HPV Glossary

Notes:

1. In this doc, 'bike' and 'bicycle' generally refer to any human powered vehicle that travels on land.
2. This is a new field. There are no hard and fast definitions. These are guidelines. There are probably exceptions to every feature describe below.
3. I own a Ryan Vanguard and have ridden many other bikes.

AHPV = Assisted Human Powered Vehicle

An HPV with some form of stored energy assist, such as an electric motor or tiny gas engine.

ASS = Above Seat Steering

Handlebars are mounted above the seat, you ride with your hands in front of you as on a conventional bike. (versus USS) It's more conventional in appearance, and possibly more aerodynamic. Example: Lightning P-38

Bent

1. Short for recumbent 2. Position when riding an upright.

CLWB = Compact Long Wheel Base

A recumbent with the crankset mounted behind the front wheel, but shorter than a LWB. (Vague, huh?) They usually have a 16" front wheel and a 20" rear wheel with the rider sitting a little higher so the small rear wheel can be pulled in closer. The idea is to make the bike more like a conventional upright bike in terms of size and handling. Example: BikeE

HPV = Human Powered Vehicle

Any kind of transportation powered by its human rider(s).

MWB = Medium Wheel Base

A recumbent with a wheel base longer than 1 meter, but with the crankset mounted ahead of the front wheel, like a SWB bike. Example: currently I don't know of any production MWB's.

LWB = Long Wheel Base

A recumbent with the crankset mounted behind the headset and front wheel. LWB's tend to be very stable; good touring bikes, but awkward for some situations like carrying them or getting them onto a train. Example: Ryan Vanguard

Poseur Pass

This is what happens when a recumbent rider (generally with fairing) encounters one or more upright road bike riders dressed like racers. The recumbent rider briefly conserves their power and then when they are about 500 metres behind the upright rider they go into an all out sprint. Just as they are about to pass the uprights, they stop sprinting, hold their breath, and say something like "Hi, nice day". When the recumbent rider's rear view mirror indicates they are out of range, the recumbent rider will then go back to pedaling at normal speed.(until encountering the next paceline). The alternate term for this activity is called "Roadie Intervals" since the recumbent rider goes flat out in the presense or roadies and then has a recovery period before passing the next group.

RCN BG = Recumbent Cyclist News "Buyer's Guide"

A comprehensive annual issue of RCN magazine covering most of the recumbents available in the US, published by Robert Bryant. The address is: PO Box 58755 Renton, WA 98058 Email: DrRecumbnt@aol.com

Recumbent

n. - A bike ridden in a reclined position, primarily for improved comfort and aerodynamics.
adj. - The seated position, e.g. a recumbent trike.

Recumbent Beard

A condition primarily afflicting male recumbent riders of various ages, more so if they have an engineering degree. With the head behind a fairing there is apparently no longer a need to remove facial hair to decrease aerodynamic drag.

Recumbent Belly

A condition primarily afflicting middle aged men who ride recumbents. It can even happen if they ride a lot. It is due to being able to work the legs out but not being able to get an upper body work out in the recumbent position.

Recumbent Butt

A condition of pain in the gluteous maximus muscles resulting from riding a recumbent at high power output. Particularly a problem with a more vertical seat back which places more rider weight on the working muscles.

SWB = Short Wheel Base

A recumbent with a wheel base of approximately 1 meter, mostly distinguished from longer recumbents by having its crankset mounted on a boom in front of the front wheel. Some SWB's have a reputation for being 'twitchy', handling more like racing bikes. Example: Lightning P-38

Upright

1. A bike ridden in a bent position. 2) The position when riding a 'bent.

USS = Under Seat Steering

Handlebars are mounted under the seat, either operating a linkage to the front wheel on LWB's or directly on SWB's. It's unconventional in appearance, but very comfortable. Example: Ryan Vanguard

Velomobile

A human powered car replacement type vehicle usually with three wheels. Typical design features include a full fairing offering weather protection, integrated lighting system, full suspension, a recumbent seating position, and room for cargo. Examples include the Danish Lietra, British Kingcycle K3, and Dutch Alleweder. Most of the work being done on Velomobiles is happening in Northern Europe.

Wedgie

A bike ridden by balancing on a small, hard, pie-shaped seat. Descriptions of problems caused by riding in this position can be found in the advice column of every issue of 'Bicycling'. Also known as an upright or diamond-frame bike.

(I own and use 3 bikes of this style; for short trips they can be very fun.)

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