If riding becomes a source of fatigue or discomfort, it’s time to discover a more comfortable bike that supports your physical needs while still delivering the speed and performance that makes it all worthwhile.
On a recumbent bike, you ride in a laid-back reclining position on a comfortable seat that provides full support.
Recumbent riders enjoy superior ergonomic design, a more relaxing riding experience and less stress on their bodies, but don’t assume that you won’t get a workout; the bikes provide great cardiovascular exercise and more. They’re not made for slowpokes. Best recumbent bikes are aerodynamically superior to upright ones and hold speed records for human-powered vehicles.
You don’t have to need a recumbent bike for health reasons to fall in love with one; they offer a fun experience that is unlike riding any other bike.
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5 Best Recumbent Road Bikes of 2018: Quick Comparison
| Product | Rating | Rider's Height | Frame | Standover Height | Size | Wheel Size | Brakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobo Triton Pro | 4'2" to 6'3" | Steel | 48 inches | 20 inches | 20 | Rim | |
Mobo Triton Ultimate | 3'5" to 5'3" | Steel | - | 16 inches | 26 | - | |
| Mobo Shift | 4' to 6'3" | Steel | 48 inches | 20 inches | 26 | - | |
| Mobo Mobito | 3' to 4.5" | Steel | - | 16 inches | - | - | |
Schwinn Meridian | - | Aluminum | - | 26 inches | 26 | Linear Pull |
Reviews of Top 5 Recumbent Bicycles
Recumbent bicycles come in many styles and offer many features, so finding the perfect one for your needs might take a little research. We’ve done a lot of the work for you. Here are our top picks for the best recumbent bikes on the market.
Mobo Triton Pro: The Ultimate Three Wheeled Cruiser
- Three-wheel design increases stability
- Dual-joystick steering system
- Enhances hand-eye coordination
- Adjustable to fit riders between 4’2” and 6’3”
- Features safety flag to improve visibility
- Increases cardiovascular function and arm and leg strength
The Mobo Triton Pro is a popular bike for its affordability, comfort and consistent quality. Riders find it perfect for casual transport and light exercise. The Triton’s free-wheel mechanism provides exceptional maneuverability with little pressure to hands, elbows and wrists. Navigation is accomplished by the rear wheels; the front wheel doesn’t move.
The bike’s low center of gravity makes it great for riding across sand at the beach. Although it may not be the fastest recumbent on the market, its overall value and performance makes it ideal for most casual riders.
Mobo Triton Ultimate Three-Wheeled Cruiser
User Rating - Features extendable frame with eight slots to accommodate riders up to 5’5”
- Durable, low-to-the-ground steel frame
- Chainless chassis and ergonomic design
- Includes safety flag
- Rear-wheel steering
The Triton Cruiser trike is a visually attractive, easy-to-maneuver tree-wheeled model that is popular with mature kids and adults of all ages. It provides exercise for people who can’t easily ride an upright bike due to physical limitations, and although it isn’t known for its speed capabilities, it’s a safe, reliable ride that’s comfortable and fun.
The Triton boasts caliper handbrakes, ergonomic seating and an adjustable frame that lets you customize it for growing kids and multiple riders.
Mobo Shift Reversible Three-Wheeled Cruiser
User Rating - Adjustable back support with six angle settings
- Low-to-the-ground, adjustable frame
- Fits riders between 4’ and 6’3”
- Three-foot safety flag
- Free wheel gear
The Mobo Shift Three-Wheeled Cruiser is remarkable for two reasons. Its ergonomic seat is adjustable to six different angles, allowing riders with back pain or mobility problems to truly find their most comfortable position.
It also has a reverse-gearing capability, so you can remain in fixed gear with both forward and reverse pedaling or cruise in free-wheel style.
The Mobo Shift is popular for its fun, sporty look and its stability and good handling, but it may not be the best option for taller riders.
Mobo Mobito Three-Wheeled Youth Cruiser
User Rating - Free wheel without chain
- Sturdy, adjustable frame fits riders from 3’ to 4’5”
- Adjustable back support with six angle options
- Enhances hand-eye coordination
A great choice for active kids, Mobo’s Mobito Youth Cruiser is a stylish model made with an adjustable frame that lets your child grow into it. It’s not the fastest cruiser in town, but it has a few new perks that parents love; these include an emergency brake and rear-wheel automatic alignment.
Kids find the ride comfortable and fun while parents are huge fans of the Mobito’s safety features.
Many Mobito owners with special-needs children rave about its performance and its ability to improve coordination and balance while providing a joyful experience for the rider.
Schwinn Meridian Adult 26-Inch Three-Wheel Bike
User Rating - Single speed
- Lightweight aluminum step-through frame
- Includes folding rear basket
- Alloy rims
- Padded saddle and upright handlebars
- Features rear hand brake and front linear brake
With its beach cruiser good looks and its upright design, the Meridian from Schwinn delivers great performance with classic style. It’s ideal for anyone with balance problems who loves to get their exercise in the great outdoors but prefers a more traditional bicycle look than other bikes offer.
The only drawback for some fans is the return to a saddle-style seat, which is inherently less comfortable.
However, for riders who are more accustomed to a traditional bike, the transition to this compromise between the two types may be easier.
What Are the Benefits?
Besides a more comfortable ride, top recumbent bikes offer a number of other great advantages such as the following:
- Recumbent bikes help you to build lean body mass by working the large muscles in your legs, thighs and buttocks.
- Used for rehabilitation in the elderly, they can help people recover sit-to-stand and step-up movements after injury or loss of strength.
- They put less physical stress on the rider’s knees and hips, so they’re ideal for people with arthritis.
- Recumbent bikes provide more safety and stable balance because of their larger seats and lower height.
- They provide a gentler way to achieve cardiovascular training in people with impaired mobility.
- Even new riders can quickly adapt to riding a simple recumbent bike.
- Because the neck, wrists and shoulders are relaxed while riding a recumbent bike, chronic pain or long-term injuries in these areas aren’t aggravated.
- They bring more enjoyment and less fatigue to long recreational rides.
How to Ride these Bicycles?
- Start by finding an empty parking lot or large paved space for safe practice.
- Sit down on the seat, and grab the brake handle to prevent yourself from rolling backward.
- When you’re ready, place your foot in the one-o’clock position, give the pedal a push, feel for your balance and go.
- It may help to place both feet on the ground and walk your bike back and forth first to get a feel for its balancing capabilities.
- If possible, have someone who is familiar with riding recumbent bikes accompany you until you’re comfortable with your bike’s handling and balance.
Before you know it, you’ll be an expert-level rider yourself.
Best Recumbent Bike for Seniors
Based on our research, we’ve found that the Schwinn Meridian Bike is the most appropriate choice for seniors. We love that the children of seniors feel that their loved ones are safe when riding this bike.
Its classic styling allows its riders to enjoy the freedom and independence of riding a bike without feeling as if they have been forced to change their riding preferences drastically.
A great compromise between a traditional bike and a recumbent with a reclining seat, the Meridian gives seniors a new lease on life while supporting their changing medical needs.
The folding basket makes the bike even more perfect.It allows seniors to do their light shopping in a way that supports their cardiovascular health and helps them to stay both physically and socially active.
Best Three-Wheeled Recumbent Bike
Our top pick for best three-wheeled bike is the Mobo Triton Pro.
We love the sporty chassis, the dual-joystick steering and the generally well-rounded look and feel of the bike.
With a strong focus on ergonomics and the effects of design on the back and various other body parts, the Mobo Triton addresses every issue that’s important to a recumbent rider, especially one who is seeking relief from pain and fatigue.
The Triton is also able to fit taller and larger riders whereas many similar recumbent bikes are lacking in that area. For overall value and performance in the three-wheeled recumbent bike category, we feel it is the top choice.