My recumbent speed.

[N_C]

If you don't mind I'd like to share how fast/slow I am on my recumbent since I switched over 5 years ago from a wedgie.

I am posting this because I know there have threads on the speed advantage issue with recumbents, there have even been debates about it. So I just thought I'd share mow fast/slow I am on mine compared to when I had a wedgie.

Please feel free to share yours.

Flat with no or very little wind: The same speed as I rode on a wedgie.
Flat with headwind: Faster by about 3 to 5 mph then on a wedgie.
Flat with tail wind: faster by up to 10 to 12 mph then on a wedgie.
Uphill regardless of wind: Slower by about 2 to 3 mph then on a wedgie.
Downhill regardless of wind: Faster by up to 10 to 15 mph then on a wedgie.

[cfblue]

A Rans Stratus with fairing was the first set of two wheels I could sustain a cruising speed of 20+, now I can do it on my Windcheetah and on the wedgie. My personal best on my training course, 20 miles, with some short but steep hills is still the wedgie. My corsa was much faster on the flats but lost the average speed because I live with hills and must deal with them.

What is your bent that you are showing these improvements on, and when was the last time you rode the wedgie to compare?

[N_C]

A Rans Stratus with fairing was the first set of two wheels I could sustain a cruising speed of 20+, now I can do it on my Windcheetah and on the wedgie. My personal best on my training course, 20 miles, with some short but steep hills is still the wedgie. My corsa was much faster on the flats but lost the average speed because I live with hills and must deal with them.

What is your bent that you are showing these improvements on, and when was the last time you rode the wedgie to compare?

My wedgie was a TREK 470 road bike. My recumbent is a Vision R40 SWB with OSS, 02" front wheel, 26" rear wheel.

[atom bomb]

25 mile loop, rolling hills, about 12 stop lights.

Average speeds at same effort (computer on "auto" from ride start to ride stop - I ride this loop a LOT):

Raleigh (aluminum) road bike - 16-17 mph
Catrike Road (tadpole trike) - 17-18 mph
Bacchetta Strada (SWB dual 650c) - 18-19 mph
Optima Baron (SWB lowracer) - 18-19 mph
Reynolds T-Bone (SWB titanium "midracer") with tail fairing - 19-20 mph (sold this one...)