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Pressespiegel - Recumbent Cyclist News #75 (5/2003)
HP Velotechnik im Spiegel der Medien: Der folgende Text ist ein Ausriss aus der Zeitschrift Recumbent Cyclist News, Ausgabe #75 (5/2003). Wir empfehlen für die komplette Lektüre das Originalheft beim Verlag anzufordern.
HP Velo Spirit
Urban Bike for the Recumbent Planet
By Bob Bryant
HP Velo is the European recumbent manufacturer who'se done the best job at cultivating the American market. They are easy to deal with and are known for their very cool cutting edge and high quality recumbents. With the demise of BikeE and rumors and problems at Cannondale, the Spirit will easily capture the high-end CLWB market.
While it seams as though HP is far away, they are as close as your Internet connection. They deliver in a timely fashion just as if they were stateside.
The quality of the bikes are exeptional. With our two test bike experiences, we've seen no problems or concerns with the way that HP Velotechnik does business.
Systems
HP Velo has frames built in Taiwan, while their bikes are painted, assembled and packed in Germany. The result is an exceptional level of quality, that you might come to expect from a German automobile manufacturer.
Frame - The main frame tube is an oversize 3-inch diameter aluminium tube that has a sexy curve that allows for an easy step-over height. The bottom bracket is placed on the main tube just in front of the headtube (very SWB-like). A suspension swing arm is attached off the back of the main tube.
Fork - The Spirit has an aluminium fornt suspension fork. A steel spring is "discretely integrated" into the steerer tube. It's similar in appearance to the Cannondale and works well.
Suspension - The HP "No Squat" rear suspension is hydraulically dampened by a coil/oil shock for a very smooth ride. There is 2.33" of travel. Our Spirit came with an optional spring vor heaver riders. We never had to install it. The front Headshock-like suspension has just 1.2" of travel, though also seemed quite adequate.
The suspension was a big improvement over BikeE's, and nearly as good as the Cannondale. We'll give Cannondale the benefit of the doubt for being a suspension specialist, but we definitely like the Spirit bike better.
I never experienced much rear suspension pogo, and am sure it could be dialed-out for riders who do experience it with the additional spring.
Steering - A stump tube comes out of the headtube and attaches to a steering riser. The riser attaches to a stem, that connects to some Euro style tourister-type bars. The feel is very Euro, almost like a more urban version of the "tweaner" set-up found on the Bacchettas.
Weight - This bike is not light. Full suspension urban recumbents are seldom lightweight. Our test bike with the integral seat rack, pannier rack, fenders, rearview mirror, and pedals weighed 45 pounds.
Drivetrain
Components - The components are a mix appropriate for this bike. The hubs are SON (front, generator) and rear SRAM DualDrive. The bike has a DualDrive rear derailleur - shifted by a SRAM chain and DualDrive twist shifters. The SRAM Dual Drive shifted perfectly. Though the system worked fine, we find SRAM derailleurs chep looking compared to those from Shimano. However, durability has not been a concern that we are aware of.
After reviewing recumbents with small drive-wheels and large chainrings, and overly complicated mid-drives - the DualDrive was a welcome change. It simplifies the frame design, and makes for the perfect urban recumbent drivetrain.
If there is a part on the bike worthy of upgrade it would be the Tracer single chainring alloy crank. If your replace it, you then must find a way to adapt inner and outer chain guides (chainrings with no teeth) - otherwise you may have trouble with the chain deraillments. So it's probably not worth doing.
Chain management - HP Velo outfits the Spirit with dual chain tubes and no idler pully. Initially, you do feel some frictions as you crank the pedals or spin the rear wheel. However the performance of this CLWB is quite good, and we love the simplicity of the well thought out chain management system.
Braking - There are no excuses from HP Velo about braking. There are no mixed break sets and theories on why a 16-inch front wheel can't have a disk brake. The Spirit comes outfitted with twin Tektro disc brakes. The stopping power is exceptional - and the finest of any CLWB we've tested. We had test bikes with Tektro, Avid and Formula discs here at the same time. I prefer the Avid's, but the Tektro's are close second. MAGURA Julie Trekking, hydraulic disc brakes and levers are an available option ($ 169).
Pedals - The Spirit comes with a rather nice pair of alloy pedals that have a rubber grip surface. As one who likes fine retro pedals, I took an immediate liking to these. However, if I were going to ride this bike at speed, I'd opt for a platform/Clipless combo pedal. It's my belief that you need to be clipped in when the BB is as high as the one on the Spirit.
Wheels and Tires - The fat and robust Schwalbe City Jet 1.95 tires are the perfect tire for an urban rider who wants to be able to tackle diverse terrain. While a rather low pressure tire (65 psi), they have a Kevlar belt, which adds to their durability. Our test period was in January with ice, mud, crud and we rode through all of it - even some off-road.
Comfort
Seat - The HP Velo seat has an aluminium frame with an integral rear rack coming off the back. The rather plain vinyl covered seat base was surprisingly comfortable. The beauty of the seat is in the two quick-releases that both clamp down on the seat track (a la Burley or Cannondale) and allow the seat to recline and base to adjust seperatly from the back. You can also loosen four allen bolts to move it further. The seat back is very comfy and has three tension straps to shape and set the back's firmness. The seat is superior to other CLWB's. Changing riders (sizes) is easy with the quickly adjustable seat.
The Spirit's seat is set at 60 degrees and has 5 degrees +/- of recline adjustment.
Ergonomics - The Spirit has a bottom bracket that is between 1/2" and 2.5" (for me at 6' tall) below the seat height. While this is higher than other CLWB models, and may require the need for clipless pedals - the ergonomics are near perfect.
User friendliness - Some aspects of the Spirit make it extremly user-friendly. The cockpit is easy to climb into and the main tube has a swoopy bend to it that allows your to step over easily. Most riders will be able to sit flat footed on the Spirit. One aspect of the design that makes it less user-friendly than other typical CLWB'S (like the Sun models) is the higher bottom bracket (BB). This may take a new rider longer to get accustomed too. Clipless pedals are mo.
Performance
The Spirit offers the finest CLWB handling in it's genre. It's very neutral feeling - very SWB-like. It can turn on a dime, and navigate through just about anything. We took it out in the country with the fairing on and experienced fine performance (for a CLWB). We even rode it as fast as she'd roll down the steepest hill around town (Cook Avenue Hill). My only concern is that my feet wanted to bounce off the pedals at speed. I can't recomend riding the Spirit at high speed with the stock pedals. While excellent for around town, the BB is high enough where you'll need clipless pedals to hold your feet onto the bike.
The Spirit is about as manueverable as a recumbent can be. It's short enough, and with the higher BB and smaller wheels, it can get in and out just about any situation.
Hill Climbing - Like most CLWB, I found the Spirit to be slow, but steady climber. The main reason for this is the heavy weight of the bike. Our test bike was even heavier with the SON hub and fairing, though the Spirit is no lightweight even without these options.
So while I found the Spirit to be competent recumbent, performance will suffer - especially up hills - due to the weight of the bike. |  |
Owning
Utility - The Spirit is an ideal urban commuter. Perhaps the best you can get. It will haul a big payload (underseat panniers, seat rack, and room for seat bag) - but best of all the thoughtful (European) manufacturer offers well thought out and carefully fit options that improve roadworthiness.
Options & accessoiries - We ordered our Spirit with the optional SKS Bluemel fenders (retail $35), a BM Cyclestar rearview mirror (a bit small, but works fine; $15 retail), the SON generator hub/light system (wonderful!) and a kickstand ($13). Our test bike also had the HP lowrider pannier racks ($ 90) which worked well, but strapping our panniers on (lower) was not as easy as we'd experienced with other racks.
We also borrowed the Radical bag from our Hase trike which fit the Spirit better than the Kettwiesel it was designed for. There is a HP seat bag, but we neglected to order one.
Back to the light system for a moment. Most of the time you cannot even tell that you are riding with a generator on. As the hub turns, it generates electricity to power the lights. There is a nicely fit BM Lumotec oval headlight with the on/off switch) and internal wiring that runs back to a red tail-light. After three minutes of riding, LED lights come on when you come to a stoplight (and stop pedaling for a moment). While not luminescent as my Night Sun system, the SON generator will never leave you with a dead battery. The lights also have an automatic dusk sensor.
HP Velo offers the SON as an option, which includes the internal frame wiring and mounts for the lights. It's a most impressive system (retails for $309 USD).
The Spirit has braze-on mounts for front and rear lights, fenders, and several other items. There is one spot for a water bottle on the topside of the main tube. Others could be fitted, or there is room for a hydration pack on the seatback.
Qur test bike had the optional Streamer fairing ($279) that quick-release to the handlebar and stem/riser via three "Klickfix" mounts. The fairing velcro mounts to the aluminium subframe (works very well). The Streamer appeared to be just as nice as the fairings we've seen from Zzip and Mueller, with good edging and quality. As usual, they scratch easily. On this particular bike, the fairing worked nicely to keep the cold winter air off the raider, and did offer a performance boost. This is a worthwhile option, especially for commuters in cold climates.
Verdict
With the demise of BikeE, we must question the feasibility of a recumbent mass market. While many enthusiasts opt for "go-fast" performance recumbents, we're not sure if there is a big "urban commuter" market (or if they'll opt for a CLWB). It does make the most sense as an urban recumbent, but some riders want their bikes to pull double duty as a weekend warrior, so they might opt for a go-fast commuter. BikeE sold enough RX's to make them worthwhile (though it didn't help to keep them in business). Cannondale says they sold enough recumbents to make the project worthwhile - though neither are stellar examples. A company like HP Velo should be able to sell enough Spirit's to make it a worthwhile model in their stable of SWB performance and touring recumbents.
In comparing the Spirit to the BikE RX, it's flat out a better bike - no question about it. It's also more affordable than the final RX, and it has a workout front suspension, more comfy seat and better options. The Spirit is simpler than the Cannondale (with it's complex mid-drive) and far less expensive. Our loaded test Spirit is a more refined product than any of the above. Like the above bikes, if there is a downside it's the weight. Our loaded Spirit weighed 45 pounds.
One aspect of the Euro bike that we very much respect is that the Europeans don't mess around when it comes to serious accessories to turn their bicycles into vehicles for urban transportation. In fact, in some countries, these accessories can be mandated by a given countries legal requirements. In contrast, most USA manufacturers are quite lame.
The compact style of recumbent truly is the ultimate for urban riding. This CLWB is no longer than an average touring (upright) bike. The Spirit has exceptional handling and road manners. The feeling is very neutral and stable - one of the best handling recumbents we've ever reviewed (and the best CLWB handling).
The HP Velo Spirit does not ride or feel like a new recumbent model or design. It feels refined and dialed-in. Ours was robust and problem free in our daily use. The Spirit is an exceptional or urban/commuter recumbent. It's an attractive, simple and straightforward recumbent that is an absolute pleasure to ride.
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