There is a pleasure involved in riding a recumbent bike or trike that stays with me everytime I think of the experience. Its called the "recumbent smile". The 'smile' is well-known among recumbent riders and new riders all experience it within a few minutes of initiating movement. From the first full revolution of the pedals, one finds the exuberance of speed and a heightened sense of movement. The smile ensues and won't go away.

Riding a recumbent bike or trike is unlike riding a normal bicycle. You won't miss the uncomfortable, hard, punishing seat that regular bikes force on you. You'll sit in a reclined position, fully supported, comfortable as an easy chair in motion. Your legs are no longer pushing down in a knee-destroying movement. You'll be amazed at the ease the pedals turn and the comfort of supine peddling. Steering is also different as your arms are at your side, resting lightly on the underseat steering bars. On a normal bicycle you have to support your entire upper body pressing down on your wrists, with your nick held back in an un-natural position. I know, I've had vertebrae removed as a result of the position, as well as carpal tunnel surgery.

After my neck and wrist surgeries I was unable to ride a bicycle any longer. Niether my neck, knees, nor wrists, could take the strain any further. I was introduced to the recumbent bicycle world, moved on to the trikes - and now ride everyday, every chance I get - and I smile more than I have a right to.

On eBay there are several ways to find recumbent smileability. You can buy a new or used recumbent, or you can find plans for building them. Either way, use the normal safe methods for buying. If you are purchasing plans, check out the internet first and get an idea of what you might want. When purchasing plans on eBay, check out the sellers' feedback - see what people have to say about their buying experience. If you find negatives or neutrals, try writing the authors to find out what about their experience caused them to leave less than positive feedback. Purchase security is, after all, up to you. Find out if the building plans are commercial or professionally made, or are they photocoppied from copyrighted materials. Also, if the seller is the author, can you resell? Above all, be careful, check feedback, bid and pay only after you know exactly what you're buying.