The $18 Recumbent Bicycle

(Page 3 of 3)

February/March 1999
By Jeff Setaro  
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We found that going up hills — the ones along the Niagara River where we ride are barely molehills — on a recumbent uses different muscles than a normal bike. You can't get up over the pedals, so you just shift down and go more slowly. I am looking into using a kid's ten-speed on my next conversion. But what a pleasure to sit back and cruise as if I were sitting in a favorite lawn chair! No numbness or soreness! The coaster brake up front is so powerful, even in wet conditions, that I removed the rear hand brake. You might want to keep these as a backup, for more balanced braking in emergency situations, or in case your feet slip off the pedals.

The front of the bike is a little heavy since the kid's frame is made of steel. Using a kid's bike with an aluminum frame would lighten it up considerably. The reach to the pedal can be adjusted by extending or retracting the seat post of the kid's frame. I need to get a slightly longer handlebar stem for the woman's frame, since my knees just touch the bars when I pedal.

I'm thrilled that I didn't have to weld anything or drill a single hole. All I needed was a hacksaw! For about $18, I have a bike that I find rides better than the $1,200 professional models I tried.

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Comments

  • Endaenada 5/26/2009 1:43:43 PM

    What size wheels are they front and back?

  • Dirk Jan Luiting 7/4/2008 7:47:36 AM

    hi guys,

    you dont need a special brand of bike to build such a recumbent, independently i made one myself from 2 completely other bikes. in fact, just now i foud out about this website!

    Some italian guys picked up my design and made their own versions, even more different.
    here is my website where there is some more about this design.
    http://www.nupi.nl/index.php?id=383d7200f0

  • Jeff 1/8/2008 7:30:07 PM

    Tony, I was sad to see that Giant discontinued the Revive. You can
    still get one on Ebay. There is a great review of the bike at
    (http://products.howstuffworks.com/giant-revive-review.htm). If you
    are into speedy, light weight, hill climbing machines, don't get a
    Revive. If you are into a comfortable, cool looking bike, and now
    rare in the US- try to score one before they end up in museums.
    P.S. you can always make your own like I did. Jeff

  • Tony 11/28/2007 10:49:01 AM

    Jeff, Thanks for the writeup and thanks for sharing your bike with
    the kids in South America. Tell me more about your Revive. Which
    one did you get? Hae you made any modifications? I'm looking at one
    now. A local bike bike shop that sales them told me that they are
    being discontinued in the USA. That don't bother me. Just makes me
    want to get one soon. Please email me. Thanks, Tony

  • Jeff 6/26/2007 3:31:49 PM

    It's been years since I have thought about that design. We donated
    the bike to an organization that fixes and ships used bikes to
    impoverished children in South America. I can just see the faces of
    the locals as some kids rides by on that one! I have since
    compromised (and have gotten older). I now ride a semi-recumbent- a
    Giant Revive, which is the the most comfortable bike I have ever
    rode- including mine! It cost a little more than the $18 bike I
    built- but it is shinier and still turns heads. It seems that
    homebuilt bikes have taken off there are really neat designs out
    there. I hope I contributed something towards the movement to
    Do-It-Yourself.

  • manny 4/10/2007 2:00:12 PM

    The $18 Recumbent Bicycle By Jeff Setaro Way to go Jeff ! Very
    nice, innovative and inexpensive ! Thanx for sharing this wonderful
    idea . How is the bike now ? Is it still roadworthy ? thanks

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