What Makes a Good RECUMBENT Mountain Bike?

I went to test this brand new mountain bike trail in Lohtaja, Finland. I was supposed just to show you the nice trail, but instead I'm talking about the features which good recumbent mountain bike should have.
Off-road cabable recumbent bikes mentioned in the video:
Azub Max (my bike): azub.eu/recumb...
Specbike Extrim: specbiketechni...
Check out the video comments for more recommendations about recumbent MTB:s
If you are interested about the 12 km MTB trail in Lohtaja, here's where you can download the GPX file: jalki.fi/reiti...
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Music:
Through the Void by The Mercurial Sense Of Beatitude
Composed and recorded by Jukka-Pekka Vuolle
/ @themercurialsenseofbe...
Listen here: • The Mercurial Sense Of...
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Thanks for watching! Please subscribe: www.youtube.co...
My shop with velomobile & recumbent T-Shirts & more: www.saukki.com/...
My bikes:
Velomobiel.nl Quest Carbon: en.velomobiel.nl
Azub Max: www.azub.eu
My blog: www.saukki.com
Twitter: / saukkico
Instagram: / saukkico
#saukki #recumbent #mountainbiking

[@100musicplaylists3]

I cant help but think that the shape of a recumbent bike can be easily adapted to accommodate a hammock frame add on which would allow people to sleep anywhere they feel like parking.

[@mikkoliukko]

Recumbent trikes are good for mountain side trails 😀 waiting for my azub ti-fly 26.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes, if the trail is wide enough.

[@Glenymax]

The recumbent road advantage appears to be about equal to the recumbent off road disadvantage.

[@honza-galla]

Some good points there, but I wonder where did you come to the conclusion that higher bike is better for stability. I think that better for stability is a bike where you can sit more upright as the more you recline the worse the balance is. That is valid also for bottom bracket because lower bottom bracket usually means you sit more upright thus you have better stability. The other thing is that I find bikes with 26" wheels too high in general. Yes, you won't be able to go over rough obstacles with 20" wheels, but you mention that recumbents can't go through difficult sections anyway. I have ridden a MAX in terrain and then tried the MINI with good suspension and found out that I feel better on a lower bike because I can put my feet faster on the ground if needed. That means I am also braver when going into difficult sections. The last thing is that the MAX was updated and it can accommodate 2.25” tyres now and the MINI with 20” wheels even 2.3”.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

I guess you are right about the seating position. But I still think higher bike is easier to balance. With high bike your head is further away from the pivot point (where the tyres contact ground) so it’s easier to sense the tilt of the bike. And when the bike is tilting, with high bike with high center of gravity, the cg has to move more to the side for same tilting angle compared to low bike. Also I’ve been riding a low bike (Challenge Hurricane. Well it’s more like a mid-racer) and high bike (this Azub Max) and I can say the Max is easier to balance. (Though, both has different kind of handlebars. Max’s open cockpit is easier to ride) 🤔

[@honza-galla]

@@TheVelomobileChannel Isn't it that the Hurricane has much more reclined position?

[@pedalajones]

I use the trike a lot on mountain bike trails, even in the mountains. The only limit is the width. If I pass there I go!

[@larrymendoza2570]

I have the OG recumbent mountain bike, the Rans Vivo. Fully suspended, 2 inch main tube, all BMX and mountain bike components. The big advantage is the Vivo is dual 20 inch wheels. 20s are BMX 406mm, are stronger than 26, 29 and 700c. It has OSS, which has some advantages over USS. It's a short wheelbase with and easy stepdown if you gotta put your foot down. Check it out...!

[@kennykendall5709]

This video inspired me to use my Rans Vivo full suspension recumbent as a mountain bike on local green trails. So much fun!

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes! It is fun!

[@jdubvdub]

I’ve been looking into bike packing recently and I think this would be a perfect bike for riding gravel roads and non technical single track such as on the Continental Divide Route in the USA. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes, this is excellent gravel bike.

[@honza-galla]

You are right, although you can ride the Great Divide Tour on bike with smaller wheels or even a trike. Look here: www.recumbent.news/2020/06/20/the-great-divide-mtb-route-on-a-recumbent/

[@jdubvdub]

@@honza-galla Great link! Thanks!

[@mohdsabreeyacob348]

Great video and very nice view to.. From Malaysia.

[@gregors1422]

Great vid! I completely agree with you regarding what features a recumbent MTB should have. I have an old Rans Vivo which has all those features except that it uses 22" wheels. These are the same size as BMX wheels, so at least you can find lots of wide tires with good tread at this size, but 26" would definitely be better. I've used it on similar trails to this one with much success. I also found I could fit bmx fenders to it to cut down on the muck/mess.

[@jacekschneider4686]

Love finnish countryside!

[@dickensrivers9862]

Respectfully, like video's focus, but groomed trail's analogous to dirt roads. It's a fun rollercoaster effect riding vid's smooth, undulating surface, but more technical terrain on recumbent is next level fun! Add slacker head tube angle, (necessitates longer wheelbase); you'll be better able to lighten front wheel and get up and over rougher trail terrain and taller obstacles (my homemade recumbent traverses 8" street curbs and trail's logs/rocks up to about 25 cm). Have fun out there!

[@velofasto]

Equipped with real moutain bike tyre and high travel front fork, the AZUB Max with its large wheel, is really the best suited recumbent for real rough terrain ! Of course, if you have a good sense of balance... otherwise, rather choose a Ti-Fly X !

[@veryveryintense]

Such excellent footage, it looks very fun to navigate at slow speeds in those low gears. I love seeing the azub videos as well, it is such an awesome winter bike.

[@jensumayer]

Thanks for another great video! Recumbent mountain biking is pretty niche.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes it is. I don’t know many others who are doing it 😅

[@trulsvian]

Wonder if we wil ever se a recumbent downhill bike:P

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

We are probably not going to see factory made, but maybe a diy bike 😅

[@rikugriffin]

We should really ride a comparison ride at some point. Just to compare di.. no, I mean recumbents :D More seriously I find it surprising you need to lean forwards a lot, as I don't. Possibly as I don't have so much of an option to do so.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

It’s easier to control the bike in rough terrain if you pull your back away from the seat.

[@honza-galla]

I do lean forward in the worst parts, but not so much as Saukki. And I am surprised he does it also while climbing. That's interesting.

[@vladimirkvasov3128]

Moi! Never seen this bike before.)

[@aarondavis8973]

I have a Rinzler bike that I mountain bike on. It makes a good mountain bike (for a recumbent). I have 2.35 inch tyres on the back. Good for flow trails and mild bumpy tracks. A lot of fun. Underseat steering, which I think is better and more fun for off road. CLWB.

[@jmilton5842]

Have you seen Richard Ehrlich's videos? He's done some interesting stuff on his custom bikes.

[@markthomasson5077]

Surprised you say a high racer style is easier to balance, I would assume the low CofG of a lower style would be better

[@Finnv893]

Don't combine progressive linkage with progressive shocks, you would just be asking it to be doubly progressive and ride like a hardtail. Linear spring on progressive linkage, progressive spring on linear linkage.

[@MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

Does anyone think an under seat steering recumbent could be better for off road cycling?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

It might be if the handlebars are not too wide 🤔

[@honza-galla]

It is the fastest way you can steer and the best set-up when you need to escape the bike, but they are too vulnerable to damage so I prefer above seat steering. The Open Cocpit seems to be good as well. I never had a chance to test ride it in a terrain though.

[@f.r.4071]

I ride an under seat steering bike and in my opinion it's not as good as upper steering for mountain bike tracks . Turning radius ist just too wide... 😑 With upper steering you can turn the steering closer.

[@greenplanetearth6186]

Thank you for your videos! I am considering to buy one.... Please share your thoughts regarding control bars. Which is good? Side control or regular control bar ?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

There are actually three different types of handlebars. On my Azub Max I have the Open cockpit handlebars. With this type of handlebars it’s easy to pull your back from the seat. But it’s annoying that the tubes are so long & flimsy. I’ve never used under seat steering, so I can’t say if it’s any good. But people say that the riding position is very comfortable and relaxed. I’ve had over seat steering (tiller steering) on my previous recumbent and I did like it. It’s more aerodynamic than the others. But at first it feels weird to steer, but you’ll get used to it.

[@ignasanchezl]

based af

[@igorilyasov2057]

When is it a good time to change the suspension on recumbents (whether it be velomobile, trike, or recumbent bike)?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

What do you mean by ”change”?

[@Brian-bp5pe]

@@TheVelomobileChannel Hi Saukki, I think Igor means: "to replace worn-out parts", but I could be wrong about that. If that's what he had in mind, I'd like to hear the answer, too.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

You have to replace them when they stop working. But before that you can do maintenance. For example airshocks needs some maintenance once in a while. You have to replace oils & seals.

[@eskii2]

Hey. Im thinking about buying an AZUB MAX. Im 177 and wonder if im too short? I wonder, how tall are you? Also I wonder if you use pedal clips on it? If so, how do you feel about falling, are you able to unclip fast enough to put your foot down?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

I’m about same height as you, so you’ll be just fine. I have clippless pedals. I never ride without. With Azub Max you’ll fall from so high that you have plenty of time to unclip 😄

[@dougmaverick3287]

Would that bike be faster and more comfortable than a traditional mountain bike on paved roads?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes it might be, because of little bit better aerosynamics.

[@tapio-tvintagevelorandonneur]

Mtb-nojapyöräilyä, lystiä lähihoitajan kahvihetkeen :D Tahtoisin kokeilla joskus läskirenkaista kickbikea poluilla, voisi olla nimittäin ihmisten ilmeet samat kuin mtb-nojapyörän nähdessään.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

No varmasti 😅

[@rossbrumby1957]

So you DO have a car! But it's not orange....

[@veniciosmarcosdelima8620]

👍👍👍👍🤙

[@AlveHenricson]

Do you not have problems with the heels/foots scraping against the front wheel when turning?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes, if I’m not carefull. But if you are aware that your heels can hit the wheel, then you can try to avoid it.

[@AlveHenricson]

@@TheVelomobileChannel This was a surprise to me when I made my first ride and I might get annoyed about it even in the future. Would like to pedal even when in tight corners. 😏

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Many bikes has this same annoying ”feature”.

[@AlveHenricson]

@@TheVelomobileChannel So called "normal bikes" do not have this problem and I expect long wheel base recumbent either. But I might get used to it, we'll see 😉

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

You’ll get used to it. After a while it feels natural to you to twist your heel away from the wheel when doing tight turn. Only on little bit more difficult mtb trail you feel that you need to pedal at the same time when doing tight turn. You need about 200-500 km to ”learn” to ride two wheeled recumbent and more than 1000 km to master it.

[@data9309]

Does the heel strike the front wheel in corners?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes, in tight corners.

[@data9309]

@@TheVelomobileChannel Would placing the middle of the foot on the pedal instead of the ball of the foot eliminate the heel striking the front wheel? Some posts are saying that position also provides more power. BTW, your videos are very enjoyable.