June 01, 2007 Well, HELLO EVERYBODY! If you had physically come by Atlantic Bicycle during the month of May, you would have learned of our BIG NEWS! The company has new owners (Josh and Beth) and had decided to move the store to a wonderful location only 1 mile east of the old place! The move was accomplished with excellent help by our friends, neighbors, and family members (THANKS TO ALL THE "MUSCLES") and we reopened on June 1st at our new home, 4980 W. Atlantic Blvd. in the Coconut Square plaza. It's a much better location, with easier access and lots of parking (and test-ride room) in the front and rear of the store. We've also changed and increased our store hours to Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm. We are still the same Atlantic Bicycle, just in a new location---we'd love to see you, so come and visit the new shop! July 24, 2007 Sunday August 12 is going to be Atlantic Bicycle's first Recumbent Rally in the new shop. The ride starts at 7:45 AM and we should be back at the shop by 10:30 AM for a lunch at the shop. Stop by and join the ride, have some fun and get some grub on us. Josh September 01, 2007 How to Choose a Recumbent Bicycle As of this writing, there are over 200 models of recumbent bikes and trikes available. These vehicles come in a huge variety of styles, weights, comfort levels and prices. There is something for everybody. The question is, which one is right for you? With recumbent bikes, as with many things in life, there are many compromises. It is hope that this information will help you decide which compromises are best for you. In choosing a recumbent bike, there are several thing you need to consider: Your price range Your height/weight Your riding style Your level of fitness Price The first thing you will want to consider is the price. Recumbent bikes start out higher than upright bikes because they are not yet mass produced at the level of the "WalMart" variety of bikes. Also they have the equivalent of a high end office chair grafted onto the top of them, which adds to the price. The lowest priced ones are about $600. The bikes you will find in this price range are quite serviceable and easy to ride, but are often very heavy. You can get a great recumbent for around $1200, and this is the price range you should be looking in if you will be riding once a week or more. If you are a casual rider, or on a limited budget, you will want to start out with one of the lower priced recumbents. High end recumbent bikes and trikes can be priced up to about $7000. Paying higher prices for a recumbent will buy you things like light weight, space age components, exotic materials, suspension, and more speed. Rider Height and Weight Most recumbent bikes are designed for a specific range a rider heights. If you are shorter you will find that due to the lower seat height, the bikes with a smaller front wheel will be easier to ride. If you are taller you can ride most any style of recumbent. If you are overweight or have circulatory issues in your legs, you will probably want a long wheelbase (LWB) recumbent with a lower bottom bracket. These are generally long wheelbase bikes. If you don't have these issues, or want a sportier feeling bike, you may want a short wheelbase (SWB) recumbent. People with circulatory issues in their arms will find under seat steering (USS) more to their liking. I recommend above seat steering (ASS or OSS) for those who don't have those issues, as it is more aerodynamic. Riding style As with upright bikes, some recumbent bikes are designed with comfort in mind, and some are designed with performance in mind. The higher performance models are not normally less comfortable, but they are usually more expensive. Recumbent bikes priced around $1200 generally have a good tradeoff between price and performance. If you want to go fast, and can ride in areas where excessive traffic is not an issue, a lowracer or quasi-low racer is a good choice. These bikes have the best aerodynamics. If you want to go fast, but will be riding in higher traffic areas, or riding up large hills, the highracer design would be a better choice due to it's more visible position and higher efficiency drivetrain. In general, the higher a bike's bottom bracket (BB), and the more reclined the seat, the more aerodynamic the bike will be (this means you can go faster). The tradeoff is that the bikes with high BBs and laid back seats will require a higher skill level to ride. Recumbent bikes with upright seats and a lower BB, such as compact long wheelbase (CLWB), or long wheelbase (LWB) bikes are quite easy to ride, most novice riders can jump on and ride without issues. Fitness Your fitness level is a major consideration. If you are a casual rider, and are just into tooling around once in a while, I'd suggest a bike under $1000. Most of the bikes around the $1000 mark and below are designed for comfort, and as such, your will be trading off potential speed. If you ride once a week or more, or want a higher performance bike, I'd suggest a bike around the $2000 mark. If you are a casual rider and buy an expensive bike expecting it to make you go fast, you may be comfortable, but disappointed in your speed. If you currently ride a road bike, and purchase a performance oriented recumbent, you should eventually be as fast or faster than on your road bike. Note that it will take a few months to develop your "'bent muscles". Trikes If you don't want to deal with that balancing thing, like to ride on the ice, or just think trikes are cool, there are recumbent trikes available for every task. Generally the tadpole trikes (two wheels in front) are better at cornering, while the delta trikes (two in back) are more stable at high speeds. Trikes come in a huge range of weights and prices. Recumbent trikes are generally slower than recumbent bikes. Whichever recumbent you choose, be sure to do the research and take as many test rides as you can. Most recumbent riders will let you take a ride on their bike, don't feel bashful about asking. Atlantic Bicycle will let you take one for an extended test ride to try it out before buying. Post on the HPV bulletin boards and ask questions about the models you are considering. Recumbent riders love to give their opinions. September 02, 2007 Frequently Asked Questions about Recumbent Bicycles Q. What IS that thing ?!? A. Well, it's called a 'recumbent' bicycle. The word recumbent refers to the reclined seating position; many enthusiasts have also taken to calling them 'bents'. Q. What's an HPV? A. It's a human powered vehicle. This can refer to a bicycle, a boat, a plane or anything else that moves solely by human power. HPVs are usually powered by bike pedals and chains, but anything from rowboats to roller-skates are HPVs. Q. Are they comfortable? A. They are very comfortable. Recumbent seats are larger and you actually sit in the seat. You aren't perched on top of a narrow saddle which can tend to cause numbness and chafing. The handlebars are either above the seat at shoulder level, or below the seat at a position where your arms hang down naturally. This combination creates a comfortable ride making long distance riding free from neck strain, saddle sores, and wrist pain. Q. Are they difficult to ride? A. No. It may take you a little time to get used to the feel and handling of the bike. There are variations in handling just as there are in uprights- some are fast, twitchy racing models and others are smooth, stable touring models. Be forewarned though, recumbents use different muscles, so even if you are a very fit upright rider, you will experience difficulty climbing hills until you develop the new muscle groups. Training your muscles to the new position generally takes 3 months. Q. Do they "do" hills? A. Yes, they do "do" hills. Some people think that because you can't stand on the pedals, that you can't ride up hills. Depending on how steep a hill you're climbing, you may want a low granny gear (and a good set of lungs), which will enable you to spin your way to the top. Usually you can keep up with some of the upright riders, and if any time was lost climbing, you will make up for it on the down hills and flat ground. A light recumbent with an efficient drivetrain should climb as fast as an equivalent weight road bike with equivalent rider. Q. Are they faster? A. Well, this is very controversial. All of the land speed and distance records are held by (faired) recumbent or semi-recumbent designs. The real question you are asking is, will you be faster on a recumbent? The answer is, "maybe". There are so many factors involved; how long you've been riding, how long you've trained on the recumbent, style and weight of the bike, topography - hilly, mountainous, flat. Since the biggest factor limiting speed is aerodynamic drag, if you want to go really fast, use a recumbent with a well-designed fairing or a full body. In this case, the answer is YES, they are faster. Q. Are recumbents hard to see? A. Since recumbents are relatively uncommon, they are "noticed"; "visible" is another question. You do sit lower than on a traditional diamond frame bike. Depending on which recumbent you own, you may want to make yourself a little more visible. Some recumbents in the low racer and trike styles are difficult to see in traffic. They require extra caution if ridden in moderate traffic areas. If you will be riding often in traffic, a recumbent with a seat higher than 16" is recommended. Q. How do you steer it? A. Generally, recumbents have either 'above seat steering' (ASS), or 'under seat steering' (USS). On the above seat steering bents, the handlebars are located at about shoulder height giving them the "chopper" look. On the under seat steering bikes, they are located just beneath the seat. If you are sitting on a chair right now, let your hands hang loosely at your side; this is where your handlebars would be. Above seat steering looks more conventional and is therefore sometimes favored by beginners; but USS bents are really no more difficult to control. Q. Have recumbents been around a while or are they a recent invention? A. Recumbents have been around since the mid 1800's with the Macmillan Velocipede and the Challand Recumbent. In 1933 Charles Mochet built a supine recumbent named the "Velocar". Between the years of 1933 and 1938 pro racer Francois Faure, while riding the Velocar, set several speed records for both the mile and kilometer. In Paris on July 7, 1933, Francis Faure broke the 20 year-old hour record of 44.247 km. by going 45.055 km. Unfortunately Faure's hour record created a controversy amongst the Union Cycliste Internationale (U.C.I.), the governing body for bicycle races. In February 1934, the U.C.I. decided against Faure's record and banned all recumbents and aerodynamic devices from racing. That is the reason why recumbents have not gained popularity in the racing scene, and why they have not been mass produced by bike manufacturers. Q. What are the different styles of recumbents? A. The most noticeable difference between the different styles is the length of the bike. There are long wheel base (lwb), short wheel base (swb), and compact long wheel base bikes (clwb). A long wheelbase bike (LWB) is 65" - 71". Their ride is quite smooth, comfortable, fast and stable but due to their length, low speed maneuverability can be a bit tricky on busy streets or on narrow paths. Examples: Tour Easy, Rans. A short wheelbase bike (SWB) is 33" - 45". Their front wheel is underneath or a little ahead of the riders knees, with the crankset mounted on a boom. They have quick handling, are easy to maneuver, and they are more compact, making it easier to transport and stow than a lwb. Examples: Bacchetta, Barcroft Virginia, Rans Rocket A compact long wheelbase bike (CLWB) is 46" - 64". These bikes are the easiest bikes to learn on. They are responsive, very stable, and with a higher seat- they are more visible, making great commuters. Examples: Sun EZ-1. BigHa, and Maxarya A lowracer has a seat height under 16". These bikes are typically SWB, but can be LWB. You can normally put your hand down at stops. Typically the seats are hard shell and very laid back. These bikes are very fast due to their low frontal area, and take advantage of the fact that the wind slows down as it nears the ground. These bikes are best for racing or riding in low traffic area. A highracer has two 700C wheels and typically a SWB straight tube frame. These bikes can have a very laid back lowracer type seating position. The efficient driveline and big wheels make them fastest for hills and bumpy roads. A quasi-lowracer has a seat between 16 and 24 inches, and generally uses SWB lowracer bike geometry. These bikes are faster than SWB, but slower than a lowracer. They are used extensively in Europe for touring. A prone is a bike that you power while laying on your front side, head first, as opposed to a recumbent where you are sitting or laying on your back side, feet first. Q. How much do they cost? A. Recumbent bikes start at around $600 and can go as high as you want to pay. Because of their low production volumes and comfy seat, a recumbent tends to be more expensive than a mass-produced upright bike. So when comparing prices, bear in mind you're buying a custom or very low production bike. Expect to pay $800- $1200 or more for a good quality bike. This price range will give you very good components, a good frame and less weight. Q. Why can't I ride no handed on a recumbent? A. Because the 'bent pilot's legs are parallel to the bike's roll axis... not perpendicular (as is the case on a typical DF). On a DF, the legs are essentially control linkages, allowing the rider to independently tilt the frame will remaining balanced. Once the frame is tilted in the desired direction, trail responds by turning the wheel assembly in the direction tilted. On a 'bent, the rider's horizonta January 09, 2008 TOP 10 REASONS TO BIKE INSTEAD OF DRIVE With gas prices at an all-time high, and likely to rise even more, you're probably already driving less and bicycling more. But, just in case you're having a hard time breaking the 4-wheel habit, we put our heads together and came up with our top 10 "other" reasons to ride rather than drive. 10: You get ultra-cool tan lines! We'll start with a fun one, and you can laugh if you want. We wear our cycling tans like a badge of honor, a sign of our healthy lifestyle choices, a tangible token of membership to an exclusive group. It says, "hey, I ride a bike," or "I grow turnips." Either way, or both, people are bound to be impressed at the beach. Just be sure to use sunblock so you don't overdo it! 9. You see your city like drivers can't! On two wheels and moving at a comfortable pace you can enjoy your environment and see, smell and hear things you never notice in a car. Which of your neighbors has the best-landscaped yard? What bakeries smell so good you just have to stop? How many different architectural styles can you spot? On a bicycle you can take the scenic route and explore and become a tourist in your own city. Every ride is an adventure. 8. All those we-miss-you cards from your doctor! Pedaling only 10mph, a 140-pound cyclist burns about 400 calories an hour. And studies prove that biking a few times a week reduces blood pressure and stress while increasing your energy and elevating your overall mood. Your doctor may have to wait a little longer to buy that yacht! 7. You never get stuck in traffic and always have a great parking spot! If you ride in a city and bike during commuting hours you'll love being able to cruise past long lines of vehicles held up at red lights (be sure to watch carefully for right-turning traffic who might not see you). While drivers breathe exhaust (studies have shown that cyclists breathe less exhaust), and honk at each other, you feel the breeze and enjoy the sights off the roadside. Not to mention that you always get a great parking spot and often even beat your coworkers who drive to work. 6. You have one less car payment! According to our very un-scientific study (read: quick Google search), the average car payment is $500 a month. On top of that, add the cost of insurance, gas, maintenance, etc. By eliminating that vehicle and using your bicycle instead, just think of all the bike gear you can buy! 5. You find cool free stuff on the side of the road! By observing the flotsam and jetsam along America's streets and highways, you never know what you may find. Loose change, designer sunglasses, cool tools, $20 bills — heck, maybe an entire bag of money? Of course, you'll have to come back to grab that awesome Naugahyde sofa with the "free" sign you spotted on someone's lawn. 4. You can cancel your gym membership! Riding outside sure beats the treadmill, elliptical machines and the three pieces of cardio equipment you still haven't figured out. No waiting in line for those machines, either. Best, you'll no longer have to spot for Rocko while he's bench-pressing weights equivalent to a small car. 3. You'll never be late for work again! Because you can avoid traffic and cruise faster than jammed vehicles, it's likely you'll commute faster on 2 wheels and never be late again. Plus, if you are late sometime, it'll probably be because you decided to take the scenic route in. We've done it, too. But tell your boss instead that you got a flat tire. We know you can fix a flat tire in a matter of minutes, but he doesn't. And, he should be impressed that you're making the effort to bike in, keeping yourself healthy in the process and saving a parking space for someone else. 2. Cyclists make better lovers! According to a study led by Dr. Romualdo Belardinelli, director of the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Italy, the results of aerobic exercise are comparable to those of Viagra, because both widen blood vessels. Hmmm... that's a little scary. Our point is that regular exercise like cycling, will make you feel better, increase your energy and even help you look better, too. All of which make you more interesting to and interested in the opposite sex. 1. Bicycling is a Fountain of Youth! It's an amazing thing. You feel younger and actually get more years out of your muscles, joints and organs simply by using your highly capable self to pedal around instead of sitting statue-like behind that steering wheel. In fact, cycling might just be the closest thing you can find to a genuine Fountain of Youth. Like few other sports it keeps you fit and young with very little risk of injury. For example, we know plenty of 55-year-old regular riders who look and move like they’re closer to age 35, and also 80-year olds who still love to ride — and can because they're been riding for years.