I liked the geometry of the frame which lowers the seat to allow flat foot starts. I have an old Challenge Distance that has a high seat elevation that I often start/stop by having toes only on ground while fully reclined. This makes starts at intersections difficult especially if loaded down. This bike is also aluminum and extremely heavy at 19kg unloaded, short wheel base at 35”. When touring I pack between 25-30kg of gear, it has a rear air shock which I can lock from a hand switch to stop pogo affect on hills. I switched out the original handle bar to a stronger quick release for reasons of packing when touring in Europe. If I had known better geometry of bents years ago I would have preferred a lower seat setup, this is higher than most seats in sedans!
The handling seems better. When starting off are you geared down? What about starting off up hill in a big gear? Will you feel a large tilt and the urge to over correct with a steep start up and a need to stay out of traffic. I think you look more stable…
That's a beautiful recumbent bike, congratulations! I would like to by one, but this is almost impossible considering my third world income and the absurd taxation imposed on imports into Brazil. I will have to settle for a homemade clone :-D
Thanks for a great informative review explaining reasons for the design Jonathan. I ride an original Spanish Metabike which is great fun but I am drawn to lower center of gavity and less twitchy ride. It would be great to try one if you end up with a European distrbutor. Will there be an option of tiller steering? Thanks, Adrian/England.
I always have wanted to try a highracer but being the same height as you the high leg position was a turn off.i may have to sell my lightning p38 Ray from Melbourne Australia
