A recumbent bicycle places the rider in a laid-back, reclining position. You lean back against a back support with your feet out in front of you as you pedal. Two big manufacturers of recumbent bicycles, RANS and SUN, allow you clear choices in comfort and price.
RANS
RANS makes recumbent bikes in both short wheel bass -- SWB -- and and long wheel base -- LWB. Its bikes have strong, triangulated chrome-molly frames. The standard RANS seat is the most comfortable recumbent seat on the market, according to a review by Bicycle Man. All RANS bikes come with a Rad-loc seat clamp, making adjustment easy and allowing considerable recline. RANS makes bikes both for beginning riders and for serious competitive cyclists. RANS bikes outsell much of the competition in the recumbent bicycle market.
SUN
SUN recumbent bicycles offer a comparative bargain -- its line includes some of the least expensive recumbent bicycles available. You can purchase a SUN recumbent for about $800 to $1,800. RANS sells a model for around $1,100, but you can spend more than $5,000 for the company's high-performance models. You may find SUN recumbent bicycles easier to adjust to than RANS recumbent bicycles. Plus-sized riders will appreciate the large seat base available on SUN recumbent bikes. The recline of the seat back is adjustable. You can also adjust the handlebars with a 6 mm wrench. SUN recumbent bikes are great for riders who can't ride a regular bike, however SUN recumbent bikes are not performance bikes.
Stationary Recumbent Bikes
Stationary recumbent bikes, once oddities, now compete comfortably with upright stationary bikes. Recumbent bikes provide less stress on your back and knees and support goals of physical rehabilitation and physical therapy. The ergonomic and bio-mechanical design of recumbent exercise and fitness bikes, including the position of their frame and handlebars, will help you reach your maximum fitness results. You will also find them comfortable for cardiovascular and rehabilitation workouts.
Benefits
Both RANS and SUN recumbent bikes provide back support that helps you maintain good posture while riding. You may also find the wider seat base more comfortable on long rides than the small, triangular seats on upright bikes. On recumbent bikes, you can direct your eyes straight ahead without needing to bend your neck. Recumbent bikes also provide safety advantages over standard bikes. You ride closer to the ground on a recumbent bike. This lowers your center of gravity, reducing the chance of toppling. For further stability, you can purchase recumbent tricycles.
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