Recumbent - fastest LWB?

I know LWB's are generally held to be the kings of comfort, but does anyone know of any that have the potential to be fast? (and i mean unfaired) I guess the main issues would be weight and aerodynamics, the latter being somewhat fixable. So far i've heard of the RANS V2 formula, but let me know if you guys know of anything else.

The calfee stiletto will hold that record at least until the all carbon easy racer comes out, and maybe even then. I can pretty much guanrantee that.

Optima Baron are the fastest in our group (unfaired).

Oooops...the Baron is not a long wheelbase! My bad!

All else is nowhere close to equal though. The stiletto is as light as it gets, and weight makes a gigantic difference, as does riding position. The stiletto is a fast bike no holds barred, and have you SEEN how many prizes te/grrs have won????

Not to discount the worth of other bikes, but come on!


Assuming all else being equal, the smallest frontal profile is what buys the fastest 'bent. If max velocity is what your after, then running without a faring is counterproductive. Sans faring, the Stiletto and TE/GRR's are nothing more than expensive slugs because of the upright seating position. If you can keep it between the fence posts, the V26, might be one of the fastest.

Baron is my weapon of choice!


Oooops...the Baron is not a long wheelbase! My bad!

fairings make a 10% difference at best, and that only at significant speeds. I don't believe fairings are useful except to block winter weather. Unless of course it's a full body fairing, like a lightning f-40. Those can really move.

fairings make a 10% difference at best, and that only at significant speeds. I don't believe fairings are useful except to block winter weather. Unless of course it's a full body fairing, like a lightning f-40. Those can really move.

Hmmm...10% at best? One of our local riders has a TE with fairing/body sock and I've yet to see anyone AHEAD of him on a ride.
UNfaired, I'd have to vote for the Baron or similar configuration. Less frontal area = faster.

Biggest factor I would say is the....

MOTOR!!:D

I'd love to see what Lance could do with a Gold Rush or a Varna!!!

Hmmm...10% at best? One of our local riders has a TE with fairing/body sock and I've yet to see anyone AHEAD of him on a ride.
UNfaired, I'd have to vote for the Baron or similar configuration. Less frontal area = faster.

Biggest factor I would say is the....

MOTOR!!:D

I'd love to see what Lance could do with a Gold Rush or a Varna!!!

Lance who? I passed his behind on Ragbrai :) I ain't saying what happened after that ::)

The only LWB bent that I kind of like from a design perspective is a Rans Formula 26. If I ever was at a bike store that actually had one in stock I would be keen to take it out on a test ride.

http://www.ransbikes.com/V26formula.htm

http://www.ransbikes.com/images06/V2%2026/67v226.jpg

The only LWB bent that I kind of like from a design perspective is a Rans Formula 26. If I ever was at a bike store that actually had one in stock I would be keen to take it out on a test ride.

http://www.ransbikes.com/V26formula.htm

http://www.ransbikes.com/images06/V2%2026/67v226.jpg

Can you say "CROSSCHAINED"?

That's like showing a picture of an Enzo Ferrari.............................with a flat tire!!!

Lance who? I passed his behind on Ragbrai

LANCE WHO!?..............come on now!


I passed his behind on Ragbrai :) I ain't saying what happened after that ::)

...You flatted?

Hung in the paceline for about 5 miles after I passed him, then we hit a ginormous hill and I couldn't keep the speed :(. Note: Lance wasn't racing. Otherwise I'd have never seen the man :).


LANCE WHO!?..............come on now!



...You flatted?

I like my women like I like my bikes. Marginally straight, hard to handle, and nothing else matters but speed!


Unlike your Surly Long Haul Trucker, the RANS, Formula 26, has absolutely no urban manners. At speeds much below 10mph, the V26 mirrors that of a hyper 4-year-old on the candy isle at your local grocery outlet - unpredictable and requires constant attention. Excessive trail, yards of tiller, aft CoG and a monster front wheel, puts this design in the "for Battle Mountain use ONLY" catagory - on miles of desolate, arrow straight asphalt,... where nothing else matters but speed. Frankly speaking, I would strongly encourage a valid insurance policy before saddling this bastardized beast for city commutes.