Talk:Prone bicycle

The term "prone" applies to the belly-down body position. It is the opposite of recumbent. Therefore, the term "recumbent" should not be used in this article except to contrast to two types of bicycles. Jpittner (talk) 17:10, 29 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

recumbent refers to both the prone and the supine position. --Eva K. ^{is evil} 17:20, 5 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The OED says:

recumbent adj.

2. a. Of a person, animal, or thing: leaning, reclining; lying down.

2. b. Of posture: leaning, reclining, lying.

supine a.

1. Lying on one's back, lying with the face or front upward.

prone adj.

4. Having a downward aspect or direction; having a downward or descending inclination or slope; (also) steeply or vertically descending, headlong.

5. b. Of (the posture or attitude of) a person or animal: such that the belly is next to the ground, or lies beneath the body; lying face downwards or on one's belly; bending forward and downward; facing downwards.

So, I don't see prone being the opposite of recumbent, according to non-cycling-specific dictionaries. -AndrewDressel (talk) 19:19, 5 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

However, Wilson, on page 444 of Bicycling Science, specifically defines recumbent bicycles as having "pedals ... out in front of the body," and Sheldon Brown, on his web site, refers to the "feet-first position of the recumbent rider," so it appears that the prone position is excluded from recumbent bicycles by the published authorities. -AndrewDressel (talk) 14:13, 2 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]