Recumbent - Bent Speed Comparison

No, I'm not going in that direction...

I ride an EZ-1 and I want to get a larger/faster bent, but for those who have upgraded, how much faster have you found yourself traveling from point A to B on a lighter/faster bent? Carbon and titanium frames aside.

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

I have a Haluzak recumbent for touring, I thought it was zippy when I bought it. I bought a Volae Club and it is much faster. I think I average about 3 miles an hour faster on it. It is as fast as my Trek carbon fiber postal bike, but a LOT more comfortable. I love the highracer.

My BikeE was my first bent and I thought it was great...until I tried a P-38 Lightning! The P-38 was quite a bit faster than the BikeE, but I didn't care for the small front wheel, so I ended up with a Bacchetta Strada that I changed the 26" wheels out for 700c wheels. It wasn't much faster, but it is more comfortable. What I really enjoyed more than the speed increase was the variety each bent provided. I also tried a Linear LWB with USS, and a Trek R200 since it was "only" $600. I traded the Linear, but I still miss it sometimes.

Bottom line is that speed isn't everything, but a smooth efficient bike is just a joy to ride.

Enjoy your ride(s)!

My BikeE was my first bent and I thought it was great...until I tried a P-38 Lightning! The P-38 was quite a bit faster than the BikeE, but I didn't care for the small front wheel, so I ended up with a Bacchetta Strada that I changed the 26" wheels out for 700c wheels. It wasn't much faster, but it is more comfortable. What I really enjoyed more than the speed increase was the variety each bent provided. I also tried a Linear LWB with USS, and a Trek R200 since it was "only" $600. I traded the Linear, but I still miss it sometimes.

Bottom line is that speed isn't everything, but a smooth efficient bike is just a joy to ride.

Enjoy your ride(s)!

I guess you're more on my wavelength than I thought. A more efficient bike is just fine, the speed follows from there and I'm surprised you responded to the P-38 like that, I hear they are quick and enjoyable. But, with my 20/16, I can appreciate wanting to have larger wheels to roll on. What is the difference between the Strada and the Corsa?

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

I have a Haluzak recumbent for touring, I thought it was zippy when I bought it. I bought a Volae Club and it is much faster. I think I average about 3 miles an hour faster on it. It is as fast as my Trek carbon fiber postal bike, but a LOT more comfortable. I love the highracer.

Is the Club a dual 20 or dual 26"?

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

Volae makes only large/small or large/large (wheels) SWB's.

What is the difference between the Strada and the Corsa?

Strada: steel frame, Corsa: aluminum frame, and maybe some component differences.


Is the Club a dual 20 or dual 26"?
Volae website: http://www.volaerecumbents.com/2010/volae_recumbents.php

My BikeE was my first bent and I thought it was great...until I tried a P-38 Lightning! The P-38 was quite a bit faster than the BikeE, but I didn't care for the small front wheel, so I ended up with a Bacchetta Strada that I changed the 26" wheels out for 700c wheels. It wasn't much faster, but it is more comfortable. What I really enjoyed more than the speed increase was the variety each bent provided. I also tried a Linear LWB with USS, and a Trek R200 since it was "only" $600. I traded the Linear, but I still miss it sometimes.

Bottom line is that speed isn't everything, but a smooth efficient bike is just a joy to ride.

Enjoy your ride(s)!

Still have your R200? That was my first bent and a good level road pace is about 15mph for me on this bike. Bought the "Made for" rear rack and used it on a 1800 mile tour, worked great.


My next upgrade was a AB HiRacer and 18 mph is a normal road speed with about the same effort. Next was my Performer/AB lowracer which is about 1 1/2 mph faster on level road.

I also like the more laid back position on both the HiRacer and LowRacer over the more upright seat on my R200. Assuming your Strada is more comfortable than either the P-38 and R200. Did the 700 wheels on your Strada dgive you much of a boost in performance? What prompted the change for ditching the 26" wheels?

Still have your R200? That was my first bent and a good level road pace is about 15mph for me on this bike. Bought the "Made for" rear rack and used it on a 1800 mile tour, worked great.

My next upgrade was a AB HiRacer and 18 mph is a normal road speed with about the same effort. Next was my Performer/AB lowracer which is about 1 1/2 mph faster on level road.

I also like the more laid back position on both the HiRacer and LowRacer over the more upright seat on my R200. Assuming your Strada is more comfortable than either the P-38 and R200. Did the 700 wheels on your Strada dgive you much of a boost in performance? What prompted the change for ditching the 26" wheels?

As for my R200, I still have it, but would like to sell it (very difficult in Hawaii). I also have the custom rear rack, but didn't really care for it. I can't imagine doing a long tour on the R200, so hats off to you!

I changed the Strada wheels to 700c to try and get more speed and comfort as well as getting a disc brake on the front with a new fork and wheels. I ended up with a Spinergy 26" front wheel and a Spinergy 700c rear wheel. I felt like I could maintain a cruising speed of 17 to 18 mph a little easier with the 700c rear wheel.

As for the Strada seat, I have the Euromesh seat with Ventisit pad combination that works out really well. I wish I could move this seat on to my current project, the Cruzbike Silvio. Overall, I like the Silvio a lot, so we'll see how I do on the metric century next week.

Update: The Haleiwa Metric Century was great on the Silvio! Took my time on the way out, but I actually felt better on the way back and pretty easily maintained 18 to 20 mph on some long stretches and I didn't stop to rest the whole way back. Pretty flat ride except for 2 mild hills, hardly any stops, beautiful north shore scenery-- I'll do this ride again next year!

Is the Club a dual 20 or dual 26"?

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

The Club is a dual 650. I just turned over 2000 miles on the original tires.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2419493846_96d327ab99_b.jpg

I maintained a 25kph avg speed through a 300km loop in the Canadian Rockies on my Challenge Fujin SL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157603996208410/). I could rock 45-50kph for a few kms on the flats full out, but that would result in total burn out.