Hi Guys.
 
I Got my First Recumbent bike a few days ago, (30th Sep) It came in 2 box's and other than the pictures on this site and on ebay i really hadnt seen one.   Going by the pictures and memories of the last time i put a bike together (24 years ago) i started to put this thing together.
 
It didnt take to long since handle bars, Tires, forks all go on the same as they have always went on. then the seat.wow its different than the old type of butt killer type seats.  The thing that took me longest was to get the back gear thing on that the chain runs through.  all together it took me about 2 hours sitting behind the car in our driveway to get it looking like a bicycle again.
 
What i got was an EZ-1 SC Lite with aluminum frame and rims. This bike looks cool! almost like a chopper : )
 
It was nearly dark when i got it put together but i had to take it for a ride, Heck thats why i got it. Mostly i just wanted to make sure i could ride a bike. I havent been on one since 1979 and due to my condidtion i havent walked over a few hundred yards in probably 13 years or so....... for me this is a life changer and somethin i know i need if i intend to get any type of mobility back.
 
I ended up riding it maybe 1/4th mile and ajusted the handle bars and seat a bit then rode it another 1/4 mile before parking it for the night.  The front tire is small 16 inches and really takes a bit to get used to (Im still geting used to it)  I live out in the country with blacktop roads. I tryed to turn around while riding the bike and couldnt do it without the front tire geting off the road and me stopping and picking up the bight to turn it back twards home.  I know this is just a matter of me getting used to the bike and learning how to ride it better. it rides like a chopper so Turns will be wider but also they are doable, i was just nervous and probably to slow.
 
When i got back home my wife was waiting, honestly she is more woried about me than i am. My legs were a little sore, actualy the underneeth of my thighs were all that was sore and it was a good thing because it was just muscle burn, my neck back and shoulders had ZERO pain and for me that is a godsend!
 
I woke up the next morning (Yesterday) and roade about 3 miles in total, i tryed to do the routes that i thought would be easy and somewhat flat..what i found out is,There are no flats where i live LOL
 
I dont understant the gearing thing on these type bike and trying to go up the hills i would either make the peddleing way to hard or so easy that the bike would stop moving wheil waiting on my peddleing to catch up.  I had to stop 3 different times due to leg and knee muscle pain but was Loveing it! I was outside and i could see everything like a normal persons perspective!  
 
When i got home i was sore but doing ok till i sat down and rested for a bit, then my legs gave out and i was walking like a drunked sailor in lots of pain, its funny i know i didnt ride far at all but my body is certain it just did a marathon : )
 
The mind says i should be able to jump on the bike and ride but my Body knows that the mind can be silly sometimes and i know mine is : )
 
Over all so far i am loving this Bike, i cant ride today or hardly walk for that matter, but tomorrow i will be back on the road and trying it again, maybe try to not mess up with the gears so much so i can go a little farther.
 
Thanks for reading,
 
Don

Some suggestions:
 
On the gears...  While you're getting used to the bike, put the front into the middle chainring, and just LEAVE it there, and get used to working with the back wheel 7 (or 9?) gears.  That should give you the middle 75% of the available gearing on the bike, without causing any problems.  You really only have 12 or 13 real gears anyway.
 
To educate yourself further, read THIS    
 
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears.html
 
 
Then read THIS
 
http://sheldonbrown.com/gain.html
 
Try to pedal in as low of a gear as possible, keeping your pedal RPMs up in the 60-80 range.  That will help keep excess stress off of your knee joint -- and also give you more power.  It's a lot easier to climb an incline pedaling fast than pedaling slow.  When you're more confident on the bike, THEN work on front/rear gear combinations...
 
Regarding the 16" front wheel -- relax your steering grip.  I've got an EZ-1.  It's GOING to wobble, with that small of a front wheel, but it's also going to be very easy to correct a wobble.  And U-turning (or turning in general) gets easier the more you learn to lean into the turn.  ESPECIALLY relax your steering (and shoulders) when going slow -- you'll find the bike will steer itself.
 
While you're riding, keep two fingers on the brakes at all times.  Since you're just essentially resting your hands on the tops of the grips, it's no big deal to just lay your fingers across the brake handles.  That way, they're there when you need 'em!!!!
 
Keep us posted on your progress!  And DRINK WATER...

It amazes me just how hilly my area is and how steep some of the completely flat streets are when I got back on my bike and then again when I started again riding a recumbent.  
 
After only a couple years off after moving to Texas I think just a lap around my block on my old bikeE almost killed me two years ago. The bikeE has a 16" in front and a 20" if I remember correctly. Just mind those rail road crossings and expansion joints gaps that you can't hit straight on.  Actually I'd suggest walking or shuffling across the railroad tracks with both feet on the ground at least the first couple of times especially if you have to take them at an angle.
 
I think my first fall was from taking a right turn into a parking lot too tight. The little front wheel wouldn't go over the lip of the driveway so the wheel went hard to the left and I went right onto the pavement. Didn't do that again it just became natural to plan a good angle of attack or to tightly hold the handlebars when needed.
 

Don,
 
Any more ride updates?  We enjoy reading your posts.
 
Tim

When you first start to wear in a bike usually the cables will stretch a little which mean adjustments will be required to make the front and rear gears lined up or brakes nice and tight.  
 
Some cyclocomputers (mileage tracker) will go down to 16" tire sized but the chart won't list it, I do have one that you have to pick form a few preset tire sizes and that is it. A good site to check for that is http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cyclecomputer-calibration.html and just click on A-F to find the chart matching the calibration used (inches, centimeters, millimeters) in the others on your instruction chart if your computer model isn't set.
 
Heart rate monitors are great. For me it helps make sure I'm actually getting a workout and that I'm not going to go into heart valve regurgitation territory which is not where I wanna be personally.

Don,
 
My Vetta RT 55 cyclometer says that for a 16 x1.5 tire the setting is 1206.  That should get you close enough.
 
I really enjoy your posts.  You are really an inspiration with what you are accomplishing.
 
We need to have a Tour de Don and head out your way some weekend.
 
Tim

Thanks Tim and Greg.
 
I wrote the numbers you mentioned down for the computer thing on my bike...im going to try to figure it out tomarrow as i will be taking the day off.  Greg i am as carefull as someone that cant turn his head in any direction can be, I am going to get a flag for the bike because of the hills here. My backpack i put behind the seat has some red on it also, but i am going to see if i can stitch some bright reflective color on that.
 
In the country people have their cars and trucks outside so the pollin and dust gets on their windows, often making it hard to see when they are driving into the sun. that is one of the things i think about when picking a time to ride.
 
Now for todays ride : )
 
8.7 miles 1 hour and 14 minutes.
 
It was a good ride , started out really cold but i breath better in the cold, the air seems fresher to me.
 
I am honestly loving this, i have been outside more this month than i have in the last 15 years.....and i think its just gonna keep getting better.
 
Today is my Birthday (44) so i have lived a lot longer than the doctors figured i would and honestly i feel better today than i have in a very long time.       GO BENT!
 
Thanks again guys for all the help and inspiration.
 
Don

Hi Bud, Those look awsome!
 
My wife got me a bike flag 6 foot white pole with a little orange flag on it made by bell, wal mart had them for 5 dollars. she also got a orange plastic hunters vest for 1 dollar.  I took the hunters vest and put it around the Backpack behind the seat, it is pretty bright so should be a big help.  Th flag i havent mounted yet as i have to make a few fabrications to get it on the bike.
 
Mostly just need to get a couple of hose clamps and some plastic tubing from the hardware store. been sick the last few days so hopefully if feeling ok i can get that done tomorrow.
 
Thanks again for all the info, pictures and help.
 
Don