Challenge Bikes (
www.challengebikes.com) has just announced a new line of super light recumbents. Most of the bikes in the line weigh around 21 lbs. I have a Fujin Super Light on order, and it likely will be the first Fujin SL to hit the US (in 2-3 weeks). It will be equipped with a Rohloff Speedhub and Shlumpf Mountain Drive (no more derailleurs!), which in cobmination will provide much better gearing for hill climbing as well as higher speeds on the flat and downhill. Plus the Rohloff enables gear changes while stopped, a real advantage on a recumbent.
More information on the Challenge SLs can be found here:
http://www.challengebikes.com/html/index.php?taal=en
Here are photos of the prototype Fujin SL and the production model. Typical of all Challenge bikes, the Fujin is beautifully made and a marvelous work of design and aesthetics, with many innovations. At around or under $3,000, the Fujin SL is a great buy.
