DearMissMermaid
Well-known member
Found it! After tons of research and nearly 3 years of bicycling on a Schwinn Point Beach cruiser, I found a new ultra comfortable bicycle.
I have oodles of physical problems, but a few years back, my best friend who is an avid bicyclist on a Burley Recumbent, talked me into trying bicycle riding in an attempt to improve my health and stamina. Indeed I find bike riding far easier than walking and frankly a helluva lot more fun. But I had tons of problems so we adjusted everything we could on the Schwinn to try to make it more comfy to my liking. Also, I sometimes suffer from sudden exhaustion, so I added an electric conversion kit that basically gives me electric motor assistance when needed. It comes with a rechargable battery that gives me about 15-20 miles on electric alone. (See http://amzn.to/1LmdLya for details)
The funny thing is, once I added the electric option, I pedaled more, got on my bike more and went further. The electric kit gave the confidence that I would get back home no matter how strong the head winds or how tired I became. So off I went having a blast. But still my rear end hurt, my hands felt numb and sometimes I had to stop every 15 minutes to do exercises before I could un-numb my body parts and get going again. I even changed out the cruel horn seat to a dual padded Hobson seat with no horn. I must admit, that seat is heaven on earth. If you are having problems with crotch or tailbone pain from bike riding, then you need the Hobson dual padded seat. (See http://amzn.to/1GImqcg)
My friend raved about his recumbent bicycle but I couldn't make it work for me, expecially since I like the electric kit and I was carrying a front basket and two rear (pannier) baskets. In a few campgrounds I've been able to actually use my bicycle to go out for provisions. I don't own a car, just a little old mini motorhome. The bonus of shopping with a bicycle now and then was attractive indeed and the baskets came in handy for that.
I spend a few months near or at the beach every year, and my puppy dog loves the beach too. With my 3 baskets and electric assist, I could load up my doggy and beach gear to spend time at the beach while being able to lug my water and other accouterments with me.
Off and on I did in depth research trying to find a more comfortable bicycle. I ruled out recumbents, I ruled out trikes, I test rode various recommendations by bicycle shops, but frankly most bike shops cater to the athletes and are clueless what to do with a physically challenged rider other than suggest foolishness like gas or electric scooters which offer NO exercise benefits.
I kept looking and looking when I heard rumors about a semi-recumbent bicycle that offered comfortable seating with back support, plus flat foot style. What that means is that I can stop while seated and plant my feet on the ground. No hopping on and off the seat when stopped.
The bicycle I found was a Day 6 Dream 24 in the small frame (since I have short legs.) I couldn't find one to test ride, so the owner of the company (bless his creative heart!) shipped one to the local bike shop. They put it together for me to test ride.
Heaven on earth. I rode it until they closed up shop. I went home to think about it overnight, it was a huge consideration for me, I don't just impulse buy and this well made bicycle commanded a decent price but still kind of on the high end for me. I live efficiently and buying a new bicycle meant I had to find a home for my old bicycle before I could travel again. I don't have a garage to collect up unwanted junk.
The next day I went back to the bike shop at opening time. I rode the Day 6 Dream 24 (which is 24 speeds!) most of the morning all over the neighborhood then talked them into switching around tires and electric kit, bought it and now 5 days later, I am getting NOTHING done, because I am out riding my shiny new bicycle like a kid who has waited too long for freedom and I can't seem to get enough of it!
If you want the fun and health benefits of putting bicycling in your life, then you might want to consider checking out this wonderful Day 6 bicycle. The website is http://www.iowabicycles.com/. One of the best reviews I read that got me into further research was at this link http://www.bicycleman.com/crank-forward-bikes/day-6-bicycles/day-6-bicycles.htm
By the way, the company also makes a big and tall version that can carry up to 400 pounds of weight, so if you are a generous sized person, don't be scared to try this out.
On my blog I will be writing more about my new bicycle as I try to go far and wide, improving my health and having a wonderful time.
Here are some pics:
The top one is the Day 6 (I am waiting on the rear rack so I can install my rear baskets)
The 2nd pic is the electric kit I have used on the Schwinn and now on the Day 6
The 3rd is stock pic of the Day 6
The 4th is my old Schwinn
Which by the way... I wrote a lengthy Craigslist ad for my old Schwinn, competing against hundreds upon hundreds of used bicycles for sale, and I included lots of pics and a few free options. Amazingly, the first call came in an hour later, they drove over, bought the Schwinn and left me mopping a tear out of my eye. Talk about fantastic luck!
I have oodles of physical problems, but a few years back, my best friend who is an avid bicyclist on a Burley Recumbent, talked me into trying bicycle riding in an attempt to improve my health and stamina. Indeed I find bike riding far easier than walking and frankly a helluva lot more fun. But I had tons of problems so we adjusted everything we could on the Schwinn to try to make it more comfy to my liking. Also, I sometimes suffer from sudden exhaustion, so I added an electric conversion kit that basically gives me electric motor assistance when needed. It comes with a rechargable battery that gives me about 15-20 miles on electric alone. (See http://amzn.to/1LmdLya for details)
The funny thing is, once I added the electric option, I pedaled more, got on my bike more and went further. The electric kit gave the confidence that I would get back home no matter how strong the head winds or how tired I became. So off I went having a blast. But still my rear end hurt, my hands felt numb and sometimes I had to stop every 15 minutes to do exercises before I could un-numb my body parts and get going again. I even changed out the cruel horn seat to a dual padded Hobson seat with no horn. I must admit, that seat is heaven on earth. If you are having problems with crotch or tailbone pain from bike riding, then you need the Hobson dual padded seat. (See http://amzn.to/1GImqcg)
My friend raved about his recumbent bicycle but I couldn't make it work for me, expecially since I like the electric kit and I was carrying a front basket and two rear (pannier) baskets. In a few campgrounds I've been able to actually use my bicycle to go out for provisions. I don't own a car, just a little old mini motorhome. The bonus of shopping with a bicycle now and then was attractive indeed and the baskets came in handy for that.
I spend a few months near or at the beach every year, and my puppy dog loves the beach too. With my 3 baskets and electric assist, I could load up my doggy and beach gear to spend time at the beach while being able to lug my water and other accouterments with me.
Off and on I did in depth research trying to find a more comfortable bicycle. I ruled out recumbents, I ruled out trikes, I test rode various recommendations by bicycle shops, but frankly most bike shops cater to the athletes and are clueless what to do with a physically challenged rider other than suggest foolishness like gas or electric scooters which offer NO exercise benefits.
I kept looking and looking when I heard rumors about a semi-recumbent bicycle that offered comfortable seating with back support, plus flat foot style. What that means is that I can stop while seated and plant my feet on the ground. No hopping on and off the seat when stopped.
The bicycle I found was a Day 6 Dream 24 in the small frame (since I have short legs.) I couldn't find one to test ride, so the owner of the company (bless his creative heart!) shipped one to the local bike shop. They put it together for me to test ride.
Heaven on earth. I rode it until they closed up shop. I went home to think about it overnight, it was a huge consideration for me, I don't just impulse buy and this well made bicycle commanded a decent price but still kind of on the high end for me. I live efficiently and buying a new bicycle meant I had to find a home for my old bicycle before I could travel again. I don't have a garage to collect up unwanted junk.
The next day I went back to the bike shop at opening time. I rode the Day 6 Dream 24 (which is 24 speeds!) most of the morning all over the neighborhood then talked them into switching around tires and electric kit, bought it and now 5 days later, I am getting NOTHING done, because I am out riding my shiny new bicycle like a kid who has waited too long for freedom and I can't seem to get enough of it!
If you want the fun and health benefits of putting bicycling in your life, then you might want to consider checking out this wonderful Day 6 bicycle. The website is http://www.iowabicycles.com/. One of the best reviews I read that got me into further research was at this link http://www.bicycleman.com/crank-forward-bikes/day-6-bicycles/day-6-bicycles.htm
By the way, the company also makes a big and tall version that can carry up to 400 pounds of weight, so if you are a generous sized person, don't be scared to try this out.
On my blog I will be writing more about my new bicycle as I try to go far and wide, improving my health and having a wonderful time.
Here are some pics:
The top one is the Day 6 (I am waiting on the rear rack so I can install my rear baskets)
The 2nd pic is the electric kit I have used on the Schwinn and now on the Day 6
The 3rd is stock pic of the Day 6
The 4th is my old Schwinn
Which by the way... I wrote a lengthy Craigslist ad for my old Schwinn, competing against hundreds upon hundreds of used bicycles for sale, and I included lots of pics and a few free options. Amazingly, the first call came in an hour later, they drove over, bought the Schwinn and left me mopping a tear out of my eye. Talk about fantastic luck!