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From: daves@godot.UUCP (Dave Stefanovic)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Recumbents: a few comments and requests for more
Message-ID: <594@godot.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 10:14:03 EST
Article-I.D.: godot.594
Posted: Mon Dec 10 10:14:03 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Dec-84 03:29:50 EST
References: <1524@pucc-h> <1375@druxv.UUCP>
Reply-To: daves@godot.UUCP (Dave Stefanovic)
Organization: Thinking Machines, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 51
Summary: 

I've owned a Hypercycle for 3 years now and I would NOT recommend
purchasing one,unless you enjoy very squirelly steering.  Wild ride aside,
it is the cheapest recumbent I've yet to see.  I purchased the bike when
I moved to the San Jose area,CA.  The "basic" bike cost me $400,
assembled (special deal with a bike shop)  The "basic" bike comes with a
HARD molded fiberglass bucket seat.  For $40, Hypercycle sells a padded
cover-- a necessity!  I am 6' tall and their large frame was barely big
enough when the seat was set to the back of its three adjustment stops.

The bike was a pedaling joy on the flat flat roads of CA.  The seat
positions you directly behind the pedals; putting full power into the
bike is trivial.  The low center of gravity made the most amazingly
sharp turns possible.  And the bike was such an oddball that I had more
problems from drivers doing stupid things while staring at me than from
not noticing me.

Specific debits of the Hypercycle:  The front wheel is only 14", located
under the front of the seat, about 4-5" forward of the line of your
backbone.  This bike is low on stability--if you take both hands off the
steering bar you will fall over.  Steering with one hand is possible, if
you're not going too fast, if the road isn't too bumpy.  The design also
puts most of your weight on the front wheel.  The weight plus the tiny
wheel makes the bike track the road too well.  There is no way to "post"
bumps; you track the road with the bike.

The pedals in front of the bike cause your feet to be on the outside of
turns.  It takes a while before you can manuever in a crowded parking
lot without scraping paint.  This also means the bike takes MORE TURNING
SPACE than a conventional.  Remember, your vehicle is now six feet long!

The combination of feet out front, low riding and terrible road-handling
causes bad times from small bumps.  I was unable to enter Palo Alto
driveways (uni-curb design -- 3" drop + 6" rise in about 2') without
unseating myself or scraping the chainwheel.  A gentle bump (by East
Coast standards) knocked both feet off the pedals, onto the ground, and
thence behind me as I cruised 15 mph through Palo Alto main street,
Saturday noon!!  I barely brought the bike to a controlled crash while
avoiding running over my legs.  Since I've returned to Boston, I've only
dared to take this bike out a few times.

In summary, you get what you pay for!  If you live in a bump-free area
without over many cars this bike might be cheap fun.  I did commute 8
miles/day for 2 years on "safe" roads--it's not an inherently fatal
design. (I think the term is "expert-friendly")

More info from  Hypercycle exclusive distributor (2 yrs ago anyway)
	Ava Industries
	2937 S.Vail Ave		(213)725-6498
	Los Angeles,CA 90040

		Dave S.  (daves@godot.uucp)