Windy Day, Recumbent Bike vs Road Bike Performance in the Wind
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Let's break down the performance of recumbent bikes and road bikes in the wind. On a day with 18 mph winds, I conducted this experiment to find out the performance of road bike vs recumbent bike. The results were a little surprising. I break down actual GPS data for both bikes on the same piece of trail. I ride the recumbent bike and road bike with the wind, then against the wind. This is NOT a complete apples to apples comparison, because naturally each bike has different specs and configuration. This is not a completely controlled test since I'm in the natural wind - not a wind tunnel. However, I think we can learn a lot from this experiment. I was a little surprised with the data.
When comparing my Cruzbike Sofrider to a Cannondale hybrid, the Cruz is generally about 3 mph faster. The Cruz doesn't have much of an advantage with the wind, but it certainly does against the wind. Both are aluminum.
Not a fair comparison because you're clipping in so to speak on the diamond frame and you're just using flat pedals on the recumbent you need to do apples to apples you need to get clipless pedals on both and that would make it a fair comparison.
I think the cruzbike v20 Vendetta would have been significantly faster than both of these bikes.
The result could be different with a high racer recumbent or a low racer. Your bike is nice but ... not the best to conclude the efficiency of these 2 types of bicycle. Two bikes with power meter can give us an exact comparison.
Agreed on the theory of all points. While not a fully controlled (variables) experiment, I wanted to provide some kind of comparison. I think the parameters were all apparent so the viewer can make their own judgement.
you realy need a power meter you can swap between the bikes too make truely fair comparisons of speed - as its proberly not possible to even do effort based on feel because the biomechanics are so different . still very intreasting vid though 🙂
Just ordered myself a Cruzbike like yours, importing here in the UK. Ouch, the import taxes! Not Cruzbike’s fault. Just thought you should know, your videos led me to splurging all that money!
It's a great bike! Thanks for letting me know!! You'll love it!
Hello, did you get the Cruzbike? I am in UK too and I am interested in the V20 or S40.
Thanks for sharing buddy.
I'm wondering how you warmed up before riding and which bike you used to warm up? There could have been some advantage to riding the second bike just due to having already warmed up. Also, I'm wondering why you switched from the Bacchetta used in previous videos to the Cruzbike? BTW, the S40 is more of an "endurance road bike", not really designed as a direct competitor/replacement for a typical road bike although there is some overlap. The V20 on the other hand was designed to be a direct competitor/replacement to road bikes and probably would make for better comparison.. I own and ride both. I will say that once you get your bent legs, in most situations, you will be faster on a comparable recumbent. At least that is my experience. Thanks again for the videos!
With similar tires and pressures, I would expect the recumbent to be even faster and closer to the road bike speed.
I will likely try that soon!
Hi Cory, please make another video is the S40 and show it again after all this time you've been using it. Also can we see you climbing a hill, to see how good as a climber is. 10-15 ° incline if possible. Thanks 🙏
with the wind, your back act like a sail, so it helps gain energy.
but i'm kinda skeptical about this test, or i just didn't understand it.
also, how you measure power, there was no real measurment of power output
plus repeatability, from scientific methode pov, you can't make any definite conclusions from this test.
Yep, not going to rent a wind tunnel or indoor track, so we will have to settle for this test - albeit not in full control of the variables.