Recumbents

Having recumbents in the TTR group is our way of guaranteeing that we'll have some really interesting customers. Recumbent riders pedal their own path in lots of cases, even on the same roads...

But for every one rider out there on a recumbent right now (and they are still relatively rare in our region), there are ten people who could really be enjoying the experience. Recumbents are comfortable, and comfort (or the lack thereof) on "upright bikes" is a prime factor in many peoples' decision not to ride bicycles. For some, it's back problems, neck problems, or other medical condition that makes conventional bikes unsuitable. For others, it may be the daunting nature of the upright riding style that many of us take for granted. And, finally, there are some out there who just plain respond to the "innovative and unconventional" direction that recumbent design has taken. (Remember- mountain bikes, now a bicycling staple in the USA biking scene, were "new and radical" about 25 years ago...)

And, a note on performance- recumbents can be FAST! Many people are surprised when they realize that the new class of high-wheeled recumbents enjoy a distinct performance advantage over conventional upright bicycles in many situations (notably, on the flats and down hills, where their low drag coeffients let them shine). Many TTR recumbent customers buy their bikes to improve their ability to stay up with, or to surpass, their traditional riding companions.

Many people form opinions about recumbents without ever riding them. Come in and take an extended test ride on our bikes so you can make an informed choice- we have the widest range imaginable. Our represented lines include:

short-wheelbase scat-bikes to long-wheelbase "easy riders":
trikes (even tandem "half-and-halfs" and tandem trikes are available on special-order)
crank-forward semi-recumbent bikes (a wonderfully refined form of "comfort bike")
big-seat, easy-to-pilot bikes with guaranteed comfort/relief for people with various physical ailments
carbon-fiber seated Ti bikes that easily pass the upright roadies on the straights
$600 entry bikes to $4000 ultimate bikes

What we have learned is that there's a LOT of good choices to make in the recumbent world-it all depends on your own personal style.

The two-wheeled recumbents for which we're a stocking dealer are:

Cycle Genius (surprising bikes! Comfortable, easy to ride, inexpensive, in a variety of styles including touring styles)
Bacchetta (well-appointed, performance-oriented upper-end recumbents which will especially appeal to road bikers and those climbing mountains)
RANS (venerable manufacturer with a strong reputation and the widest line of recumbents, including crank-forward semi-recumbent bikes)
Optima is a Dutch manufacturer of beautifully crafted recumbents. They feature trekking-ready, fully suspended bikes and hot midracers.

We are especially interested in helping accommodate those who may need a very special bike because of physical disabilities (for example, hand-crank models, tricycles for the balance-impaired, etc. Call us- we'd like to help!

The Bacchetta Giro 20 TT