How Fast Can a Bicycle Go? 8 Videos Brings Us Up to Speed
Fastest Production Recumbent
The fastest production (recumbent) bike is claimed by the Lightning F-40, Its makers say the F-40's cruising speed is 50% faster than a standard bicycle. And tout their real world road cred to prove it. The bikes have completed the 4800 km (3000 mile) Race Across America (RAAM) in five days, one hour with an average speed of 25 mph (40 kph) ridden by a relay team.
Fastest Upright Bicycle (Unassisted)
But what of more conventional upright position bikes? From a standing start we believe that record is still held by a Moulton AM7 ridden at 82kph (51mph), over 200m, within a fully faired (enclosed) shell by Jim Glover way back in 1986.
Right side image Source
Fastest Production Mountain Bike on Snow
But if you are wondering about a gravity assisted record, then it seems that possibly belongs to Austria's Markus Stoeckl. In September of last year he careened down a 45° ski run the Chilean mountains to notch up a speed of 210.4 kph (130.7 mph), on a production mountain bike. All the while holding his breath, not because of the thrill, but to stop his helmet visor from fogging up. See the video and be amazed that he stayed upright.
Fastest Prototype Mountain Bike on Terra Firma
Someone attempting a similar stunt was Frenchman Eric Barone, who launched himself off the Cerro Negro volcano in Nicaragua during 2002. He reached 107 mph (172 kph) before ... umm ... clipping a rock and catapulting into space. See next video for the rather spectacular finish. (Eric holds the record for a prototype mountain bike on snow at 222.22 kph [138 mph].)
