Harder than going down hill. Because most recumbents have a poor reputation for climbing, people assume any bicycle with a backrest and forward pedaling will also climb poorly. Fact is, the Dream climbs very well. The seat is well forward of the rear wheel which keeps the front wheel stable and on the ground. Also, the backrest on both models gives you significant power for climbing. We are located on a steep hill, and you have to shift to 2nd or 3rd gear to climb it without the backrest. With the backrest you can climb it in 10th or 11th gear. Unlike any recumbent, most people who are fairly fit and experienced can stand on the pedals if they prefer. If most of your riding is in very steep terrain and you are used to standing on the pedals, this may not be the bike for you. For most people, on most terrain, this bike is exceptional.

First, the crank forward bikes are, in our opinion, a much improved design over the traditional bicycle. With the proper seat adjustment, your feet are just able to touch the ground which improves balance at stops and the higher handlebars decrease the amount of pressure on your wrists. At Day 6 we use a similar concept but take it to a much higher level.

• Most obvious is our contoured backrest. This is integral to our bicycle design and is unique in the industry. Our backrest is vertically and horizontally adjustable with no tools so it fits perfectly in the lower back. This provides comfort, stability, and torque for pedaling up hills and during starts. It even has an integrated travel pack for carrying small items. No bicycle has a backrest as comfortable as the Dream!
• Our handlebars are high enough to eliminate all leaning forward which means your lower back is in an anatomically correct position for sitting and pedaling. You can actually enjoy the backrest! This also means absolutely zero pressure on the wrists and shoulders.
• The seat post on the Dream is further back which allows you to put both feet flat on the ground for excellent stability during stopping.
• The Dream SL model comes with an injection molded, 17” wide seat with NO seat horn. There is no other bicycle with this type of design. You can ride all day with minimal saddle soreness and there is zero pressure on your privates.
• The Dream has a very low and long step through so those with knee, hip, or back discomfort can mount and dismount easily and safely.
• On a more subjective note, dealers have told us that the steering on the Dream is more stable and precise than any crank forward bicycle they have seen. (see our testimony page)

If money is an issue, then the crank forward bikes are a better buy than the traditional bicycle. But, if you are serious about comfort, ergonomics, and performance, the Dream will more than meet your expectations.

The SS, SL, and SC seats all have adjustable backrests which are great for climbing hills, providing acceleration, and giving you the proper support for your spine. Whether you have a bad back or not, you will appreciate the comfort and utility of this feature—it feels great!!

The only difference between the models is the seat bottom. The seat on the SS—Super Sport—is an 11" Velo seat which is very comfortable and would generally be used by the more aggressive rider. If you want to ride on dirt, gravel, or grass and not just pavement—then the SS is for you. If you enjoy going around obstacles and taking short cuts, or you just like to get a little crazy—then the SS is for you. Virtually every person who has ridden the SS loves the Velo saddle.

If you are on the larger side, or the majority of your riding is on pavement, or you ride long distances, the SL—Super Luxury—is probably for you. It has a 17" wide, injection molded foam seat with NO seat horn. This seat absolutely eliminates all pressure on male anatomy and is extremely comfortable. There is nothing quite like it. (Think 17" is extreme? Think again. The average 170 pound male measures 17" across with a slight spread to the legs. The seat may look a bit large when unmanned but who cares—it was made to sit on!) Because the SL seat has no seat horn to hold you on the seat, some folks feel like they are sliding forward. Others absolutely love it. That is why we give you a choice!

The new SC-Super Contour-is a combination of wide seat comfort and sculpted stability. As the next step up in technology from both the SS and SL models, the SC seat allows for more aggressive riding while still providing premium comfort and support. If you are in search of the perfect hybrid of luxury comfort and rider support, the Super Contour seat is ideal.

The 21 speed Dream and the 7 speed Journey are very similar, but there are a few significant differences to consider. The main difference is in the underlying technologies; the 21 speed uses a traditional derailleur system, and has two shifters, whereas the 7 speed uses only one shifter and changes gears using an internal hub. The 21 speed is more complicated to use, and has moving parts. The 7 speed has no moving parts, and is relatively simple to operate, using only one shifter. Also, with all the mechanical parts enclosed, there is no chance of having a pant leg catch and tear on a moving sprocket. So the advantage of the 7 speed is in its ease of use, clean aesthetics, and no need for maintenance.
The 21 speed has an advantage in exceptionally hilly environments. While both systems have roughly the same torque in low and high gear, the 21 speed has the advantage of offering smaller increments to cycle through; it has three times as many speeds for transitioning from low to high gear. Simply put, both the 7 speed and the 21 speed can climb hills fine, but the 21 speed offers a bit more specialization in hilly terrain, with smaller "jumps" between gears.
Both models are flexible and adaptable to individual riding style, but now you know the finer points of difference!

To summarize:

• 7 speed: smoother, easier shifting, cleaner look and feel, no maintenance.
• 21 speed: slightly greater range, finer difference between gears, traditional style

You could but they will not work on your bicycle nearly as well as on the Dream.

The frame, seat, backrest, and handlebars on the Dream have all been specifically designed to work in conjunction with each other. If you put our luxury seat on a traditional bike you wouldn't be able to sit on it because your pedals would be right under you and there is no horn to hold you on. The seat post on the Dream has been moved rearward so you can use this seat, as well as reach the ground with both feet which you cannot do on a traditional bicycle.

Our backrest would not work well on a traditional bike either since you have to lean forward to reach the handlebars which would pull you away from the backrest. If you made your handlebars longer so you could lean back, the steering would be compromised to a point that would make the traditional bike difficult to ride. You would also have to get new cables made since they would be too short.

In addition, our seat post is larger than most traditional bicycles (for strength) so your safety would be compromised using a smaller seat post with shims. Finally, the angles of our seat and backrest are all specifically designed to work together on our frame so once again, they would need to be modified to work on a traditional bicycle.

By the time you modified your current bicycle you would have more money in it than would be reasonable and you would still have a compromised bike.

We can sell you the parts if you wish, but you probably won't be satisfied with the way they work on your bike.