Recumbent bike HPV Scorpion Enduro fs 26: Sporty recumbent trike from HP Velotechnik put to the test

Even as a test editor, it's not often that you get to enjoy a recumbent trike, so it's all the more surprising how quickly you get used to pedalling in front of your body and steering without leaning. The dimensions and turning circle are also quickly familiarised. It takes a little more time to familiarise yourself with the comparatively frog-like perspective and to gain confidence in the excellent suspension.

While you can still ride around puddles and obstacles off-road, the original terrain of the Scorpion Enduro base model, you simply have to take kerbs and potholes in the city. Despite the supine position, you can do this completely free of bumps in the back or fear of tipping over - even if you ride over them at an angle - thanks to the low centre of gravity and the three effective shock absorbers.

The HPV Scorpion: more for the suburbs

Even more tracking stability with the HPV Scorpion even at higher speeds thanks to the MacPherson suspension at the front. Operation is intuitive and easy up to 45 km/h, making the Scorpion a real, safe alternative even in the S-Pedelec version. Due to the track width and the slightly larger turning circle, its strengths lie more in the suburbs, in the countryside or on long commuter routes. For urban transport, you need to be aware of the dimensions of a three-wheeled recumbent. Interior doors and older trains are real hurdles, as are bridges and railway crossings if they are artificially narrowed with bollards.

However, the tested version of the HPV Scorpion, which is designed more for paved roads, opens up another supreme discipline: travelling. The long-lasting drive, the high payload on roads and the good biomechanics when pedalling make it possible to cover distances that would not be possible for many in the saddle. Sitting on or in the Scorpion for hours on end is not a comfort problem. Important: Recumbent bikes need to be adjusted quite precisely to work so well. Their well-known weakness - steep ramps with slow and heavy pedalling - is eliminated thanks to the motor.

Test summary of the HPV Scorpion fs 26

The road scorpion has attracted a lot of attention due to the rarity of such a fast recumbent per se, but also because of the dynamic manoeuvres that can be performed without, over and around urban obstacles. If you don't mind these glances and have enough space to accommodate the valuable bike properly, it can solve many problems such as sitting pain, tipping insecurity with a lot of luggage or loss of comfort due to bad roads. Who knows what the traffic of the future will look like - but with the HPV, you should be prepared for decades to come.

The Recumbent tricycle Scorpion Enduro fs 26 in detail

• Brand: HP Velotechnik
• Model: Scorpion Enduro fs 26
• Test bike price: 11,801.70 euros (basic price as a pedelec: 8,840 euros)
• Weight: 34.2 kg
• Payload: 110 (off-road) / 140 kg
• Frame: Aluminium, foldable with Rock-Shox rear shock and MacPherson front suspension
• Impellers: front: 20", rear: 26"
• Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus 47 mm
• Motor: Shimano EP 8 with SC-E6100 display
• Circuit: 10-speed Shimano Di2 XT
• Brakes: Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes
• Luggage carrier: yes, up to 25 kg
• Guarantee: Frame: 10 years, components: 2 years