Lightning Cycle Dynamics

**Lightning Bikes**
Manufacturer	Lightning Cycle Dynamics
Cycle line	recumbent bicycles
Incorporated	1992
Status	In production
Website	www.lightningbikes.com

Lightning is a brand of recumbent bicycles produced by Lightning Cycle Dynamics based in Lompoc, California, United States. In 1979 the first Lightning recumbent was built by three students from - Tim Brummer, Don Guichard and Chris Dreike. In 1981 Brummer won the Abbott prize in a Lightning recumbent for the first human-powered vehicle to break the then-common speed limit of 55 mph.^[1] A four-man team set the fastest time for the 1989 Race Across America, a record that still stands.^[2] They have also won the STP (Seattle to Portland) Challenge, among other achievements.^[3] Today Lightning Cycle Dynamics produces recumbent bicycles and carbon cranks. Many of the bikes are made in the U.S.

Models[]

Phantom D[]

The Phantom uses a mono-tube design for simplicity and lower cost, while keeping the same geometry as the P-38 model and includes disc brakes. An optional add-on kit can convert the Phantom to a four-wheeled cycle, called the Phantom Quad.

P-38[]

The P-38 uses a patented space frame, consisting of small diameter tubes arranged in a three-dimensional triangular shape. It is considered a short wheelbase recumbent, with the front wheel behind the pedals and cranks. The P-38 also comes in a Rox version with thicker tubes, reinforcement and steel seat frame for heavier riders, and also in a belt-drive configuration, which uses belts instead of bicycle chains.

P-38 Voyager[]

The P-38 Voyager is a version of the P-38 that disassembles and can be carried in a large wheeled carrying case, or checked as luggage for air travel. It takes about 30 minutes to reassemble the bike.

F-40[]

The F-40 is a full-faired (enclosed) streamlined recumbent, using the P-38 frame inside, along with an aluminum frame and fabric fairing in the rear, and a fiberglass nose piece. The fairing improves aerodynamics and allows much higher speeds to be attained with similar pedaling effort. The F-40 set twelve world bicycle speed records.

R-84[]

The R-84 recumbent has a similar geometry to the P-38 and Phantom, but is constructed from carbon fiber, resulting in a lighter total bike weight.

F-90[]

The F-90 is similar to the F-40 but uses the R-84 carbon fiber frame along with a kevlar and mylar sailcloth midsection, instead of the fabric used in the F-40. Lightning claims that the F-90 is the fastest production bicycle available on the market for purchase.

Previous Models[]

Thunderbolt (no longer in production)
Stealth (renamed to Phantom)

Phantom II (no longer in production)

They also make handcycles and cranksets.

References[]

^ Hadland, Tony (2014). Bicycle Design, An Illustrated History. The MIT Press. p. 489. ISBN 978-0-262-02675-8. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
^ "RAAM Record Holders". RAAM. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
^ "Lightning R-84 review". Recumbent and Tandem Rider magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2015.