Short Wheelbase Recumbents
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RANS RECUMBENTS Randy Schlitter has been
a force in recumbents since 1976 with a legacy of outstanding designs. 3 materials, a variety of seat/crank formats, a seat selection second to none, and a handlebar menu to fit most every preference.
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F5 650/559
After being know so well as a
truss frame builder, Rans continues into
monotube
design. Not a clone of brand B or brand V,
this F5 has leveled the
main frame of the bike through thoughtful rear
dropout design for a more user friendly hip/crank relationship while
maintaining the
aerodynamic position high racers are known for. Non tapered stays with a large weld attachment area yield a more torsionally flex free frame than the others.
26 # in steel. Less in ANGLETECH SPEC SHO version.
The Angletech / Rans F5 HO-D spec has been a well received variation. High performance with slightly wider rubber, disc brakes and a host of other refinements for commuting or fast touring.
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The aft of the crown brake mount allows
off the shelf calipers, and
the over / under Rans idler.
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The F5 is available with the "Hoagie" or Slingmesh seat.
Easy to adjust V Block seat mount. |
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The ANGLETECH / RANS Enduro Sport HO27 shown here brings hand built wheels, Schwalbe Kojak tires, IRD Thumbie shifters, and a host of other real improvement to the Enduro Sport for the ultimate experience.
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ENDURO SPORT
Rans newest entry into the 26/20 format, "level" crank position recumbent world has delivered a very refined feeling bike with just right front end geometry, friendly seat height, and the choice of Sling Mesh or Hoagie seat designs for your favorite posture. Factory spec, and a host of ANGLETECH SPEC models.
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Ti-REX
Something
unexpected. We have always found that the level crank position short
wheelbase format has a lot of fans when people come here for
Recumbent 101. The V Rex has always had good weight distribution,
and great front end geometry. The triangulated frame delivers power
well, and the open under frame architecture keeps the ride smooth.
Compared to the high racer and low racers, you sit more upright on
the level BB bike making it a better bike for a mix of daily
commuting in semi urban or urban settings, easier to start and stop
at lights, better vision down the road, etc. It's still fast, and a
great climber.
The Ti-Rex adds the great Ti ride smoothing out the vibration from "chip 'n
seal" country roads, and drops the weight into the 23-24 pound class
to climb the hills.
Rans offers the Ti-Rex to us as
framesets, and we spec them out on our popular and well respected ANGLETECH/RANS Ti-Rex HO27, SHO, and XXHO specification packages.
A detail: The Ti-Rex has V Brakes, making it the only Ti
recumbent with tire possibilities from 1 1/8-1.75 in width on our
559/406 format wheels. So a Ti touring and commuting bicycle is a
reality with the Schwalbe Kojak Kevlar beaded tire option. Any Rans
seat of preference will fit. A truly refined bike. Open cockpit format suggested. |
ANGLETECH/RANS Ti-Rex in TR format with S&S Couplers
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V REX LE
The B39 open cockpit brings a nice piece of refinement to the classic V
Rex.
A strong choice in SWB design. Fully triangulated frame
structure, well mannered 43 3/4" wheelbase
with great steering geometry,
and vertically compliant ride make this a favorite choice for a
variety of uses. |
BACCHETTA
is a bike line of
performance recumbents from the pedigree of Mark
Colliton, John Schlitter, & Rich Pinto. The bikes are all about refinement and finesse
that produce comfort & speed.
The basis of all models is the 47-49"
wheelbase short wheelbase frame design. This produces a nice ride, good tracking,
superb weight distribution, and no pedal steer. A great seat mount
system that is trackless, clean and
secure. 3 seat formats are available. Euroshell, Euromesh, and ReCurve.
Cockpit wise, these bikes
introduced what has become the favorite above seat steering format in
the market.
Available
with the tilt / adjustable B Pivot stem or the lighter Stiffie stem. This gives a modest reach position and places your knees inside
the bars. You can run a lower bar height this way, and the curved down
bars provide a vertical hand position.
For ultimate performance check out the
AngletechSpec models compared side by side on our Specifications and Prices page.
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HIGH RACERS
Dual 26 or 700 wheels for a crank position 3" above your hips, and a laid back body position. Result?
Better aerodynamics
into the wind, and a good
climbing position.
CORSA & CORSA 700
An aluminum frame and carbon fork bring the Bacchetta into a
22.5-25 pound weight class depending on model and seat choice. Euromesh or Carbon.
The CarbonAero, Corsa, Strada, and Giro 26 "high racer's" are fast and secure, and have an
elevated crank position.
3 AngletechSpec versions available in addition to factory specs.
STRADA Steel frame, 650 wheels, racy format. Tweener bars with pivoting steering riser
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CARBONAERO 2.0
The CarbonAero 2.0.
Monococque 1 piece frame design. The lightest and fastest Bacchetta at 19-23 pounds.
6 flavors including Angletech Spec versions to optimize the choices for your individual environment. 650C & 700C wheel formats.
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GIRO 26
Steel frame, and wider tire formats. Tweener bars with pivoting steering riser.
GIRO 26 ATT
Aluminum frame, disc brakes, better spec. Tweener bars with pivoting steering riser.
Below: Angletech Spec Giro 26 HO27D, EuroMesh seat w/ Ventisit pad option, lighter weight, better specs including Velocity A23 Pro wheels and Schwalbe Durano performance tires. Shown with Terracycle Ti / Ceramic idler and Preying Mantis cockpit arrangement.
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CORSA 24
Corsa 24 shown above with 26/26 Strada in the background for
perspective. 1" lower seat height, and 165 cranks
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Seating:
Euroshell,
Euromesh,
Re-Curve. |
LEVEL CRANK POSITION
GIRO 20 ATT
The aluminum frame lightens up the Giro 20 for the rider friendly
level crank position design. Disc brake option tops off the refinement. |
The Giro 20 and Giro 20 TT have a level crank
position, more universally friendly to both urban and country riding and
a more upright seating position. Adjustable seat angle, 3 seat choices. |
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GIRO 20
Level crank position, more upright posture, S &M/L sizes.
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GIRO 20 ST27D
w/ racks & Schwalbe tires.
Cobalt
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GIRO 20 GL81
Red Gold w/
Techwind Panniers & OFA pack
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GIRO 20 ST27
Ti
Silver
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GIRO 20 ST27
Purple w/ ZZipper fairing
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Manufactured in Holland since 1989, we bring you the Challenge line of
recumbents.
The first thing that draws people are the flowing lines of the
curved tubes. Most models have rear suspension. Challenge makes their own
aluminum seats in addition to fiberglass and carbon fiber options, custom fitted racks, and the largest range of crank
elevations out there. Short wheelbase design is the center of the Challenge
universe, with level crank, high racer, mid
racer, and low racer variations.
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CHALLENGE SL's
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The heart of this technology is the butted split tube frame
technology (see inset picture above, left) combined with carbon fiber seat, fork, and
boom technology.Compare these bikes, and you will find no lighter bikes
available in their price range.You will note that the frame is one piece,
from boom insertion point at the front, all the way to the rear dropouts.
No welded on stays! |
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FUJIN SL II
FUJIN SL I
Butted aluminum low racer hard tail w/ Preying Mantis ASS steering riser.
Shown on the right in OC cockpit form.
29ยบ seat angle,
carbon fork, and perforated
Challenge SL aluminum seat.
Note
the bolt on derailleur hanger and clean chain guidance system.
Fujin SL 1 weighs in at 22# max. Lower it with options or
set up a "fast touring" format.
Perspective! Challenge Fujin SLI low racer on the left, Challenge Seiran SL high racer on the right.
SEIRAN SL
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Challenge's butted aluminum high racer hard tail w/ carbon seat and fork. 3
cockpit options, Open Cockpit ASS, USS format, and Preying Mantis ASS. The Seiran SL's 49" wheelbase with fixed seat
position and adjustable boom keep handling dynamics consistent, with more sure
contact with the ground than other high racer ultra lights. The curved frame, in addition
to looking nice, provides a seating position with more foot contact to the
ground when stopped and diffuses road vibration. Spec configurations and detail options to
build
just the right bike for your passion.
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Details are carbon boom, and
new SL idlers, a 20# Seiran SL is
possible! Challenge
OC
format has telescopic stem, and telescopic width adjustment
features for optimum fit.
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SEIRAN-26
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The Seiran 26. Rear suspension on your high racer from SL to Touring specification!
Other details include the most rigid seat back support of all high racers to deliver the power, built in rack mounts, and adjustable seat angle. The wide range of seating options include fiberglass, carbon fiber or Challenge SL and E aluminum seating.
3 cockpit choices, Preying Mantis, Open Cockpit, and Under Seat Steering.
Seiran 26, the most refined and versatile high racer recumbent. |
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MISTRAL SL
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| The Mistral SL features the Challenge butted aluminum main
frame, easy to adapt to level crank position, and carbon rear swing arm rear suspension.
23# with rim brakes and ASS! (With USS and disc brake shown, 25#.) The rapid
acceleration only a 20" wheel format can deliver, and ultra light weight
with the surprise of the silky smooth suspension ride. All 3 cockpit options,
USS, OC, and Preying Mantis. |
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Check out the wide selection of Mistral SL demo, used, and new bikes in our Experienced Recumbents section.
HURRICANE SL
The 20/20 mid racer with the elegant Challenge carbon fiber rear suspension. Also
available with dual suspension, disc brakes, and USS
or folding Preying
Mantis
tiller
version shown here in Nuclear Yellow. Traditional drive or Dual Drive version,
single chainring with 27 speeds
at the rear.
FUJIN TOUR
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Based on low racer design, the Fujin Tour runs a higher seat height and a wider range of seat angle adjustment (read more upright) in the Quazi class. The beautiful Fujin Tour has a BB height 2" higher
than the high racer Seiran yielding a more aerodynamic profile into the wind.
The Fujin Tour has a SL format frame and rear swing arm technology for lighter weight without sacrificing strength, plus an array of ergonomic aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon fiber seats for optimum comfort. The new generation Challenge rear suspension keeps all roads smooth.
Above seat steering cockpit formats are available in fixed or adjustable Preying Mantis or Open Cockpit.
Linkage format Under Seat Steering, the best of it's genre, is available on the FujinTour for an unobstructed view of the world, and a relaxed position to ride the day in.
Fujin's are plush, but you can also preserve the plush and slim down the package with SL items like a carbon boom, air shock, SL wheels with narrow format rubber, carbon seat and cranks, and SL hollow pin/hollow plate chain options. |
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The Case For 24
During my visit to Challenge in the Fall of 2007 there were a couple of unexpected prototypes around. A 24" Seiran and
a 24" Taifun (to become the Furai when introduced in mid 2008) being assembled in the shop. Another company had introduced
2 models in 24" based on putting 24" wheels in existing 26" formatted framesets with a 24" fork. This lowered the seat height of
their high racer design somewhat, but the bikes were still "26". What was different at Challenge is that Paul Voerman was on a course of pure designs "to scale"
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Paul Voerman riding the Challenge Furai
The fundamentals of 24/24 are the wheels are lighter than 26, so you get faster acceleration, but the wheels are large enough you don't trade off cruising speed much like you do on a 20/20 bike, and you still roll easier over the road imperfections. Seat height is lowered about an inch for easier ground contact in the case of the high racer Seiran format.
The Seiran-26 is a big bike, and the Seiran-24 has a "just right" feel as to its size, nice maneuverability, the usual exceptional Challenge steering dynamics, and the quick uptake when you step on the crank.
In the Furai application, you get the low racer body position of ultimate aerodynamics, but instead of the low seating position, not so friendly in urban situations, what I found when riding a Furai in Winterswijk, Holland in the Fall of 2008 is the 24/24 elevates you to an 18" seat height so you are very comfortable in traffic, and you gain the "centered" gyroscopic feel in the steering you don't have with the 20" front wheel, typical of low racers. Acceleration remained snappy, and rolling over the brick textured street was easy and undaunting.
The bikes are offered in 507 format for touring/commuter application, and 520 format for the speed centered, minimal weight rider. They're worth a look.
-- Kelvin |
SEIRAN-24
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Seiran-24 brings the easy rolling, climbing ready high
racer format to new "scale" with a lower seat height and easier to
maneuver size. Additionally, the Seiran-24 has a faster
"off the line" response from the lighter 24' (507 or "SL" 520 format) wheels, while
keeping most of the momentum effect of 26's.
3 seats are offered, the
Challenge aluminium design in E and SL as well as fiberglass and carbon fiber designs
with their extra width at the shoulders
and butt areas as well as a perfect "butt pocket."
Incorporating SL technology in the frame, Challenge saves
weight of the bike while maintaining a high load capacity.Shown
above the Challenge Day Rack on the Mango bike, and the Challenge
Traveler Rack on the Blue bike that will take 4 panniers for the total
"unplug from the world" tourist.
For the faster ride, the Seiran-24 can be built with 520 format wheels, and lighter components all around including a carbon fiber boom, and all the SL goodies. |
MISTRAL
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The Mistral features include the well
received Challenge composite seat option with 5cm of extra width at the
butt and shoulders, a concave shape, and perfect butt pocket zone. Fiberglass
standard, and a carbon option. The new
"spine" behind the seat gives flexless seat support, built in rack mounting
infrastructure for the Challenge Day rack (right) , dual pannier Challenge Voyageur rack
systems, and slide adjustable seat angle fittings.New Ventisit and Lux seat pad
options complete the comfort.
The Mistral features a
rear swing arm of the elegant Challenge "split tube" aluminum design which reduces weight
and makes an elegant form.The frame blends SL technology at the front
with the Challenge butted SL main tube, also allowing the carbon fiber boom option to be
ordered.
Mistral series in general feature a more
"level" bottom bracket position found on many of the most popular SWB designs.
This format provides more upright seating, friendlier urban dynamics, and a
great touring platform. Standard dual suspension plus a long list of
possibilities in components and peripheral options make a very personal bike.
Relative to 26 rear wheel bikes, the Mistral has the quicker acceleration and more
agile handling 20/20 format bikes are known for.
The optional Voyageur dual pannier rear rack system (above) shows the nature
of the touring/commuter design.Wheelbase is
optimized for better handling and rolling performance.
Cockpit choices are USS, Preying Mantis, and Open Cockpit.
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