For the second time, the North American recumbent bike show Cycle-Con was organized by the folks at WizWheelz, who acquired it from the original owner in 2022. And for this year, they moved it 20 miles west of Dayton, where it was held last year. So we all gathered in Xenia, OH, in middle September, and there were definitely not a few of us. The hall, although relatively small, was stuffed to bursting, especially on Saturday, and unlike last year, the show floor was pretty lively on Sunday as well. Friday was traditionally reserved for the recumbent professional public, especially for dealers.

The weather was beautiful, and the size of the fairground allowed the organizers to arrange a long test circuit, including a gravel section. So it is no wonder that people were test riding and test riding. And there were also rides. Two of them officially organized. One on Saturday afternoon, sponsored by Greenspeed, and one on Sunday morning, sponsored by AZUB and led by Matt Galat, who you know thanks to his YouTube channel JaYoe Nation. However, there were also unofficially organized rides in the week before and after the expo, and many people stayed in the area for several days, taking advantage of the extensive network of good, long bike trails and the campground right on the fairgrounds. After all, Xenia, OH, is known as a hub of bike trails.

Let’s take a look at what it was like at Cycle-Con this year in a short video and a photo report. If I have to make it short, it was amazing, the organizers deserve a big thank you, and if you were not there this year and will have the opportunity next year, I highly recommend you to come and experience the great atmosphere!

Note: I took many of the photos during the Friday pro day, when there were far fewer people in the hall than on Saturday and Sunday. You can find captions for each photo by clicking on the photo in the gallery.

 
   

 
Especially on Saturday morning there was so much interest in entering the venue that a long queue formed in front of the entrance.
Especially on Saturday morning there was so much interest in entering the venue that a long queue formed in front of the entrance.
We were all greeted by large screens at the show, which showed ads from some of the manufacturers throughout the show.
We were all greeted by large screens at the show, which showed ads from some of the manufacturers throughout the show.
The hall looked just as busy on Sunday afternoon when the main draw prize was announced. And it was nothing less than an HP Velotechnik Gekko trike. However, many smaller prizes were also drawn during both days.
The hall looked just as busy on Sunday afternoon when the main draw prize was announced. And it was nothing less than an HP Velotechnik Gekko trike. However, many smaller prizes were also drawn during both days.
The grand prize was announced by WizWheelz CEO Mark Crews and the prize was presented by HP Velotechnik director Paul Holants.
The grand prize was announced by WizWheelz CEO Mark Crews and the prize was presented by HP Velotechnik director Paul Holants.
Sunday morning's ride promised good weather and a pleasant 20 miles in length with breakfast in the middle and small gifts from AZUB at the end. Not surprisingly, 60 riders participated.
Sunday morning’s ride promised good weather and a pleasant 20 miles in length with breakfast in the middle and small gifts from AZUB at the end. Not surprisingly, 60 riders participated.
Even though the recumbent bike world today revolves mainly around trikes, many two-wheel recumbents were also seen on the ride.
Even though the recumbent bike world today revolves mainly around trikes, many two-wheel recumbents were also seen on the ride.
At first glance the showground was a bit odd with big signs on the halls proclaiming Livestock 1, Livestock 2, Poultry Show, Rabbit Show, etc. but everywhere was clean, tidy, and plenty of space to hang out and test bikes.
At first glance the showground was a bit odd with big signs on the halls proclaiming Livestock 1, Livestock 2, Poultry Exhibit, Rabbit Exhibit, etc. but everywhere was clean, tidy, and plenty of space to hang out and test bikes.
During the weekend you could also attend several lectures and workshops as well as a short film festival.
During the weekend you could also attend several lectures and workshops as well as a short film festival.
You could see many familiar Youtube faces at the fairgrounds. For example Sylvia Halpern (photographer), Matt Galat, or even Jan Wijnen from Velomobile World.
You could see many familiar Youtube faces at the fairgrounds. For example Sylvia Halpern (photographer), Matt Galat (left), or even Jan Wijnen from Velomobile World.
On Saturday, a workshop on two-wheel recumbents was held in the second hall, during which those interested could also learn to ride recumbent bikes. This was under the supervision of the very skilled one, such as Dana Lieberman of BentUp Cycles / Bacchetta.
On Saturday, a workshop on two-wheel recumbents was held in the second hall, during which those interested could also learn to ride recumbent bikes. This was under the supervision of a very skilled one, namely Dana Lieberman of BentUp Cycles / Bacchetta.
People were testing the two-wheel recumbents...
People were testing the two-wheel recumbents…
..but mostly trikes.
..but mostly trikes.
However, there were also recumbent trike tandems available for test rides.
However, there were also recumbent trike tandems available for test rides.
HP Velotechnik showed off its new Delta TX trike, as well as a fast version of the Speedmachine S-Pedelec electric bike.
HP Velotechnik showed off its new Delta TX trike, as well as a fast version of the Speedmachine S-Pedelec electric bike.
Greenspeed had a nice booth, and its main new product is a new version of its legendary Scorcher tires in 2.25" width. Scorchers are known for their low rolling resistance and then increased comfort in this width.
Greenspeed had a nice booth, and its main new product is a new version of its legendary Scorcher tires in 2.25″ width. Scorchers are known for their low rolling resistance and then increased comfort in this width.
I was very happy that Cruzbike finally made the decision and had a booth at the show. The maker of very fast recumbent bikes with a dynamic boom technology may not have been represented by people directly from the company, but there were plenty of bikes on display and visitors were able to test them out.
I was very happy that Cruzbike finally made the decision and had a booth at the show. The maker of very fast recumbent bikes with a dynamic boom technology may not have been represented by people directly from the company, but there were plenty of bikes on display and visitors were able to test them out.
AZUB had one of the largest booths this year and in addition to their iconic off-road trike, the Ti-FLY X, they also brought a new addition in the form of the AZUB T-Trisek for kids and short adults.
AZUB had one of the largest booths this year and in addition to their iconic off-road trike, the Ti-FLY X, they also brought a new addition in the form of the AZUB T-Trisek for kids and short adults.
The velomobiles were also a big attraction. The owner of the Romanian company Velomobile World brought four Bülks, which are some of the most visible velomobile models of recent months.
The velomobiles were also a big attraction. The owner of the Romanian company Velomobile World Jan Wijnen brought four Bülks, which are some of the most talked about velomobile models of recent months.
Not surprisingly, Terra Trike had a booth filled with trikes and probably the most cycles available for test rides at the show. They themselves are the organisers of the event and in collaboration with other exhibitors are trying to popularise recumbent bikes and trikes amongst the general public.
Not surprisingly, Terra Trike had a booth filled with trikes and probably the most cycles available for test rides at the show. They themselves are the organisers of the event and in collaboration with other exhibitors are trying to popularise recumbent bikes and trikes amongst the general public.
Steintrikes was showing its new version of the Wild One off-road trike, with all three 24" wheels, plus their other models, of course.
Steintrikes was showing its new version of the Wild One off-road trike, with all three 24″ wheels, plus their other models, of course.
Alpaca Carriers was one of the two carrier exhibitors.
Alpaca Carriers was one of the two carrier exhibitors.
The other was the Atoc.
The other was the Atoc.
Germany's ABUS was one of several exhibitors showcasing bike accessories. In this case, quality and safe locks and helmets.
Germany’s ABUS was one of several exhibitors showcasing bike accessories. In this case, quality and safe locks and helmets.
Another was Terra Cycle, which is much better known in the recumbent bike industry. There were idlers, mounts, racks, flags and also Pat Franz. The founder of the brand, who sold it to his employees this year and still enjoys helping them. For example at Cycle-Con.
Another was Terra Cycle, which is much better known in the recumbent bike industry. There were idlers, mounts, racks, flags and also Pat Franz. The founder of the brand, who sold it to his employees this year and still enjoys helping them. For example at Cycle-Con.
Sunseeker also had a big booth at the expo, offering its customers mainly affordable recumbent bikes of many different variations.
Sunseeker also had a big booth at the expo, offering its customers mainly affordable recumbent bikes of many different variations.
Trident traditionally had a big booth and many cycles to test. From the biggest ones in the form of a quad with fat tyres to the new Half-pint.
Trident traditionally had a big booth and many cycles to test. From the biggest ones in the form of a quad with fat tyres to the new Half-pint.
The Half-pint trike for kids is new from Trident and was creating a big buzz at Cycle-Con. Many kids couldn’t keep their hands off it and rode it as much as they could.
Denevres, Colorado engine manufacturer EBO was displaying their mid and hub motors and also talked about an idler with an integrated PAS sensor that senses pedaling cadence. Very unique new recumbent technology.
Denevres, Colorado engine manufacturer EBO was displaying their mid and hub motors and also talked about an idler with an integrated PAS sensor that senses pedaling cadence. Very unique new recumbent technology.
ICE trikes from the UK had the ICE Adventure on their booth in the company's 25th anniversary colors, among other models.
ICE trikes from the UK had the ICE Adventure on their booth in the company’s 25th anniversary colors, among other models.
After a long time we saw Bacchetta again at Cycle-Con. Probably their most tested model was the Pronto electric novelty with Bafang motor, which I briefly tried out and will bring you my first impression in the following article.
After a long time we saw Bacchetta again at Cycle-Con. Probably their most tested model was the Pronto electric novelty with Bafang motor, which I briefly tried out and will bring you my first impression in the following article.
After being absent last year, this year Catrike was displaying all of their models including the new MAX with a high maximum rider's weight. And they liked the show so much that Mark Egeland, Catrike's general manager, was already planning more staff and more demo bikes to take to Cycle-Con next year.
After being absent last year, this year Catrike was displaying all of their models including the new MAX with a high maximum rider’s weight. And they liked the show so much that Mark Egeland, Catrike’s general manager, was already planning more staff and more demo bikes to take to Cycle-Con next year.
Ti-Trikes also had a large and well-staffed booth, with the quad getting a lot of attention.
Ti-Trikes also had a large and well-staffed booth, with the quad getting a lot of attention.