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The Legendary Lightning P-38

 
     
"Comments on the bike? Most of the bike shops visited to test ride bikes said that the P-38 was 'twitchy'. After 10 feet on the P-38.. I realized that they'd never been on a P-38. You don't really ride a P-38, you more or less pilot it. This is a finely tuned machine worthy of great respect. It reigns supreme in the SWB market."

DW
White Wolf Racing.

sp38leq.jpg (94132 bytes)

 
 

  "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
_______________________

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
_______________________

Read more customer comments on the P-38

 
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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)

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A P-38 in Azure Blue with optional seat bag (click for larger image)

 
     
     
 

P-38 Specifications

Model

P-38

P-38XT

P-38 Ultegra

SIZES S, M, L, XL

M, L, XL

RIDER HEIGHT RANGE 4'9" - 6' 8" 5'2" - 6'8"
RIDER WEIGHT LIMIT

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

COLORS
See Full Color Chart
Azure Blue, Metallic Blue, Yellow, Metallic Green, Jet Black,
Chrome Silver, Golden Guage, Crimson Red, White, Starlight Red
WEIGHT

22 - 26 lbs.

22 - 25 lbs.

WHEELBASE

41 to 45.5 inches

OVERALL LENGTH

60 - 74 inches

B-B HEIGHT 24 to 26 inches
SEAT HEIGHT

18 to 20 inches

SEAT ANGLE

50 to 65 degrees

FRAME Nickel Silver brazed Multigauge CrMo,
7005 Aluminum B-B Extension
RIGID FORK Brazed 4130, Custom True Temper Taperlite Blades
SEAT Patented Ergofit bend, 7005 Aluminum frame.
Nylon mesh back with fitted foam cushion.
STEM LCD Customlite Aluminum
HANDLEBARS Aluminum, Customlite LCD Drop Bars
GEAR RANGE 24.5 to 125 inches 23 to 125 inches 30 to 117 inches
BRAKES Avid SD7 Avid Ultimate Front, SD-7 Rear Shimano Ultegra Caliper
BRAKE LEVERS Tektro SR Tektro SR Dia Compe PC-7
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano 105, Tube Spindle Shimano Ultegra, Tube Spindle Shimano Ultegra, Tube Spindle
CRANKSET Shimano Ultegra Hollowtech 30x42x52, 165 to 175mm Shimano Ultegra Hollowtech 30x42x52, 165 to 175mm Shimano Ultegra Hollowtech 30x42x52, 165 to 175mm
CHAIN KMCZ9200 KMCZ9200 KMCZ9200
CASSETTE Shimano LX 11-32, 9 speed SRAM 990 11-34, 9 speed Shimano Ultegra 12-27, 9 speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105 Shimano Ultegra Triple Shimano Ultegra Triple
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore LX Shimano XT Shimano Ultegra Triple
HEADSET Shimano 105 Shimano Ultegra Shimano Ultegra
HUBS Deore LX Shimano XT Velocity
SHIFTER Shimano Dura Ace Bar end Shifters Shimano Dura Ace Bar end Shifters Shimano Dura Ace Bar end Shifters
FRONT RIM 16"
(std. on S and M*)
Sun Alloy CR18, 349 mm (16x1-3/8), 18 or 28 stainless spokes
*Med. Performance Option- Sun M14A, 406 mm (20"), 24 spokes

N/A

FRONT TIRE 16" Brompton 37-349 (16 x 1-3/8), 100 psi

N/A

FRONT RIM 20"
(std. on L and XL*)
Sun Alloy CR18 406mm
with 36 stainless spokes
Velocity Fusion, 406 mm (20") , 20 bladed spokes
FRONT TIRE 20" City Jet 32-406 (20 x 1.25) 100 psi tire Grand Prix 28-406, 120 psi
REAR RIM 700c
(std. on L and XL*)
Sun Alloy CR18 700C,
36 stainless spokes
Velocity Fusion 24 bladed spokes
REAR TIRE Panaracer Pasela 700 x 28, 105 psi SS Ultra, 700 x 25, 120 psi
REAR RIM 26"
(std. on S and M*)
Sun CR18 26x1.5, 36 spoke rim N/A
REAR TIRE 26" IRC Metro 32-559 100psi N/A
Options (see options page for prices)
FAIRINGS Zzipper Lexan windshield, or upgrade to F-40 with addition of body (see accessories page)
(1) WHEELS Performance Wheels for M*, L, and XL P-38 are: Shimano 105 Hubs,
Grand Prix 28-406 (20x1) front and 700 x 25 rear 120psi tires.
Velocity Aero front/ Mavic aero rear rims.
The performance option also includes Shimano dual pivot caliper brakes.
Notes: 1.Due to limited fork space front tire choices are limited to 20" x 1".
2. The 20x1 front and 700x25 rear wheel sizes are standard on the M, L, and XL P-38 Ultegra.
(2) SUSPENDED FORK S - 1 Chromoly (adds 0.5lbs). 1.5 inches travel
(3) REAR SUSPENSION Shockster RS3.5 (Not available for the Ultegra or Performance Wheels)
PEDALS (none are included with bike; see options page for selection)
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Quick Size Kit
Let's you adjust bike fit with no tools and without changing the chain length.
See
Accessories page for details.


Pricing

Complete Bikes MSRP
P38 $3000
P38 w/Performance Wheels $3200
P38 XT $3500
P38 Ultegra $3800

Upgrades

P38, small size frame, add $240
Suspended front fork, add $400
Non-stock color, add $60
Kickstand, add $10
Voyager suitcase modification, 
S&S frame couplings, coupled seat, 
and airline legal case, add *
$1300
Frameset MSRP
P-38 Frameset $2000
V-brake braze-ons, add $60
Small size frame, add $240
Tektro brake levers, modified $30

*Note:
Existing P-38 frames can have the Voyager
option retrofitted. Price for this is $1600

Framesets/Colors

For details on framesets, check the frameset page.

smallnew.gif (926 bytes)Download/Print full color product brochures
smallnew.gif (926 bytes)Lightning's Cyber Test Ride: see downloadable video clips or order the full video tape of Lightning bikes in action on the road, on tour and in races.