Some Recumbent-Specific Riding Characteristics - Cannondale Easy Rider Owner's Manual Supplement

SOME RECUMBENT-SPECIFIC RIDING CHARACTERISTICS

Handling: Recumbents have handling characteristics that are different from
conventional bicycles, and the Cannondale Easy Rider may handle differently than
other recumbents you may have ridden. Take time to become familiar and
comfortable by doing practice rides in safe, open, level areas with little or no traffic.
Starting off: Getting your recumbent started is a basic skill you must master.
Make sure you are in a moderate gear (with the chain on the middle chainring
and the middle of the cassette). Position the pedal under your stronger or
favored leg with the crank arm straight up (at 12 o'clock). Be sure your path is
clear. Relax your arms and lean against the seat back. Give a strong push with
this leg and promptly get your other foot off the ground and then patiently
position the other foot on the other pedal. It is very helpful to learn this skill with
the seat further forward than you may ultimately place it. Err on the side of a
closer seat until starting off is second nature. This shorter pedal-to-seat back
position and more upright seat back will allow you to use your legs in a more
controlled, knees bent position and minimize the tendency that most people
have to hunch forward towards the handlebars.
Slow speed maneuvering: You will find that as you practice tight turns and
small circles at walking speeds, the handlebars can come close to your knees,
your inside hand grip will get closer to your body and your outside hand grip will
move away from your body. Recumbent enthusiasts call this the "tiller effect".
Make adjustments (See the SET UP AND ADJUSTMENT section below) and
get used to these characteristics. Remember that these characteristics are not
significant once you start to ride even a little faster but are significant when
maneuvering slowly.
Coming to a stop: This is easier than on a conventional bicycle, but you will
want to practice. As you brake to a stop (see important braking section below)
take one foot off the pedal, and then the other. As your feet come close to
touching the ground be sure you are going very slowly –slower than walking –
and that you heel is down and your toe is up. If you are going too fast, or try to
use your feet as brakes, you may catch the ground with your foot and injure
your foot or leg.
Braking: This recumbent has great braking power, and it is easier to use this
power than it is on a conventional bicycle. Braking characteristics have a lot to
do with weight distribution and weight transfer. When you apply brakes, weight
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shifts forward. On a conventional bicycle you have long been taught respect for
the power of front brakes and the need to modulate their use to avoid pitching
yourself over the handlebars (See section 4 C of the Cannondale Owners
Manual). You also have been taught that applying a lot of rear brake will result
in a skid, with little effect on reducing speed.
On this recumbent your weight is relatively lower and much more to the rear.
This means you can use much more rear brake power without skidding the rear
tire. You can brake harder without the hazard of pitching yourself over the
handlebars. In a panic braking situation think, "rear brake hard!"
The front tire of this recumbent is lightly loaded. If you use the front brake too
hard for the circumstances you can cause a skid, lose control, and crash. In
particular, do not apply too much front braking force when the front wheel is
turned or on a loose or slippery surface. Do not over-inflate the front tire (see
Front Tire Pressure section below) as over-inflation will minimize the tire contact
patch and decrease potential braking power.
Maintaining a course: The front wheel is relatively small. It is also relatively
light. These characteristics mean that it has less gyroscopic effect than the
larger front wheel on a conventional bicycle. The gyroscopic effect of a front
wheel adds stability to a bicycle, particularly at speed. The smaller gyroscopic
effect of the front wheel of this recumbent means that you should ride with both
hands on the hand grips and pay attention to your course.
Choice of pedals: Assuming you have prior experience and second nature
familiarity with clipless pedals, we highly recommend the use of clipless pedals.
The forward, relatively high position of the pedals on a recumbent bicycle
maximizes the benefits of their use.
However, if you are not experienced and very familiar with clipless pedals, do
not attempt to learn recumbent riding and clipless pedal use at the same time.
(See section 4 F of the Cannondale Owners Manual and the instructions from
the manufacturer of your clipless pedal system).
The same advice is given for use of pedals with toe clips and straps: Do not
attempt to learn recumbent riding and toe clip & strap use at the same time
(See section 4 E of the Cannondale Owners Manual).
Do not use flat, slippery plastic pedals or wear slippery-soled shoes. You do not
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