By Mark Stonich

Holistic: Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts.

People often ask me questions like "What head angle should I use for my recumbent", as though there is a simple answer like "60 Degrees". The most important thing determining how a recumbent will handle is a combination of ergonomic factors. Your optimum head angle is whatever angle will place the steering axis the optimum distance from your shoulders. To determine this, many factors must be considered - Rider's physical dimensions - BB & Seat heights - Backrest angle - Handlebar width - Front wheel size and location.

My basic premise is that steering ergonomics can provide strong self-centering force, and good tactile feedback, make the bike easier to control, and easier to balance and maneuver. However, trail induced wheelflop degrades the handling of a recumbent that has steering ergonomics such as I will be advocating on these pages, by negating some of the self-centering and feedback. Many recumbent do not have ergonomics that provide positive feedback etc. and feedback is so important to a rider's sense of control that trail induced wheelflop is better than no feedback at all. This is why the myth that trail somehow "Stabilizes" a recumbent is so pervasive.

Over the next several months, I hope to organize my writings on these topics from many dozens of emails, articles and several web pages to expand this website into a complete guide. I will work first on the factors that affect handling and stability. This will be a living document, continuously updated. I'll be adding illustrations as time permits.

I'm very early in the process, and little is ready at this time. But I wanted to get something uploaded ASAP, as Dr. Bill Patterson is refering to this URL in the latest version of "Lords of the Chainring".

• Handling, Stability, Maneuverability, Balance (Future)
• Steering Ergonomics 101 (Under Construction)
• Why is Handgrip Orientation so Important (Future)
• The Myth of Trail (Under Construction)
• 12 steps to Designing a Great Handling Recumbent. (Preliminary Version Posted)
• Roadblocks Keeping Recumbent Design in the Dark Ages (Under Construction)
• Myths, Half Truths & other Lies commonly believed by 'Bent Riders and Builders. (Under Construction)
• Design Glossary and Abbreviations (Under Construction)
• Why should anyone pay attention to my theories,
        which often fly in the face of "Conventional Wisdom". (Under Construction)

Please check out my other site, the Minnesota Human Powered Vehicle Association Web Page. In the "Meetings" section, you will find many of the 300+ recumbents MnHPVA members have built.