Recumbent - Recumbents vs DF: Speed, Stability, & Maneuverability

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Had a surgery and back issues recently and now considering to make the switch to a bent. I have spent significant time on google/bentrideronline looking at different low-racer, high-racer, compact WB, LWB, etc...., and have just ended up even more confused. It seems that the bent market is extremely segmented with models specifically for flats, low-speed vs high-speed stability, commuting, touring, ... What I want is fairly simple (I guess) and would seem to be a common set of desires from those of us making the switch from DF:

1. Bike Club: Need to keep up with the other DF riders--this means average speeds of 35-40 kph (peaking at 55 kph) on the flats with severe headwinds/crosswinds. Hills are not much of an issue at this point in time.
2. Commuting: Bike paths, bike barriers, and bike-challenged--so need to swerve, stop, accelerate, and maneuver slowly through packs of riders

Is there one bent that can do both of the above? So far, my research shows the P38, GRR, and RANS V2 are possibilities--which leads me to my second problem. I live in Asia, around 10+ hours flight from any place to try a recumbent bike and would probably be the first in HK to own such a bike--so will need to order online.

About me: I ride a Lemond Tete De Course (Titanium + Carbon)--sweet DF bike; am 185cm (6'1"), 170 pounds, fairly fit except for the lower back issue, and have both the leg power and the mental ability to build up any required leg muscles in order to keep up with the DF club racers. I also have a trike (ICE QNT), but it is not suitable for commuting (tight spaces on bike paths and doorways), and is still slower than the DF's.

Do the readers have any good suggestions which bent would be the best for me? (or links to other threads discussing similar problems).

I don't think both of your objectives will be met by a single bike. For the bike club a high-racer or low racer would best enable you to keep up with the pack.

But most bent riders wouldn't want to commute on such a bike in the conditions you describe. A 26/20 with panniers and heavy puncture resistant tires would be ideal for that purpose.

I own a Bacchetta Giro 20 and will soon receive a Corsa 24. The former is a wonderfully comfortable and manueverable bike that I can ride for hours, but it doesn't feel "fast" so I bought the Corsa 24 which will be used for most of my riding. The Giro 20 will now be used for trotting my dog around the neighborhood, riding with my wife (on her Giro 20) and lending to neighbors who want to try a bent.

One bike that may fit both your needs is the HP Veloteknik (sp?) speedmachine. It's a very fast quasi-low racer with a nice suspension system that can be fitted with racks for touring. It is heavy at 33 lbs but you say hills aren't part of the equation so it may work well for you. If you are riding in traffic it may be too low for the desired visibility to cars but it would definitely be fast enough for your club riding.

An optima baron is lighter and I believe would be faster than a speedmachine. Fairly good response, can make u-turns when needed. The club would be trying to keep up with you though.

The trouble with lowracers is, they don't mix well with uprights. Your head is at the level of their top tubes. They'll get no draft from you, and they'll be forever feeling like they're tripping over you, so that means you either hang off the back of the group or you leave them behind - neither solution is very sociable. LWBs are a bit too low for them to draft, too. OTOH, if you got something like a P-38 with a fairing, you'd be pretty fast, you'd be a little higher, and they'd get a draft.

About the fairing: it moves the high pressure zone of your bike forward into the draft of the guy in front; otherwise the air coming off the rider in front of you goes right over your feet and hits you in the chest. Bad for speed! With the fairing, it hits the top of the fairing and smoothly deflects past your shoulders. In spite of streamlining you in front, it leaves a bigger 'hole' behind you, too; which the next bike in the line can take advantage of. So the fairing is what makes the SWB work better in a pack.

Are there no bike manufacturers around that you can talk to & try to get a custom bent built?

globalrf - a happy new year to you too!

After seven years of riding a DF semi competitively I switch to a mid-racer bent 5 months ago after I took interest in a friends imported bent. Just wanted to try something different. A month ago I suffered a lower back injury requiring minor hospitalisation. Two days later however I was able to ride my bent even though standing was still difficult at the time. Not sure I could have done this on my DF.
I regularly ride with a couple of fast bunches and what I lack on the hills I easily make up for on the flats often riding off the front of the bunch to the friendly jeers of my mates! The speeds you require for bunch riding are attainable for less effort on a bent however it's important to remember that it takes a few months to get your "bent legs". The emphasis on your muscles is quite different.

The manouverability of a Highracer seems better suited for commuting and bunch riding (having also ridden an LWB). As mentioned in the previous post you also sit at a closer level for conversing with DF riders. Your height and weight would be easily accommodated on a highracer.

A couple of options to consider.
A friend of mine in New Zealand imported a Volae Highracer. It is a beautifully built bent and he speaks highly of the service and support he received from Volae. This was of key importance to him being that his was an online purchase.
Bacchetta have one of the best ranges of highracers and appear to have good adjustablity. Also seem to be great quality for the price.

Hope to hear you're riding soon!

Best regards

Steve
New Zealand

A friend of mine in New Zealand imported a Volae Highracer. It is a beautifully built bent and he speaks highly of the service and support he received from Volae. This was of key importance to him being that his was an online purchase.

http://www.volaerecumbents.com/2007/images/volaeEScollage.jpg

I owned a Volae dual 26" highracer (http://www.volaerecumbents.com/) - they are very well made and as long as you have long enough legs riding in town isn't bad - perhaps consider the Century 20/26 SWB (http://www.volaerecumbents.com/2007/volae_century.php). It is fast, but should handle commuting better than a dual 26" bent. Volae now have a break apart frame option - so you could order just a frame w/ seat and get it built up at home. That would save $$$ on shipping and if you ever wanted to travel with your bent it would be much easier.

http://www.volaerecumbents.com/2007/images/lg_07century.jpg

China Mascot is in Taipei, maybe you can visit for test rides. Their High Racer might work for you. http://www.cm-tw.com/Product-2006630112036.html
With the nimble short wheebase and lowish BB, it's fairly city-friendly for a high racer.

As for keeping up club racers, it can be done but you will need at least 3-4 months to build up the muscles.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I have heard about Volae, but not much positive (or negative) reviews on the net. The fairing on the Volae seems a bit "small" to be effective. Though on my commute, the cross-winds can hit 30-40 kph, so a more complete fairing could be dangerous.

I cannot get anything custom built here in HK--there are no frame-makers here. I am fairly leary of anything that comes directly from a Taiwanese manufacturer--their customer service is non-existent and the QA is sparse at best.

I guess I should have been a little more clear about my commute--it differs from the standard western commute. Since I have a complete wardrobe at work, I don't need any panniers. The bike paths, except for the moving obstacles, are fairly clear of any debris--I was commuting to work on a DF with 700x23 racing slicks two months ago.

Thanks again.

-C

I suggest you also log on to BentRider Online LINK (http://www.bentrideronline.com/) and both post your question AND search on a word such as "commuter" or "commuting". I believe BentRider is about the largest recumbent forum on the Internet. You might even find other recumbent cyclists in your part of the world.

The Volae's are nice highracers. The dual 559 or 650 wheel models may not be as suitable for shorter cyclists, in which case their models with a smaller front wheel (Century and Tour models) may be better choices. The Volae frame is built by Waterford, a highly regarded framemaker. The people at Hostel Shoppe have a very good customer service reputation and the frames are available in more sizes than several other highracer manufacturers. I do not own a Volae, but if you go to the BentRider Online Message Board, search "Volae", I think you will see several posts from satisfied customers. The main drawback for you is they are on the other side of the globe.

The HP model mentioned by another poster is also well regarded, although I have never ridden one (unlike the Volae).

It is unfortunate you do not have a local bicycle store that carries a selection of recumbents. There is a wide variety of frame types; I was fortunate to have a local shop that carried three different manufacturers (Bacchetta, Rans, & EasyRacers) in a variety of frame types and sizes.

posted the same question to bentrideronline.com, so apologies to those who have to see it twice.

I dont mind a bike made in Taiwan, it is that most of the factories there will only deal directly with large customers. I don't mind paying the shipping costs if I can work with a LBS in the states/europe. I know about 'bent muscles and I am quite willing to put the time and energy into developing them (I wonder how close a 2-wheeled 'bent muscle group compares to a trike...)

As for the DF shunning me? They already do that as I am one of the few who not only doesn't wear a bunch of advertisements in the form of bright colored jerseys, but also western. I also have a core group of DF riders who have no choice but to accept me--no matter what I ride since I am their boss.... :-) Plus, as far as I know, I will be the first 'bent rider in HK.

So, looking for a good entry level 2-wheel bent where if I am willing to put in the miles I can keep up with the DF guys and still be able to navigate the morning/evening commute on a narrow bike path.

Suggestions so far are:
1. Volae: Good customer service, fast bike
2. HP Streetmachine: Heavy, but fast
3. Gold Rush (GRR): Easy to ride, speed and maneuverability unknown
4. P-38: Fast, unknown about ease of riding and maneuverability

Thanks,

-C

Correction: the HP Streetmachine is heavy and extremely durable, but I would not say it is especially fast.

If you would like to go low and fast, maybe start with Challenge:
http://www.challenge-recumbents.com/

If you are located in Asia already, in my opinion, you need not spend the money to get a US or Euro made recumbent with extra shipping cost. Taiwanwse made recumbents are very high in quality, just check out:

http://www.performer.com.tw/

I think below is an excellent bike for your needs:

http://www.performer.com.tw/performer/images/Agenda.JPG

or carbon fiber version:

http://www.performer.com.tw/performer/images/DSCN1133.JPG


About speed, maneuverability and stability, they are all depended on the rider, not so much of the bike..
If you spend as much time riding any recumbent as your DF bike, you would probably just as stable or maneuverable on the recumbent.

Good luck on your purchse.