the bike, it will push you around.
If you don't have any experience with mid-drive motors, read up on the BaFang BBSHD. Adding a mid-drive will make it more of a pleasure to ride and less of a chore to ride, especially with the trailer. If you're interested in making it an assisted bike, read up on lithium battery maintenance. Batteryuniversity.com is a great place to start.
Regardless of whether you add a mid-drive or not, you should think about having a Rohloff Speedhub installed. They are expensive and worth every penny. Also, look into a center stand. Filling the panniers will overload that side stand, even more so when you start loading the trailer simultaneously. A good center can't be beaten.
I'm not much of a recumbent guy but I'm interested to see how much you are going to ride.
This is my version of your build: photos.app.goo.gl/wP8vs7T5hLpNjSBX8
Good luck.
Bob, I want to say good luck, buddy. I think you're going to need it.
From this opening statement it doth appear that you have not ridden a recumbent for much time.
How much experience do you have riding recumbents and/or trikes, Bob?
There is a 3-9 week learning curve where you un learn various things that on a diamond frame you come to expect. It also takes a good 200 miles of riding to get you leg muscles tuned into the recumbent position!
How about pulling a trailer?
No need for a trailer as touring panniers will hold more than you need.
Have you ever loaded "a lot" of weight onto a bike before... say a hundred pounds?
You can load up the recumbent with rear panniers and midframe panniers
Or pulled a heavily loaded trailer?
Why are you pulling a trailer?
Do you have hundreds of miles logged, thousands, tens of thousands? Do you feel capable of guiding someone with your accumulated experience? Or is this a new "hobby" that looks fun? You have the right idea of being able to use the bike for lots of different things. Grocery getter, golf buddy, maybe a little bike camping, but mostly a day rider? The more uses you have for her the less time she will be sitting in your garage. You've put a fair amount of money into this project, and I'm sure you want to get the most out of it.
Where I live there is a bike shop called Obsession bikes and when you walk in the prices start around 3600 and the top of the line diamond frame bikes are upwards of 21000.00 They don't have racks /panniers , they don't travel on anything but smooth pavement . they like them for speed but not long distance, and the thought of groceries on the diamond frame top of the line bikes is laughable.
That rig of yours must have a huge turning radius that's even larger when pulling an axle-mounted single-wheel trailer.
Well you got that correct ,turning radius is really big , but why are you turning? Do you do a lot of U-turns? Why would you be hauling a trailer when your bent can be" more than enough" ,loaded?
So, do you plan to stay on roads and hard-surfaced trails predominately?
Yes you can ride pavement or trails and do it in comfort.
If you haven't ridden in a while and this is a new bike, spend a year riding to get to know her and her idiosyncrasies; there will be a bunch of them. Don't pull a loaded trailer without addition weight on the bike, it will push you around.
Still have no use for the trailer so no pushing around !
If you don't have any experience with mid-drive motors, read up on the BaFang BBSHD. Adding a mid-drive will make it more of a pleasure to ride and less of a chore to ride, especially with the trailer. If you're interested in making it an assisted bike, read up on lithium battery maintenance. Batteryuniversity.com is a great place to start.
The majority of us who ride ,do not need the E-bike motor and added weight to enjoy a days outing.
Regardless of whether you add a mid-drive or not, you should think about having a Rohloff Speedhub installed.
Last time I checked the Rohlof hub was 1700 plus the wheel build and yes they are a great hub, but not necessary at all.
They are expensive and worth every penny. Also, look into a center stand. Filling the panniers will overload that side stand, even more so when you start loading the trailer simultaneously. A good center can't be beaten.
So on my bent I do not have a kickstand nor do I drag a trailer around for carrying all the stuff that fits on my bent already . I do have a trailer for objects that are either fragile in large containers or things that would not fit in my custom built panniers, but to go camping, the trailer stays home.
I'm not much of a recumbent guy but I'm interested to see how much you are going to ride.
It is high time you got yourself a recumbent ( used not new ) and find out the difference for yourself. Imagine riding your diamond frame bike pulling your trailer and not standing up on a hill or slope? Not moving your hands around the different positions to avoid numbness of holding your body weight on the bars , and not sitting upright without your hands on the bars as you rest those hands? As i rode diamond frame bikes for 37 years I got used to all the things riders do and standing up while riding to rest the butt was normal , just as wringing the hands out or sitting up and ribbing sore neck muscles? We just take it for granted but eventually the body starts objecting . I have pain free riding , I have comfort , I have speed, what more can you ask for?
You have a lot of images to scroll through but what I do not see is images of comfort?
Your burley trailers are not only easy for you to take off but for thieves aswell
Was going to get a burley nomad for the ICE Sprint X Tour , but realised that it wont fit due to the Rohloff hub as standard.
Big believer in the N+1 theory. I've lost track of the number of bikes I have, but I have at least 10 recumbents including a couple lwb bents that I like. I LOVE your SUV Bacchetta btw. I've got one of those Bacchetta Big Bags, but I should probably get a trailer myself someday.
Only 10?
big subscriber to the n+1 theory
I have a friend who collects bikes. The more he buys, the less he rides, but then he was never really that interested in riding, more of a collector.
That Bachetta is as good as ANY recumbent that exists!
My no-balance "Bachetta twin" is my Hase Lepus delta trike.
25-inch-high seat option to match wheelchair seat.
USS allows upper arms to remain vertical at one's sides.
Gary
AKA: "Jason Stillwater" in the recumbent world.
Yeah the Hase Lepus is next on my list (don't tell my wife)
It's pronunced bakketta.
Recumbutt😂
No way will I ever go back to 2 wheel bike. I don't worry about balance with my Recumbent Catrike Dumont Trike. Your to old for 2 wheels. I'm 73 and wish I had my Dumont 30 years ago.