Short stay
A recumbent position or Kurzliegerad is a recumbent bike , which is about as long as an ordinary bicycle. The design feature of a short-term vehicle is that the bottom bracket is in front of the front wheel.
The term is used both as a generic term for all recumbent bikes of this type, but also stands for a specific type of recumbent bike.
Kurzlieger as a generic term
- Short layovers for racing or a decidedly sporty driving style are low - flyers or semi-low- flyers and high-racers .
- Articulated handlebars are usually very compact recumbents with front-wheel drive. Their area of application corresponds to that of conventionally steered short berths, see next section.
- Rowing bikes are recumbent bikes in which a sequence of movements similar to rowing applies power to the driven wheel.
Kurzlieger as a recumbent type
All short-term beds that do not belong to the special types mentioned above have a seat height of around 40 to 60 cm and a moderate supine position at around 45 °.
While conventional bicycles are manufactured differently in terms of dimensions and frame geometry for touring bicycles and everyday bicycles, recumbent bicycles for travel and everyday use are very similar. Many short recumbent bikes can be used for both purposes. In addition to a high luggage capacity, a gear system with large deployment and high-quality brakes are important for travel . The last two points mentioned are necessary anyway because of the higher speed of everyday recumbent bikes. Since seat suspension is not possible on recumbent bikes due to the design, short recumbent bikes have full suspension, the damping of which can usually be adapted to the weight of the driver and his luggage.
A major advantage compared to conventional touring bikes is that the driving behavior when loaded hardly changes compared to driving without luggage. This is due to the fact that the luggage bags are essentially attached below the seat, so that the center of gravity of the loaded bike is not shifted backwards and upwards, but is even slightly lower. At the same time, the luggage capacity is larger than with conventional touring bikes, because five large bike bags can be attached to the usual luggage racks , two side pockets on the left and right under the seat and a fifth pocket across the seat Lowriders usually have to do without because of the spring-loaded 20-inch front wheel.
The bottom bracket is only slightly elevated and is roughly level with the seat shell, which guarantees an optimal view to the front without the head posture being overstretched upwards as is the case with conventional touring bikes.
Short-term travelers are usually equipped with comfortable lower steering (handlebars under the seat with side handles), because the arms and hands can rest loosely on the handlebars without effort during the long journey. If the fork is connected to the lower link via a linkage , this indirect steering enables a small turning circle. With direct steering, the turning circle is comparatively large when maneuvering and walking at walking pace because the handlebar ends hit the seat.
In everyday short-term loungers, the overhead steering is also used here and there. It makes it easier to get started with recumbent cycling because the changeover from conventional bicycles is not that great. In addition, recumbents with top steering are easier to push and transport on the train is a bit easier, because top steering are usually a bit narrower than bottom steering. However, the handlebars are somewhat uncomfortable during long journeys and in the event of an accident, the upper handlebars have a higher risk of neck and chest injuries.
On most short recumbent bikes, the rear wheel is driven by a suitably long chain. The rarely used front-wheel drive enables the use of a short and thus lighter chain at the expense of the steering angle. A front-wheel drive can easily spin uphill on loose ground (gravel, sand) so that steeper climbs can only be mastered with rear-wheel drive. Articulated handlebars always have front-wheel drive due to their design.
A disadvantage of recumbent bikes when traveling can be the procurement of spare parts for some components (small front wheel, seat shell, luggage rack). Most of the parts, especially the wearing parts of the gears, chain and brakes, however, are standard components from conventional bicycle construction. In addition, it is difficult to transport recumbents by car because they are difficult to attach to some car bike racks.