Ex-StreetMachine GT riders opinion wanted

I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next recumbent.
Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like to
get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The
SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but now
i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy to
give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT in
this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are
riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences.
I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but i
don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a
suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from
fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.

Many thanks
Gus

Hi Gus.

When I bought my SMGT, i was happy w/ everything about the bike except
it's climbing ability. After some inquiries on arbr and
bentrideronline, I learned that seat angle plays a significant role in
hill climbing. The problem w/ the SMGT (and even more so on the SMGTE)
is that the seat angle just isn't high enough for a good climbing
position.
My solution: I placed a 2 inch wooden spacer between the back of the
seat and the mounting bracket. This installation required only slight
modification and has made all the climbing difference in the world! I
rode a very hilly tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles w/ 60 lbs of
gear and was able to crank up the hills very nicely using this
configuration.

Hope this helps.

-Leif

"None" wrote in message
...
I presently have a StreetMachine GT and am now looking at my next
recumbent.
Having done a few 100km/160km events on rolling roads I really would like
to
get a faster bent that goes better on the hills (this is a priority). The
SMGT is a great machine for touring and can't be beaten for comfort but
now
i feel its time to move to something faster which can also tour. Am happy
to
give up a little on the comfort side as it would be hard to beat the SMGT
in
this department. I would be particularly interested in riders who have/are
riding SWB bents made by European companies and their experiences.
I do have the chance to rent out bents from local suppliers for a day but
i
don't believe that this gives one enough of a chance to truly evaluate a
suitable replacement. So I would really appreciate honest appraisals from
fellow bent riders esp ex-SMGT riders.

Many thanks
Gus

I tour on an Optima Baron, while it's not designed for that it works well,
otherwise I don't think you can combine a good tourer with a good hill
climber