Object of Desire

Hugh Haines

OK, I have a confession to make - I didn't buy a British Recumbent, in fact worse still, it isn't even European. Why send to California for a new 'bent frame and fairing? Because that's where the LWB with the lowest seat to tarmac height was developed and is sold to discerning aficionados by Rotator Bicycles of Santa Rosa - near San Francisco airport; for those who prefer to spend the air freight on a return ticket and collect in person during their holidays.

Having thoroughly tested both the Kingcycle SWB and a Trice (three wheels at skateboard level) since the back end of '94 it was time to move on in my search for perfection. At the time, the UK bicycle market just didn't have what I wanted, long, low and faired. The Pursuit is basically a 2in chromoly mono tube stretched between a pair of 20in high pressure balloon tyres, the maker's weight for which is 30lbs - without fairings. Steering is the simple ASS - with a dramatic castor action. Once familiar, the ride is addictive, stable at both high and low speed. With none of the nervous feel of an SWB it is too tempting to let it go on fast descents, and these I had to upgrade the barely adequate cantilevers with 'V' brakes. This bike isn't meant for tight low speed manoeuvres - what 'bent is? [just get onto a Streetglider. Ed] - and although manageable in traffic its forte is long days on the open road. As with all LWB's you need to stop at most junctions - your seat is a long way behind the front wheel.

Touring wise, I have a rear rack and with two large full bags, handling remains steady. With or without cargo the impulse to lay it over on fast bends is irresistible. The seat is wiiide. In fact it is the widest I have tried to date and the most comfortable. Adjustment is both for leg length and tilt and it provides a firm base to accelerate freely. As this bike uses an intermediate drive, I have the luxury of 35 gears - and changing between them is fast and smooth,

The fairing is fantastic. It's easy to believe the claim that resistance to air flow using both front and rear fairings together is only 75% of that endured by the upright biker. Practically I can run away from a squad of freewheeling mates on their stripped down Sunday morning road irons. One disadvantage - fairings seem to amplify every clank and rattle so I reserve mine for cold weather or racing.

The machine cost me just over E1500 to build - allowing around E350 for UK sourced parts at budget level. This seems to compare favourably with local competition in Europe for a faired LWB and I am well satisfied with what transpired. You have to be careful importing though. Complete bikes are rated for duty at 15%, and then VAT gets charged on the total PLUS shipping charges - who said Piracy is dead? If you buy your machine in bits, it is suddenly a collection of components - and rated at 5%. Lottery winners can order the Interceptor version with Kevlar front and rear fairings in natural gold plus Aerospoke wheels.