Yes, they are slower uphill, but does it matter?

zebee
Posts: 1124
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:37 am

Yes, they are slower uphill, but does it matter?

Postby zebee » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:23 am

http://mccraw.co.uk/recumbent-efficiency/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, the 'bent was slower up the hill but it was still less work. Some nice numbers showing what I think we all suspected... faster on the flats, slower on the hills, but at the end of the day you go further and are less tired when doing it lying down.
If you’re touring you’re hardly going to ride for four hours dead then stop wherever you are at the roadside. You probably have a destination and getting there a few minutes either side is not important compared with getting there in comfort or for less sweat and toil.

If you’re riding an ultra distance event, it’s not likely that you’re so strong that you can maintain high wattages for days at a time; it’s more likely that you want to get the maximum ‘bang for your buck’ when it comes to spending your body’s limited capacity for exertion.

Only if you’re racing over fairly short distances does absolute power outweigh efficiency.
The site has reviews of various recumbents so is definitely worth a look if you are looking.

burnt
Posts: 91
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:44 am

Re: Yes, they are slower uphill, but does it matter?

Postby burnt » Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:00 am

I rode my Greenspeed GT3 trike in last year's Great Vic Bike Ride, there was a lot of sustained climbing on that ride, Tawonga Gap, Powers Lookout and many smaller climbs. I was a bit slower than on my Vivente tourer the year before ( Great Ocean Road and The Otways), but it was not as significant as I thought it would be.

On the Tawonga Gap climb the heat was more of a killer than the gradient, I had numerous stops because of the heat, but I was still overtaking lots of upright bikes. The Powers Lookout climb day was cooler and overcast, I was able to ride mostly with only 1 or 2 stops, again overtaking many uprights (and being overtaken by many as well!). The gearing on the trike works in your favour, you can comfortably spin at a lower speed without fear of falling off-my speed up Powers was in the range 7-12kph, some of the steeper pinches were at 5kph-this is where you would be a bit wobbly on an upright.

In contrast, on the descents, nothing could stay with me-I was freewheeling down all the hills and even pedalling riders couldn't keep up. The cornering at speed on the Greenspeed was like running on rails, indeed the faster I went, the more stable I felt.

And at the end of each day I had tired legs, but my bum, neck, wrists and hands were great. Recumbents, and in my mind, trikes, are the ultimate touring bike.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users