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Are recumbents easy to ride?

Recumbents do take a little getting used to, some types a little more easier than others. A good idea is to practice riding in a big parking lot, that is before you start coping with cars/dogs/trees etc. Trikes are probable the easiest to ride, with three wheels it’s difficult to fall off. But with anything with cycling there is a trade off as a trike is normally heavier than a 2 wheeler. With other variants, it can take sometime to master, again it tends to be the type.

A 2 wheel 26”x26” high racer will take a bit of getting use to than a short wheel base with a 20”x26” wheel combination. Check out the table below for recumbent types:

SWB

Short wheelbase: about 33-45 inches, front wheel behind the pedals; probably the most adaptable type for different kinds of riding.

MWB

Medium wheelbase: about 45-65 in.

LWB

Long wheelbase: 65+ inches, front wheel ahead of the pedals.

CLWB

Compact long-wheelbase: 47-60 in. with a certain type of layout.

Low-racer

Mostly European performance design: ASS, low, very reclined seating position, high bottom bracket & pedals

High-racer

American performance design: ASS, two large 26-inch or 650c wheels, relatively high reclined seat, medium to high bottom bracket & pedals. The larger wheels are thought to increase stability.

Tandem

Two riders: "driver" and "stoker." There are upright & recumbent tandems, above and below seat steering.

USS

Under-seat steering: handlebar pivot is under the seat, more relaxed arm position.

ASS

Above-seat steering: resembles upright bike handlebars more, easier to mount computer/headlight, some would say more aerodynamic tucked-in arm position. Some weenies prefer to say OSS for "over-seat steering."

Delta trike

One steered front wheel, two rear wheels with one or both driven.

Tadpole trike

Two steered front wheels, like a car, one rear drive wheel, lower rider position than delta trikes

SWB	Short wheelbase: about 33-45 inches, front wheel behind the pedals; probably the most adaptable type for different kinds of riding.
MWB	Medium wheelbase: about 45-65 in.
LWB	Long wheelbase: 65+ inches, front wheel ahead of the pedals.
CLWB	Compact long-wheelbase: 47-60 in. with a certain type of layout.
Low-racer	Mostly European performance design: ASS, low, very reclined seating position, high bottom bracket & pedals
High-racer	American performance design: ASS, two large 26-inch or 650c wheels, relatively high reclined seat, medium to high bottom bracket & pedals. The larger wheels are thought to increase stability.
Tandem	Two riders: "driver" and "stoker." There are upright & recumbent tandems, above and below seat steering.
USS	Under-seat steering: handlebar pivot is under the seat, more relaxed arm position.
ASS	Above-seat steering: resembles upright bike handlebars more, easier to mount computer/headlight, some would say more aerodynamic tucked-in arm position. Some weenies prefer to say OSS for "over-seat steering."
Delta trike	One steered front wheel, two rear wheels with one or both driven.
Tadpole trike	Two steered front wheels, like a car, one rear drive wheel, lower rider position than delta trikes