With their low center of gravity and slightly reclined riding posture, recumbent bikes stand in contrast to the traditional icon of the upright racing or touring bicycle. Upright road bikes, such as those used in Tour De France, capture the headlines and the spotlight for their fast racing times. But as awkward as their non-traditional form appears, some recumbent bikes achieve comparable -- or even faster -- speeds compared to their upright counterparts.
Function and Design
According to the Lansing, Michigan-based Tri-County Bicycle Association, the less traditional recumbent bike frames often weigh between 6 and 8 pounds more than upright bikes, contributing to the myth that they somehow travel slower. But as Recumbent Cycling Ontario notes, recumbent bikes leave riders sitting much closer to the ground, meaning about 30 percent less frontal surface area than upright cycles. This makes the riders more aerodynamic and therefore potentially faster than on upright bikes. Bicycling Life notes that cyclists who use both upright and recumbent bikes often claim speeds of between 3 mph and 8 mph faster on the recumbent varieties.
Historical Record
Recumbent bicycles hold historical speed records placing them in a class of their own. "Popular Science" magazine notes that one recumbent bike, the Varna Diablo II, set the world record for bike speeds at 81 mph. In addition to a recumbent frame that leaves its rider in an almost completely reclined posture, the Varna Diablo also has an outer fiberglass shell for more aerodynamics. And Recumbent Cycling Ontario reports recumbent cyclists hold all bicycle speed records in races ranging from 200 meters to 3,000 miles.
Speed Disadvantage
Though they typically top out at faster speeds than upright bicycles on level ground, most recumbent bikes fall short of traditional bikes when riding up steep inclines, according to Tri-County Bicycle Association. Recumbent bikes prohibit the standing posture possible on upright cycles -- a riding posture that gives upright bikes more speed and thrust going uphill. Manufacturers of recumbent bikes often equip the devices with lower gear settings than upright cycles to make uphill riding easier.
Other Benefits of Recumbents
Beyond better aerodynamics and speed, several cycling websites hail recumbent bicycles for their benefits of comfort and safety. The reclined posture of riders is easier on backs and arms than hunched-over upright cycling. Recumbent seats often are broader and padded, meaning better distribution of pressure on the backside than narrower upright bicycle seats. And because they ride lower to the ground, recumbent cyclists fall only a foot or two during wipe-outs or wrecks.
Warnings and Precautions
Even with their lower center of gravity, recumbent bikes require the same safety precautions as upright bikes, including observing rules of the road and head protection -- especially given the faster achievable speeds. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports that use of bike helmets cuts in half the likelihood of suffering a serious head injury in a cycling accident.
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