this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2026
28 points (100.0% liked)

Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking

1147 readers
1 users here now

For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.

Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.

Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.


Related Communities

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I have few thoughts about bikepacking on recumbent bike.

Because of the weight distribution I don't see any difference in the ridability and handling. The issue with flexing bike when loaded with bags isn't noticeable when riding only when you need to push it.

But the hills are killing me it isn't ideal without the bags but with them it is brutal.

#bikepacking #biketouring #bikeTooter #regel17 @bicycle_touring

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] mariusor@metalhead.club 3 points 1 month ago (4 children)

@plactagonic I've never ridden a recumbent, so I want to ask what's the problem? Not enough gears for pushing uphill at a comfortable power/cadence, or keeping balance?

@bicycle_touring

[–] number6@fosstodon.org 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

@mariusor @plactagonic @bicycle_touring

On a regular bike you can stand and put your entire weight on a pedal. Not much harder than walking up a stairway.

On a recumbent, you're pushing sideways, and your back is going into your seat even as your feet push forwards. The weight of your body doesn't help, and you're not using your muscles as effectively.

[–] Tehdastehdas@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago

On an upright bike, hard pedalling is a whole body exercise, with the swaying side-to-side. Body weight is a force limiter. I’ve found it easier to pedal hard on a recumbent, against the seat back. One of my knees hurts now. It's a bummer that the upper body doesn't get exercise.

I don't know what you mean by "pushing sideways" in this case - that only applies to foot-steered Flevo bikes/trikes.

[–] Peppycito@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago

When he's standing to the side to push his bike the bags get in the way.

[–] Anibyl@social.coop 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

@mariusor @plactagonic @bicycle_touring I have the same issue on my MTB with plenty of low gears, so I doubt it has much to do with recumbentness(?). Just pushing more weight uphill is hard, and the heavier the system is, the worse it is.

[–] plactagonic@f.cz 1 points 1 month ago

@Anibyl @mariusor @bicycle_touring @number6 @schmaker

Just to clarify for all of you. Recumbent bike balance only in some speed, for me it is ~6 kph. So on normal bike I can spin my legs go slowly, still balance and gradually push through the hill. But on this I have to keep some tempo even uphill and can't help myself by standing up.

[–] schmaker@schmaker.eu 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

@mariusor @plactagonic My bet is on too much weight on rear wheel

[–] Tehdastehdas@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Doubt - that bike is front heavy without baggage. Overloading a tyre doesn't add that much resistance anyway, and it's easily compensated by adding pressure.

[–] schmaker@schmaker.eu 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

@Tehdastehdas Front heavy when going uphill? I seriously am not sure about it, but never driven one.

[–] Tehdastehdas@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Even the steepest uphills aren't that many degrees, having surprisingly little effect on weight distribution.

[–] fallaciousBasis@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

Hahaha. I got some inclines for you.