I'm interested in knowing of any Dual 26" SWB bents with suspension. If you have experience on one of these could you please share it? I am looking into purchasing my first bent and find these configurations interesting. I'm 6', about 225# and am looking for a fast bike that can handle the rough roads, trails, streets and curbs between my house and work with a nice plush ride and good control. Is there a turning radius/manoeuverability problem with these? Any plus/minus advise and brand advise would be appreciated.
Thank - coffeecat

You could get a Cruzbike kit to convert a dual-suspended mountain bike into a FWD bent. But I gotta say, if you plan on including curbs, maybe you'd be better off with a plain old mountain bike.

You could get a Cruzbike kit to convert a dual-suspended mountain bike into a FWD bent. But I gotta say, if you plan on including curbs, maybe you'd be better off with a plain old mountain bike.

Yeah, curbs are generally off-limits on a recumbent, unless you happen to have three wheels. Even then, you often risk scraping your undercarriage on the edge of the curb.

Two models that I've come across are the Optima Condor and the Azub. The latter isn't sold on this side of the pond from what I can see. Any riding experiences with 26/26 would be appreciated.

are you sure you even need suspension? The mesh backs and padded seats of most bents provide quite wonderful shock absorption all on its own, and to add a shock is sort of overkill, IMO.

..If you were willing to go without suspension and let the passive suspension of the bike plus the seats take over, there are a lot more options, like Rans.

HP Velotechnik makes dual suspension 'bents (no 26/26 models though):

http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/index_e.html

You can buy them from the Hostel Shoppe:

http://www.hostelshoppe.com/brol.php

I have ridden my Volae Expedition off curbs with no ill effects - obviously you have to go slow and take some care.

One more I just found is the Nazca Pioneer... again not sold over here but looks nice.
http://www.nazca-ligfietsen.nl/

Challenge has a Seiran model with dual 26" SWB and suspension (spring std, air optional). I have one that I ride on non-technical trails occasionally. I've done a curb once: I don't recommend it!

I like the suspension for bumpy trails, but big tires (1.5 - 2") work well too.