What are Recumbent Bikes?
A recumbent bicycle/trike is a bicycle which places the rider in a seated or supine position (rarely, in a prone position). Recumbents hold the world speed record for a bicycle and were banned from international racing in 1934. The back of the rider is supported, and the rider’s legs extend forward to pedals that are at about the same height as the seat. Steering is either above- or over-seat steering (ASS or OSS) using a handlebar in front of the rider, or under-seat steering (USS) using a handlebar under the seat. The wheels are often smaller and/or farther apart than on an upright bicycle. Recumbent riders hold world speed records for unpaced, human-powered vehicles with a peak speed of 130 kmph or 80 mph (compare this to the racing road bike with a peak speed of 70 kmph).
