Bicycle Mechanics - Need help in assembling new trike

Hi everyone,

I need your expert advice here. My husband John is still trying to assemble my trike after 3 days now. It is a tadpole Tricruiser recumbent trike.

I noticed during today's test 4th test ride that it felt like something was holding it back, especially when using my bikeE right next to it. It can't coast downhill effortlessly.

So I suggested we look at the wheels and they all seem too tight. If you pick up the trike and try to spin the wheels backwards, they don't spin but for a second.

The front wheels, the tightest, have disc brakes on them and the back wheel has a caliper brake. All wheels seem "too" tight.

Does anyone know how to loosen up wheels so that they work effortlessly? The back caliper brake does not seem to be rubbing against the tire but it's hard to tell since it is a little wobbly when it spins.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Martha

Sounds like the wheel bearings need to be adjusted.

If the wheels are "wobbly" they might need truing.

Both can be done quickly & easily by your local bike shop.

Hmmmm....3 days of attempted assembly, the brakes still drag, and the wheels are "wobbly"?

Sounds like someone is not as mechanically adept as they think. Before something gets really screwed up, and so that you have a fighting chance of enjoying the bike, bring it to a shop and have it done right.

Sounds like the wheel bearings need to be adjusted.

If the wheels are "wobbly" they might need truing.

Both can be done quickly & easily by your local bike shop.

Ok. That sounds very likely but what are the chances of it happening on all three wheels? Thanks! :)

Hmmmm....3 days of attempted assembly, the brakes still drag, and the wheels are "wobbly"?

Sounds like someone is not as mechanically adept as they think. Before something gets really screwed up, and so that you have a fighting chance of enjoying the bike, bring it to a shop and have it done right.

Yeah, I know, I know. :rolleyes:

Ok. That sounds very likely but what are the chances of it happening on all three wheels? Thanks! :)

It's very likely that all three wheels would need bearings adjusted and trued out of the box. Unless they were hand built and delivered to your door in an environmentally controlled, shock-proof flight case.

Almost every wheel that comes with a new bike needs a little tlc by the builder. Just have him take the wheels to a bike shop and have them checked out, should only cost $30 or $40 to true and adjust all three.

Ok. That sounds very likely but what are the chances of it happening on all three wheels? Thanks! :)

Perhaps I should introduce you to an old friend of mine named Murphy...

Hi,

First I want to thank everyone who replied here. I want to give an update but I don't know if it's 100 percent accurate yet - things can change. It's like peeling an onion. You think a problem is solved and a new one pops up.

My husband realigned the disc brakes which were rubbing big time it turns out and then I asked him to back off the rear caliper brakes to see if the wheel would spin better. It did. So it appears that most of the problems are brake related ones except for one thing.

There is still a slight wobble in the rear wheel which makes it difficult to get the rear caliper brake to fit correctly. The wobble, John said, was coming from the slightly crooked tire and not the wheel. I haven't tested the trike out today yet but if he's right, perhaps a new tire would help?

Thanks, Martha

Sounds like the tire is not seated properly, let the air all out and service it to max pressure.

Sounds like the tire is not seated properly, let the air all out and service it to max pressure.

Ok, thanks, we'll do that.

I haven't posted more because for us this is a very slow process with many adjustments yet to be made. I really don't what to report until these adjustments are completed and then I'll give an update.

Martha :)