Technical Manual
7-2
Learn to use the mirror without turning your head. Make frequent checks of overtaking traffic by
glancing at the mirror, moving only your eyes. Don't stare at it, just check and go. This
continuously updated consciousness of what is behind you will make you much safer if you should
need to make an emergency maneuver.
If you are unavoidably on a narrow street with high-speed traffic and no shoulder; use the mirror
to check on overtaking vehicles as you see or hear them coming up behind you. You may spend
more time looking in the mirror than looking ahead of you, since the greatest threat to your safety
on such a street is from overtaking vehicles. If the overtaking vehicle is not getting over, you may
decide to hit the ditch. Do not passively hope that everyone will watch out for you on a shoulder-
less road; some may not see you, especially if they are tailgating another overtaking vehicle.
A Mirrycle ™ is a good choice; other handlebar-end mirrors may work well. Pedicabs or tall-box
cargo vehicles may need a handlebar extension (such as those cow horn looking-things that bolt
on the end of mountain bike bars) to elevate the handlebar-mounted mirror.
COMFORT, CADENCE AND
COMFORT, CADENCE AND
COMFORT, CADENCE AND
COMFORT, CADENCE AND POSITION
POSITION
POSITION
POSITION
The most likely complaint about the recumbent position will be about knee soreness. This
complaint will come from those who push too hard on the pedals at low rpm's or have the seat
adjusted too far forward.
On a recumbent, you can’t stand up to protect your knees if in too high of a gear, like you can on
an upright bike. So, don't mash on the pedals. Spin. Try to keep your pedaling cadence above
70-80 r.p.m. This may seem very fast, but it works to sustain your energy and protect your knees.
Long distance riding may be most efficient and sustainable at 90-100 r.p.m.
If you are stuck in a high gear when stopped on a hill or when starting a heavy load, pedal slowly
and gently until you have an opportunity to shift down to a gear that you can spin at a 90 r.p.m.
cadence. Pedicab drivers take note: a few days of heaving on the pedals in a recumbent position
can put you in pain and temporarily out of commission.
Your knees should almost straighten out as you pedal forward. Adjust the seat until they feel
comfortable. It has been said that if the front of your knee hurts, you are pushing too hard with
your seat too close to the pedals; if the back of your knee hurts, you are pushing too hard with
your seat too far back.
Use your ankles; don't lock the feet in one position. Try to use your toes to push and pull the
pedal around its orbit. Use toe clips or "clip-less pedals" to help your ankle motion and to keep
your feet securely on the pedal. Clip-less pedals and matching shoes with cleats are necessary to
efficiently ride bike or trike models with a high bottom bracket position; they reduce the constant
effort of trying to keep your feet on the pedals.
Shoulders can become tense and tight if your seat is not adjusted correctly. Try putting your
weight onto the seat back, and consciously loosening your grip on the handlebars. If your
handlebar simply will not adjust back far enough or high enough for you, we can supply lengthened
custom handlebar stems.