Ground Hugger

A Recumbent Bicycle You Build From Plans

This unique human powered vehicle was developed and patented in the mid 1960s, and first introduced as "Ground Hugger" in a special plans offering by Popular Mechanics magazine. Ground Hugger's sleek lines and elegant mechanical design captured the interest of bicycle manufacturers, worldwide. But the benefits of the recumbent were not widely understood, and it would be another 15 years before high-end bicycle manufacturers began producing them. Due to today's popularity of recumbents, the original Ground Hugger plans have been updated and republished. And we've also developed the Ground Hugger XR2 - a computer-engineered carbon fiber machine utilizing the latest in cycling design and componentry. A major benefit of a recumbent is the awesome power that a rider can deliver to the pedals. Nearly everyone has enough strength in their legs to lift up to twice their own weight, and some of us can lift as much as three times. A recumbent provides the rider with something to push against (the back of the seat), so total leg power can be delivered to the pedals. In contrast, a conventional bicycle limits the maximum push against pedals to roughly that of the rider's weight. This, in combination with its inherently lower frontal area and reduced air resistance, is responsible for the recumbent's greater speed. The speed record for a recumbent is over 65 mph. In addition, a recumbent naturally positions the body for improved blood flow because the heart does not have to work against gravity.

Safety in the event of a spill, and virtually zero stress on arms, hands, and low backs are other advantages. The attribute that receives the most accolades from new riders, however, is also the most difficult to justify in practical terms. The sheer thrill of gliding along at 30 mph just inches above the ground puts Ground Hugger in a class of its own. It's a sensation that has to be experienced in order to be fully appreciated.

Riding a recumbent is an entirely different experience. One's sense of balance has to be reoriented to the new seating position and close proximity to the bicycle's reaction point. Because the ground is a bicycle's reaction point, the conventional riding position high above the ground translates into greater lateral distances between opposing lean angles, which means slower reaction times. A recumbent reacts more quickly because of the rider's low center of gravity and close proximity to the ground. New riders initially sense this quick reaction time as instability. Normally, it takes three or four attempts at cycling before one gains enough confidence to make the full commitment.

Early versions of Ground Hugger were equipped with the Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub; the type with a built-in coaster brake. Plans also show how to install calipers brakes, lightweight crank and head sets, and a multi-speed derailleur system. The original frames were built of inexpensive mild steel tubing. But the frame can also be built of thin-wall 4130-N or aluminum tubing to keep weight to a minimum. The cost to build Ground Hugger will depend on the type of components and materials you select, and on whether you purchase new parts individually or buy a used bike and take the components from it. So the rock-bottom cost-to-build will be on the order of $200 (mild steel frame with parts from an old bike). But a high-performance multi-speed road bike with a 4130 frame and new high-end components will cost much more - depending on the materials and components you select.

Plans may be purchased as CAD drawings in electronic format (dxf format on 3-1/2-inch disks), as large 24 x 36-inch prints on bond paper, or in a set containing both CAD and printed drawings.

Specifications
Length: 88 inch
Height: 29-3/4 inch (to top of handlebars)
Wheelbase: 66-3/8 inch
Font Wheel: 18 x 1.125 inch (optional 16 - 20 inch wheel)
Rear Wheel: 26 - 27 inch (optional cross-section)
Weight: 30 - 45 lbs (depending on materials and accessories)
Gearing: Optional (multi-speed derailleur or hub)
Brakes: Optional (caliper or hub brakes)
Adjustment: 4-inch longitudinal seat & handlebar adjustment
(Fits 64 - 72 inch rider height as shown. Frame may be shortened or lengthened for taller or shorter riders.)

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2006).]

Recumbants have been around for a long time. They are fun and easier to ride than you might think.

How about this?

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: Recumbants have been around for a long time. They are fun and easier to ride than you might think. How about this?

LOL! That's great!!

Nothing against the idea, or anything else, but ask any motorcyclist or bicyclist.

The people in cars don’t see you on a regular height bike. Do you really think they are going to see you on this?

People in cars and trucks have no respect for the 2 wheeled world, they don’t see you, and if they do they would rather run you over.

I like the idea, it is great. I just don’t think it’s a safe place to be. Hell people don’t see us in our Fieros why would they see us on one of those?

Don’t get me wrong, I used to love riding, bikes and motorcycles. It just has gotten to dangerous.

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technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Well, one thing I will say is in that regard is none of the pics I've seen show a good use of reflectors. I'd like to see at a minimum a reflector up front in the rear (perhaps on the wheels as well)and maybe even a bicycle-spec headlight and taillight...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2006).]

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: Well, one thing I will say is in that regard is none of the pics I've seen show a good use of reflectors. I'd like to see at a minimum a reflector up front in the rear (perhaps on the wheels as well)and maybe even a bicycle-spec headlight and taillight...

How about flags at least 8’ tall, and even then no one will see you.

When I rode a motorcycle I always rode with my headlight on all the time, day and night.

They still don’t see you.

I like the bike just not peoples respect for cyclists.

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technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Okay, well, I appreciate your concern, but constructive criticism would be nice. I'm a former bike (bicycle and motorcycle) rider myself and I'm well aware of the dangers other drivers pose to us riders, as should anyone with any comon sense be...

[edit] unless, of course, it is your constructive criticism that no one should ride bikes anymore because other drivers don't see them...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2006).]

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: Okay, well, I appreciate your concern, but constructive criticism would be nice. I'm a former bike (bicycle and motorcycle) rider myself and I'm well aware of the dangers other drivers pose to us riders, as should anyone with any comon sense... [edit] unless, of course, it is your constructive criticism that no one should ride ikes anymore...

A flag, flashing lights, siren.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: A flag, flashing lights, siren.

that's better, thanks!

Actually, the flag wouldn't be such a bad idea...

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: that's better, thanks! Actually, the flag wouldn't be such a bad idea...

The flag was already posted as an idea.

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: How about flags at least 8’ tall, and even then no one will see you.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Right... I somehow got the impression (perhaps it was the "and even then no one will see you") that its was a less-than-constructive criticism.

But, if that was not the case... my bad!

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2006).]

Both of my sons have green machines. They come with a flag. The kids hate them, they arte not cool. but I feel they are a must, riding that low to the ground.

It's kinda ironic how they show it on thier site without the flag.

http://www.huffybikes.com/greenmachine/products/greenmachine.html

I have two metal plates in my head to prove 84Fiero123's point.

I don't ride where soccer moms with SUV's rule the road anymore!

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: Nothing against the idea, or anything else, but ask any motorcyclist or bicyclist. The people in cars don’t see you on a regular height bike. Do you really think they are going to see you on this? People in cars and trucks have no respect for the 2 wheeled world, they don’t see you, and if they do they would rather run you over. I like the idea, it is great. I just don’t think it’s a safe place to be. Hell people don’t see us in our Fieros why would they see us on one of those? Don’t get me wrong, I used to love riding, bikes and motorcycles. It just has gotten to dangerous.

As amazing as it may seem, I can see all the way down to the paint on the pavement that indicates turn lanes and the like... and it's only a few mils thick. Can't see having a problem seeing a person on a bicycle anymore than a child, a sports car or the like. Just have to be aware of your surroundings and as a cyclist you just have to avoid putting yourself to far right or stopping at a stop sign or light in someones blind spot. Or what I see every day... idiots riding against traffic or on sidewalks. I've been a road warrior cyclist for decades, I've had a couple of accidents involving motorists... both times they were idiots that pulled manuevers that are almost immpossible to avoid. I had one I was making eye contact with sitting in a driveway the entire time I was coming towards him downhill on the street in correct direction doing about the speed limit... and he pulled right out in front of me. Broad daylight, clear viewing for about 1/2 mile and NOTHING else on the road... he just sat there and waited until I was within 20 feet of the drive and gunned it. Lucky for me I was using Look pedals and bunnyhopped my road bike up under me and sideways and ground across his hood instead of slamming into the side of his car. Managed to come down on the wheels on the other side and kept right on going. This was after having another idiot on the SAME ride on a back road accelerate around me (I was going at the speed limit), and start to turn into a parking lot for a club... locked her brakes up as she cut me off and I slammed into her trunk taking most of the hit with my hand as I planted it on her trunk as I skidded sideways trying to avoid her and hit the trunk perpendicular to it. Then she proceeded to pull out from under me, dumping me on the ground... get out and says... "I had my turn signal on!"... yeah when she was following me maybe... Both those were on my road bike with me wearing completely in your face bright ass cycling gear, I'd need fireworks flying off my body to be anymore visible. Height from the ground is NOT the issue. I want a recumbent trike at the moment and I've taken quite a few test drives on incredibly busy streets to see how traffic reacts, because on an upright bike they will crowd you as tight as they think they can get away with and then 6 more inches... on the recumbent people didn't seem to know what the hell it was so gave me an incredibly wide berth. Interesting since on a trike recumbent your way more stable... no falling over at stops, or on slick roads. And remember, I've been biking for about 30+ years and the only accidents I've had involving a motorvehicle both happened on that ride. I did have a buddy killed right next to me ( back in high school) that got hit late at night by a drunk driver that just plowed him down... but sirens and strobe lights wouldn't have helped there, the drunk kept right on going for about a 1/4 mile dragging him under his van before getting out and yelling at the remains.

To be safe as a cyclist, assume your invisible while doing everything to be as visible as possible. Flags don't really help much, reflective vests and flashing led lamps do a LOT more.

Here is a great site for explaining real bike safety, instead of legal safety requirements like helmets. How to NOT get in an accident is way more important than having a bell or pedal reflectors on your bike when a car hits you.

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: Right... I somehow got the impression (perhaps it was the "and even then no one will see you") that its was a less-than-constructive criticism. But, if that was not the case... my bad!

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: Right... I somehow got the impression (perhaps it was the "and even then no one will see you") that its was a less-than-constructive criticism. But, if that was not the case... my bad!

It wasn’t meant to be unconstructive, more as a warning.
I like the bike, just think it should have a higher visibility.

With all the rotten drivers we have and the visibility problem of this vehicle.

The flashing lights would probably be the best idea as far as visibility goes tho.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: [edit] unless, of course, it is your constructive criticism that no one should ride bikes anymore because other drivers don't see them...

Maybe if MILLIONS of new riders hit the road on HPVs (human powered vehicles), instead of SUVs......Nahhh. We're too fat.
If you ride any two wheeled vehicle, the only way to survive is to adopt the mentality that EVERY SINGLE car or truck driver WANTS to kill you.
Behave accordingly and you just may survive.
Like the mythical license to have children, the exam for the license to drive does not measure intelligence, awareness, or attitude.

Oh, yeah. The Ground Hugger is very very cool. But its only useful at bicycle events, or in a very few communities where you won't get killed. Even WITH a whip antenna mounted flag.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 10-29-2006).]

quote Originally posted by 84fiero123: It wasn’t meant to be unconstructive, more as a warning. I like the bike, just think it should have a higher visibility. With all the rotten drivers we have and the visibility problem of this vehicle. The flashing lights would probably be the best idea as far as visibility goes tho.

Okay, cool then.

quote Originally posted by NEPTUNE: Oh, yeah. The Ground Hugger is very very cool. But its only useful at bicycle events, or in a very few communities where you won't get killed. Even WITH a whip antenna mounted flag.

I don't know. I live in a fairly quiet neighborhood in a fairly quiet Tulsa 'burb. I just don't see this as any more dangerous then the skateboards that kids ride up and down my block...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2006).]

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: I don't know. I live in a fairly quiet neighborhood in a fairly quiet Tulsa 'burb. I just don't see this as any more dangerous then the skateboards that kids ride up and down my block...

I don't know about that, at least the skateboards you are standing up on. More visible.

Like I said before, I think the idea and the bike are great, I just think they need to be higher, more visable.

I know the lower center of gravity is good, but still conserned about the visability issue.

Now if the bike could be built higher so you would be more visable I think they would be safer.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

This didn't do too well either!!
Nick

cool. just so happens i'm thinking of buying a cheap welder tomorrow. and junk bicycles are cheap.

then, maybe a motor assist?

safety is still a problem. deck it out with reflectors, strobes and a train horn.
accidents happen all the time, but in a car you generally walk away.

[This message has been edited by lurker (edited 10-29-2006).]

Can you climb hills like
the hills in last years RFTH.
I can on a road bicycle

i want to get back into Bicycle racing again.
racing at speeds like 40 to 50 miles per hour, like they do here

[This message has been edited by proff (edited 10-29-2006).]

A team of guys on recumbents blasted the young guns to a second place finish in the four man relay on the Race Across Oregon this last year. One team beat their time on uprights.

In 2005 they had the best overall time for any category.

http://www.raceacrossoregon.com/race_results

Well, I bought this since it was cheap and I wanted a better idea of what was involved. After taking a decent look at this drawing I'm sold. So its damn the torpedoes, full spead ahead! I won't start my welding class until next semester so I think I'm going to ask for the plans for Christmas.

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How about a "Fiero": http://www.nazca-ligfietsen.nl/ , click on models and select Fiero.

I used to race bycycles. I built a recumbant because they're supposed to be faster because of lower profile and less wind resistance. That may be true but they are not faster. They are harder to get up hills because you're pushing the pedals uphill. Also because of the innefficient chain mechanism more energy is lost in the drive. This offsets any other advantages a recumbant might have. Recumbents are NOT better. Seating is a matter of personal preference. I prefer a conventional bike.

Another, very different recumbent here: http://www.wizwheelz.com/


The Terra Trike

Talk about thinking "outside the box!"

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 11-07-2006).]

quote Originally posted by larryemory: I used to race bycycles. I built a recumbant because they're supposed to be faster because of lower profile and less wind resistance. That may be true but they are not faster. They are harder to get up hills because you're pushing the pedals uphill. Also because of the innefficient chain mechanism more energy is lost in the drive. This offsets any other advantages a recumbant might have. Recumbents are NOT better. Seating is a matter of personal preference. I prefer a conventional bike.

I tried to keep up with a cowled recumbant on my carbon fiber road bike on a down hill and he smoked me.

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: Recumbants have been around for a long time. They are fun and easier to ride than you might think. How about this?

Row row row your bike.
Straight into a truck.
Merrily merrily merrily merrily.
Until you scream OH %#$@ !

quote Originally posted by AusFiero: Row row row your bike. Straight into a truck. Merrily merrily merrily merrily. Until you scream OH %#$@ !

LMAO

I was reading this, and when I saw that, I burst out laughing here at work.
Now I have that tune stuck in my head too.... With those words...
LOL

quote Originally posted by NEPTUNE: Another, very different recumbent here: http://www.wizwheelz.com/ The Terra Trike Talk about thinking "outside the box!"

How does it steer? It looks like front brakes are used, but isnt that a waste? Its powered by your legs but you have to slow it down to turn?

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: How does it steer? It looks like front brakes are used, but isnt that a waste? Its powered by your legs but you have to slow it down to turn?

Looks like the two handlebars are the steering controls, to turn left you push the right bar forward and pull the left bar back...

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: Looks like the two handlebars are the steering controls, to turn left you push the right bar forward and pull the left bar back...

Found it, looks like a nice setup. I like the idea of the 3 wheels with 2 up front.

heres one for boonie

http://www.rqriley.com/b-bug.html

Well, I bought the plans a few days ago. I'll keep any interested parties posted with build pics.

Cheers!