Glossary of Recumbent Bicycle
(Bike) Terms
USS
= Under Seat Steering Recumbent
Advantages: preferred by some for upper body comfort and relaxation.
Disadvantages: Sometimes takes longer to get used to, often not as fast,
wider in tight places, harder to walk it around, as you can't easily push it
around by the handlebars.
Models we stock: Haluzak, Linear, Vision & some Challenge and HP
Velotechnik.
OSS
= Over Seat Steering Recumbent. Also called ASS for above seat steering.
Advantages: Often shorter learning curve, generally faster, you can walk
them around by the handlebars.
Disadvantages: some riders are more comfortable on USS. Longer cable runs
with OSS can mean more maintenance.
Models we stock: Easy Racers, Lightning, RANS, Burley, Bacchetta, Challenge,
Sun and BikeE. A few bikes can be converted USS to OSS and back with the
purchase of a parts kit.
LWB
= Long Wheel Base (wheelbase) Recumbent, ~64"+, pedals behind the front wheel and often lower.
Advantages: stable, great tourist, absorb road shock better.
Disadvantages: Bulky to store or transport, "U" turns can be awkward on
some.
Models we stock: Burley Canto, RANS Stratus & Velocity squared, Linear LWB
and Easy Racers
CLWB
=Compact Long Wheel Base (wheelbase) Recumbent, ~50" to ~63" Pedals close behind front wheel.
Advantages: maneuverable & stable,
Disadvantages: slower, generally not as maneuverable as SWB or as stable as
LWB.
Models we stock: BikeE, Rans Tailwind, Sun EZ-1, Linear Mach III, Vision
R-40.
SWB
= Short Wheel Base (wheelbase) Recumbent, ~38" to ~45" front wheel behind pedals.
My favorite (I'm biased, watch out!)
Advantages: lighter, nimble & maneuverable, many climb better, some are very
fast. Smaller than other recumbents, easier to store and carry.
Disadvantages: OK there are a few! Some riders feel less stable and secure,
especially at high speed, rigid models are less comfortable on bumps than
most LWBs.
Models we stock: RANS Rocket, V-Rex, and all Lightnings, Bacchettas,
Haluzaks, Challenge and HP Velotechnik.
X-Seam
We
require your X-Seam measurement to properly fit you for a recumbent bicycle.
It is properly measured with you
sitting flat on the floor with your back against the wall and
toes pointing straight up ~ measure the distance from the wall to the bottom
of your feet at your heel. This is
your accurate X-Seam measurement.
The Bicycle Man also maintains a
selection of parts and accessories for Linear recumbent bicycles.
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