Several years ago a couple of friends and I realized we were becoming complete couch potatoes. Something must be done! It didn't take us long to settle on biking, as we had all enjoyed riding in the past. Of course, we hadn't been riding in a number of years, but that was beside the point.

So, mountain bikes and road bikes were purchased or pulled from their resting places at the back of the garage, and off we went. Funny thing what a few years will do to you. Riding was great, and we rode all we could. Just one thing, we didn't remember our bikes hurting like that!

Now, my wife wanted to join us, but she had not been on a bike in years because of a shoulder injury. Riding a "Wedgie" was just out of the question. I had seen some strange bikes around with big comfortable seats and a laid back configuration, maybe these would fit the bill? We began shopping around, or rather trying to. We discovered that finding a 'bent on the floor in our local shops was rare. Finding a knowledgeable salesperson was harder still. Eventually we settled on a Sun Easy Sport. We were (and are) happy with her Easy Sport, but frankly its selection was simply based on the fact that it and Bike-E was about all we found to ride.

Within about two weeks, that Easy Sport converted us all to wanna-be bent riders. But now we faced the same problem times three -- how to find and select bikes with next to nothing available locally. Since then, we have traveled to Chicago, Detroit, and elsewhere to ride and purchase bikes. We have seen other area riders make purchases from the Internet of models they have never ridden. We needed a local store, and we slowly came to the realization that we needed to do it ourselves. After much hard work, St Louis Recumbent Bicycles was born.

Riders who are new to bents can be a little shaky, and a little intimidated. Also, there is a wide range of recumbent bikes available, and making an informed selection can take some time. For these reasons, we wanted a location where folks could extensively test ride the bikes without concern for traffic.  We encourage everyone to come in and try out a variety of bikes, and take them for a good long test.

Service and support is of course a vital element, and we aim to be the best.

In preparing to start this project, we did a lot of research, and that's how we came to know Rob and Alycia of Recumbent BikeRiders in State College, Pa. We can't thank them enough for their help. Great folks, great shop -- if you're in their neck of the woods, check them out. You'll be glad you did.

Putting this thing together has been very exciting, and very hard work. Now comes the really hard part, making it work! Come on by and see us, and let us know what you think.

~Dean