Recumbent

In 2016 we first heard about the KerVelo, a recumbent bike that replaced the chain with a gearhub transmission built into the front wheel. Well, it's now more of a head-turner than ever, with the new carbon fiber Low Racer model being unveiled at last month's Spezi bike show in Germany.

When we've attended the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in the past, we've always been on the lookout for things that weren't just plain ol' bikes. Well, this year's show didn't disappoint, with Bilenky Cycle Works showcasing a semi-recumbent creation that really caught our eye.

​When we think of velomobiles (for those of us who think of them at all), we typically picture recumbent trikes with rigid aerodynamic shells. The Lightning F-22, however, is a little bit different – it's a recumbent BIKE, that has a full-body shell made from stretchable spandex.

​If you find conventional bikes uncomfortable, you can always go with a recumbent. And if you want added stability, then a recumbent TRIKE may be more to your liking. I just finished spending a couple of weeks trying out one of the speediest models, the Catrike 700, and the thing is a hoot!

Handlebars seem about as important as wheels in bike design, but Swiss inventor Yvan Forclaz has done away with them in favor of a joystick. The Joystick Bike has been tweaked and refined since we first saw it a few years ago, and now it’s almost ready for tinkerers to get their hands on it.

​Why power your bike with just your legs, if your arms can be put to work too? That's the thinking behind the Varibike, an arm- and leg-powered bicycle. Two-wheelers aren't for everyone, though. It's with that in mind that the recumbent Varibike Trike is now being introduced.

Odyssey Trikes' Mark 5 Super claims a range of 300 miles (480 km) on a single charge, while also boasting a top speed of 60 mph (96 km/h).

​Recumbent bicycles may offer a more comfortable riding position, but they typically also have pretty long chains. Marc Le Borgne, however, has created an alternative. His KerVelo recumbent has an 18-speed gearhub transmission built into the front wheel.​

The annual World Human Powered Speed Challenge draws cyclists from around the world seeking to push the limits of pedal-powered motion, but it was Canadian Todd Reichart who left the competition in his wake to clock a top speed of 85.71 mph (137.9 km/h).

We've already seen a few bicycles that attempt to provide riders with more exercise by having them pedal with their legs and arms. Ruder-Rad, however, believes that a two-wheeler is too unstable a platform for that kind of locomotion. That's why it's introducing the Ruder Trike.

While they come in various forms, handlebars are a vital component on virtually every type of bike. The Joystick Bike replaces the ubiquitous bars with a right-hand joystick, delivering precise control that feels more like an aircraft or video game.

A lot of other people shy away from recumbents, as they have concerns about visibility. That's why Australian manufacturer Hiele has created the Trivek. It's a semi-recumbent delta tricycle that lets its rider sit back in a comfy seat while still sitting tall.