Etc - M5 handling like a pig?

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M5 handling like a pig?

Printed From: BHPC Forum
Category: Public: Open to anyone
Forum Name: Etc
Forum Description: Any other riding-related topics
URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=5125
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 1:18am
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Topic: M5 handling like a pig?

Posted By: fitzer
Subject: M5 handling like a pig?
Date Posted: 24 April 2015 at 6:24pm

Hi all, thanks for your advice on the tyres, much appreciated.

A friend has just jumped straight into the world of recumbents and bought himself an M5 high racer.....
He has had real issues getting to grips with it and asked me to give him a few pointers, I was shocked how difficult and unfriendly it seems compared to my USS Rainbow lyner and Bjallby tough.

The steering boom was pushed right in and fouling his thighs with knees bent so I lengthened it out almost 50mm to get safe clearance, the headset was also overtightened so I also slackened that off to give the steering some feel.

He was wondering if he just wasn't cut out for bents but I put him straight on the Rainbow and he was smooth and confident, doing successful u-turns etc, at least it got his confidence back.

The bike had no user manual, no setup advice, nada......(not very impressive for a £3k bike imo)
I really don't know what to suggest to him, any tips or advice? are we doing something wrong or are these bikes just b****rs until you get used to them?