Recumbent - Which SWB Recumbent

I am thinking about getting another recumbent but this time I want a SWB. My first and only was a Rans V2 and although it was fast, it was too difficult to transport and I ended up selling it. I am thinking of a V-Rex or F5 or possibly a Bachetta Giro. There is a Rans dealer fairly close to me so all things being equal, that would be my first choice. The V-rex has been around a lot of years which does sway me but would like to hear back from those of you with more experience.

I've got a RANS Rocket and I love it. It is nice an nippy and the equal size wheels means I only have to carry one spare tube. There is pedal/front wheel overlap with the short boom though.

I'd suggest that you try a variety of SWB's, if possible, to see what one you like best.

I love my Rocket!

If I drop the back seat, I can transport it in the trunk of my Accord.

The v-rex and bacchetta line are different animals. Primary purpose for bike?

From Craigslist, under $500, my Vision R40 has been the most compact SWB, takes up little storage room, easy to transport by car, bus or train. I could fit two complete Vision R40s with weekend/wedding getaway luggage (with riding gear) and two people inside of my tiny 1990 Mazda 323 2-door hatchback car for 4 day vacation.

The v-rex and bacchetta line are different animals. Primary purpose for bike?

I was thinking the same thing. The intended use is the first thing to consider. Recumbents can change wildly depending on use. For instance, both the HP Streetmachine and Barcroft Oregon are SWB. But their uses are wildly different.

I've got both a VRex and a Force 5 le. Both are great bikes, but very different. For the open road, the F5 far better - faster rolling and smoother riding especially on chipseal (which is unavoidable hereabouts). For commuting, the VRex is my first choice - upright position and lower bb make starting and stopping easier, and the upright seat (50 deg vs 25 deg on the f5) is much more traffic-friendly. FWIW, I rode the VRex on a (HILLY!) 200km brevet last fall in gawdawful windy conditions, and turned my second fastest time ever for that distance (it was my first brevet on a 'bent), so it's no slug.

If I had to choose one, it'd be the F5, but I'd be very reluctant to let go of the 'Rex.

Scott P
Bend, OR

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I would primarily be using it for long road rides. I do several century's every year and the occasional 150 mile ride. I wouldn't use it for commuting. I should add that I am about 6'05" so some brands might accommodate taller folks better than others.

It sounds like the reason to be more upright is for starting and stopping a lot. So if person just planned on using it for the road, would a lower seat angle would be the way to go?

Lastly, I was looking at the Hostel Shoppes site and the Volae's also look appealing.

Man I'd go straight to the Bacchetta Corsa. do not pass go, do not collect 200 bucks. Anything else is speed lost!

Unless you don't care about speed, in which case I'd go with the Strada or the Giro