| Recumbent bicycles have been around nearly as long | | | | tandem bicycle, however, both seats in the recumbent |
| as the traditional upright model has. However, this bike | | | | bike are reclined instead of set upright. This type of |
| didn't really gain in popularity until the 20th century. It | | | | recumbent usually is designed as a tandem tricycle, but |
| was then that the world bicycle land speed record | | | | tandem recumbent bicycles are also available. |
| was set by a recumbent bicycle. Racing officials | | | | The third variation of recumbent bicycle is the |
| decided that recumbent bikes had an unfair advantage | | | | recumbent tricycle. This model has one wheel in the |
| over the upright models and so they were prohibited | | | | front that is used for steering and a pair of wheels in |
| from international biking competitions. Today, the | | | | the back. You can take advantage of the space |
| recumbent bike is making a comeback, especially the | | | | between the back wheels by installing a storage rack |
| recumbent tricycle. | | | | or a second seat. |
| Recumbent bicycles come in several variations. The | | | | The recumbent bicycle has several advantages over |
| first variation is the low racer. This model is designed | | | | the traditional bicycle. It offers bikers more configuration |
| for speed and it is commonly found in bike races and | | | | options, it is a safer bike, it is more comfortable and it is |
| in bicycle competitions that feature bikers with mobility | | | | generally faster. However, while recumbent bicycles |
| limitations. Their seat is positioned so that it sits inline | | | | have several distinct advantages, they also have a |
| with the wheels instead of on top of the wheels to | | | | few disadvantages. These disadvantages include: they |
| improve the bike's performance. A windshield is also | | | | are harder to balance, you can't stand up on the |
| sometimes added to these models to cut down on | | | | pedals when climbing a hill, they have a wider turn |
| wind drag. | | | | radius and they cost up to 15 percent more than a |
| The second variation of recumbent bicycle is the | | | | traditional bicycle. |
| tandem recumbent. This model is built like a regular | | | | |