Introduction

Human performance is very limited especially when compared to that of an engine. Therefore it is essential to optimize human powered vehicles in terms of weight and efficiency.

We can train our body to be stronger but only within certain limits. The average performance of a human being is around 150 W. This seems too low even to give concerns for the designer about air drag, friction loss or rolling resistance. Practice however shows that every single little improvement on the machine can have a significant impact on the performance. With careful design these small improvements can add up having a beneficial net effect that will essentially mean that we can ride longer, faster and with less energy consumption.

The laws of nature are given. We cannot influence the rider's fitness either. Our job is to make the bicycle as efficient as possible and make the ride a pleasant experience. When designing the Carbonrecumbent machines we looked at all the factors that can have an effect on the ride.

• The machine should be comfortable but it should not mean increased air drag.
  
• The frame should be stiff, but it should not mean a harsh ride.
  
• The air drag should be minimised, but the riding posture cannot be completely horizontal, which would be really dangerous in traffic.

• Easy customizing but without jeopardise the everyday usability.

We could go on with this list, but even from these few points it is clear that the designer doesn't have an easy task as the requirements are often contradictory. An ideal solution doesn't exist, we can only strive to find an optimum.

We truly hope that we have reached our goal and we can offer a bicycle that makes each ride an unforgettable experience. Come and testride one of our machines! We really want to hear about your opinion!