Recumbent - lowracer blazing pedals: Low Racer ?

Someone I know lives in a very hilly area like Colorado long climbs. Any of you have experience with a low racer on roads like this? If so how is the hill climbing ability of low racers? On something like a No Com or VK2, where do you put or hang or store hydration and stuff for long rides?

Thanks

Slo Joe

I don't have any problem climbing with the baron or the vk-2. The vk-2 is of course lighter and climbs a bit faster. When riding in Tennessee and New York, we had some fairly long climbs. John and I didn't climb really any slower and faster than the uprights on the hills, although we sure decended them a whole lot faster. It just takes building up the leg muscles and the cardio vascular. Its really not so much about the bike as it is the conditioning of the rider. I'm a fast climber even for my 200 lb body weight. I'm 6-1. End of the summer I'm in the low 190's normally. I've found that faster and more agile climbing can be attained on the lower by lifting the back off the seat and pivoting on the butt. This unweights the back wheel and makes the entire bike feel much lighter and allows you to utilize some different leg muscles and get your body into a rocking almost running type of motion. I was outclimbing the guys on Aeros out in New York at the bentride and even got the comment...... " geez.... I guess lowracers can climb!"

Still, the same rider climbing on a wedgie on a long climb will still beat the lowracer climbing speed.

oN long rides I use a fastback bag with a 90 oz camelback bladder. It hangs alongside the seat.

Thanks... yah tis about the engine. I sucked going up hills on a DF and I still am a slug on a bent.

Forgot to ask a couple of other questions: Do you get any draft being behind DF's? This guy will be doing rides with his DF friends I'm sure.

Also, riding in traffic? My theory is that car drivers can see something as small as a beer bottle on the road, thus they should be able to see a bike. Plus I've found on my bent or trike that cars give me a wider berth when passing except for the occasional idjit. He won't be driving in any city traffic so that's no concern.

Thanks again for the insight to pass on to him.

Yes you can draft behind roadies just fine. I've never had a problem with cars. Recumbents not being seen by cars vs roadbikes is a myth. Cars give me more room than when I was on my mountian or road bike cruising the roads.

I know a woman who pulled out in front of a semi because she 'didn't see it.' OTOH, most drivers will see a squirrel darting out into the road. So size isn't the issue, it's whether or not the drivers are looking for you.

I know a woman who pulled out in front of a semi because she 'didn't see it.' OTOH, most drivers will see a squirrel darting out into the road. So size isn't the issue, it's whether or not the drivers are looking for you.

No arguement here. I'm on the side that says a distraction, mind vapors, radio changing, eating, booze, cell phones, dropped something on the floor and bend over to pick it up, etc. is probably what happened when a cyclist has been hit by a car. Then again, I'm also of the mind set to do something to make me more visible, so I will use a flag on a busy road. Counter arguement: The driver then focuses on you and drives towards you.

Do you guys ride your lowracers on busy streets?

I used to ride mine to work in the summer. I work in downtown Lansing, Michigan (pop 128000). Not exactly heavy traffic, but the only problems I ever had were when I rode my hybrid. Now that was invisible to cars!