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Jeff Strunk | 18 Jun 19:04

commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom

Does anybody use a Lightning Phantom as a commuting or loaded touring
bike? How do you have it set up? Is it very stable with a heavy load?

I was asking my local recumbent shop about getting an HP Velotechnik
Streetmachine since it has a much more adjustable seat than my current
bike(Actionbent Jetstream). He recommended that I try a Lightning
Phantom first since he keeps them in stock and they are more
affordable.

I like that the Streetmachine was designed for commuting and touring.
You see a lot of pictures of fully loaded bikes online. I took a 10
mile test ride, and it was very comfortable. I didn't have any of the
discomfort I get on my current bike after only 2 or 3 miles.

I am concerned that I don't see any pictures of a Lightning Phantom
with a rack and panniers online. Maybe everybody who tours with them
is too busy to take pictures. Lightning says you can put a rear rack
on, but it looks like it would be very far back because of the seat
struts.

Any ideas?

Thank you,
Jeff
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John Clary | 18 Jun 21:07

Re: commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 5:07 PM, Jeff Strunk wrote:
> Does anybody use a Lightning Phantom as a commuting or loaded touring
> bike? How do you have it set up? Is it very stable with a heavy load?
>
> I was asking my local recumbent shop about getting an HP Velotechnik
> Streetmachine since it has a much more adjustable seat than my current
> bike(Actionbent Jetstream). He recommended that I try a Lightning
> Phantom first since he keeps them in stock and they are more
> affordable.
>
> I like that the Streetmachine was designed for commuting and touring.
> You see a lot of pictures of fully loaded bikes online. I took a 10
> mile test ride, and it was very comfortable. I didn't have any of the
> discomfort I get on my current bike after only 2 or 3 miles.
>
> I am concerned that I don't see any pictures of a Lightning Phantom
> with a rack and panniers online. Maybe everybody who tours with them
> is too busy to take pictures. Lightning says you can put a rear rack
> on, but it looks like it would be very far back because of the seat
> struts.
>
> Any ideas?
>

Underseat pannier racks and small panniers on the rear rack was the
setup I saw on the only touring Lightning I ever saw.

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JOHN TETZ | 18 Jun 23:03

Re: commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom

>Does anybody use a Lightning Phantom as a commuting or loaded touring
bike? How do you have it set up? Is it very stable with a heavy load?
.....Jeff. I have done a hell of a lot of touring on a P-38. It's excellent for touring. 
I put the tent and poles  in the space frame (area in front of the seat to the head tube). 
You could tie your tent on the single tube frame on the Phantom in the same way.  
 This puts some of the weight forward. 

I built a narrow luggage rack on the back for the panniers (to fit inside the F-40 shell - also a terrific way to
tour). The  P-38 seat struts are only 2 inches apart at the back of the seat brace. The panniers can actually
lay outside those struts. Not sure how the Phantom struts look like. 

Above the panniers I carried things like  the sleeping bag, rain gear, ground cloth (for the tent) and a small
self inflating air mattress. 

In the triangular space between the front of the panniers and the frame of the seat I tied small stuff bags (to
the frame) to carry things like dress shoes and any extras.  

The stability of the bike was not impaired with all this added. 
I would think the large diameter single tube Phantom would do the same.  

I hope you put fenders on it. 

John Tetz 
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JW Stephens | 18 Jun 23:24

Re: commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom

And lights. http://www.whistlingsphincter.com/Scrapbook.pdf  << A
large (broadband?)
.pdf file of my tour through Wisconsin where I met some true friends on my P-38.

The P-38 is still in service as one of my commute fleet at year 14.
Still a good ride. Worth the premium for the long term of service and
the joy of the ride. I have lots of other bikes, but I will call this
one my pure commuter: The lights go on when you start pedaling, The
panniers are well integrated into the aerodynamics of the bike, The
seat is comfortable, The ride is sustainable.

Sorry if this has drifted off of Phantom-centric. I've no experience
there, but my P-38 is a great ride, though there are better bikes for
touring on. It's a good balance though, if you want a bike that
commutes and tours. Some of those nicer bikes are so nice, bare, that
you can't really bear hanging stuff on them.

That's how I roll. Elrey in Orange County, California, USA

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 2:03 PM, JOHN TETZ <jgtetz <at> msn.com> wrote:
>
> I hope you put fenders on it.

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Tom Roche | 18 Jun 23:37

Re: commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom


Jeff Strunk Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:07:34 -0500
 > Does anybody use a Lightning Phantom as a commuting or loaded
 > touring bike?

I don't have a Phantom, but I have a Stealth, and I'm told the
geometry is quite similar.

 > How do you have it set up?

Gigantic rear panniers and the biggest seatback bag I've seen on a
bent. I should have pix up soon, will post then.

 > Is it very stable with a heavy load?

With a very heavy load > 50 lbs I can feel some fishtailing, but it's
not undrivable.

 > I like that the Streetmachine was designed for commuting and
 > touring.

So do I. I just don't like what they cost, esp with the dollar down.
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JW Stephens | 18 Jun 23:49

Re: commuting and touring on a Lightning Phantom

I forgot to add that touring with a P-38 and a BOB is a good option,
too. With moderate loads the trailer is pretty transparent.

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 2:39 PM, Tom Roche <Tom_Roche <at> pobox.com> wrote:
>
> Jeff Strunk Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:07:34 -0500
>> Does anybody use a Lightning Phantom as a commuting or loaded
>> touring bike?
>
> I don't have a Phantom, but I have a Stealth, and I'm told the
> geometry is quite similar.

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