Are recumbents fast?
Performance is a hotly debated topic; however it is important to remember recumbents do hold all of the human-powered land speed records. This is primarily because they are aerodynamically superior to conventional bicycles; less frontal area means less wind resistance. A recumbent currently holds the Race Across America speed record of five days and one hour and a recumbent ridden by Fast Freddie Markham was the winner of the DuPont Prize for breaking 65 m.p.h. You can currently buy production versions of these record setting bicycles. Fairings for street use are common and optional equipment on most commercially built models. They protect you from rain, cold and wind with up to a 30% reduction in drag. The general rule for ideal conditions (reasonably flat terrain), is that a recumbent is about 10% faster than a conventional bike. With a fairing, it can range from 15%-25% faster. With a full body it can be even more, perhaps 40%? Recumbents for street use are not always faster than co
