In the test, the Grashopper fx proved to be a fast, foldable recumbent touring bike. Cycling in a recumbent position conveys a very special feeling: in the adjustable bucket seat, the entire body weight rests on the buttocks and lower back, shoulders and arms remain relaxed, the hands rest comfortably wide on the handles of the upper handlebars. The recumbent cyclist has their knees and feet on the high bottom bracket in front of them, with the landscape panorama stretching out to the horizon above and behind them.
In contrast, the outlook in road traffic is completely different: here, the usual high seating position with a view over the car roofs is missing. On flat roads, even in headwinds, the strategic advantage of cycling in a recumbent position becomes apparent: the smaller frontal area of the load significantly reduces the cd value. The cyclist's worst enemy, the headwind, only has a third of the usual surface area to slow down the recumbent cyclist. A recumbent bike is therefore faster and more energy-efficient than any other bicycle geometry. Ideal for longer rides, perhaps even touring with luggage.
