Recumbent - Is the Rans Rocket significantly faster than a Rans Tailwind?

Significant = 4 mph or more faster

Well yeah, jeez, its a Rocket, whatdya expect?

Significant = 4 mph or more faster

It depends. A Rocket will most likely climb a little faster. But a faired Tailwind will do about the same as a Rocket on the flats. if not a little faster.

I don't know how he does it, but on his Rocket, my 18 year old son can keep up with the fast riders in our club and passes them uphill! The other day, he rode with a group cruising in the low 20 mph range and did fine...they asked if they weren't going fast enough for him :rolleyes:

Me, I can't keep up with him on my Vision R-40...not even close.

Starting to feel faster on my Tailwind than on my hybrid (except uphill) after 4 mo. of recumbent riding. But, that doesn't answer the question. Looks as if a Rocket would be a bit lighter and more aerodynamic than a Tailwind, just to look at the images on the Rans website. Is that accurate?

I own a Rocket and a Wave. (Wave is similar to a Tailwind, with a 16" front wheel)

Rocket is a little faster, Wave is a little easier.

Baring a super aerodynamic exception like a low rider, with the bikes being similar, top speed on flats is dependent on rear wheel size. I have a wave (same as a tailwind) and it just doesn't have near the same top speed as my Tour Easy. I once had the wave flip over backwards going up a steep inclined levy.

4 mph difference? Not likely. Other than the wheelbases, the bikes are very similar, and so are the speeds.

An 18 year old is faster on all bikes.

4 mph difference? Not likely. Other than the wheelbases, the bikes are very similar, and so are the speeds.

Agreed. There's only a four pound difference between the two bikes. If there were a 2 mile per hour difference, I would be surprised. When I tested both bikes years ago on the same day, they felt just as fast with Primo Comet tires. The only main issue is transporting the bikes for the Rocket is easier.