Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Bicycle Science, 3rd edition, p. 244. Go through the calculations, change the center of gravity and see what happens to deceleration. Tandems and recumbents don't have the same limitations due to their length and load. This is the money quote, however
Long-wheelbase recumbents can lock up the front brake easily on sketchy surfaces. (Mine has- weird feeling.)
Short-wheelbase recumbents can brake really well because the front wheel takes all the load without lifting the rear wheel. My Lightning is the best-braking bike I've ever had, bar none.