Any opinions on these two?

[Grampy™]

I've narrowed down my choices to these two bikes. does anyone have any input/experience on either one? I'm a long time rider of wedgies but newbie to 'bents.

First choice: http://www.volaerecumbents.com/2005/volae_century.php

Second choice: http://www.lightningbikes.com/p38.htm

I definately want a SWB but I'm shying away from the 26/26 format because I've been told they are harder to stop/start with and your feet tend to fall asleep on longer rides. (I like to do 50+ mile rides every week)

[funbun]

Flip a coin. Six of one half a dozen of the other.

[Grampy™]

Flip a coin. Six of one half a dozen of the other.


Exactly my point..... which is why I was looking for someone with knowlege or experience of one or both of these bikes. :D

[Trsnrtr]

If you've never ridden the Volae, I'd get in the old jalopy and drive up to Steven's Point and ride one. :) They are a finely made machine.

[rwgreenberg]

Hi. I'm new to recumbents, but did ride a Lightning Phantom during my test riding phase. One thing about this bike that stood out in my mind was that the bottom of the seat was very square and made it a bit less than comfortable for me to plant my feet on the ground when the bike was stopped.

[Bryan J. Ball]

The Century is probably going to be a bit faster on flatter ground as it can lay back into a more aerodynamic position. It's also a very easy-to-ride bike but the bottom bracket is a bit higher than the P-38 and with the laid back hardshell seat, it may not be as comfortable to some peopl.

The P-38 has a more closed position and will probably climb a bit better. I've still found few bikes that climb quite as well as a P-38 does. The handling may be a bit twitchier than the Century at low speed but odds are that you'll find the position more comfortable. The seat is definitely one of the most comfortable out there. Some people find the 38 to be "too" closed and feel that their breathing is restricted on the bike. I get that way on the P-38 at the end of some really long and really steep rides but I still own one (me second). And as another poster pointed out... If you have short legs it's tougher to reach the ground on a P-38

[cyclistbrian]

As Bryan points out these bikes are quite different. I own a Volae and have ridden a Phantom which in terms of the seat and riding position is close enough to the P-38. The Volae feels like a very responsive sports car while the P-38 feels like a fighter jet. That's the best way I can describe the feeling of riding each bike. They are so different that you really have to spend some time riding both. This is especially important as you are new to 'bents. They are not all the same. The Volae is my third 'bent and I would advise you to learn from my mistake. Buying and selling 'bents is not a profitable proposition! Had I ridden more bikes when I was a newbie I would have settled on the Volae (or the similar feeling Bacchetta) from the first and saved myself a lot of time and money.

Both are well made, made in the U.S.A. and extremely fun to ride. You can't beat the Volae's Waterford built quality. The Lightning P-38 is an icon and a rare chance to own a hand built classic.