High Rider, Low Rider -- Two Bicycles With A New Attitude

UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, I hadn't ridden a bicycle in seven years, not since a trip to Denmark. There I valued the abundant bike paths and the matter-of-fact courtesy drivers give to bicyclists. Of course I also appreciated the terrain, in a country where one of the highest points is a hill just a few hundred feet high. It's called "Sky Mountain."

Recently, however, two new bicycles - the ReBike and the Step 'N Go - caught my attention, so I strapped on a helmet and went for a couple of spins. They're no challenge to the versatility of mountain bikes. They probably won't win any beauty contests. But they may make bicycling possible again for many ex-riders.

I tried the ReBike at Seattle Cycles. Designed by a Florida woman seeking more comfortable in-city trips, its wide, contoured seat looks as though it came off a riding lawn mower. The padded back rest fits like an ergonomically correct office chair. The pedals are slightly lower than seat level, which makes the ReBike a "semi-recumbent" bicycle. (On true recumbents - "sofa cycles" in Danish - the legs are parallel to the ground.)

I first tried the ReBike around the parking lot. The low set-up makes it easy to mount and dismount, but less visible to cars. Initially I was a bit wobbly, and Seattle Cycles owner Craig Tamura said the steering takes some getting used to.

But once I got rolling, it was easily my most comfortable bicycle ride ever. My back wasn't hunched, my wrists weren't cocked, my neck wasn't bent - it was hard to imagine that this was actual exercise. Yet recumbent cycling is said to equal the aerobic benefit of regular biking, and may actually use more of the larger leg muscles.

What about hills? I ventured out, and the first hill I found with a sidewalk was a doozy: the Magnolia Bridge. I figured I'd be walking at least the top half.

Wrong. In the easiest of the seven gears, I pedaled slowly but steadily. My thighs started burning about a third of the way up, yet the fatigue didn't build intolerably. Instead of standing to pedal, I just pushed against the back rest. I made it to the top and cruised on to Magnolia Espresso for a raspberry Italian soda.

The ReBike comes in several models, from $499.99 to $649.99. A three-wheeler, the ReTrike, is $684.99. Seattle Cycles (946 Elliott Ave. W.) and Angle Lake Cyclery (20840 Pacific Hwy. S. in SeaTac) usually carry them.

As for the second new bike, if you recall my fondness for climbing stairs, you'll understand why I had to try a Step 'N Go.

This contraption looks like a cross between a stair-climbing machine and a confused tricycle - two wheels in front, one behind. The stepping platforms are connected, so when one step goes down, the other one comes up. The forward motion thus is powered more by body weight than leg strength, making the Step 'N Go accessible to people with physical limitations. A seat behind is for resting or coasting.

I tried a Step 'N Go at Gregg's Greenlake Cycle - but don't go there to check one out. (More on that later.) Starting up the slight incline on Woodlawn, I zig-zagged ever slower up a succession of hills, to the four-way stop at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Banner Way Northeast. Then I took it down for a lap around Green Lake. I got a fairly smooth ride, worked up a light sweat and, when a Metro bus passed by, was elevated enough to scare the passengers.

Two main drawbacks to the Step 'N Go: maneuverability and size. With two front wheels, it steered jerkily, like a go-cart (the manufacturer says that can be adjusted). In traffic I was nervous; Green Lake's bike path was better. But that was on a slow Monday morning - in a crowd it's probably too wide. Which is one reason Marty Pluth, Gregg's general manager, decided not to stock the Step 'N Go: Between walkers, joggers, dog-exercisers, skaters, baby strollers and conventional bicyclists around Green Lake, they already have their hands full. The Burke-Gilman might be better.

Direct from the Vermont manufacturer (1-800-648-7335), the Step 'N Go is $999 for a single-speed and $1,099 for a six-speed. It comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Now if I could only try it out in Denmark.

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Magazine. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NOTEBOOK

Health clubs pay consumers?

Far-fetched as it sounds, it is happening, thanks to legal action by the state attorney general's office against local health clubs. But the deadline for restitution is approaching. If you've had a problem with Hart's Athletic Club, Cascade Athletic Club or LivingWell Lady Health Club, call 1-800-692-5082 before Aug. 15. For a brochure on your rights when signing a health-club contract, call 1-800-551-4636.

Those aching feet

Judging from all the advice readers gave after I mentioned that my foot hurt, foot pain is a widespread problem. Here's a chance for some more free advice: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Thursday, state residents can call a toll-free number (1-800-311-0866) and speak to a podiatrist. It's a one-day service of the American Podiatric Medical Association, which has its convention in Seattle this year. The group also sends out free brochures on ailments and sport-related foot issues (1-800-FOOTCARE).

Recumbent News

For more information on recumbent cycling, for $3 the Recumbant Cycle Club of America - based in Renton - offers a sample copy of its magazine and a buyer's information pack. Write 17650-B6 140th Ave. S.E., Suite 341, Renton 98058, or call 630-7200.