Arrangement of recumbent bike. 8 basic configurations
An experience you get riding your own recumbent bike is a very important thing. It helps to define a real need in change of bike arrangement or shows all possible ways of modification. Most riders who decide to buy a recumbent bike usually have a standard (vertical) bike which has already been in use for some time. Thus, we recommend to take off such parts as wheels and front fork to test them with universal frameset COLOMBO.
In general, a choice of recumbent bike arrangement depends on many factors including rider's personal preferences as well as an individual style of cycling.
Recumbent bike arrangement:
RECUMBENT CITY BIKE
A city bike cannot be too high. This is very important for beginners. Also, this style of cycling requires a possibility of frequent stops, for example - at traffic lights. A rider should easily step the ground as same as confidently rest on one feet while standing at place.
The best possible arrangement of citybike for the rider 173cm / 68,11" high is a full suspension 24\26. Even more, you can calculate your individual arrangement height taking in account a seat-to-ground distance (which is 67cm / 26,37") for the arrangement full suspension 24\26). Any other configuration of recumbent bike lower than mentioned arrangement type is okay for the rider 173cm / 68,11" high. For example when you are 181cm high - the highest possible arrangement for your recumbent city bike based on the seat-to-ground distance is (181-173\2=4) 4 cm higher: 67+4=71cm.
This means you could comfortably ride your fully suspended 26\26 city bike. In conclusion, to ride a full suspension 26\29 arrangement of city bike a rider should be at least 187cm high. All of these dimensions are average while the most important thing is not an overall height of a rider. Legs length is more important and belongs to very individual proportions of human body.
Nevertheless, too low recumbent city bike is not comfortable at all.
RECUMBENT TRAVEL BIKE
Travel bike or a tourist recumbent bike is to be arranged likewise. The main diference - you do not need to stop often, instead of that you get fully loaded bike bags and panniers. You should reach the ground with both your legs pretty easy. Otherwise you will not keep your overloaded recumbent bike.
RACING RECUMBENT BIKE
Comfortable start and stop are not very important for recumbents for racing. The most meanful role in this type of arrangement play special features of competition.
It stands to mention that good experience in recumbents allows to use any of recumbent bike arrangement type as for city, so for trourism. Given recommendations are more for beginners.
Each rider should make own conclusions because recumbent bike is rather individual vehicle.
A front fork travel height influences overall height of recumbent bike and you should remember: the bigger is fork travel, the higher is bike.
Concerning rear suspension exists the rule: a clearance between wheel and frame in a free condition should equal 90-110 mm / 3.54-4.33". As it's possible to use wheels of different diameter an absorber length should be properly set up.