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2013 Recumbent Industry Update    
24 March 2013

In general it seems like manufacturers are raising their prices to keep up with inflation and cutting bike and trike models that do not sell as well. Most manufacturers are now offering e-assist options. Though trikes are selling well, the trike manufacturers are no longer expanding, and most are reducing their model choices. There is a gradual trend toward "big wheel" recumbent bikes. These higher bikes seem to work well for everyone except for the speed hungry recumbent lowracer crowd. 

This year we have lost Organic Engines, Cycle Genius and Radius. TW-Bents was sold to EFUN Bikes. Challenge has been sold to Elan. Velokraft is mostly just making e-bikes now.
 
My look toward the future sees harder times for small manufacturers. Consolidation has already happened (eg: TerraCycle, BentUp), and will continue. Many of the older US recumbent manufacturers are "sole proprietor" shops, and that single person is getting close to retirement. This means some of the classics will no longer be made (eg: Haluzak, Organic Engines). Velomobiles and e-assist are niches that will continue to grow. Fat tires will become more popular. 
WHPSC 2012    
26 August 2012
The World Human Powered Speed Championships at Battle Mountain, Nevada are being held this year from 9/10/2012 to 9/15/2012. 
 
New one hour recumbent record    
26 May 2012
Photo by Speedy Malric On May 25th, 2012, Aurélien Bonneteau of France broke the one hour time trial record at 56.597 km/hr average speed (35.168 MPH). This betters the previous unfaired record set in 1996 by Chris Boardman by 0.138 MPH. This record is pending WRRA approval. More info
Videos from Recumbents.com    
23 January 2012

Recently I posted  some historic human power videos that you may find interesting. 

http://www.youtube.com/wbeaucha
World Human Powered Speed Championships 2011    
9 September 2011

Full coverage of the Battle Mountain event here

Team Lowboy High-Vis Jersey    
2 August 2011
Bend It Cycling is now producing the recumbents.com High Visibility  jerseys. 

If you missed them last time, now is your chance. These super high visibility jersey will make sure you are seen on the road, and should be part of any recumbent racers "kit".

Get yours at Bend It Cycling
Reverse Gear Recumbent Clothing Review    
21 July 2011

Reverse Gear makes a quality line of clothing designed for recumbent bicycle (and trike!) riders.

The jerseys all have zippered front pockets that can be opened and closed with one hand while riding.

The shorts have an extra layer in the crotch area. It's not a pad like tradition bike shorts, but more of a soft layer to prevent chafing.

Click here for the review
Buyers Guide update    
20 April 2011

The recumbent industry continues to change and morph, but slowly.

  • As far as industry trends go, prices have mostly stabilized, but some have gone up.
  • There are more bike models overall.
  • We did not lose any manufacturers last year.
  • The trike market is leveling off but still very heathy.
  • The biggest new trend I see is all the manufacturers building bent tube highracers.
  • Another trend is low cost, low bottom bracket, internally geared trikes.

See the new bike models here

CF Highracer project    
17 February 2011
This project was conceptualized as a weight-weenie stick bike and ended up as a big wheel high racer. At 21 lbs it's not heavy, but was a lot more work than I had anticipated.
Read the full story here
Velomobile 6    
16 September 2010
Master craftsman Rick Wianecki has been building a velomobile, and documenting it every step of the way. It is fully suspended, and is a human power/electric hybrid vehicle. Follow Ricks progress from concept to completion.

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