Recumbents - anyone audaxing on one.

[Thegreatthor]

Just wondered it anyone was. I’ve done lots of 200’s and 300’s on df’s. The challenge is always staying sufficiently comfortable that it remains fun. I have done an audax on a bent, but obviously fun and comfort are never a problem😀😀😀. Hills might be though. Anyone experience here of doing 400k+ on a bent?

 

[avsd]

I think @Ming the Merciless is your man.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yes, I completed the Wild Atlantic Way Audax (2,100km) on my bent last July. The climbing was approx 21,000m and max gradient 32%. I do all my audaxing on my bent. Plus SR series each year.

Hills are only a problem if your gears are too high for your fitness. Try an audax on your DF sitting down entire time and you’ll get a feel.

 

[Thegreatthor]

@Ming the Merciless that’s amazing!! What sort of bent do you use?

I have a Giro20 which is quite good but I do need some lower gears! I‘ve got my eye on a HP Speedmachine which looks nice, will be more aero but possible a bit heavier.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

To be honest, unless your audaxes are in the fens, I don’t think you need / want the most aero. Most aero, generally means most reclined, and carbon fibre frame etc. I don’t think most reclined works great uphill (could be wrong I haven’t ridden every option out there by a long way) That'd be great if you’re purely riding on smooth wide open roads. UK audax generally means small lanes, potholes, and plenty of junctions. If you are too reclined that means not seeing pot holes clearly in advance, and having to stop and put feet down at junctions to have a look before making the turn Etc. Even the least aero recumbent is more aero than a road bike setup anyway, worst case about the same as someone in aero bars.

I ride a Lightning P38. Not the most aero recumbent, but great uphill. Certainly no slower in hills than my old road bike. It weighs about 12.5kg setup for audax I.e. reliable and all weather. You can build down to about 9kg with light components. Deep pockets necessary. My gearing is mtn bike with 48,36,26 x 12-34 or can fit 12-36 if really hilly event or tour. That’s seen me up plenty of 20% hills, and even one that peaked at 32%, with no issue. You don’t even get any front wheel lifting at the very steep grades. You can just keep pedalling as usual in a dead straight line.

Average speed is mostly determined by uphill speed. Thus having a reasonable uphill capability is necessary when riding against a time limit. Recumbents with suspension, whilst super smooth, are heavy, and gravity is against you.

As always, recumbents are so varied, it’s worth test riding in hills before making a choice. Very happy with mine.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

@Ming the Merciless that’s amazing!! What sort of bent do you use?

I have a Giro20 which is quite good but I do need some lower gears! I‘ve got my eye on a HP Speedmachine which looks nice, will be more aero but possible a bit heavier.

Yeah it is a fantastic route and event. It works out at around 250 km (~ 155 miles) a day for 8.5 back to back days. You could do it quicker, but that would require riding before or after sunset, which I aimed to avoid this time.

 

[Thegreatthor]

To be honest, unless your audaxes are in the fens, I don’t think you need / want the most aero. Most aero, generally means most reclined, and carbon fibre frame etc. I don’t think most reclined works great uphill (could be wrong I haven’t ridden every option out there by a long way) That'd be great if you’re purely riding on smooth wide open roads. UK audax generally means small lanes, potholes, and plenty of junctions. If you are too reclined that means not seeing pot holes clearly in advance, and having to stop and put feet down at junctions to have a look before making the turn Etc. Even the least aero recumbent is more aero than a road bike setup anyway, worst case about the same as someone in aero bars.

I ride a Lightning P38. Not the most aero recumbent, but great uphill. Certainly no slower in hills than my old road bike. It weighs about 12.5kg setup for audax I.e. reliable and all weather. You can build down to about 9kg with light components. Deep pockets necessary. My gearing is mtn bike with 48,36,26 x 12-34 or can fit 12-36 if really hilly event or tour. That’s seen me up plenty of 20% hills, and even one that peaked at 32%, with no issue. You don’t even get any front wheel lifting at the very steep grades. You can just keep pedalling as usual in a dead straight line.

View attachment 752656

Average speed is mostly determined by uphill speed. Thus having a reasonable uphill capability is necessary when riding against a time limit. Recumbents with suspension, whilst super smooth, are heavy, and gravity is against you.

As always, recumbents are so varied, it’s worth test riding in hills before making a choice. Very happy with mine.

To be fair I think the Giro could be a good audaxer. It’s not silly heavy. its the first bent I’ve had and I got just the frame and set my own gears up so I’ve got 52, 40, 30 and 12x32 on the back so not really low enough.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

To be fair I think the Giro could be a good audaxer. It’s not silly heavy. its the first bent I’ve had and I got just the frame and set my own gears up so I’ve got 52, 40, 30 and 12x32 on the back so not really low enough.

Key as much as anything is to ride what you have as much as possible. If you mostly ride your road bike, the legs won’t adapt and become stronger on your Giro. It does emphasise different leg muscles if you want to put out the same power as upright.