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Message started by aikigreg on Jul 31^st, 2023, 5:22pm

Title: Bents have disappeared
Post by aikigreg on Jul 31^st, 2023, 5:22pm

Rode the Goatneck this past weekend I had to SAG it last year when Paul and I rode together. This year I was trained up enough not only to finish, but post my fastest time ever on the course using my trusty carbent and new drivetrain at 17.5mph.

But I saw not a single other bent. I haven't seen them at any events lately with the exception of occasional trikes. And Bent Ryder when he comes to ride with the FWBA. Think the industry is dying?

Title: Re: Bents have disappeared
Post by Rat Rider on Jul 31^st, 2023, 5:54pm

A buddy and I rode the Dehydrator in Duncan OK the same day. We were the only 2-wheeled bents, I saw an electric three wheeler also.

I cannot explain what feels like a decline to me. I struggle to explain it. Is it me getting old? Are the recumbent glory days behind us? Are others, like myself, hesitant to ride in a world that has their noses in their darn phones when they drive? I dunno.

Are you riding HHH100? Maybe you can drag me around the course.

Title: Re: Bents have disappeared
Post by aikigreg on Aug 1^st, 2023, 11:54am

A buddy and I rode the Dehydrator in Duncan OK the same day. We were the only 2-wheeled bents, I saw an electric three wheeler also.
A

I cannot explain what feels like a decline to me. I struggle to explain it. Is it me getting old? Are the recumbent glory days behind us? Are others, like myself, hesitant to ride in a world that has their noses in their darn phones when they drive? I dunno.

Are you riding HHH100? Maybe you can drag me around the course.

Title: Re: Bents have disappeared
Post by Rat Rider on Aug 1^st, 2023, 12:07pm

aikigreg wrote:

If the heat backs off

Don't be a wuss! ;D

Title: Re: Bents have disappeared
Post by jayg on Aug 1^st, 2023, 6:19pm

aikigreg wrote:

I feel that the ebike road market may be a reason. They enable others to still ride uprights and not have to switch to weird bents. Cruzbike just sent an email saying their biggest demo is 35-54 and they're growing. I'm not sure I believe that since we've seen the decline of several companies over the last few years. I also am privy to a few insiders in the biz. I get that bents may not be expanding, but I wouldn't expect it to shrink and suddenly not see other riders anymore.

I'm not getting involved in that mess of the HHH. Certainly not with the heat outlook as it is. If the heat backs off, and I had a friend who lived up there who could put me up though ......

Might have the V20 dialed in by then. It'd be a good course to test it out on!

[quote author=Rat Rider link=1690842121/0#1 date=1690844044]A buddy and I rode the Dehydrator in Duncan OK the same day. We were the only 2-wheeled bents, I saw an electric three wheeler also.
A

I cannot explain what feels like a decline to me. I struggle to explain it. Is it me getting old? Are the recumbent glory days behind us? Are others, like myself, hesitant to ride in a world that has their noses in their darn phones when they drive? I dunno.

Are you riding HHH100? Maybe you can drag me around the course.

[/quote]

A few 2-wheel bents, ridden by older riders, still plying the trails at WRL. Haven't seen anyone riding a new 2-wheel bent and haven't seen any young riders on bents. Lots of fat tire E-bikes, with young riders, are plying the trails. Not much peddling going on. They're riding them like motorcycles. Their physiques don't look anything like those of the typical young road bike rider. :D