BikeArkansas

A whiplash injury over 3 years ago just will not quit. Last week I rode two hilly 60 mile rides on my Fuji Transonic. The pain just became too much. I decided to get off my DF bike. I am having a MRI tomorrow on my neck and left shoulder, but I know the results will be that old age and the injury are too much for my neck to ride a bike.

After a bike crash a couple years ago I purchased a used 2012 Scorpion FX with all 20" wheels. It is a touring bike mostly. I rode it a couple months and put it in storage as I got back on my DF. The Scorpion is back out and I have ridden it a few times. Actually, a lot of fun, and my neck does not hurt at all after a ride. Nice.

However, it is slow when compared to what I have been riding. This year I had a number of organized rides where I averaged over 20 MPH for a full metric century. I can barely get this trike to 20 MPH in the best of conditions on a flat and the hills are very slow. I expected the hills to be slow. I have read about a Catrike 700 and an ICE, but I have not seen one in action or been on either one. Are these the speed trikes or is it just advertising?

Retro Grouch 

I'm betting that you'll get a little faster as you acclimate to the recumbent riding position. Maybe not quite as fast as you used to ride. On the other hand, it sounds to me like you are going to have to wrap your head around not riding as fast as you used to anyway.

Just like DF bikes, a lighter, more aero trike will definitely be faster but it's still the motor that matters most.

BlazingPedals

The strong point of trikes is that they can go slow without falling over. Trikes in general are slower than 2-wheelers. You do know there are 2-wheeled recumbents, right??? Anyway, the Scorpion fails to hit several of my checkpoints for speed capability, especially the rear wheel size/gearing and the rider position. The suspension doesn't help either. The Catrike 700 can be souped up a bit and made faster than the Scorp; but it'll still be a trike.

VegasTriker

An accomplished trike rider can reach the speeds you want but I doubt you could maintain it for miles at a clip. I own a Catrike 700 which replaced a Greenspeed GTO when it had many thousands of miles on it. I am not faster on the Catrike 700. I learned a long time ago that my trikes were not the solution to group rides with riders on 20 pound (or less) road bikes.

BikeArkansas

I guess I dread losing the group rides and was hoping to find a way to at least stay in the loop. I do enjoy the thrill of a quick group ride, but even if the trike was close to the speed it seems it will be impossible to be a part of it, or I am finding that.

Someone suggested the recumbent two wheel bike. We have had a few want to join us on rides. It just does not work out with a recumbent two wheel bike. They just ride different, and it is the same with the trike.

Another subject, after 4 or 5 rides on the trike, it appears that getting "trike legs" will take a good while. Any pointers on that?

rydabent

Actually what is the up side of riding more than 20 mph in a group?

IMO riding little more than half that at ease on a trike with my head up looking around and enjoying the view is a far nicer way to enjoy a ride. Enjoy the trip, not just getting to the destination as fast as you can.

BlazingPedals

The advantage of a 20 mph group is that many more destinations are open to you, given a limited window for the ride to be completed.

BA, I've ridden with a 20 mph group for years, although as everyone ages, it's becoming more of an 18-19 mph group. It's true that bents have a different speed profile when the hills start; but highracers certainly come closer to fitting in that trikes. I often get in front of everyone now, and strangely, it usually happens because of hills. I squirt off the front at the start of a climb and the others never catch up unless I wait for them at the top.

Retro Grouch 

Why that's easy. It's the sense of sharing a task, that's hard to do, with other people. If you've never had that experience I feel sorry for you.

Steamer

Yup. And it's FUN.

Steamer

BA - get a fast recumbent bike. Comfort and speed are not mutually exclusive.

Trikes are fun. I have one. But it's not the right tool for the job that you've defined here.

elocs

I'm with rydabent, you couldn't pay me to ride with a group of 20 people because people are different and like different things. There are lots of things in life I have no need to experience because I know I wouldn't like them and that includes group bike rides.

rydabent

Did that years ago on my road bike. Maybe just me, but I never got too much out of it. Kind of like riding a bike in a health club.

BlazingPedals

The other aspect of a group ride, regardless of speed, is the social aspect. Even at 20 mph or more, you're riding with a group of similarly-capable friends and talking, while the scenery goes by.

elocs

That's the thing...I ride alone and don't have any need or desire for any social aspect. It was fine when the kids were little and I was out riding with them, but other than that I have no use for group rides.

tcs

Yeah, ICE VTX. And I'd probably include the Windcheetah on a list of relatively speedy tadpole trikes.

What are the fast, light recumbent bikes these days? Bacchetta? Cruzbike? Lightning? Xxxx xx Xxxx*?


* Sorry to have mentioned this bike on the RECUMBENT list!

BlazingPedals

Bird of Prey is not a recumbent, it's a prone, exactly the opposite of a recumbent. The most often-referenced fast recumbents these days are the M5 CHR, the Bacchetta CA2, the Carbent, and the Cruzbike Vendetta - all highracers. My NoCom (no longer in production) is faster; but with a seat height of about 8 inches, it doesn't mix as well with the uprights in my club.

RL7836

Another bike to add to this list is Zockra.

BikeArkansas

Many good answers about riding in a 20 MPH group. It is a blast.
As far as the recumbent bike, I think if I cannot ride a road bike I would rather ride the trike. Neither the trike or the recumbent bike can mix in a group ride, so I would rather "go all the way" with a trike. Been riding a couple weeks to try to get my trike legs. It is fun, just slow.

Steamer

I don't agree with this statement (bolded).

A high racer type of recumbent bike can fit in pretty well. Especially if the terrain is reasonably mild (say, 50 feet of climbing per mile, or less).

Trsnrtr

What Steamer said.

Also, one could add the Schlitter to Blazing's list.

As for riding with uprights, I ride my Bacchetta CA2 regularly. However, not all groups are tolerant. I rode with a group one time many years ago that wanted to relegate me to the back. Then a guy complained about my "chainsaw" behind him so I got asked to ride in the front.

BikeArkansas

I need a full description of a "high racer".

Trsnrtr

Here is a Bacchetta CA2 which is a typical highracer design. In fact, Bacchetta was originally known for their highracer development.

Other companies have made these, also. Generally, they sport two large wheels, either 700c or 650c though there are other configurations, too.

This is a 2011 or 12, can't remember for sure. The main frame is carbon fiber as is the seat and the wheels are 700c.

B061517 by trsnrtr, on Flickr

Steamer

High Racer = short wheelbase recumbent bike, typically with a laid back seat, high BB, two big wheels, and usually over-seat steering.

Steamer

Pic below was taken by a riding companion (on an upright) of me on my Metabike HR. HRs can draft uprights, and vice versa. HRs are high enough to be in the peripheral vision of an upright rider. Easy to talk, as the bent riders head is only a little lower.

57 Allegheny Highlands CUP 200k by Jon Rando, on Flickr

This is my Metabike:

DSC00765_zps63d0a229 by Kett-Man, on Flickr

BlazingPedals

My personal checkpoints for a highracer, which may not be universally recognized, is that it is a short wheelbase recumbent with two big (26" or more) wheels and seat recline under 28 degrees.