Touring - Recumbent touring bicycles

For health reasons which I don't want to get into, standard touring bicycles are no longer an option for me. But I still want to tour. Does anyone have recommendations for a recumbent touring bicycle or tricycle that can be used for multi-week tours?

Look at a HPVelo Street Machine.
I've ridden mine several thousand km in all sorts of
road conditions, it can carry a lot of weight, is very
comfortable (the SMGTe has a highly adjustable seat),
there is a good view of the terrain you are passing.
Some say it is a little slow, perhaps up hill it might be;
IMO depends upon the engine. I have the USS model,
which I think is more comfortable than OSS- but probably
it is easier to become familiar with a recumbent if it has
OSS.

My partner rides a Trice QNT (http://www.ice.hpv.co.uk/trikes/q.htm) and has been very happy with it - and after touring along some quite narrow paths, he's glad he went for the narrow track version!

Couple of links from our blog if you're interested in this option:
Initial assembly of Trice QNT (http://bikehippies.blogspot.com/2006/04/trike-has-arrived.html)
Touring on QNT vs. standard tourer (http://bikehippies.blogspot.com/2007/08/five-wheels.html)

Hel

If you haven't already, I'd post this in the recumbent forum.

I have a Vision VR-40 which I used on a much shortened tour of Nova Scotia one year (it was really, really bad weather!!!!) and don't see any reason not to use a recumbent for touring. Anyway, you might want to -if you haven't already -read up on long wheel base vs. medium wheel base vs. short wheelbase.

Some things to consider on a recumbent for touring:
i. you will more that likely only be able to get a recumbent with 32h wheels (assuming 26" or 700c size) -since you don't use your legs as shock absorbers, I'd recommend getting 36h wheels minimally.
ii. because of their unique design, you will more than likely require an adaptor to allow for pannier racks. Not a huge deal, just something else to figure in for cost.

If I was touring -and bearing in mind I'm not crazy about tricycles -I think I'd give the RANS Rocket a good look. It's been around for quite a time -drawback might be that it uses 20" wheels, but you can get replacement rims (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/rims/406.html) and certainly hubs shouldn't be a problem. Since the Rocket is one of the less expensive recumbents, relacing the wheels might still end up being very reasonable in terms of cost.

You might find this links from www.biketouringtips.com of interest:

www.recumbents.com is a site dedicated to recumbents, however, it doesn't seem to have a separate touring section. It also has a forum where you might find or ask for more information.

Ray

I second the HP Velotechnik Street Machine. I've done a couple of tours on mine, now, and it works great.

For health reasons which I don't want to get into, standard touring bicycles are no longer an option for me. But I still want to tour. Does anyone have recommendations for a recumbent touring bicycle or tricycle that can be used for multi-week tours?

http://bp0.blogger.com/_vUEhS0lU3eU/Rwq8mS7_ooI/AAAAAAAADKs/BKZYGUSKdxE/s400/ch+taifun.jpg

There are quite a few recumbents that would meet your needs - both 2 wheeled and three wheeled. I'd suggest you post your question at www.bentrideronline.com in the main discussion forum. You'll get lots of help.

To get some more targeted answers you'll need to explain what kinds of tours you have in mind:
- camping or hotels?
- how much gear do you carry?
- how far do you want to ride each day?
- what is your level of fitness?
- traveling solo or with someone else?
- where will you tour?
- do you want to use a trailer or panniers?
- will you be flying to the start or back from the end of your tour?
- what is your price range?
- is used okay or do you only want new?
- if you have any medical conditions or ergonomic issues what are they?

I've included a pic of the bent I bought for touring. Dual 406 wheeled Challenge Taifun from Holland.

I have a Rans Vrex (SWB, 20/26 wheels) and a Catrike Road trike, both of which I've toured with (pulling a Quick-Pak trailer). I prefer the Vrex (2 wheels) over the trike, but lots of folks love touring on trikes. Over time I've found that the trike requires more work to ride in traffic or bad roads. But that's just me. I'd check out www.crazyguyonabike.com for touring stories or www.bentrideronline.com for more help on selecting a recumbent.

Brian