product design > recumbent bicycle concept

Recumbent

The goal of this project was to develop an efficient human powered vehicle. My initial research indicated that a recumbent would be an ideal vehicle. The project was broken down into two parts. One part was to build a recumbent to inform myself on the issues involved. The other part was to create a computer model of an ideal design. This was a four week project.

The final computer model shows a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic fully suspended recumbent. The main part of the frame is a two part shell which houses a belt drive and hydraulic lines for steering, braking, and shifting. This recumbent relies on two internal planetary gear systems to supply a broad and reliable gear combination. The seat is mounted on a track and can be quickly moved forward or backward to accommodate persons of different height. A rear rack is integrated into the seat.

Based on plans from Bentech. This recumbent has a 700c rear wheel and 20" front wheel. The main boom is actually a muffler pipe (mild steel with .0625" wall thickness). Which only makes it even more remarkable that it weighs in at under 30 lbs.

And lastly, here is another recumbent design.