Lightning F-40

The World's Fastest Production Bicycle

 
Is it a rocket? Is it a car? No, it's a push bike clad in aerodynamic fairing.  Malcolm Lamming, of Angmering, West Sussex, uses his unusual bike for his 64-mile round-trip into and out of work at Portsmouth each day. Mr Lamming, 42, an engineering manager, flies past becalmed traffic on the US-made Lightning F40, which he bought in Germany.  The machine cost £4,000 and has a top cruising speed of 35mph.
(From the London Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3958777.ece)

Record Setting Performance

The Lightning F-40 is the fastest production bike ever to hit the street! Among its many world records is the ultimate road test--the Race Across America. The four-man relay completed the 3000 mile (4800 km) course in five days, one hour- an average speed of 25 mph (40 kph) a record that still stands, decades later. Read the story of this amazing race and record here: HPV RAAM Story.  The two F-40s used to set this record are also still ridden regularly.

The result of years of research, the patented F-40 has all of the performance advantages of a fully-faired custom racer, but is also practical enough for everyday riding, commuting and touring. It's the ideal all-around performance bike. The spandex fairing means excellent ventilation, stability in crosswinds and results in an overall weight of only 33 lbs.! The fairing is also great protection from cold or rainy weather.

The F-40's cruising speed is 50% faster than a standard bicycle and 6-10 mph faster than an unfaired Lightning. So if you can cruise at 18 now, say hello to 28mph! Scores of cyclists worldwide now use the F-40 for sport and century rides, touring and daily commuting.

The F-40 is based on the P-38, so you can buy a P-38 bike and later add the F-40 body and fairing. If you decide to upgrade a P-38 to an F-40, note that we highly recommend also installing the rear disc brake and front suspension. Once installed the entire fairing can be removed for open air riding, or for transporting the bike in just 5-10 minutes.

What's it like to ride?

The Lightning F-40 is the easiest to ride fully-faired bicycle in the world. Once you've mastered the P-38, riding an F-40 is a simple adjustment. To start and stop, just slip your foot through one of the side slits in the spandex fairing to balance the bike. To get in out, just unzip the curved zipper. If you like the wind in your face, leave the windshield at home, or snap it on for the ultimate in aerodynamic performance.

WARNING: Due to the extreme level of performance achieved by the F-40, it is recommended for experienced riders only.

Want to see the F-40 in action? Check out the video clip on our Cyber Test Ride page. Many records have been set on the F-40; see our Racing Section, and the many stories about F-40 racers who've piloted the bike to victory!

For 2011:  20" Aerospoke Carbon front wheel with Schwalb City Jet tire

Key Features of the F-40

• Fastest production bicycle made
• Proven P-38 frame, seat and mechanics
• Only 33 lbs. for the entire bike with fairing
• Fiberglass nosecone attaches to welded on bracket for security
• Spandex fairing provides ventilation, ease of cleaning and inexpensive repair or replacement in case of damage
• Extra long, curved zipper for easy entry/exit or additional ventilation for climbing
• Foot slits on both sides allow fully enclosed fairing with easy stopping/starting
• Fiberglass rear wheel cover and Aerospoke carbon front wheel reduce drag compared to spoked wheels
• Transparent headlight window for safe night riding

    Red F-40 with middle section unzipped and long racing windshield                            The Lightning F40 in the Race Across America

            F-40's line up for a big ride                                                                            Rear rack platform detail, allows luggage to be carried behind seat

  Lightning's Cyber Test Ride: see downloadable video clips of Lightning bikes in action on the road, on tour and in races.

Lightning F-40 Specifications

Model	F-40
Sizes	M, L, XL
Rider Height	5' 2" - 6' 6"
Weight	32 - 34 lbs.
Height	50"
Length	78 - 86"
Width	22"
Seat Height	18 - 20"
Seat Back Angle	50 - 65 degrees
Wheelbase	42 - 45.5"
Frame	4130 Chromoly aircraft steel tubing, nickel silver brazed, with custom investment cast seat lugs, and forged dropouts
Fork	S-1 Chromoly, coil spring suspended, 1.5"  travel
Braze-on’s	Water bottle (2), pump peg (for Zefal HP pump), drop-out eyelets, cable guides, Headlight battery
Finish	Two-stage electrostatic baked-on Urethane powder
Frame Colors See Full Color Chart	Azure Blue, Royal Blue, Red or Black, Yellow (see options page for custom colors; see below for fairing colors)
Stem and Bars	Custom Oversize Aluminum Stem, Heliarc welded to 22.2 mm (7/8 inch) drop handlebars
Seat	Patented Ergofit bend with TIG welded and heat treated Aluminum frame. Nylon mesh back with fitted foam cushion.
Chain Idlers	Machined Delrin with precision sealed bearing
Crankset	Shimano 105, 30 x 46 x 60, 170 - 175 mm
Cassette	Shimano LX, 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals	Clipless (optional)
Front Der.	Shimano 105
Rear Der.	Shimano Deore LX
Shifters	Shimano Dura Ace Bar End
Gear Range	23 - 145 in.
Brakes	Avid SD-7 Front; Hayes 9 Hydraulic Disc Rear
Brake Levers	Tektro / Hayes
Hubs	Shimano XT
Front Rim	Aerospoke carbon 20"  5 spoke
Front Tire	Schwalb City Jet 20", 100 psi
Rear Rim	Sun CR18 700c, 36 spoke (1)
Rear Tire	Panaracer T-Serve, 700 x 28c, 105 psi
Chain	KMC Z9000
Headset	Shimano 105
Bottom Bracket	Shimano 105 tube spindle
Fairing	Fiberglass nose, Lexan windshield, Spandex middle and rear with aluminum support frameset.
Fairing Colors	Blue, Red, Yellow

Pricing                

The F-40 is custom built to order. To place an order, contact your closest Lightning dealer, or the factory. E-mail us if you have additional questions about this amazing bicycle.