Anyone built their own bike frame before?

[Bogo]

I guess due to the fact that the rider is not using gravity to pedal, he has to equally try to push against the pedals forcing his or her back against the seat to get the same effect. I imagine this is not as efficient then peddling in the upright fashion, that there needs to be lower gearing to make it possible to climb steep hills.

For recumbents one should use toe clips so you can push with one leg and pull with the other. When the pulling up leg is built up enough it can counter the full force of the pushing leg.

What is lost for climbing is more than made up for in lowered drag on flat ground and down slopes.