Tech Tips
The Aramax A-1 is the seat designed for the J-Dart. A recumbent seat unlike any other, the 6000 series aluminum frame supports a genuine "Sew What" full lino mesh. Lino mesh is a higher quality than the phifertex mesh usually found on most bikes. Straps with buckles allow you to adjust for the right amount of tension and lumbar. The full mesh seat has long been considered the most comfortable in recumbency, but has become somewhat rare in recent times. The Aramax A-1 brings back all the classic features of the full mesh seat. The Aramax A-1 can hold water bottles, can adjust from an extreme recline to a very upright seating position, and no matter what recline position, the seat base retains a slight upward angle to its edge. This provides a comfortable pocket for the rider to slip into, no more sliding off the front edge of the seat.The Aramax C-1 is the same seat except with the added strength and lifetime warranty of chromoly steel.
The Bacchetta Re-Curve seat should be chosen when step through ease and start and stop agility are of importance.By special order composite shell seats can be fitted for the fastest, lightest J-Darts yet.
The Climb
Traditionally the method espoused for climbing on a recumbent is as follows: gear down and spin. On upright bikes, there have always been two methods to climb. This first one, just mentioned, used more by touring riders, and the second used more in performance settings. Which is to gear up and stand up, using leverage and slowing the cadence down to ascend.It has been widely accepted by recumbent riders, that this 2nd method is not possible with a recumbent. However, this is not true for all recumbent designs.
There are recumbent designs that lend themselves to the method of gearing up and standing up to climb. Yes, you heard that correctly: you can stand up on some recumbent designs.
One of the guiding design parameters of the J-Dart, was to offer this capability. If you have a design that can recline the seat back to a large degree, and a pedal height that is low enough, you then can gear up to your harder peddling gears, press your upper back into the top of the seat, and lift yourself out of the saddle; effectively standing in a horizontal position, using the higher gears and leverage to ascend.
This method can also be used for acceleration blasts in sprints on flat ground.