Interested in recumbent, but need info
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Nah. It's just a bike. It cannot be 'faster' than any other bike of similar weight, seat recline, gearing, etc. The speed is in the rider. And most riders (unless MBB prodigies) won't be faster on a Cruzbike than on something more conventional for some time. But, nice try.
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I am, and my wife is (faster). We are not MBB prodigies. I do believe the vast majority of average people have the dexterity needed to ride a MBB. It is not the giant challenge some make it out to be. The original question starting this thread is, "I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...". I can tell you Cruzbike thinks their bike is faster than the one you are on. If not they will give you your money back and pay the shipping cost. Thats a pretty good deal for someone who is interested in going recumbent. I can also tell you that Cruzbike has wind tunnel tested the Vendetta with three different body types and released this data to the public. You can compare these results to other DF tests for more eye opening revelations. If you have an accurate idea of your cruising wattage numbers you can come very close to determining your real world criusing speeds on the Vendetta using this data. Beware, 130 watts can turn some impressive numbers.
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I am, and my wife is (faster). We are not MBB prodigies. I do believe the vast majority of average people have the dexterity needed to ride a MBB. It is not the giant challenge some make it out to be. The original question starting this thread is, "I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...". I can tell you Cruzbike thinks their bike is faster than the one you are on. If not they will give you your money back and pay the shipping cost. Thats a pretty good deal for someone who is interested in going recumbent. I can also tell you that Cruzbike has wind tunnel tested the Vendetta with three different body types and released this data to the public. You can compare these results to other DF tests for more eye opening revelations. If you have an accurate idea of your cruising wattage numbers you can come very close to determining your real world criusing speeds on the Vendetta using this data. Beware, 130 watts can turn some impressive numbers.
Is the Vendetta even on the list of bikes being sold on the incentivized purchase plan? You mention comparing the Vendetta wind tunnel tests to DF tests ... seriously?! How about comparing Vendetta tests to Saki tests! Performer didn't have to do anything special to sell me a Saki except build it. I did the rest. The strategy also seems to work for Trek, Giant, Specialized, et al. Clearly speed isn't something I care about in a recumbent or I wouldn't have fenders, a pump, front/rear storage bags, etc. hanging off it. I'm assuming, but I don't think I'd be too far wrong in assuming that the model of Cruzbike that is in the price area of Saki would be butt ugly. I couldn't afford a Vendetta even if I wanted one and I don't see that Cruzbike is prepared to address that particular aspect of things. Are you getting a commission for your sales outreach? How does that work?
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You really should check the links so you know what they are before you make posts against them. Now, go back and find the linked guarantee above which has been posted at least twice. Yes, they claim their bike is faster than the one you are on, yes they spell it out very well, yes, check out the climbing part. Pretty gutsy huh?
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Read the reviews on <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->different websites before buying a recumbent bike. These reviews will help you in making the right decision.
#31
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Recumbent vs DF
We have gotten together more than once with my cousins and ridden the Katy Trail more than once. With the trail being a fine packed gravel your speed does not go much over 12 mph if you want to keep a comfortable pace. That is regardless of what type of bike is ridden.
The first time we rode the trail it was on DF's. A couple of years later we rode it again with recumbents. What we found out was that the speed was about the same between the DF's and the 'bents. The comfort factor on the recumbents over a long distance is what really makes a difference. We were able to go a longer distance in a day's time with the 'bents because of that. I was riding a Sun EZ-1 on the second trip; a Raleigh Grand Prix on the first. The Sun has a top speed of 15mph for me with the gearing on it. What does help greatly are high pressure tires on a recumbent.
With recumbents (at least with the Sun's) with the extra seat padding you really don't need the padded shorts. Moisture wicking fabric is the main thing.
PhilWinIL
The first time we rode the trail it was on DF's. A couple of years later we rode it again with recumbents. What we found out was that the speed was about the same between the DF's and the 'bents. The comfort factor on the recumbents over a long distance is what really makes a difference. We were able to go a longer distance in a day's time with the 'bents because of that. I was riding a Sun EZ-1 on the second trip; a Raleigh Grand Prix on the first. The Sun has a top speed of 15mph for me with the gearing on it. What does help greatly are high pressure tires on a recumbent.
With recumbents (at least with the Sun's) with the extra seat padding you really don't need the padded shorts. Moisture wicking fabric is the main thing.
PhilWinIL
#32
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To put it another way, I've seen Cruzbikes in action, and don't believe they're faster than other lowracers or highracers. I wouldn't recommend a MBB bike to any first-time recumbent buyers. Maybe for an upgrade buyer, someone who can obtain an extensive test-ride first... MBB just adds one more thing to master before the bike can be ridden. Besides, most first-timers are going to look for a used bike, in which case the Cruzbike 'guarantee' is worthless. I'm sure my friend, who bought his Silvio used, would love to return it to CB for his money back. We all know that's not going to happen, though.
Last edited by BlazingPedals; 03-01-21 at 08:26 AM.
#33
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I looked on the forums, but didn't find a thread on this. I am sure I missed one or multiple somewhere. I do apologize if I did, I am still looking.
I have been riding my df road bike for over years now, just getting back into it after 20 yrs. while I love my road bike, I am curious as to the performance of a recumbent(mainly trike) compared to a decent road bike. through normal ride on the road in my location I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...
I have been riding my df road bike for over years now, just getting back into it after 20 yrs. while I love my road bike, I am curious as to the performance of a recumbent(mainly trike) compared to a decent road bike. through normal ride on the road in my location I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...
#34
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I looked on the forums, but didn't find a thread on this. I am sure I missed one or multiple somewhere. I do apologize if I did, I am still looking.
I have been riding my df road bike for over years now, just getting back into it after 20 yrs. while I love my road bike, I am curious as to the performance of a recumbent(mainly trike) compared to a decent road bike. through normal ride on the road in my location I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...
I have been riding my df road bike for over years now, just getting back into it after 20 yrs. while I love my road bike, I am curious as to the performance of a recumbent(mainly trike) compared to a decent road bike. through normal ride on the road in my location I avg about 14-16mph with hills and flats. do recumbent bikes/trikes perform as well as regular road bikes? any advice, or information you can give would be greatly appreciated...
Last year I purchased a Sun EZ Sport. It is a longer bike but about the same in weight. The down side to 'bents is that you cannot stand on the pedals when going uphill. You have to downshift and go at a slower pace when going uphill. This year I decided to add an e-assist to the Sport. It may sound like overkill, but I'm looking at Father Time too. With the assist it becomes a nice commuter bike. You can find some photos of it in various stages out on Dropbox. Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4rs7sgkq2...uKkdUINVa?dl=0
I found the best location for the battery on the lower bar of the frame. The rack in back made the wiring too tight so it was moved and the controller box mounted under the seat.
i just took it out for a longer test ride Friday. Speed was at 18-20, 23 depending on the terrain and wind. Wind speed was hitting 20-25+. I would not have tried it on a DF!
#35
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In my experience I get way more respect on the road on a trike than a DF or 2 wheeled recumbent. They are large and people see them well and go way around. I think they think you are handicapped and really swing wide. I ride all types of bikes all the time and my closest encounters have been on a DF. Now, blood thirsty dogs on the other hand. Nothing like seeing a german sheppard snarling at you at eye level.
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The idea that bent bikes are faster than road bikes is based on the assumption that they're more aerodynamic, which isn't always, or even usually, the case. There's nothing else special about them to make them fast. So, in order to reap the benefits of a speedier bike, you first have to be strong enough to ride at speeds where aerodynamics start mattering, which means you have to be an 18-20 mph rider on your road bike.
Bacchettas are fast, as is the Cruzbike V20. I would stick with carbon Bacchettas, a Cruzbike, or an M5 if you want to be faster. On the other hand, you won't notice much of an improvement with a run of the mill bike. Trikes are really for comfort or people with disabilities. They are not as fast as a regular bike
It will take you a solid month to get your recumbent muscles conditioned. At that point, I guarantee you will set a PR on all of your Strava segments.
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You really should check the links so you know what they are before you make posts against them. Now, go back and find the linked guarantee above which has been posted at least twice. Yes, they claim their bike is faster than the one you are on, yes they spell it out very well, yes, check out the climbing part. Pretty gutsy huh?
#38
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Safe and Fast
With 16 Inch Wheels she is Low to the Road and can Hold 25 MPH as long as any other rider.
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LOL, I've learned over 20 years of board reading that board claims oftentimes exaggerate the real-world performance but whatever. We have an active group of recumbent Zwift racers that have a lot of fun playing indoor Lances. The problem is we struggle to get enough numbers for competitive teams. We would love for any of you who might be interested in this kind of thing to join us. If so let me know and can provide you more info.
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LOL, I've learned over 20 years of board reading that board claims oftentimes exaggerate the real-world performance but whatever. We have an active group of recumbent Zwift racers that have a lot of fun playing indoor Lances. The problem is we struggle to get enough numbers for competitive teams. We would love for any of you who might be interested in this kind of thing to join us. If so let me know and can provide you more info.
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All three of our teams killed it last night at the races. Grab that trike and join us or form up a fancy trike team and compete against us and 1,000's of other teams. All fun. Stop the talk let's see the walk!
Last edited by La Tortue; 05-07-21 at 07:48 AM.
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