The Lightning R-84

World’s Lightest Recumbent

NEW Upgraded drivetrains!

Made in the USA

  • World’s most advanced bicycle.
  • Affordable component group for those wanting superior R-84 performance and comfort.
  • Lightweight front gearing and 11 to 40 rear cassette provide a wide gear range.
  • Average riders can climb grades up to 12%.
  • Super fast effortless shifting with Di2 electric shift components
  • Internal cable routing and Di2 battery joins the already slippery R-84 frame and seat for lowest wind resistance possible!
  • Super stiff yet light bladder-molded Unibox mega oversize R-84 frame, not wimpy round tubes.
  • Super rigid integrated seat attachment increases power transfer.
  • Exclusive patented Swing Stay rear suspension integrated with the frame for unmatched ride comfort.
  • Shimano press fit bottom bracket saves weight.

Click here to see the NEW

Lightning R-84
R-84 Velocity
Lightning R-84
R-84 XT Di2

Read the Lightning R-84 review from Recumbent & Tandem Rider magazine.

Read more about Lightning Midracers here.

The Lowdown on High Performance

Lightning strikes again with the super light suspended R-84. The sub-3-pound frame is aerospace-grade carbon fiber, titanium, and oversized aluminum. The seat is positioned a bit lower than the P-38 and Phantom II for even more aerodynamic advantage.

Can this light bike climb hills? Better than any other recumbent. Take a look at the video on our Cyber Test Page. Because of its lightweight design and aero components, the R-84 will even outperform the F-40 in very hilly areas or on rides that are mostly climbing.

This bike accelerates and climbs great!

John Howard, Twice Olympic team rider, Ironman winner

“Love my bike. Plan to ride it for decades. First 100 mile ride was on the R-84. Thanks for a great product that I know will take me places and on the R. I’ll see things that I will remember for life. I’m planing tours and rides for the bike. It just seems to click off the miles effortlessly.

As much as it cost … and I’m a stingy person … it’s worth every penny.

Frank Raineri

An F-40 fairing can be added to create the most technically advanced high performance bike available!

Can this light bike climb hills? Better than any other recumbent. Take a look at the video on our Cyber Test Page. Because of its lightweight design and aero components, the R-84 will even outperform the F-40 in very hilly areas or on rides that are mostly climbing. If the course is 50% near-flat terrain, the F-40 will be faster; in very steep hills (over 5% average grade), the R-84 will have the advantage.

This bike accelerates and climbs great!

John Howard, Twice Olympic team rider, Ironman winner

Lightning R-84 Velocity

Lightning R-84
R-84 XT with Ergomesh seat and optional suspension
Lightning R-84 rear cluster
Rear suspension swing arms standard on all versions.
Lightning R-84 with custom paint job
R-84 with custom paint

Lightning R-84 XT Di2

Lightning R-84
R-84 XT Di2
Lightning R-84 steering tube
Optional front suspension
Introducing the R-84

Check out the owner’s manual.

Lightning R-84 specifications

  R-84 Velocity R-84 XT Di2
Weight* 19 to 21 pounds 20 to 22 pounds
Rider weight limit Lightweight: 160 pounds; Standard: 210 pounds; Heavy Duty: 250 pounds
Height 40 inches
Length 63 to 75 inches
Width 20 inches
Seat height 18 inches with mesh seat; 17 inches carbon Midracer seat
Seat back angle 50-58 degrees (mesh seat); 35-40 degrees (carbon Midracer seat)
Wheelbase 42 to 47 inches
Frame Molded carbon fiber Unibox, oversize aluminum bottom bracket assembly and seat stay
Fork Lightning carbon
Rear suspension Swing-stay spring/elastomer mechanism, 1 inch of travel
Braze-ons Water bottle (1), aluminum cable guides
Finish Catalyzed urethane
Frame color Clear coated natural carbon
Stem and bars Custom oversize aluminum stem, 22.2 mm (⅞-inch) drop handlebars
Ergomesh seat Patented Ergofit bend with 7005 TIG welded, oversize aluminum frame and nylon mesh webbing.
Midracer carbon seat Hand laid up woven carbon fabric/epoxy resin seat, with integrated aluminum bar frame attachment fittings. Ventilated plastic honeycomb type seat pad with fitted aerodynamic cover.
Chain idlers Machined Delrin with precision sealed bearing, aluminum bolts
Gear Range 23 to 123 inches (compact chainrings)
26 to 130 inches (standard chainrings)
Bottom bracket Lightning Carbon integrated, ABEC5 sealed bearings
Crankset Lightning Carbon integrated 160 to 180 mm arms, with 30×50 or 34×50 Lightning carbon integrated 160 to 180 mm arms, with 34×50 or 39×53 BOR E-Shift chainrings
Cassette Shimano XT 10-speed, 11 to 36 Shimano XT 11-speed, 11 to 40
Front der. Shimano XT XT Di2
Rear der. Shimano XT XT Di2
Chain KMC X-10 KMC X-11
Shifters Microshift Bar end, 10-speed Shimano Di2 Climbing
Brakes Shimano XT hydraulic disc Shimano XT hydraulic disc
Brake levers Shimano XT hydraulic Shimano XT hydraulic
Hubs Velocity
Front rim Velocity A23 20″, 24 spokes
Front tire Schwalbe One 28-406, 120 psi
Rear rim 700C Velocity A23 OC
Rear rim 650B Velocity A23 OC
Rear tire Schwalbe Durano, 120 psi Schwalbe Durano, 120 psi
Headset Origin 8 threadless (carbon fork), or Chris King (suspension fork)
Options Seat bag, mirror (see Accessories page for prices)

* Weights with mesh seat; carbon seat adds one pound.

R-84 Velocity prices and ordering information

Accessory prices and ordering information

See also our Accessories page.

Handlebar bag Buy now!
Slip on seat bag Buy now!
Hydration bladder Buy now!
Chainring disc only Call
Chainring disc and chain guard tube Call
Cycle computer Buy now!
Fenders Buy now!
Kickstand, for Phantom and P-38 Buy now!
Mirror Buy now!
Rear rack Buy now!
Panniers Buy now!
Pedal extenders Buy now!
Quick Adjust Kit/Chain Tensioner Buy now!
Shorts Buy now!
T-Shirts Buy now!
Zzipper Fairing Buy now!
  View cart

R-84 XT Di2 prices and ordering information

Available with either lightweight mesh seat or carbon Midracer seat. Please allow 1 to 3 months delivery.
Di2 Ultegra, Velocity wheels $8,850
Di2 XTR, HED wheels $12,200
S-2 suspension fork upgrade add $450

Accessory prices and ordering information

See also our Accessories page.

Handlebar bag Buy now!
Slip on seat bag Buy now!
Hydration bladder Buy now!
Chainring disc only Call
Chainring disc and chain guard tube Call
Cycle computer Buy now!
Fenders Buy now!
Kickstand, for Phantom and P-38 Buy now!
Mirror Buy now!
Rear rack Buy now!
Panniers Buy now!
Pedal extenders Buy now!
Quick Adjust Kit/Chain Tensioner Buy now!
Shorts Buy now!
T-Shirts Buy now!
Zzipper Fairing Buy now!
  View cart

California residents add sales tax of 8.25%

Framesets

For details on framesets, check the frameset page.

The R-84 is custom built to order and available with either the lightweight Ergomesh seat or carbon Midracer seat.

To place an order, contact your closest Lightning dealer, or the factory.