Ergonomic Recumbent
Friday, November 27, 2009 4:45:52 PM
I have been inventing, building, designing, wasting my time on, a bike. You can decide which is applicable after you see the website. The design is called the er, ErBike. My website (cyclonomics.co.uk) introduces the idea as follows.
The ErBike (short for Ergonomic Bicycle) combines the high-speed efficiency and long-distance comfort of a recumbent with the practicality and climbing ability of a conventional bicycle. The ErBike's innovative features offer riders a greater level of engagement with their machine, giving a more stimulating ride, compared with normal bicycles. In other words, riding the ErBike is fun.
Compared with conventional bicycles, the ErBike enables most riders to sustain an increased average speed, improved ride comfort and reduced physical stresses at high levels of effort. It's key features are the ability to select different riding positions on the move, and an optional handlebar rowing action, for climbing or accelerating. Although intended to improve comfort and efficiency, these features also make the ErBike great fun to ride, so most new riders quickly find it more rewarding than a conventional bicycle.
I am developing an improved prototype that I hope will iron out the numerous bugs the current one displays. But I hope that these are part of the development process and not flaws in the design; we shall see. Disadvantages? Complexity (not as complex as it could be), weight; the usaul really. I think they are outweighed by the advantages: improved comfort when climbing and improved performance. A high seat position helps town riding and hill climbing whilst a low seat; well I guess we should know why we want a low seat position. Does arm propulsion really help? See the website to find out what I and a few others say.