Jeanette, the HP Velotechnik bikes and trikes are extremely well-made. I bought a used 10-year-old Street Machine GTe and it is still as though it were brand new. Amazing build quality.
Hi again! :) Im abit torn apart between if I should buy a streetmachine or the speedmashine. Will mostly commute (22-??) I often take longer paths till and from my work. I like to also do some touring during the summer. All tips welcome ^^
Love the Machine. Bout a 2007 loaded, and can handle ,my massive 294lbs, awesome bike. just can"t ride in winter here in northwestern wi.. looking at a fat tad..
Nice review. Thanks. I'm looking into the Speedmachine. I have a Street Machine GTe, which I love, but I am too short for it, at 5'5". I could cut the boom but that would only address the stretch to the pedals, it would not address reaching the ground. The Speedmachine appears to have all the strengths of the GTe but being very low to the ground, I think it may be ideal for me. I prefer underseat steering and so will go with that but I was curious as to your choice of the Bacchetta handlebars as opposed to the HP bars of similar shape. How do those bars differ from the Bacchetta bars that was important to you? I also appreciate that you are happy with the short cranks. HP recommends the short cranks for people under 5'8" but I was worried that they might be too short. I realize the long cranks force my short legs to travel through a very broad circle but wouldn't the 155 reduce the power that one can achieve? Your thoughts? Thanks, again, nice review. Alex
I went for the Bacchetta handlebars because they are longer, and allow my hands to be lower. Also, they will take standard bar end shifters. The HPV bars do not. Short cranks and power is tricky. I'm no expert, but I can tell you that short cranks are terrific. You perhaps lose a tiny bit of leverage at the 90 degree point, but with less throw your leg is in a much better power position with the knee at less than 90 degree flexion. For me they have been great. I can have a faster cadence this way, which is better on recumbent. So, all thumbs up on shorter cranks.
dndrich Also appreciate the comment on the front suspension. I always wondered how it could function well given its appearance. It just looks shallow but isn't.
Good walk through. 32 lbs. for a full-suspension, dual disc brake recumbent is actually rather impressive! I'm sorta picky about the cockpit of my bikes, so the slightly too long brake hoses stood out to me...
The brake hoses are not an issue for me. They are well out of the field of view, and do not interfere with the pedaling since the legs are below the bars. The bike has been a great performer.
How are you handling the hills around here? I've tried a recumbent but didn't feel confident enough to do even small hills, let alone my favorite rides like Coleman Valley and Sweetwater Springs. Can you do hills at 10% or greater? (Great overview, by the way.)
Yup. I hit them all. Coleman, Harrison grade, etc. Haven't been up Sweetwater yet. That would be a challenge. But I can get up 17-18% going around 3.5 mph with my 22 front and 36 rear. It is slow but I definitely can do it.
Thanks for video much appreciated. Did you even consider under seat steering and why did you rule it out. I would imagine this would have less strain on the neck but never ridden one.
nice bike, been awhile now, so how do you like the performance ? Is the frame 4130 0r Aluminum ? at 32lbs I am assuming it is 4130...almost twice the weight of your road bike...are you happy with this bike ?
My bike has been fantastic. I have about 3500 miles on it now, and still am learning as I go. It is a great performer. Super comfortable. Fast enough on the rollers, but slow uphill from weight and my skills. Nonetheless, I am able to do all of what I could do before on my roadie, but just a bit slower. Worth it for the comfort and safety for me. I have converted to tubeless tires, which has been nice. According to the manufacturer the frame is Aluminum 7005T6 heat treated.
@@dndrich I like the main tube of the bike, it has the large 3" tube which makes it look great...some recumbents seem to have only about 1-1/2 " main tubes......sure looks like the build and design quality is the typical German Engineering .... fantastic
To be Fair.. I have been looking into to buy a recumbent bike since I sold my trike. Probly gonna take sometime until I know what specs I want to have on it haha:D
@@johannesmagnusson4996 I have been on a few dirt areas. I would be worried about the balance at this point in my career. If it slides, I'm not sure my recovery moves for balance are quite there. I have only been riding it since February. Same issues on a roadie, but I have much more experience. So far the bike has done OK in those situations.
I translated your words here. There is not a fatal design at all. I have no issues with chain rubbing, and the tubes work quite well for this bike. I have like 8000 miles on the bike now with no issues.
Zach's attention to detail is fantastic! I bought my Street Machine through him. I want a Speed Machine now also.
Congratulations. You can't go wrong buying from Zach.
Good review. We love the Speedmachine at our shop. This is the first carbon boom I have seen on one.
Thanks! The carbon boom requires an angled adapter that comes with it for a braze on style front derailleur.
Fantastic looking bike with thoughtful customizations...I want one just like it!
I love the bike.
Congrats on the new ride! This makes me want to make a vid of the HPVfs26 Zach assembled for me! Safe cycling to you!!
Do it! More info on these things is really helpful to future purchasers and riders.
That's a gorgeous bike! Looks well made. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have many happy rides on it.
Thanks! I plan to enjoy it for many, many years.
Jeanette, the HP Velotechnik bikes and trikes are extremely well-made. I bought a used 10-year-old Street Machine GTe and it is still as though it were brand new. Amazing build quality.
Hi again! :)
Im abit torn apart between if I should buy a streetmachine or the speedmashine. Will mostly commute (22-??) I often take longer paths till and from my work. I like to also do some touring during the summer.
All tips welcome ^^
Love the Machine. Bout a 2007 loaded, and can handle ,my massive 294lbs, awesome bike. just can"t ride in winter here in northwestern wi.. looking at a fat tad..
Nice review. Thanks. I'm looking into the Speedmachine. I have a Street Machine GTe, which I love, but I am too short for it, at 5'5". I could cut the boom but that would only address the stretch to the pedals, it would not address reaching the ground. The Speedmachine appears to have all the strengths of the GTe but being very low to the ground, I think it may be ideal for me. I prefer underseat steering and so will go with that but I was curious as to your choice of the Bacchetta handlebars as opposed to the HP bars of similar shape. How do those bars differ from the Bacchetta bars that was important to you?
I also appreciate that you are happy with the short cranks. HP recommends the short cranks for people under 5'8" but I was worried that they might be too short. I realize the long cranks force my short legs to travel through a very broad circle but wouldn't the 155 reduce the power that one can achieve? Your thoughts?
Thanks, again, nice review. Alex
I went for the Bacchetta handlebars because they are longer, and allow my hands to be lower. Also, they will take standard bar end shifters. The HPV bars do not.
Short cranks and power is tricky. I'm no expert, but I can tell you that short cranks are terrific. You perhaps lose a tiny bit of leverage at the 90 degree point, but with less throw your leg is in a much better power position with the knee at less than 90 degree flexion. For me they have been great. I can have a faster cadence this way, which is better on recumbent. So, all thumbs up on shorter cranks.
dndrich Thanks, that all makes sense.
dndrich Also appreciate the comment on the front suspension. I always wondered how it could function well given its appearance. It just looks shallow but isn't.
Good walk through. 32 lbs. for a full-suspension, dual disc brake recumbent is actually rather impressive! I'm sorta picky about the cockpit of my bikes, so the slightly too long brake hoses stood out to me...
The brake hoses are not an issue for me. They are well out of the field of view, and do not interfere with the pedaling since the legs are below the bars. The bike has been a great performer.
How are you handling the hills around here? I've tried a recumbent but didn't feel confident enough to do even small hills, let alone my favorite rides like Coleman Valley and Sweetwater Springs. Can you do hills at 10% or greater? (Great overview, by the way.)
Yup. I hit them all. Coleman, Harrison grade, etc. Haven't been up Sweetwater yet. That would be a challenge. But I can get up 17-18% going around 3.5 mph with my 22 front and 36 rear. It is slow but I definitely can do it.
Thanks for video much appreciated. Did you even consider under seat steering and why did you rule it out. I would imagine this would have less strain on the neck but never ridden one.
I just thought it would be easier to learn the standard bars. Mine go way back, so my arms are quite relaxed and my neck is in a good position.
nice bike, been awhile now, so how do you like the performance ? Is the frame 4130 0r Aluminum ? at 32lbs I am assuming it is 4130...almost twice the weight of your road bike...are you happy with this bike ?
My bike has been fantastic. I have about 3500 miles on it now, and still am learning as I go. It is a great performer. Super comfortable. Fast enough on the rollers, but slow uphill from weight and my skills. Nonetheless, I am able to do all of what I could do before on my roadie, but just a bit slower. Worth it for the comfort and safety for me. I have converted to tubeless tires, which has been nice. According to the manufacturer the frame is Aluminum 7005T6 heat treated.
@@dndrich
I like the main tube of the bike, it has the large 3" tube which makes it look great...some recumbents seem to have only about 1-1/2 " main tubes......sure looks like the build and design quality is the typical German Engineering .... fantastic
Steven Depp Oh yes the bike is built like a tank. The more I ride it the more I appreciate the build quality
Love the vid! Gonna buy myself a speedmashine some time next Year. Wouldnt a dynamo be Nice to add?
To be Fair.. I have been looking into to buy a recumbent bike since I sold my trike. Probly gonna take sometime until I know what specs I want to have on it haha:D
I considered it, and almost did. I think they are a great idea.
@@dndrich as a follow up question, have you been on any gravel roads with the bike?
@@johannesmagnusson4996 I have been on a few dirt areas. I would be worried about the balance at this point in my career. If it slides, I'm not sure my recovery moves for balance are quite there. I have only been riding it since February. Same issues on a roadie, but I have much more experience. So far the bike has done OK in those situations.
HP的斜躺車有一個致命的缺陷：臨近後輪的鏈條會在鬆弛狀態時摩擦管壁，HP的補救措施是單獨套一節尼龍管，我比較喜歡ZUCB的設計，簡捷明快
I translated your words here. There is not a fatal design at all. I have no issues with chain rubbing, and the tubes work quite well for this bike. I have like 8000 miles on the bike now with no issues.
Your air shock in backwards and upside down. Great looking bike, though!
Nothing like an HP Velotechnik.
Yep, I notice that when I got it. It works the same though. I just never turned it around!!
How much did you pay for that??
Around $5000. Not cheap, but worth it.