Recumbent Bikes: Electric Or Manual?

Electric recumbent bikes are a great option for those who want to get back into cycling, or for those who want to improve their cycling experience. Electric recumbent bikes are particularly useful for those who want to cycle on hilly terrain, as they can help with climbing steep hills. In this article, we will explore the benefits of electric recumbent bikes and how they can improve your cycling experience.

Recumbent bikes can be electric or non-electric

Non-electric recumbent bikes are also available. However, one of the disadvantages of non-electric recumbent bikes is that they are not as good at climbing hills. This is because your body is not in a position to utilise your upper body and climb hard, as you can on a traditional diamond-frame bike.

Electric recumbent bikes are available in a variety of styles, including 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled options. They can also be purchased with full suspension and internal gearing around the pedal axle.

Non-electric recumbent bikes are also available in different styles, and it is possible to add electric assistance to them at a later date. For example, you can add a Copenhagen Wheel from SuperPedestrian to a non-motorized Terratrike to extend your cycling enjoyment.

Electric recumbent bikes can be two-wheeled or three-wheeled

Electric recumbent bikes are designed so that users cycle in a more reclined rather than upright position. The word recumbent is defined as lying down or leaning back so you are almost lying down. This means that hill-climbing can be a weak point for non-electric recumbent bikes, as your body is not in a position to utilise your upper body and climb hard, as you can on a traditional diamond-frame bike. However, electric recumbent bikes offer far more power from leg action alone, and so more speed up the hills.

Recumbent bikes can also be magnetic resistance bikes, which require a mains power connection. When you dial up the resistance via the electric panel on the handlebars, the amount of electricity passing through the magnet builds, increasing the resistance applied to the flywheel, and making it harder to pedal.

Electric recumbent bikes can help with mobility issues

Electric recumbent bikes can also be beneficial for those who have lost their balance due to conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. For example, one person added a Copenhagen Wheel from SuperPedestrian to their non-motorised Terratrike, which extended their cycling enjoyment for many years.

Electric recumbent bikes with full suspension, internal gearing around the pedal axle, and a rear hub motor assist system are available. These bikes can be expensive, but they are well-spoken of and can provide a responsive and super-responsive ride with no noticeable latency.

Overall, electric recumbent bikes can be a great option for those with mobility issues, providing assistance when needed and the ability to tone down the assistance for a leg workout.

Electric recumbent bikes can help with hill climbing

Electric recumbent bikes can be a great way to get back some mobility. They can mostly or completely take over for most of the ride, or you can tone them down for a leg workout. All-terrain electric recumbent bikes are available, which can be useful for getting back on some trails.

There are a few different options for electric recumbent bikes. For example, the 2-wheeled e-recumbent from HP Velotechnik features full suspension, internal gearing around the pedal axle, and a rear hub motor assist system. The Ice Full Fat is another option, although it is not cheap. You can also upgrade a non-electric recumbent bike to include electric assistance. For example, one user added a Copenhagen Wheel from SuperPedestrian to their wife's non-motorised Terratrike to extend her cycling enjoyment for many years.

Electric recumbent bikes can be used for leg workouts

Electric recumbent bikes offer a unique experience. They have several design advantages when paired with a motor. For example, hill climbing can be a weak point for non-electric recumbents. By adding electric assistance, you are able to get far more power from leg action alone and so more speed up the hills on a recumbent design.

Electric recumbent bikes can also be used for high-power, high-speed cycling. It is ridiculously easy to cruise along at high speed with minimal effort. This is great for cycling in real comfort.

If you are looking to increase your effort and burn more calories, you can try a magnetic resistance bike. These bikes require a mains power connection, and when you dial up the resistance via the electric panel on the handlebars, the amount of electricity passing through the magnet builds, increasing the resistance applied to the flywheel, making it harder to pedal.

Frequently asked questions