While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
20 inchers used in front.

Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
I'd like to learn more about it.

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska

On 8/6/2021 2:15 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
> 20 inchers used in front.
>
> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
> I'd like to learn more about it.
>
> Thanks for reading,
>
> bob prohaska
>

I am not an expert (nor informed whatsoever).
These from a web search:

http://www.recumbentriders.org/forums/imgcache/7138.jpg

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0725/8321/products/Performer_High_Racer_700c_Barend_Recumbent_Bicycle_1.jpg?v=1571273644

https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/product/media/corsa_0.jpg

https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/images/lead/DSC_0346.JPG

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Am 06.08.2021 um 21:15 schrieb bob prohaska:
> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
> 20 inchers used in front.
>
> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
> I'd like to learn more about it.

I ride a ZOX 26 with two 559 wheels
<https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-26-2/>
but I'd be surprised to see one of those in the USA.

Rolf

On 8/6/2021 12:15 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
> 20 inchers used in front.
>
> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
> I'd like to learn more about it.
>
> Thanks for reading,
>
> bob prohaska
>

Perhaps an Azub, which are distributed in the U.S.,
<https://azub.eu/recumbent-bikes-and-trikes/recumbents/max-700-highracer/>.

AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> On 8/6/2021 2:15 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
>> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
>> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
>> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
>> 20 inchers used in front.
>>
>> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
>> I'd like to learn more about it.
>>
>> Thanks for reading,
>>
>> bob prohaska
>>
>
> I am not an expert (nor informed whatsoever).
> These from a web search:
>
> http://www.recumbentriders.org/forums/imgcache/7138.jpg
>
Don't think that's it. Pretty sure the frame was essentially straight.
But, it's interesting.

> https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0725/8321/products/Performer_High_Racer_700c_Barend_Recumbent_Bicycle_1.jpg?v=1571273644
>
Don't think so, again because of the curved frame. But it's interesting

> https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/product/media/corsa_0.jpg
That is quite close. Straight frame, looks like full size wheels. Local
dealer, probably worth a look.
> https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/images/lead/DSC_0346.JPG
Definitely no, it wasn't a trike. But, the photo does suggest a 26" trike,
which I didn't know existed. Wonder if it's still in production.....

Thanks for writing, and some good hints!

bob prohaska

Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> wrote:
> Am 06.08.2021 um 21:15 schrieb bob prohaska:
>> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
>> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
>> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
>> 20 inchers used in front.
>>
>> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
>> I'd like to learn more about it.
>
> I ride a ZOX 26 with two 559 wheels
> <https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-26-2/>
> but I'd be surprised to see one of those in the USA.

Almost certainly not what I saw, but still rather intriguing.
How is the front wheel drive? Perhaps better to ask, why front
wheel drive? I'd think the chain would be prone to make mischief
during turns.....

Thanks for writing!

bob prohaska

sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
> On 8/6/2021 12:15 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
>> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
>> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
>> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
>> 20 inchers used in front.
>>
>> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
>> I'd like to learn more about it.
>>
>> Thanks for reading,
>>
>> bob prohaska
>>
>
> Perhaps an Azub, which are distributed in the U.S.,
> <https://azub.eu/recumbent-bikes-and-trikes/recumbents/max-700-highracer/>.

Very nice indeed, but a bit rich for my wallet...perhaps secondhand....

Thanks to all who replied, there are far more 26" 'bents than I thought..

bob prohaska

On 8/6/2021 4:42 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
> AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>> On 8/6/2021 2:15 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
>>> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
>>> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
>>> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
>>> 20 inchers used in front.
>>>
>>> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
>>> I'd like to learn more about it.
>>>
>>> Thanks for reading,
>>>
>>> bob prohaska
>>>
>>
>> I am not an expert (nor informed whatsoever).
>> These from a web search:
>>
>> http://www.recumbentriders.org/forums/imgcache/7138.jpg
>>
> Don't think that's it. Pretty sure the frame was essentially straight.
> But, it's interesting.
>
>> https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0725/8321/products/Performer_High_Racer_700c_Barend_Recumbent_Bicycle_1.jpg?v=1571273644
>>
> Don't think so, again because of the curved frame. But it's interesting
>
>
>> https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/product/media/corsa_0.jpg
> That is quite close. Straight frame, looks like full size wheels. Local
> dealer, probably worth a look.
>
>> https://www.alphabent.com/sites/default/files/images/lead/DSC_0346.JPG
> Definitely no, it wasn't a trike. But, the photo does suggest a 26" trike,
> which I didn't know existed. Wonder if it's still in production.....
>
> Thanks for writing, and some good hints!
>
> bob prohaska
>
>
Those were just at the top of a page full of images. There
are a lot more. Try a search yourself maybe?

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=700C+recumbent&t=h_&iax=images&ia=images

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Am 06.08.2021 um 23:48 schrieb bob prohaska:
> Rolf Mantel <news@hartig-mantel.de> wrote:
>> Am 06.08.2021 um 21:15 schrieb bob prohaska:
>>> While out for an exercise ride today I was passed (very briskly)
>>> by a recumbent bike that appeared to have two full-size wheels,
>>> probably ISO 622 or possibly 549. Definitely not the usual 16 or
>>> 20 inchers used in front.
>>>
>>> Can anybody hazard a guess as to what the make might have been?
>>> I'd like to learn more about it.
>>
>> I ride a ZOX 26 with two 559 wheels
>> <https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-26-2/>
>> but I'd be surprised to see one of those in the USA.
>
> Almost certainly not what I saw, but still rather intriguing.
> How is the front wheel drive? Perhaps better to ask, why front
> wheel drive? I'd think the chain would be prone to make mischief
> during turns.....

The chain sometimes makes mischief (jumping off the cog) when pushing
the bike backwards but I can ride a 6-foot u-turn on a bicycle sidewalk.

The original motivations for FWD drive are:
1) no chain length adjust ment needed when swapping between riders
2) enhable a simple separation mechanism like of Bike-Fridays
3) the chain line of a low-racer in the few inches between seat and
ground is not too easy either

On my current model, none of these points are relevant (26" wheels have
plenty of space for chain lines, I never swap with other rides, and I
believe the separating mechanism was dropped 15 years ago) but it's just
a dessign feature of this manufacturer, like the square tubing.

The FWD starts making problems at gradients above 20% on good roads or
15% on loose surfaces; luggage on the back increases these poroblems (20
years ago on the 20" model I was able to cycle up a forest trail with
frozen-over leaves only if I did not have my laptop with me).

For my current circumstances (30-minute fast commute to work rather than
the 100-mile day trips from 25 years ago) ), both the recumbent and the
current model are more of a matter of tradition than actual utility.

Due to a broken tailbone, I've not used the recumbent for 1 1/2 years;
now I can compare it with a gravel bike for fast commuting:

Uphill the gravel bike is faster (because it's lighter), even slight
downhill downhill the recumbent is significantly faster (-1.6% average
gradient: gravel bike 37 km/h, recument 49 km/h).

On the flat, the recumbent can be faster in sprint but end-to-end times
are a little bit faster on the gravel bike (probably because the
recumbent triggers a more "laid back" riding style even than my wife's
everyday bicycle).

After about 45 minutes riding, the discomfort of upright bikes starts
hitting if I don't wear padded bike shorts.

Rolf

I didn't have a front wheel drive. I had several recumbent bicycles. My favorite was a 20 under knee / 26 rear recumbent. It would take a very tiny amount of turning the front wheel to turn sharply. The long chain path didn't cause too many problems, but a FWD would make maintenance much simpler.. Under seat steering would have been better, this had a folding handlebar that was a pain to hold onto. I rode it on Ragbrai 2007 and the main tube rusted out and collapsed a few years later.