Weight question?
 

Wife has Sun EZ-1 . I have a rans tailwind. We are both new recumbent riders. she weighs about 100 pounds less than me, and rides away faster, and I can't keep up with her. I thought the differences in our bikes would equalize things. Here is my question. Would me getting a bike with a 26 rear rather than a 20 make some of this problem go away. Is my only choice losing 100#? Any recommendations or comments are welcomed.

Your wife, on her bike, has a one-hundred pound advantage over you, on your bike.
She can out-accelerate you, she can out-brake you and she can out-climb you.

In my opinion, you can try any combination of three things:
-you can lose weight;
-your wife can gain weight;
-your wife can carry one hundred pounds of ballast with her, on her bike.

You asked if a larger diameter drive wheel would equalize things.
No, no it won't.
Just mounting a larger-diameter wheel in place of the stock wheel
will only change your gear ratio: you would be pushing higher gears
and life on your bicycle would be even more difficult for you.

Good luck!

Ask you wife to slow down? When my wife rides with me (rarely), I let her set the pace (I am faster than her), she leads, and she tells us when to stop for breaks.

Until your engine gets stronger, I would politely suggest you reverse the above. You lead, set the pace, etc...

Is she out riding with you for your company, or to do her own thing and ride for a work-out? Teach her to practice spinning and have her use lower gears, get a dog, and trailer (or kid) and have her do the pulling.

Lastly, get some sort of tandem - DF, recumbent, or trike?

Thanks everyone for the posts. Looks like I just need to lose some pounds. No other option. I need to anyway.
Thanks,
Bill

I kept up with her today. I discovered my rear brake was dragging. Fixed that and all was good. I think my wife did that! :)
Thanks,
Bill

I think these are the only two options. She might have to gain 100 pounds...

I hate to be the one to say this but it's the motor.

Glad you found your 'draggy' brake... now you can lose at least some of those pounds and equalize even more the speed needed to stay together. Enjoy