I'm a long time (3 years ) rider of recumbents and have always wondered if the bike you ride could make that much difference in average speed. Particularly if your an avewrage rider or commuter as I am who is not in racing condition. Well to get to the point, I've been commuting between 12 to 20 miles almost daily on a Burley Taiko set up in the SWB position averaging between 11.3 to 13.1 mi/hr. The average is probably 12.4 mi/hr. I ride as fast as I'm able but restricted by age and arthritis. I could probably go faster, but there is an outside limit that my joints can take. You might even think of this as a biological governor.
Recently purchased an 03 left over Vision r-64 and my first commute averaged an astounding 14.9 mi/hr. Later in the week when the novelty wore off and I was closer to my normal pain threshold I clock 14.4 mi/hr average. The vision high racer with 650c wheels is by no means the top of the line nor is it the only fast bike out there. But there it is for you fellow duffers who think that nothing can help, that it's all in the engine. 2 mi /hr represents a 16% increase in average speed. My only regret is that I didn't do this 3 years ago.
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I'm a long time (3 years ) rider of recumbents and have always wondered if the bike you ride could make that much difference in average speed. Particularly if your an avewrage rider or commuter as I am who is not in racing condition. Well to get to the point, I've been commuting between 12 to 20 miles almost daily on a Burley Taiko set up in the SWB position averaging between 11.3 to 13.1 mi/hr. The average is probably 12.4 mi/hr. I ride as fast as I'm able but restricted by age and arthritis. I could probably go faster, but there is an outside limit that my joints can take. You might even think of this as a biological governor.
Recently purchased an 03 left over Vision r-64 and my first commute averaged an astounding 14.9 mi/hr. Later in the week when the novelty wore off and I was closer to my normal pain threshold I clock 14.4 mi/hr average. The vision high racer with 650c wheels is by no means the top of the line nor is it the only fast bike out there. But there it is for you fellow duffers who think that nothing can help, that it's all in the engine. 2 mi /hr represents a 16% increase in average speed. My only regret is that I didn't do this 3 years ago.
Gene Cosloy
The Vision is more laid-back than the Burley which is the main reason for your increase.
Recently purchased an 03 left over Vision r-64 and my first commute averaged an astounding 14.9 mi/hr. ... 2 mi /hr represents a 16% increase in average speed.
Yep, the bike can certainly make a difference. When I started riding my Tour Easy, my 13-mile commute time went from 55 minutes to 45 minutes, a 22% increase in average speed.
-- "Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes, it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)
I doubt that is the only reason Mike. I'm about the same laid back angle on both bikes, however the vision BB is about 4 " higher than the Burley from the seat heights. I think a combination of air resistance being lower, lower friction from high pressure low width tires, lower roatating mass on the wheels and about 3 lbs. less weight overall all contribute. Oh yes the handlebars on the vision cause your arms to tuck in closer to the body reducing air resistance as well. Any way I'm thrilled I can keep up and even pass some DF bikes now.
