My wife and I are looking at purchasing our first trike, with the understanding that we will *share* it. I think I'll take it a couple of times a week for commuting to work, and she'll ride it when we go on rides together. She's 5'7 and I'm 6'1 so every time we switch there will be adjustments necessary. It looks to me like all the trikes are adjusted with the pedal arm, and I am thinking that a bunch of work like adjusting that mess will keep us from using it as much as we need to in order to justify spending the money. The exception seems to be the Wiz Wheels brand with models TerraTrike (3.6) and Edge (1.0), where we could actually get one frame size that will fit both of us and we can adjust the seat to fit either one of us.
Question #1) Are there other model trikes as easy to adjust? Am I overestimating the effort required to adjust the pedal boom?
My goal is to bring my one way 21 mile commute to a close at 1 hour, and my wife's goal is to keep up with me when I ride the upright (speed is a big reason she doesn't ride with me now... in addition to comfort and general lack of balance that we're assuming the trike will help with). The reviews talk about the Terra Trike as a heavy beast were one can maintain a cruising speed of 14-15 mph, and hail the Edge as able to cruise around 20 mph with good handling even at 40-45 mph. There are a lot of hills on my commute, but my assumption here is that for every hill at 5 mph going up I'll have a hill coming down at 35 mph to make up for it.
Question #2) If I eventually somehow get in good enough shape to average 21 mph, and she is going to comfortably keep up with me on the upright for or recreational rides, has our decision already been made? Is there any other option than the Edge?
I ask because at almost twice the price the Edge is simply *not* in our budget. We're getting a tax return that could cover the TT 3.6 but we would have to wait to buy the Edge, possibly until next Spring or later. We plan to treck a few hours to test all the different trikes this Sunday, but they won't have the Edge to test, and wanted to go into the experience with some knowledgable feedback from all you Trike riders out there!
Thanks a bunch!
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
To adjust most trikes, you have to both shorten the boom length AND shorten the chain. Adjusting the boom only takes a few minutes, but the chain takes a bit longer, and it rather messy. It's also not such a great idea, to keep lengthening and shortening the chain over and over.
Could you afford $2800? If so, you could get two ActionBent (www.actionbent.com) trikes. Check out the review on Bentrider Online; I'm sure you'd be pleased with this trike as well.
Redrom
Jeff-o,
I had read that review, and went back and re-read it at your suggestion. Admittedly at that price point it made me give some consideration. I mean, I could have a second chain so that I'm just changing the chain and boom pole when we switch, but even with white lightning, it's not clean or simple like adjusting a seat would be. Also, it is just as heavy as the TT 3.6 so I'm guessing that it wouldn't address the speed concerns I have. It also looks to be less comfortable with that awkward seat. The edge seat and frame with carbon fiber frame looks like unparalled comfort, but I can only guess... no way to test drive.
I suppose it begs the question to everyone, what speeds (cruising and max) are you getting on your trikes and how do they handle at that speed? Can you compare that to your speeds on a 2-wheel recumbent or upright? Maybe I'm crazy to hope that on a trike I can someday average 20 mph over an hour ride?
jeff-o
I don't think the Edge could beat the HP Velotechnik Scorpion (http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/scorpion/index_e.html) in terms of seat comfort. The Scorpion is 6 pounds heavier than the Edge, but that shouldn't matter too much. The thing you have to worry about is the rotational weight, basically the weight of the wheels. I bet the Edge and Scorpion are about the same when it comes to wheel weight.
Now, about the actual construction. Sure, the Edge is all spiffy and carbon fiber-y, but if you're going to be communting on it daily I would take a solid metal frame over carbon fiber any day. It's more rugged, and easier to fix IF it breaks.
And, the Scorpion is $1000 less than the Edge.
If you're really concerned about seat comfort, also check out the multitude of offerings from ICE (http://www.ice.hpv.co.uk/), who by most accounts have the best-built trikes around. Again, cheaper than the Edge in most cases.
Oh yeah, and of couse look at Catrike (www.catrike.com), probably the most popular trike these days, and for good reason. Well built, fast (check out the Speed!) and affordable.
Don't get stuck looking at just one brand or model. Do yourself a favour and see what all the manufacturers have to offer.
Dchiefransom
I'm not sure if this would work on a trike. I don't know if the mount would fit, or where you would put it, but something could be adapted. Lightning makes a "Quick-Size" kit, essentially another rear derailleur mount forward of the rear one, that is specifically for allowing the boom to be adjusted for different riders. It extends on mine to 7" below the main tube, so you'd need to ensure you have enough clearance for that, and riding. It attaches to the mount for the idler pulley. I didn't install mine, I got my bike used as a store demo model. Scroll down this page to the Quick-Size kit. It was designed to allow different riders to more easily use the same bike on RAAM.
http://www.lightningbikes.com/accessor.htm
Redrom
Jeff-o,
I don't mean to give the impression that I have only looked at one model, I just feel I've narrowed my search based on these particular features that I feel are important to our particular situation. I've read everthing I could find, looked at Catrike, ICE, Greenspeed, ActionBent, and felt a pull towards the Wiz Wheels, but that wasn't enough so I turned to you trikers for even more information.
As such, excuse me while I check out the HP and lightning websites...
Thanks, and keep 'em coming... !
BlazingPedals
redrom,
If you have speed concerns, then maybe a trike would be a Bad Idea(tm). There's a whole squadron of Catrike Speeds (http://www.catrike.com/speed.htm) in my club, most of them were 18-20 mph riders before trikes (or perhaps I should say when on their other bikes) but all are much slower on their trikes. Trikes are great for someone with balance issues, and they're just plain fun to ride, but not many riders would claim they are fast compared to other bents. A 20 mile, 20 mph ride could happen, but I wouldn't count on it.
You're right, adjusting the boom is a pain. the chain length issue can be sort-of-fixed by installing a takeup system like the late Visions had. But you still have to worry about aligning it every time you move it or the pedals will be crooked. And if you do it often enough, sooner or later you can count on stripping the threads on the bolt holes. The AB hardshell looks fine, but hardshells are a love-it-or-hate-it thing: if they fit you they're great; if not... :(
Redrom
Indeed BlazingPedals, I'm sure a trike is a bad idea on many levels :eek: But I'm afraid it may be the only way to get us biking as a family. The wife is a wee bit challenged in the skill of balance, and I had hoped that with the trike she could easily keep up with me (I mean I am hauling 90 lbs of boys in addition to my own large frame). I'm probably not as concerned about comfort as I might have let on; theoretically it will all be so much more comfortable than the upright that the variance between models should hopefully be relatively negligable.
Maybe a better way to put this is that I'm wondering which model has the fastest "bang for the buck". Really the trike is for her, and I thought I could justify the expensive purchase if it meant that I didn't need to also buy myself a 2 wheel recumbent for the commute. I have to admit that I like the idea that cars automatically give you a greater berth when passing, and about the additional stability 3 wheels gives (compared to two) when most of my commute will be in the dark.
BlazingPedals
LOL I'm not saying a trike is a bad idea, just that you will probably be disappointed in the speed dept. I mentioned Catrike Speeds, because the trike riders in my club have adopted it as the best 'bang for buck.' Based on what I've seen, a Windcheetah would be faster but more expensive. Wizwheels (I'm getting this second hand, so take with grain of salt if desired) are a bit slower than the Catrike. But OTOH, they are good enough to hold the current recumbent record at the National 24-Hour Challenge. I haven't seen an Actionbent yet, but it looks like it has potential, and a pretty good price. I'm a bit of a big-wheel chauvinist, so the larger drive wheel on the AB appeals to me, too.
jeff-o
The biggest bang for your buck, when it comes to speed, would still be the Catrike Speed. It's more expensive than the WW3.6, but it weighs 7 pounds less, has the mesh seat that you like, and is still rated as one of the fastest trikes you can get.
If you're still worried about getting to work quickly, could I suggest adding an electric-assist hub motor? A 500W model could add 40km/h of oompf to your crusing speed. You could get an AB Trike AND the electric assist for less than the price of a Catrike Speed, and you'd be able to fly to work at the same speed as the cars.
Redrom
Jeff-o,
I'm sure liking that thinking with the ol' electric assist, but the point is for me to get the exercise. I can always take my Jetta TDI gettin' 50 mpg of BioDiesel world saving fun if I wanted to skip the exercise (and I plan to whenever it rains!) :p
Ok, so here's the nutshell so far...
Catrike Speed - for, uh, speed... best bang for the buck speed wise, but really minimal ground clearance
ICE T or Q - has some adjustability for multiple riders as an upgrade, already not cheap for the weight
WW TT 3.6 - Great all round, has the seat adjustability but wait for the even cheaper model in the spring
WW Edge - Even better seat adjustability for two riders, but carbon fiber excessive for needs and wallet
AB Tadpole - Possibly least expensive, and still very well reviewed, great rear wheel, but some seat issues (and apparently no front fenders available)
bjc97
hi. I've ridden a wizwheels terratrike for several years now, and here's my opinions.
a. Maybe it's just me, but this trike is no speedster. Riding on a flat rails-to-trail, I average around 10 mph; on my Bianchi "conventional" bike, I average 14. On the trike and I get bursts up to 22 mph or so, but no way can I sustain this.
b. I'm probably the minority in this next opinion, but there is *no way* I would ride this trike in any kind of traffic, and especially at night. It's visibility is just not enough because of it's lowness, and, you need a fairly decent road shoulder to ride on.
c. Here are the advantages I see in a trike:
1. Comfort. It's like riding an easy chair, really. You can at times, almost fall asleep while riding.
2. Relaxation. There are no balance issues, just pedal away, listen to some tunes, and relax.
3. Sustainable exercise. What I mean by this, is that the trike is so enjoyable to ride, it's easy to make it the centerpiece of a sustained exercise program. On upright bikes, sore neck, wrists, and butt made me not ride as often as I could have, but with the terratrike, this was no longer an issue, and I ride daily. I credit it for getting me back into shape. Of course, this is the nature of recumbents in general.
But, like I said, all of my riding is on a rails-to-trail, where automobile traffic is not an issue. The lack of speed is sometimes frustrating, but I normally can live with the 10mph average. I sometimes envy the Toureasy riders I know, doing their centuries on a regular basis in about 6 hours Nice. I plan to get one of those, soon.
I have a question for other trikers out there. Are lighter trikes, like say the catrike, really faster than the terratrike? why so? weight? can these trikes really keep up with uprights? thanks.
BuckyYuen
Hubby and I thought we'd share a Greenspeed GTO, but we never really did because changing the boom etc was too much of a pain. We ended up selling the GS. I got to missing the trike, so I got a used 2004 Catrike Speed... and hubby picked up a very slightly used Greenspeed GT3... and we're happy riding the trikes together. The Speed is not the only Catrike available - there is also the Pocket and the Road. If you just want to get a trike first for your wife, then get yours a little down the line (cuz it sounds like she's the primary concern right now as far as feeling safe on a trike)... then I'd get her a Road or Pocket. Then when funds are more available, get yourself a trike too. It's much more fun to both be riding the same type of cycle. Or you could do like us and get both trikes at an affordable price used. The 2004 Speed I have now is great for me - not as reclined as the new 2005 Speed and is kind of a compromise betw the 05 Speed and 05 Road.
jeff-o
As far as motor assist goes, don't think that you won't be pedalling right along with it. The motor only adds up to 20mph, it's up to your legs to add the other 12-17mph. You can get the same amount of exercise, but you'll get there faster. Check this one out:
http://www.jvbike.com/crystalyte.htm
That's just about the best price I've found, including eBay.
Redrom
Dang, 10 mph sustained on the flats! That just won't do. I'm no Lance, and I'm not going to do any better than someone who's been riding their trike for several years. I mean, I was expecting it to be faster than my upright but slower than the 2 wheel recumbent. I was prepared to accept 1 1/2 hrs each way, but I can't add 4 hours total to my workday away from home and the kids, even if its not every day. Oh well, back to the drawing board for me... at least we can get a cheap trike for her so we can ride as a family, gotta say in that case I'm leaning towards ActionBent.
jeff-o
Motor! 30mph sustained!
Ric
Redrom,
Don't believe that 10mph avg. If you have been riding bikes any length of time you can do better than that on a trike. I've been riding trikes for the last ten years and am now riding a Catrike Speed and my avg 15 plus mph and is as good if not better on the Speed than it was on my Trek and I'm no speed demon.
Most of my Riding 95% is road riding and cars seem to respect me being there and give me the room I need and I ride 4 and 6 lane traffic ALOT and yes I do at times ride at night and have never had any problems, just make sure you have the proper lighting and always use a flag.
If and when you buy your trike don't be disappointed if you are a little slow to begin with, remember getting your recumbent legs takes time. Oh and one other thing don't let people tell you that the weight of a trike doesn't matter cause it does,I have three trikes, 29-42-and 64 lbs and the lighter the trike the better the avg.
Ride as many as you can possibly ride because they all ride different and IMHO stay as far away from ActionBent as you can.
jeff-o
You have a 64-pound trike? It had better be a tandem, and even then, 64 pounds is massive!
Ric
Yes Its a Tandem, A Greenspeed GTT2s 64lbs, Hotmover 42lbs Catrike Speed 29lbs and I ride all, and all weights are without extras. I even pull a Burley Nomad Trailer with the Speed to do my Grocery shopping and can maintain a 13-14 mph avg.
Most Tandems are in that weight class, I think the WW comes in at around 62 and the a Trice about the same.
Redrom
Ric, go into more detail, if you would, about staying away from ActionBent. I've been stongly considering their Tadpole, but holding off on the purchase because I've sent a bunch of questions to the guy and he's only responded to like half of them. Is it just the customer service (I'm guessing), or are the bikes junk as well? Why should I stay away? I mean, Larry Varney gave them a great review!
Jeff-o's going to be really disappointed :rolleyes:
jeff-o
Ric, go into more detail, if you would, about staying away from ActionBent. I've been stongly considering their Tadpole, but holding off on the purchase because I've sent a bunch of questions to the guy and he's only responded to like half of them. Is it just the customer service (I'm guessing), or are the bikes junk as well? Why should I stay away? I mean, Larry Varney gave them a great review!
Jeff-o's going to be really disappointed :rolleyes:
I suppose I should let everyone know that ActionBent does not actually manufacture the bikes it sells. They are all made by a company in Taiwan; Randy (from Actionbent) just redistributes them. So, do not associate the quality of the bikes with the quality of the service.
I am actually planning on making a bulk purchase of Trikes from the OEM in Taiwan. The price will end up being lower than what ActionBent charges... send me an email if you want in on this.
Ric
I say stay away because of what i have heard and have been reading from some people who have purchased the AB. They have had nothing but problems. I know of one individual who has been waiting for parts for his bike for over a year and as far as i know still has a brand new AB still in the box that came with a bent front fork among other things wrong.
This is just one of many problems that I have heard of and one of the latest was about a trike that someone ordered that they used a torch on to make something fit because something didn't line up or the part wasn't right.
So I guess when I sit back and here about all this and consider that I still have to put the thing together when it comes or take it to a shop and pay them to deal with it, it's just to many problems and it tells me it is not a trike or Company I want to deal with. JMO
I will also say that there are alot of people who own an AB that love there bikes and wouldn't have anything else, I guess you just have to be one of the lucky ones.
jeff-o
I say stay away because of what i have heard and have been reading from some people who have purchased the AB. They have had nothing but problems. I know of one individual who has been waiting for parts for his bike for over a year and as far as i know still has a brand new AB still in the box that came with a bent front fork among other things wrong.
This is just one of many problems that I have heard of and one of the latest was about a trike that someone ordered that they used a torch on to make something fit because something didn't line up or the part wasn't right.
So I guess when I sit back and here about all this and consider that I still have to put the thing together when it comes or take it to a shop and pay them to deal with it, it's just to many problems and it tells me it is not a trike or Company I want to deal with. JMO
I will also say that there are alot of people who own an AB that love there bikes and wouldn't have anything else, I guess you just have to be one of the lucky ones.
Perhaps Randy at AB should be inspecting the bikes before shipping them out... Especially for som ething as easy as missing parts! I know I would. And..... will..... ;)
Ric
This is just one of the many post off BROL.
Stay Away From Actionbent/china Mascott
Some of the guys at the Portland race have a new Actionbent TW trike they drove 400 miles to pick it up for a young man with MS to use at the Portland Race this weekend. When they got it back to their motel and unpacked it the rear chainstays were welded on so the rear wheel sits at 10 degrees camber to the left and the boom tube will not fit into the main frame tube as it was sent with the wrong size tube. I am told their are other small details like bent brake mounts as well. Several of the racers attending the Portland race are trying to figure out how to modify it to put a boom on so that the young man who purchased it could use it this weekend. If anyone has a 2" ream they could use it at the Portland race right now.
I suggest you look at the Yahoo Group for Actionbent/China Mascott and see for your self what your getting into for the same money you can get a catrike Pocket and we all know that it will be perfect out of the box
jeff-o
Hmmm, not so good... Again I wonder, why ActionBent is even allowing these to be sold? It would seem that there are at least some quality issues here, and I wonder
1. Why ActionBent isn't inspecting the bikes they're reselling
2. Not making more of a fuss to China Mascot about this (both quality and shipping)
I shall look into this further...
jeff-o
About that massively defective trike... Did you read the entire string of messages? Randy posted a message later, explaining that the customer had come just an hour after he received the shipment, and took one of the trikes before Randy inspected it. Im sure if he had been allowed to inspect the shipment, Randy would have noticed the faults and not allowed the trike to be sold.
bjc97
my comments apply to a terratrike only, and on a flat crushed limestone rails to trail surface. I do not want to sound overly critical of the terratrike, it's a fine product and a fine company. I have had zero problems in almost 4,000 miles of riding. I recommend it highly, but you're *not* going to average "15 plus mph" with or without (lol) a trailer, riding THE SAME TRIKE AND UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS as i do.
let's discuss the concept of "average speed." if you average 10 mph, at times you are going faster than that, and at times slower. Sure, some days I can clip along at speeds of 15 to 16 mph, sustained, mixed in with rest periods where I slow down to 6-8 mph. the average is 10. Other days, my top speed is slower, say 12 mph, but during rest periods i may be around 8-9 mph. the average is still 10. averages change under road conditions, where you may limp up a hill at 3 mph, but then coast down the other side at 30.
to average "15 plus" mph ON A FLAT TRAIL, a considerable part of the ride must be up around 20 OR MORE, and aside from bursts, that's not going to happen ON A TERRATRIKE ON A FLAT CRUSHED LIMESTONE SURFACE. and, you won't be keeping up with seasoned riders on upright bikes either, you're going to be serveral mph slower. I suspect similar results, no matter what trike you ride, although the more money you drop on one, the more the "wishful" thinking effect kicks in...
average speed can be computed a number of ways...you can use a cycle computer, or the "wishful thinking method." I use the computer.
Dchiefransom
About that massively defective trike... Did you read the entire string of messages? Randy posted a message later, explaining that the customer had come just an hour after he received the shipment, and took one of the trikes before Randy inspected it. Im sure if he had been allowed to inspect the shipment, Randy would have noticed the faults and not allowed the trike to be sold.
My suggestion would, no matter what, to not let a bike go out the door without inspecting it. Even if they are waiting.
jeff-o
My suggestion would, no matter what, to not let a bike go out the door without inspecting it. Even if they are waiting.
Indeed. It's so much easier to correct such problems before the product gets into the customer's hands.
Ric
I agree not let a bike go out the door without inspecting it, but it's my understanding it happens all to often. And yes I did read the entire string of messages and Randy posted a message later, explaining what happened,but it seems there is alwys an excuse or a reason for something being wrong from missing parts to forks and frames being out of true, brakes that don't line up to god only knows what and don't look for service cause from what I here thats not there either.
The gentlemen at actionbent and all recumbent group on yahoo is still waiting for a replacement fork for a bike purchased over a year ago.
Listen,again I say I'm not trying to start a flame or war here this is just what I read and here and is just this guys opinion.
If you think you would be happy with an AB by all means have at it and I wish you all the luck in the world.
jeff-o
I'm not advocating AB as a saintly company. I'm just trying to get the Acual Truth here. There are three sides to every story, Person A's version, Person B's version, and the Truth. In the end I don't really care how good or bad ActionBent's service is, I just want to know how good the bikes it sells actually are. The ultimate reason for this is that I am also thinking of buying one, or more than one.
Ric
Yes I agree, everybody has an opinion. I think if you want to know how good a bike is all you have to look at the price. Yes it is cheap, cheaper than the others and in this day and age remember you get what you pay for.
When I purchase a trike and possibly have to pay a shop to put the thing together and I still don't know if I have a good quality trike or not, I think the good deal is lost
When I compare to Wiz Wheel, Catrike,and some others which are proven trikes and companys with a proven service Depts. that will back there products it means alot.
Something goes wrong with my Catrike or Hotmover, GTT I pick up the phone and I have a part in a couple of days, can AB say the same or am I going to be waiting for a front fork for a year with a brand new Ab in the box that I can't ride and not be able to get a refund on.
How much does peace if mind cost, whats it worth?
jeff-o
Well to start, AB gets all its bikes (and thus parts) from Taiwan. This means longer shipping times, and the unavoidable language barrier (though I'm sure that at least one or two guys there speak good enough english). Wiz Wheelz and Catrike are both manufacturing their bikes in the States, so shipping and stuff like that is much faster.
Also, I don't know why people automatically assume that a welder/fabricator from the States, Britain or Oz is any better than one from Taiwan. They use the same equipment and probably have the same amount of experience. Perhaps the only difference could be their adherence to a certain level of quality, which is something that is much easier corrected than worker skill.
By any accounts I've read, and the pictures I've seen, the welds on AB bikes look pretty darn good. I've taken a few welding courses, I should know (though I will admit, I'd have to see and touch the welds in person to know for sure).
The design guy for AB (Actually, for TW Bents in Taiwan) is apparently a minor celebrity there, having been interviewed on TV seven times. I trust that, I just hope he knows to put nice, long booms on the bikes they export to North America.
Ric
This is a post from one of the AB yahoo groups:
I recently bought an actionbent lowrider,,the last of the bunch, and have lived to regret it. Both the frame and the fork were bent,,the fork so badly that its believed to
be unusable. Kevin in Taiwan verbalizes that he is gonnna build me a new one, but seven weeks into it, there is no communication,,and no service parts.
That was posted in March of 2005 and I 'm waiting for an Email at the present to find out if he has had his bike fixed or not,I'll let you know what I find out.
I think you made my point with WW and Cat being made in the states but seeing how Randy sells these trikes and bikes here wouldn't you think he would have the parts too back his product, from what I can see he doesn't.
Greenspeed is made in Austrailia but I can get parts if I need them from Ian Sims in a timely manner. I purchased My Hotmover from the factory in New Zealand and ordered a new set of wheel bearings and rear cassette from H.Gail at the factory and had them in four days.
I'm sorry,there is no excuses for the failure above, and AB
jeff-o
I think I'm gonna email TW Bents in Taiwan and ask about their quality policy...
Ric
LOL :lol: I really don't know what to say about that other than get real, like there going to tell you the truth?
Another thing you might want to consider before buying is resale value, are you ever going to get back your money or are you going to loose your butt?
If you believe in AB and If you think you would be happy with an AB by all means buy one and I wish you all the luck in the world.
jeff-o
Oh, I don't intend to buy from AB... I'm going to buy directly from TW Bents, and if they have aminimum order quantity then I'll sell the extras on eBay... for less than what AB charges.
I will admit however, that I wish I could afford a windcheetah. *sigh*
ChiliDog
Re the Terratrike: I am a middle-aged, overweight, out of shape female who rides her TT 3.6 on paved rail trails and averages 12-15mph just riding in the middle front ring and 5th and 6th rear cogs. And I'm not even "booking it".
I haven't begun to "max out" the gearing on this thing and it pedals effortlessly. It weighs 37 lbs and feels like it weighs less. It coasts and coasts. It is a smooth, responsive dream to ride. Totally comfortable and adjustable. I cannot see why anyone would not be able to "ride fast" on a TT.
I owned a Catrike Pocket for a few weeks and found it totally uncomfortable. I've sat on a Catrike Road and Speed and would say the same. Riding them was like riding a buck-board wagon and I think (you're not going to like this part) they are WAY over-rated. I wouldn't have one if you'd give it to me.
Go and do some test riding...let your wife ride what she likes and you ride what you like. Get two trikes!
bjc97
wow, that's a really good average speed for an out of shape middle aged female. 12 to 15 mph "average"...and you're hardly even trying. What do you average on an upright bike? 15 to 18 mph?
I must be doing something wrong.
ChiliDog
Yes, that is my average mph on a Trek 7500fx hybrid/road bike. The way in which I am "out of shape" is in weighing too much after gaining weight from a year's lay-off riding due to an illness and surgery. I'm still coming back from that.
Otherwise I've been a pretty avid rider of DFs and bents for the past 5 years. And my TT has the stock 40 psi Cheng tires on it. I'm sure with a more narrow, higher pressure tires it would roll with less resistance. I think the kind of surface you're on riding on might be significant.
Ric
Hey Jeff-o,
I told you I'd let you know how the guy made out with his AB so here is his response:
Regarding the actionbent loracer that was purchased last January. There has been
no warranty activity on it, the monofork is out of alignment such that it is useless. The frame was also out of alignment but it is such that it is straightenable. Randy at actionbent, has NEVER answered my emails or returned phone calls re this matter. In other words , if left to count on his honoring his warranty commitment, there has
been no warranty parts provided and or offer of replacement parts or payment for parts by a third party of any sort, or complete replacement of the framset as promised by Kevin in taiwan.
The balance of the parts of the bike are still sitting here in boxes. If asked to recommend or not, a purchase of an actionbent product, the resounding answer from me, would be NO WAY as determined from my experience.
I sure hope the rest of the purchasers of ab products dont suffer the same problems, and from what Ive heard, others have found the products to be satisfactory for at least the most part even though, most ab purchasers, do modify their project bikes as appears to be fact from reading another yahoo board.
I also heard of a trike, ab , that was a rather serious failure too, again what was reported was that Randy had shipped the trike, without so much as looking in the box to see if it was there. It reportedly arrived, with major alignment problems also. I dont know whether the guy ever got his money back on that deal either. I wont elaborate further on the ab fiascos that I know of, but if any one wants to know
more, email me off list and I will provide you with documents that completely outline these problems.
Jeff-o If you need to contact the guy let me know and i will give you the Email so you can get him off list.
Ric
Re the Terratrike: I am a middle-aged, overweight, out of shape female who rides her TT 3.6 on paved rail trails and averages 12-15mph just riding in the middle front ring and 5th and 6th rear cogs. And I'm not even "booking it".
I haven't begun to "max out" the gearing on this thing and it pedals effortlessly. It weighs 37 lbs and feels like it weighs less. It coasts and coasts. It is a smooth, responsive dream to ride. Totally comfortable and adjustable. I cannot see why anyone would not be able to "ride fast" on a TT.
I owned a Catrike Pocket for a few weeks and found it totally uncomfortable. I've sat on a Catrike Road and Speed and would say the same. Riding them was like riding a buck-board wagon and I think (you're not going to like this part) they are WAY over-rated. I wouldn't have one if you'd give it to me.
Go and do some test riding...let your wife ride what she likes and you ride what you like. Get two trikes!
That last part about the Catrike sounds like you got that from talking to my wife. i didn't think there were two people that could despise a trike that much. From what I've read and people I've talked too I think people, myself included have a love / hate relationship with catrike.
The 2004 Catrikes and didn't like, but the 05s are a much better trike IMO. As for your last statement that's why my wife rides a Hotmover and I ride the Speed, everybody has there own prioritys on a trike.
The Wiz Wheel is an excellent Trike and would have been my next choice.
Dchiefransom
Yes, that is my average mph on a Trek 7500fx hybrid/road bike. The way in which I am "out of shape" is in weighing too much after gaining weight from a year's lay-off riding due to an illness and surgery. I'm still coming back from that.
Otherwise I've been a pretty avid rider of DFs and bents for the past 5 years. And my TT has the stock 40 psi Cheng tires on it. I'm sure with a more narrow, higher pressure tires it would roll with less resistance. I think the kind of surface you're on riding on might be significant.
When I was at a shop looking at the Sun Tadpole Trike, even though it seemed twice as heavy as any of my other bikes, I noticed that if I touched it at all, it started to roll. An easy rolling ride with good gearing should always be fun. Sometimes it's not about the average speed, but the size of the smile at the end of the ride.
Redrom
There's no doubt that I'd like to have fun on my trike. I will not be having any fun if commuting takes 2 hours each way... :(
Ric
There's no doubt that I'd like to have fun on my trike. I will not be having any fun if commuting takes 2 hours each way... :(
Redrom,
I have a couple questions: 1 what type of bike are you riding now 2 what type of avg. do you hold.
What you are talking about is a 21 mile trip in under 1 hour are you doing that now on the bike you have.
Redrom
I ride an upright and get around 15 mph as a trip average. The trike purchase is for various reasons, but one of those would be the commute. I was hoping to do better speedwise with a recumbent than with the upright, but it would also serve functions of comfort and safety (or so I hope). I've been riding my Dad's recumbent trying to get my legs in shape, and I would like to expect a 1 1/2 hour each way commute to start with, and like to work towards a 1 hour commute when in top condition as a goal.
Ric
I ride an upright and get around 15 mph as a trip average. The trike purchase is for various reasons, but one of those would be the commute. I was hoping to do better speedwise with a recumbent than with the upright, but it would also serve functions of comfort and safety (or so I hope). I've been riding my Dad's recumbent trying to get my legs in shape, and I would like to expect a 1 1/2 hour each way commute to start with, and like to work towards a 1 hour commute when in top condition as a goal.
Redrom,
If you are maintaining a 15mph avg. on your bike I see no reason that you can't do the same on a trike.The one thing I can say is that the weight of the trike really made a difference for me,going from my Hotmover which is 42 lbs to my Catrike Speed at 29lbs I gained 2mph in my avg.
I can do a 15 mile trip in 45 to 50 minutes without killing myself, I'm as fast on my Cat as I ever was on my Trek 5200 and that was my goal.
I do alot of organized rides here in our area and keep up with most of the DFers, exception would be those 20 and 25 year old kids but for a 54 year old fat man I do just fine.
There is one thing in your favor if you purchase a Catrike or Wiz Wheel though and that's you can always get your money back if your not happy.
One other thing about the wife being able to keep up, we had the same problem and we fixed it by buying a Tandem trike that way she can't complain about being left behind and we do have a blast on that thing,50 plus mph down hills is wild. :eek:
Don't be afraid too buy a trike,you will do fine.
jeff-o
50mph! Well, if you crash, at least you'll both be gonners. ;)
Ric
Yea we did that at Sugerloaf MT.during the Mt.Dora Bikefest, what a ride. Besides after crashing at 65 on my motorcycle I figure 50 on the tandem can't be much worse.