Recumbent Museum at Bicycle Man

Explore the history of relaxed riding. Discover rare, classic, and unique models at our Recumbent Museum.

  • 1978 Tour Easy

    • The year Gardner Martin started Easy Racers
    • One owner bike, handmade by Gardner
    • With the original Zzipper fairing, the “EZ”
  • 1980 Avatar “2000”

    Serial #0024

    • From the first production run beginning 1978
    • This was the first recumbent in Paris-Brest-Paris
  • 1980-1983 Hypercycle

    • Made by Milt Turner
    • The aptly named Hypercycle was more comfy than traditional bikes, but not relaxing to steer
  • 1983 Leitgen Cycles

    • This early one-of-a-kind SWB recumbent was designed by Steve Leitgen after chasing a Tour Easy on RAGBRAI X
    • Steve later co-designed the Linear Recumbents
  • 1983 Linear

    • The First Linear Sold
    • Not Kann & Leitgen Cycles Decals.
    • Owned by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas kept at his Martha’s Vineyard summer house.
  • 1983 Roelandt

    • Early 1980’s Roelandt
    • Built in Holland
    • Similar to the 1905 English Recumbent
    • Possibly the first mass produced recumbent bike.
  • 1984 Backsafer Prototype

    • Seat Designed at Logan College of Chiropractic Ergonomic Research Center
    • Seat and Frame patented mid-1990’s
    • 75 bicycles built in Florida
    • US model led to a cheaper heavier import
    • J & B Cycles licensed the design, ~2005
  • 1986 Linear

    • Made in Guttenberg Iowa by Kann MFG
    • 1 1/4″ beam soon changed to 1 1/2″ for stiffness
    • These were the first:
    • Production aluminum recumbents
    • First Folding Recumbents
    • First foam bottom/mesh back recumbent seats
    • First seats with an integral pocket
  • 1988 Linear

    • All original components
    • 1 1/2″ wide Folding Frame
    • Made in Iowa till 2001
  • 1990 Ryan Vanguard

    • Direct descendent of the 1980 Avatar 2000
    • Note “RR” Logo on front – Rolls Royce sued Ryan over this.
  • 1993 BikeE CT 7 Speed

    • First BikeE Model Year, US Made
    • This Bike was never sold and never ridden
    • BikeE was made from 1993 to 2000
  • ca. 1994 ATP Vision R-40

    • The most popular USS bike of the late 1990s
    • Our of business – assets sold on eBay in 2004
    • Shown in the SWB configuration but convertible to LWB
  • Wiz Wheels – Terratrike 2.3

    Wiz Wheels – Terratrike 2.3

    • Made in Michigan in 1999.
    • The 146th trike TerraTrike made.
    • Now the Largest selling brand of tadpole trikes in the world!
  • Brass Bent

    • Nicely Executed for a one of a kind bike
    • Does not adjust for rider size or disassemble for shipping!
  • Crystal Engineering Trice

    Crystal Engineering Trice

    • Built in 1992 by Peter Ross in Cornwall, England
    • An early example from Crystal Engineering Trice
    • The Predecessor to ICE Trikes.
  • DeFelice Recumbent

    DeFelice Recumbent

    • Mid 1980’s
    • Made in New Palestine, Indiana
    • By Brian DeFelice of the DeFelice Recumbent Bicycle Co. 1983-19??
    • Original Suntour Components
  • EZ-1 by Easy Racers

    EZ-1 by Easy Racers

    • One of the originals – Made in the USA
    • Forerunner of the heavier, cheaper, Taiwanese Sun EZ-1
  • Haluzak Traverse

    Haluzak Traverse

    • Full Suspension USS Recumbent
    • One of 7 Made
  • Infinity II

    Infinity II

    By Ace Tool and Engineering

    • Infinity recumbents made in Mooresville Indiana
    • Some Infinity frames cracked from pedaling forces
  • Lightning P-38 with USS

    Lightning P-38 with USS

    • Made in the late 1980’s
    • One of 3 or 4 made with Under Seat Steering
  • Pre 1986 Linear Prototype

    Pre 1986 Linear Prototype

    • First Linear with Under Seat Steering
    • Hand made by Dirk Kann & Steve Leitgen
    • Steve’s personal bike, traded for a modern Linear Limo frameset.
  • Reynolds Weld Lab Nomad

    Reynolds Weld Lab Nomad

    • Built by George Reynolds
    • 2004 & 2005 WRA 200 meter record holder
    • 2005 WRA Kilometer record holder
    • Reynolds Bikes won 1st & 2nd at 2001 HPRA
    • George raced SWB bikes he designed and built.