The Legendary Lightning P-38

  "Blazingly fast, sports-car maneuverability and great seat!"
Bicycling Magazine

No less than Legendary

The legendary Lightning P-38. With the efficient and unique, patented space type frame that is very stiff in the direction of pedaling forces, but at the same time very light and strong. Unconventional in design, yes. But also, comfort, safety, and speed many times greater than conventional bikes. Experience what thousands of Lightning riders have already discovered, the pure cycling enjoyment and exhilaration of the P-38.

The P-38 is Lightning's flagship bicycle and it's not hard to see why. Only the P-38 has had 20 years of refinements and record-setting experience to bring it to its current state of development. Not counting its cousin the carbon fiber R-84, the P-38 is the lightest recumbent made, at just 22-26 pounds (depending on size and components). If you're ready for the best, the P-38 is ready for you.

Forget what you've heard about recumbent not being good climbers. Bicycling magazine dubbed its latest review of the P-38 "A recumbent that can climb!" After about a month of acclimation, a P-38 rider will normally match or exceed his previous performance on an upright. The key is training, since a recumbent uses slightly different muscles than an upright bike, especially during climbing. To see a Lightning climb hills, see the video on our Cyber Test Ride page.

Why such a good climber?

The seat and bottom bracket position result in higher power production, and the stiff space frame design means most of this power is transferred to the rear wheel, not lost in frame flex like other designs. No recumbent made matches the P-38's stiffness and pedaling efficiency.

The Many Faces of the P-38

The P-38 seems to have multiple personalities. The standard bike works well for many uses. With the Lightning Seat Bag and Fenders its' ready for all-weather commuting or recreational riding. Add a standard rear rack and Lightning's special no-drag panniers, and you have the ultimate in touring comfort and performance. The performance wheel and Ultegra versions are ready with no additions for fast club rides and centuries. Equipped with wheel covers and the optional F-40 fairing, it becomes the world's fastest road bike, ready to contend for the lead in any event.

Voyager Upgrade: The Ultimate in Take-Along Bikes!

An entire riding season and almost 10,000 miles in racing and riding (real world) field testing, the P-38 Voyager is ready for prime time! Simply put, the Voyager is a P-38 that collapses conveniently into a suitcase.  The bike is safe and secure in its hard-shell case. Assembly/disassembly takes approximately 30-45 minutes. 

The Voyager includes three S&S frame couplings (which are actually stronger and stiffer than the original frame tubing), coupled seat frame, quick release seat, boom and stem and hard-shell case. Not some kind of strange folding bike, the P-38 Voyager is a no-compromise high performance bike perfect for flying to races, tours and varied bicycle adventures anywhere in the world with no worries. See the P-38 Voyager page for more details and photos on this amazing bike.

Key Features

• Race-proven design: has set numerous world distance records with optional F-40 fairing , and numerous speed records with non-production X-2 fairing.
• Chromoly space frame design for stiffness, strength and light weight
• Compact overall size: no larger than a conventional bicycle
• Standard 700c rear wheel for numerous tire choices
• Patented Ergofit seat integral to frame for strength
• Oversized TiG welded stem and handlebars

What customers say about the P-38

This summer I took a four day tour in Switzerland, and I climbed a 2400m (8000 foot) high pass, named Nuffenen, the highest in Switzerland. The difference of altitude was 2000m (6500 feet), and for the last 9 km, the slope was 12%! I even passed two upright bikers in the last part!  The downhill run after the pass was fabulous. In was 40 km long with sometimes a speed of 80 km/h (waaahuuu!). The P-38 was very stable and I feel secure on it. 

Gerard Kloos
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On grades up to 6%, I climb faster on my Lightning than on my road bike. Also, the road bike doesn't have an noticeable advantage unless the grade is greater than 10%.

Peter Penseyres
4 time RAAM winner
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Read more customer comments on the P-38

Tim Brummer, inventor of the Lightning with a P-38 set up for touring with custom no-drag Lightning panniers, fairing, handlebar bag and seat bag (click for larger image; see options page for details on accessories)

A P-38 in Azure Blue (click for larger image)

P-38

P-38XT

P-38 Ultegra

M, L, XL

160lbs (S), 200lbs (M), 220 lbs. (L), 250 lbs. (XL)

22 - 26 lbs.

22 - 25 lbs.

41 to 45.5 inches

60 - 74 inches

18 to 20 inches

50 to 65 degrees

N/A

N/A

Upgrades