Recumbent Racing Trike vs Recumbent Low Racer: The ICE VTX Goes Head to Head with the Lightning U2!

Rich and I compare a very fast low racer and a very fast trike. You may be surprised by the outcome!
Music: FynestLyk: Noir Et Blanc Vie

[@benazeddine5255]

From Denmark: Thx for sharing. Last summer I shifted from my Koga (700 wheels) to an ICE Sprint FS 20" + same trailer with same gear (65 Kg). I found out that, with the Trike, I was travelling 30 % slower than on the Koga. I was much more confortable climbing hills with the Trike. I was more comfortable in the padded seat and felt more secure in the traffic. Further: no saddle discomfort and when the sun was in the zenith and it was too hot to carry on, I would just look for a tree with most shade and take a coffee break under it, while sitting in very comfortable Ergo Mesh de lux seat. All in all, I am done with bicycles, long life to the Trike! I envy you the ride in the sunshine. Here the temperature is just above freezing (1 degree C) and it will be snowing tomorrow.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That was a rare sunny day here in California. It's been rainy for weeks here, but at least it's not as cold as it is over there! I think we need to both take our trikes over to Australia for a couple of months and enjoy the summer heat wave they're having there. :)

[@benazeddine5255]

@@bikestrikesrazors Good idea. Just keep away from rivers and unguarded beaches... Crocodiles, Sharks and dingos...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@benazeddine5255 LOL! Yep, and I hear they have lots of deadly spiders! Fun! :)

[@lesp315]

@@bikestrikesrazors You don't have to go to Australia. Just move to Southern Cal. San Diego has the perfect weather all year round. I'm 67 and live here for the most of my life. Own three trikes and Greenspeed is my favorite, however I'm in the process of building a full suspension trike.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

San Diego is beautiful!@@lesp315

[@greg_mid_tn3150]

Completely agree. Having had a Catrike Speed (04), Bacchetta Giro 20, Barcroft Virginia TI and Catrike 700 - all my times on the two wheelers on the same course have always been faster than the trikes. The difference was the feeling of complete body exhaustion from keeping the two wheelers upright vs just the leg exhaustion on the trikes. Nice video.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That's a great point, Greg! Yep, I was exhausted from wrangling with the low racer all day. It must take substantially more energy just keeping the two-wheeler upright!

[@flightlessboid]

Excellent overall assessment between the two designs. Didn't expect the VTX to hold its own in the short speed runs. However, not surprised by its climbing abilities, trikes really are pigs on inclines. "THE" single reason why I added a mid-drive e-assist to my Performer JC70 recumbent trike - grew tired of walkers passing me as I struggled up a long hill. Also, one other point. Last week, I spent some time exchanging notes with a rider on a 2-wheel recumbent. I had no idea the difficulties he had managing the pedals from interfering with the front wheel at very low-speeds, quite the trapeze act.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Patrick! Yep, both low racer and high racer designs can come with their own special problems. I know of several designs with which you can wind up hitting your front wheel with your crank if you're not careful, which can lead to stopping instantly, which is no fun at all. :) Thanks very much for watching!

[@gabrieltalbotphoto]

An easy way to compare 2 bikes is to ride side by side at the same speed and compare the power if both bikes are equiped with power meter. It gives the real data. One observation about the recumbent, I think the bottom bracket is to far from the seat, the legs of the cyclist seem in near full extension that can induce knees problem.

[@johnosborne6600]

Great review. I have had 2 low racer like recumbent bikes. They were both very hard to ride smoothly. Was comforting to know that is just how they are. I was surprised to learn that the trike was similar in speed. The problem with trikes is they are so wide. They take up a lot of space on local trails and are impossible to ride on the road.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi John, Yes, I also have a T-Bone mid racer two-wheeler and it's a handful as well. Some trikes are wider than others, this VTX has a very narrow track compared to most trikes, but still wider than a two-wheel bikes imprint.

[@markfeldman6509]

Great video. Nothing like a couple of brothers competing! I have a two wheel racer and a Catrike 700 and the two wheeler just scares the hell out of me now. Too fast and unstable and just beats the heck out of the entire body. One of my riding buddies just got the ICE VTX which I test rode of course and I found it to be faster and more comfortable than 700. I might just have to add one to my fleet……

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Uh, oh...now you're in trouble, Mark. Well, N+1 applies to trikes just as well as it does to bikes. :) I've always wondered how the VTX would compare speed-wise to a 700 but I've never been able to do a direct comparison. Was the VTX that demonstrably faster?

[@markfeldman6509]

@@bikestrikesrazors N plus 1 lives forever! I have a big home and garage. I changed out tires from Schwalbe Durano to Marathon Plus for a less harsh and a more comfy ride as I do around 200 mikes per week and the thin hard slick Duranos are less comfy and wear out very fast and it’s $200 to change them out every 2-3 months. The marathon plus slows me a good 2mph easily as they are wider with more tread. But much more comfortable. My buddy and I rode interchanging my 700 and his VTX and they are very different machines. Nearly identical in speed with same cadence/gearing. VTX had a much better seat for longer rides. Indirect steering was new to me so it felt more nimble once I accommodated to it. With identical tires and gearing I feel that speed it indistinguishable between them. They both have their idiosyncratic characteristics . Both fabulous. The VTX is over $2000 more than 700. Is it worth it? To me it is not. This 70 year old codger can go plenty fast on either . VTX is a sweet machine though. My two wheeler gets used infrequently as I don’t want to die too soon and leave a rich widow. Your video was awesome. If I were in the market for a racing trike and money was of no concern I’d buy the VTX . The 700 is right up there with it but a much better value .

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@markfeldman6509 I've found the Duranos to be pretty harsh as well. The "Shreddas I had on the trike previously were much more comfortable.

[@kellyb.mcdonald1863]

My daily commuter is a Bill Haluzak recumbent it's the model titled the "Haluzak" modelt's a 2 wheel recumbent bike!!! it has a 26" wheel in the rear, and a 20" in the front. I Love It!!! You guys keep spreading the spirit and keep riding safe!!! Look up the old movie from 1937 Lost Horizon, and pop some popcorn and enjoy the movie!!! The director (that's Prime Creator) always say's Light's Camera, and Action!!! Remember the 4 M's : 1. Magical 2. Mascot 3. Mermaid's 4. McDonald!!! I have gratitude for your video!!! and for it being out in the world too!!!You guys have a Great Day!!! Kelly!!!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Kelly! I have a Haluzak Horizon also! Bill Haluzak came up with a winning design there and I love the under-seat steering. Also a fan of the original Lost Horizon AND the slightly cheesy 1970’s musical version (1960’s or 1970’s?) Both great films!

[@kellyb.mcdonald1863]

@@bikestrikesrazors Rich, I'm Sorry if this is a long read, If you are upset then I apologize in advance for this lengthy read. You have a Beautiful Day!!! This is like a synchronicity us coming together like this!!! Bill Haluzak Yes!!! I concur with what you said about him!!! Yes He was Genius!!! It 's so sad cancer took him out prematurely. I actually was able to talk to him on the telephone maybe 1 1/2 years before he passed, I needed a new mesh seat for my "Haluzak" and he made it for me personally!!! God I Love It, and I Love Bill Too!!! for doing this black nylon velcro lock breathable mesh seat cover for me!!! I haven't yet seen the later version's of the movie Lost Horizon from the1960's or 1970's, but know at a future date my own curiosity will conspire with ego, and I'll be engulfed in it. all the same--- About Sam Jaffe portraying the Dalai Lama and the truths that he spoke in the movie, my feeling are not easy to put into words, except like possible saying: Riding The Zephyrus Wind's and I Was Breathless!!!! and Bless Me!!! I would without hesitation I would fill that role instantly as the High Dalai Lama Himself, portraited by Same Jaffe!!!. Beyond my Haluzak Recumbent Bicycle, I am a energy healer, and a lightworker, and on a vegan diet, and a teatotaler too. Additionally once upon a time there was a temple out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean known as Temple Lemuria, and there was a Empress of that Temple, and I was that Empress, I was that being known as the Empress Mary!!! and The Immortal Mermaid's of Temple Lemuria was our Mascot's, since they are Benevolent Good Beings of Light!!! Life is a Smorgasbord, a King's Buffet!!! but I will simple eat unrich food like my oatmeal porridge!!! and I am here to do Powerful Good for the Planet!!! I have a date with destiny to see Temple Lemuria exist again, as it once was, and to have dielectric piezo electric magnetic levitation craft like we once had in ancient times of Lemuria, and we had 10 mile high floating cities too!!! Those were the beautiful days, back then!!! Sincerely, Kelly PS: I get it if I don't hear from you, okay. I will survive, and be fine. But if I didn't speak right up, up front to you, and say right off the bat who and what I was, I'd never be comfortable carrying on a pretense, or a charade. Enjoy your Horizon Recumbent Ride!!! Ride!!! Ride!!! Ride, Friend!!! We connected through the recumbents!!! maybe not spirit, and maybe not Temple Lemuria, yet there was a connection all the same!!! Sincerely, Kelly - PS: Happy Trail To You!!! Friend!!!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@kellyb.mcdonald1863 Hey, Kelly- Very cool that you have an awareness of a past life! Keep on doing the good work and making the world a better place!

[@kellyb.mcdonald1863]

@@bikestrikesrazors Greeting's and Salutations!!! With Much Gratitude Thank You!!! You are a gentleman and scholar!!! That Lost Horizon movie was Beautiful and Amazing!!! and even as EM I could easily fill the shoes of the Dalai Lama. I send Love to Both You and Your Sibling Brother Too!!! Atlantis existed in a lower realm of earth, even as advanced as they were!!! but The Lemurian's were Highest of All, and far exceeded the technologies of Atlantis, it's kind of like we had all the external hardware that Atlantis utilized, only we had all this hardware internally inside us. I Care, and I get it!!! You Take Care!!! Kelly PS: A old video, of what Atlantis was like, but remind yourself that Lemuria far exceeded Atlantis itself, we were the guardians of earth, humble, meek, contrite, and fully whole, fully androgynous, and Temple Lemuria's Immortal Mascot's were The Immortal Benevolent Mermaid's Themselves!!! Sincerely, Kelly!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJCvaIGbpb51d6s

[@janemf]

i live in san francisco and i have been curious about trikes for a while, but i just cannot imagine being able to ride one here. i’m envious of your riding environment.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You’d have to get down to the costal trail by Half Moon Bay. It’s not too far from you and it’s beautiful down there!

[@janemf]

how do you actually do that? I don't have a car and I can't really figure out how you move something like a trike around. my roadie is like 8kg so I can just pick it up and throw it in an Uber, and it's not a big deal on mass transit. are trikes kind of a car-owner-only thing?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@janemf Unless you live close to a trail or your area has trike friendly roads, then you would need to be able to put a trike in a car for transport.

[@KutWrite]

I never knew Dave Letterman had two recumbent-riding clones! I had a Lightning P-38 for my first recumbent. As you pointed out, it was too twitchy for me. I eventually discovered the Bacchetta Bella and found a LWB bike much more to my liking. The bike is on my training stand for indoor riding. I use my Challenge trike outdoors. Sometimes I switch them.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey Kut! There's only one Dave Letterman and I'd love to see him on a recumbent! :) I find my 2-wheeled recumbent is spending more and more time at home while I ride the trike.

[@bonjovi1612]

Two oldies having a blast , breaking the speed limit on fun bikes, what’s not to love! Cheers from the UK, home of the ICE trikes!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Greeting from California and thanks for watching!

[@waynesbutler7834]

Maybe i have no right to an opinion considering i have never rode a two wheeled road racer but i do own a couple of Catrikes . What is important though is the variety in the Recumbent market and the exposure videos like these bring . I would think purely from a safety standpoint you are slightly ahead with the two wheeled version , the higher you are the more visible you become with the added advantage in case of an accident you dont have as far to fall . Now with Trikes you are dealing with different variables , you are dealing with more comfort at the end of the day but now you have width , something regular cyclist scoff at taking up more the half the trail in my experience . i love my 700 but its a death trap on busy roads even with flags and lights , which is why i use it on Sunday morning rides on country backroads . The important thing at the end of the day is get out on any human powered vehicle and live another ten years ..

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I agree, WB! Find what makes you happy and ride it! Thanks very much for watching!

[@kennethbrooks9818]

I appreciate you guys documenting your experiences.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

We appreciate you watching our nonsense, Kenneth! :)

[@rossbrumby1957]

Trike is a little heavier and a little more frontal area in the wind, but I do remember seeing lab tests that proved 3 bike wheels sharing the load had less rolling resistance than 2. They actually found the optimum number of wheels for typical bike and rider weight was 5. Not practical for a bike, but the tests weren't for practicality. Nice to see comparisons though, all fun and games!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That's interesting, Ross! Never heard that about more wheels reducing rolling resistance. Maybe it's time to try a quad! :) Thanks for watching!

[@evanking920]

Great fun again. What I have noticed with my wife's VTX is an advantage in certain areas over my Felt F1 road bike. The biggest advantage ,of course, is weight and low profile on a downhill. Secondly, and less obvious is the Trike's lateral stability, which I think helps get power to the ground on the flats . The issue with the rollers and grades is the Trike's weight.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Evan! I'm thinking the weight must certainly have something to do with it, although there was only a seven pound difference. Maybe I'll add seven pounds to the low racer, try it again and see what happens. Thanks for watching!

[@evanking920]

@Bikes, Trikes & Razors! I think 7 lbs is significant in the cycling sphere. Thanks for the content that reaches real folks.

[@jesseheath7718]

From Australia I have a Performer X Low racer bicycle along with two Bacchetta high racers. All three are brilliant bicycles. The low racer is the most fun to ride though due to the unique balance required and the expectational areodynamics. Great video! Thank for your insights

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Jesse, and enjoy those beautiful bikes!

[@Rocketrecliner]

Thanks for the entertaining video, but to get true meaningful data behind this you really need some power meter pedals. Take one person and ride maybe 5 miles at constant wattage (I find 200 watts is fine) on one bike and document the average speed. Then move the power meter pedals to the other bike and take the same person and do the same thing. The difference in average speed between the two will give you some good qualitative data behind which one is faster and by how much. I did a ton of tests like this comparing even smaller items like tires, wheels, mirrors, etc. and found the data really helpful. After all the testing I ended up selling the power meter pedals because I switched to Wahoo pedals from Look pedals so I didn't have the same need for them, but they did serve their purpose while I had them.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Absolutely! Now I'm on the lookout for a decent pair of power-meter pedals! Thanks much!

[@johnsimion2893]

Really interesting video. You are doing a great service to all of us. It appears that both of you began your sprints in a really high gear and didn't have very fast cadences until you got up to high speed. IMO cadence is critical. I have a RANS Vivo recumbent which is both slow and heavy, but I always start out in a very low gear to get my cadence high, then rapidly change through the gears to maintain that cadence as I accelerate. I haven't timed myself but I *feel* like I'm accelerating quicker than you guys (your top speed is much faster, however).

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I think you're right, John. Proper shifting through the gears will certainly make for better acceleration. Those Rans Vivo's are cool bikes! Thanks very much for watching!

[@ianjohnson4987]

Very nice video. Thanks. My abiding memory of owning an unsprung trike is how it would shake your fillings out going over bumps. Great fun though and trikes are super fun drifting round fast corners. Cheers from England

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Ian! Yep, we’re lucky to have a nice trail and pretty nice roads around here. I’ve hit rough pavement a few times with an non-suspended trike and you realize the need for suspension pretty quickly. :) Still, the VTX seems to me to be the smoothest riding unsuspended trike I’ve ridden. Thanks for watching!

[@Olyphoto7]

What a testament to the design of the VTX. I knew it was fast, but that was amazing. I didn’t know about the added struggles of riding a two wheel recumbent (never ridden one). It was obvious the peddling effort was so different. I’m glad I have a trike. I always wondered if you guys were twins. My twin boys can be quite competitive. Thanks for sharing!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Dan! Didn't know you had twin boys! Twins can be a lot in the beginning (two kids at once) but it pays off later when they can keep busy by entertaining each other. :)

[@Olyphoto7]

@@bikestrikesrazors we tell parents with young twins that it gets easier (as someone told us). Our boys will be 18 in June. When they were young the days were very long but the years were short.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@Olyphoto7 We were pretty good kids, so our parents couldn't complain much. :)

[@Olyphoto7]

@@bikestrikesrazors my boys definitely benefit from a little time apart. I told my wife many years ago that if our boys learn to work together, we’re screwed. They do help each other and that makes us happy.

[@tomboyd9053]

Very interesting comparison. I can see how one would expend energy wrestling with keeping the cycle upright and balanced. Thanks for sharing!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Tom!

[@tonymunn]

I love this comparison. I feel faster on my 2-wheeled Rans Rocket than I do on my 3-wheeled Greenspeed GT5.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I have a Rocket also! It's a pretty fast recumbent and when I ride with Joe on his low racer, the Rocket does a good job of keeping up. Not quite as fast, but considering its upright position, it's surprisingly quick!

[@MrBillblake123]

If ever you get a chance or if ever possible, do the same test with a Nocom lowracer. ..... By the way I think your assessment and your conclusion was right on. .... I must say, I agree with all you said.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

If I ever get my hands on a Nocom, I'll be doing a whole series of videos on it! Thanks very much for watching, Bill!

[@kennethbrooks9818]

Thanks, Guys for your imaginative trials.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Kenneth!

[@semirecumbentoneYT]

The recumbent U2 has good ergonomics especially the feet, that are lower. But still, as with so many recumbents, the hands and arms do NOT have proper healthy and comfortable position. They are raised way up, meaning blood flow will suffer and arms will tire, holding the same posture. Not only this: because you cannot achieve anti-force feed lock with arms contemplating to the force directed to the pedals, the only force now is your leg/feet and all "bounce force" will end up uncomfortably on your back and the back rest. The better option is always a low steering wheel holder so arms are in a down position rather than lifted up.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for the insights and for watching!

[@D11Alpha]

Great attempt at killing yourselves! Lol. Always fun to watch brothers racing each other.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Douglas! You should see us limping around the house the night after these rides. :) Thanks for watching!

[@D11Alpha]

@@bikestrikesrazors, I know that pain; creaking joints, sore muscles, & a bottle of Tylenol. Lol.

[@ARCUS1200]

Nice tests!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@fourutubez7294]

0:57 Even though I've already got one that low pan makes me want one all over again.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Four! You know what they say- You can never have too many bikes (or trikes). N+1 and all that! :) Thanks for watching!

[@fourutubez7294]

@@bikestrikesrazors I'm into double figures now ! Two recumbent trikes and the rest are uprights

[@davidgerescher5527]

Another fantastic video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, David!

[@lesp315]

How about that pannier? That would make some difference. Also, it looked to me like trike rider was a bigger dude.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I'll bet that the pannier is making a difference. Oh, both riders were the same size (identical twins). Hard to get more similar engines than that. :)

[@TheLionsDen72]

What is the size of the back wheel on the racer? And what is the gearing? I noticed when you guys were doing you rolling starts, your brother whould run out of gear. For those whodont know that term, it means that he ma ed out the speed he could achieve for that gear. If he isnt on the same wheel size and same gear setting as the trike, one is def going to be faster than the other. Gear set and gearing are not thesame thing. I think it was a great vid, just asking for some specs for clarity. Thank you for sharing.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi and thanks for watching! The trike has a 700 on the back and the lowracer has a 24. So, very different. He says he never had to put it in the big front chainring, but was spinning more than I was on the trike. Not sure of the gearing on his lowracer.

[@samuellowekey9271]

I noticed the low racer had a lot of up and down bounce when Rich was pedaling hard, at time 7min, 50secs.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yes, that seat is so reclined that it's hard not to move up the seat when you apply pressure to the pedals. I'm sure he's losing power because of it.

[@velosapien]

Rich has a far greater physical advantage.....he is better looking😁

[@bikestrikesrazors]

LOL!

[@jhendrix2159]

Are all 2 wheeled recumbents difficult to handle? Or is it just the low racer?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, J! Nope, they're all not difficult to manage. I have an Easy Racers Tour Easy that's very easy to deal with, even at low speeds. In my experience, it's just these super extreme bikes that can be a struggle. Thanks for watching!

[@morecannonfab]

I found the lower the center of gravity on a two wheeler, the more difficult to balance. The mechanics of it is called polar inertia or polar moment. I have a LWB lowracer with a seat height of 5" and it's quite difficult to balance at low speeds.

[@taiwan1895]

Are you going to take J.T. out on some of those trails this month?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Jim! Rich sent Jeff an email asking if he had any interest in going for a short ride on the trikes while he's here, but apparently he never received the email. We'll see. The stars will have to line up, as the trike booms aren't adjustable and both Jeff and Barbara would have to wear special "clip-in" shoes. Both their feet and legs will have to be just the right size to make it happen. :)

[@garyseckel295]

Want to make that 2-wheeler notably faster? Temporarily install snugness-adjustable, over-the-shoulder straps. Watched rider's body hugely surge fore-and-aft while peddling hard (nearly horizontal torso) Literal wasted force into pedaling effort. Said straps could allow one to win a competitive event! On vacation, as children, our father said worriedly, that something was wrong with our Plymouth station wagon. Bored, two of us 5 kids were synched in swinging our torsos from horizontal to the vertical seat back. Family of 7, in 3 seat rows, in that full-size station wagon..., were pulsing fore-and-aft, from that movement! That fore-aft movement includes reverse momentum, even if not a huge issue. Ditto for the reverse bodily momentum on that 2-wheeler. Pulsing vertical momentum is easily observed (IE friction) on an upright bicycle as pulsing of tires occurs. No balance, mobility-lacking recumbent trike rider here. Love my trikes!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

The over the shoulder straps sound like an interesting idea for another video, Gary! What happened to that Plymouth station wagon?

[@garyseckel295]

@@bikestrikesrazors Father instantly became worried, yet he was also immediately relieved, knowing that there was actually nothing wrong. Came back to my memory, just now, that he actually thought the vehicle was surging from mechanical problem, or from running out of gas! I was surprised of any such effect, being only 5 and 7 years old at the time. Hey, two Wee Ones having that much effect on a fully loaded, full-size station wagon? Who knew? Your BT&R videos are always the best! Love your most beautiful introduction music. Your long touring videos are very satisfying, adventuresome movies! Thank you for the video sharing of your history, knowledge and tour experiences! BTW: "RowTator" said my Ebay purchased windsocks will not work. Wind MUST be able to openly blow THROUGH the fabric, for flashlight lighting to also be able to shine through it. See-through, spray-spun model airplane covering or see through fabric dress backing. I should have known, whoops!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@garyseckel295 Interesting problem. You have to figure out how to get a light mounted at the throat of the windsock without blocking the wind?

[@garyseckel295]

@@bikestrikesrazors No. windsocks from Ebay are made of tightly woven nylon fabric. Very durable and rugged, but SO dense that a light will not shine through that fabric. Ordering those windsocks was my mistake. Picture a thin layer of cotton candy as a plastic fabric. Light hugely would shine through it. Air simply blows through center of the windsock, helping the windsock stay inflated. For example, needed fabric material would allow one to still drive one's car if the windshield were covered in it. Single AA battery pen light is used within windsock, illuminating same, IF fabric is as described above.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@garyseckel295 Ah, I see!

[@taufikabidin412]

Rather surprising the trike only weighs 7 pounds more.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yes, the U2 isn't a particularly light two-wheeler and the VTX is very light compared to most trikes.