My office banned bicycles inside the building for 10 years. During that time I owned a number of 20 inch bicycles. They were all folders of different brands and mix. For me, the Birdy was one of the fastest ones.

Then the school changed policy and allowed big bikes in the office. I bought a recumbent high racer. A very fast one. (Bacchetta). After that, I owned an even faster one. (M5 Carbon high racer.).

I rode these two bikes for about 10 years collectively. They both have 700 C wheels on these bikes even though I am getting older I am about 5 miles an hour faster on the M5 CHR than the Birdy.

Now in Thailand, I have a regular Trek Emonda Road bike, which I’ve been riding for three years. This bike is about 4 miles an hour slower than my recumbent on the flat. I still ride my recumbent when back in New York, and the speed difference is consistent.

I’m not sure that these data are worth anything, but I do know my power output and I do know my CDA. On the recumbent my FTP is about 180. On the Emonda It is about 210. The M5 CdA is .15 on the Trek it is probably about .3. Both have continental 5000 tires.

Power is lower on the recumbent because I am laying down and cannot recruit my glutes. But still about 4mph faster on that bike than my racing bike on the flats. On very steep hills, the Emonda is much faster. On rollers the recumbent is much faster.

Both bikes leave the Birdy in the dust. The Birdy has bullhorns and a reasonably aero position. The tires are slower Kojaks.

Apologies for the typos I’m dictating into my phone