Why does EBR hate recumbents?

John Bowman

Member
Region
USA
What EBR calls "unique two wheel recumbents" hold all the world top speed and distance records.
90 mph top speed, 25 mph average across the USA WITHOUT motors.
Millions have been sold over the past 40 years.
Many electric versions are available as well, some made in USA like Lightning.
What is with the hating on high tech American machines?
Is EBR owned by Chinese?
 
I would say that the bias against recumbents that you perceive might be due to the market for (e)bikes. What percentage of bikers ride a recumbent?
 
One of the reason of low popularity of recumbent e-bikes is no major e-bike manufacturer makes them.

See a small maker in Poland.
You can set the website to English.

The man uses cheap e-bike systems available in the aftermarket. No mid-drive motor (companies such as Bosch would not even speak to him because of the small production volume). He offers motors that are illegal in Europe. As boutique products, his recumbent e-trikes are very expensive. Not the good way to build a brand.

When I knew nothing of e-bikes (2019), I was tempted to buy a Dekers. Fortunately for me, my car broke on the way to the man with no obvious reason, which must have been a clear sign from Force Majeure: 'Don't do it' :) Bought I the Dekers, I would have never afforded two premium upright e-bikes (I actually could eventually buy four of them).

There is also another aspect of the recumbents that makes them a less obvious choice: the construction type. My close friend is an avid rider of recumbent pedal bikes (she owns four of them and had been in the community for 14 years now). Just lately, she had a chance of getting a brand new recumbent from a boutique manufacturer. I asked her: 'Could your man make a recumbent to accommodate 38 mm gravel tyres?' Turned out, the recumbent bike geometry actually prevented building a recumbent with such big clearances. My friend is still unable to join our gravel rides and she's not happy when she is offered riding into any forest on her 1" tyres.

What else can I say?

1761640063468.png

Usually, my friend wears a helmet and doesn't go off-road :)
 
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I have made something like five recumbent bikes electric with middrives. My main problem is that they are too low to be seen. There has been inflation in car, truck, and SUV hood heights with many higher than an average height woman's eye level. Getting run over and dragged is not as appealing to me as perhaps some others. I also like to stand on the pedals such as when making tight or bumpy maneuvers.
 
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I've never seen any evidence of recumbent-hating here. What's your evidence?
"There are a few unique recumbents that use two wheels like a traditional bicycle,"
Millions have been sold worldwide, that is not "a few" or "unique". EBR is intentionally minimizing recumbents to cover their myopia and ignorance.
 
I would say that the bias against recumbents that you perceive might be due to the market for (e)bikes. What percentage of bikers ride a recumbent?
In the past, 5% of long distance and touring cyclists rode a recumbent. In Netherlands it was 25%. That generation aged out, and replacement generations are hooked on tech, not maintaining the body God gave them, or enjoying the natural world.
 
I have made something like five recumbent bikes electric with middrives. My main problem is that they are too low to be seen. There has been inflation in car, truck, and SUV hood heights with many higher that and average height woman's eye level. Getting run over and dragged is not as appealing to me as perhaps some others. I also like to stand on the pedals such as when making tight or bumpy maneuvers.
Just measured an F-150 and Expedition. Hood height 50 inches. Sitting on my recumbent my eye height is 52 inches. But in my 30 years recumbent experience I don't think hood height is important, being able to look drivers directly in the eye is. I don't ride between two lines of cars, I always can see clearly around me.
 
Yes, Bents have never been a big market. with a few versions. I sure liked mine, but it had its issues, too.
They were more expensive to make than upright bikes. But now with additional cost of ebike motors and batteries, that has technically disappeared. Recumbent efficiency reduces motor and battery size (cost) to get same performance as an upright. What is the lowest cost Made in USA e bike with 30 mile range at 28 mph? For recumbent it is $3790.

 
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One of the reason of low popularity of recumbent e-bikes is no major e-bike manufacturer makes them.

See a small maker in Poland.
You can set the website to English.

The man uses cheap e-bike systems available in the aftermarket. No mid-drive motor (companies such as Bosch would not even speak to him because of the small production volume). He offers motors that are illegal in Europe. As boutique products, his recumbent e-trikes are very expensive. Not the good way to build a brand.

When I knew nothing of e-bikes (2019), I was tempted to buy a Dekers. Fortunately for me, my car broke on the way to the man with no obvious reason, which must have been a clear sign from Force Majeure: 'Don't do it' :) Bought I the Dekers, I would have never afforded two premium upright e-bikes (I actually could eventually buy four of them).

There is also another aspect of the recumbents that makes them a less obvious choice: the construction type. My close friend is an avid rider of recumbent pedal bikes (she owns four of them and had been in the community for 14 years now). Just lately, she had a chance of getting a brand new recumbent from a boutique manufacturer. I asked her: 'Could your man make a recumbent to accommodate 38 mm gravel tyres?' Turned out, the recumbent bike geometry actually prevented building a recumbent with such big clearances. My friend is still unable to join our gravel rides and she's not happy when she is offered riding into any forest on her 1" tyres.

What else can I say?

View attachment 201493
Usually, my friend wears a helmet and doesn't go off-road :)
Stock 50mm tires, space for 62mm MTB tires:
 

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"There are a few unique recumbents that use two wheels like a traditional bicycle,"
Millions have been sold worldwide, that is not "a few" or "unique". EBR is intentionally minimizing recumbents to cover their myopia and ignorance.
You already said that. Wild claims, not evidence. Don't know why you're so outraged about this, why you think coming into to a forum so hot is going to help your cause, why you think it's some kind of evil plot, or why you think recumbents have a RIGHT to more coverage on a privately owned forum with a clear focus elsewhere.

But frankly not interested to find out. Ignored.
 
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I would say that the bias against recumbents that you perceive might be due to the market for (e)bikes. What percentage of bikers ride a recumbent?
How many upright bikes from new to the market Brands, has EBR reviewed in past year?
How many recumbent e bikes from decades long established brands have they reviewed in past year?
 
Recumbent, this is why I wouldn't ride one

I know what I want to be "seen" on in traffic

Now consider this thing on a 6' wide country lane with tractors and cars in, say "Wales" the original one in GB, with hedges and no pavements, good luck on living........

1761676961362.png
 
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That looks like the East Bay. I am west in the Sonoma/Marin area. Recumbents are very rare around here. I would say less than 1/2 of one percent of bikes around town or on the rural roads of Western Marin. It maybe less than one in 500. You would be more apt to see a tandem or unicycle. It is an oddball novelty item. I have not worked on one in over six-months. I am not opposed, it is just not for me. I am also an oddball. I have not sat on a couch in over ten years. Sitting back with legs up has no personal appeal.
 
You said "What is with the hating on high tech American machines?"

Want some salt to go with that chip on your shoulder LOL
 
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