What makes Volae Recumbents so fast? On an upright
bike, an aerodynamic tuck is achieved by riding in the drop bars or leaned
forward on aero bars. Most people find these aero positions uncomfortable
and difficult to maintain for any length of time. On a Volae Recumbent, an
extremely aerodynamic (and supremely comfortable) rider position is built
into the bike. The Volae rider is in this superior riding position 100% of
the time - and the resulting energy savings on long rides is enormous.
In the above picture, the different riding positions on
an upright bike are illustrated. From left to right, the most upright to
the most aero. The far right is the same rider on a Volae recumbent. It
is easy to see the incredible advantage that the Volae rider has in
frontal area alone*. This small frontal profile lets the Volae punch
through the air extremely efficiently without the aid of fairings or
aerodynamic add-ons. Of course, the added bonus is that you're in this
supremely comfortable laid-back position for your whole ride - just try
doing 60 miles in an aero tuck on your upright!
Aside from aerodynamics, drivetrain efficiency is
paramount on recumbents. Moving the drive chain out of a straight line
introduces friction into the drivetrain. At Volae, we have taken a great
deal of care to keep vertical and horizontal chain line displacement to a
minimum by using a single large-diameter idler on the drive-side. The
drive-side idler is a lightweight, state-of-the-art slotted/sprocket
hybrid that is the brainchild of our innovative friends at Greenspeed -
it's quiet and supremely efficient. The return-side idler, with very
little load on it, utilizes a proven design that maximizes longevity,
helps keep the chain on the front chainrings, provides clearance for the
fork and front brake, and adds very little weight.
Volae recumbents were designed with efficiency and
aerodynamics as key design goals. Believe it or not, it's now possible
to have an incredibly comfortable bike with no compromises in speed,
quality, usability or style.
Next: Volae Quality >
*Obviously, not a scientific comparison of
frontal areas, just an illustration.
