Hello, my name is Alex, I live in Maine and i'm 17. I don't have a license and thus no car. Really what I want is to be car-free and travel in a recumbent and maybe a twike in the future. I'm very health conscious (vegan and eat local organic food) and i'm trying my best to be environmentally friendly.
So i'm looking into buying a recumbent that is:
Durable (like a touring recumbent)
A trike
High Performance
Money is no object.
I am 6' 3" so it needs to be big enough for me.
This has got to be a hardcore recumbent because I would like to ride it in the winter/rain too.
Is the sock compatible with most trikes? http://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/windwrapxt/windwrapxt.htm I would like to have one for my recumbent.
I know some of you guys will just say to test ride but the closest place is in Mass and I probably can't get there till the weekend. So if you guys can just throw out some names of top quality brands and models then that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
blknwhtfoto
03-28-06, 07:55 PM
Woah there turbo. If the soonest you can get somewhere is the weekend, then look around online over the remaining few days at Burley, Actiobent, Cattrike and many others. If money is of no object, well, I can't say I really have ever been at a point in my 20 years on this earth to understand that. But Greenspeeds are nice, and expensive, they'll let people know how much money you have. I've heard they're nice bikes too.lol. Aside from my jealousy, go and testride!!! There are many different types of trikes alone to choose from and many of the decisions are subjective to your own choices. Have fun testriding!
funbun
03-28-06, 07:59 PM
If money is not object, and you want a touring/durable trike then go with a Greenspeed GTE (http://www.greenspeed.com.au/NewGSweb/web-content/australia/models/design/gtedesgn.html). This has got to be the Humvee of the trike world. It was designed for world touring. It has room enough for four panniers. Plus you could add a trailer.
Second choice is would be a Greenspeed GTO (http://www.greenspeed.com.au/NewGSweb/web-content/australia/models/design/gtodesgn.html) if you want it more portale.
The GTR maybe the best choice since now Arkel (http://www.panniers.com) makes a nice big recumbent specific pannier: the RT60 (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/rt60/overview.asp?fl=1&site=). Combine the RT60 (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/rt60/overview.asp?fl=1&site=) with a good trailer and you should be have all storage capacity you need.
Amorelli
03-28-06, 08:02 PM
Well instead of a car which is usually 17 grand+. I'm just getting a trike so I can spoil myself and I better because it will be my only personal transportation aside from the bus. Thanks for the replies.
EDIT: Oh yeah and ill be saving gas and expensive repairs. I live with my Mom too so there again I save money on bills among other things. So I have the money.
funbun
03-28-06, 08:16 PM
Sounds like you've got a cool deal running. Take that exra money and putit towards retirement and you'll have a couple million dollars in the bank if you stay debt free only pay cash for stuff.
Amorelli
03-28-06, 10:02 PM
Is there a place I can buy a Greenspeed GTE in the USA? I tried google...
Anyways i'll be heading down to Mass soon and i'll test some of the bents they have.
blknwhtfoto
03-29-06, 03:45 AM
Have Fun!!!! I am heading back to eugene to assemble my actionbent tommorow!! I can't wait. Come visit the University of Oregon sometime in your travels. With a ride like that, you've gotta run it.
jeff-o
03-29-06, 06:02 AM
Is there a place I can buy a Greenspeed GTE in the USA? I tried google...
Anyways i'll be heading down to Mass soon and i'll test some of the bents they have.
Here is Greenspeed USA's homepage: http://www.greenspeed.com.au/NewGSweb/web-content/usa/homeusa.html
You might also want to consider Catrike (www.catrike.com), Windcheetah (http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/), and ICE Trikes (http://www.ice.hpv.co.uk/). These three (along with Greenspeed) are generally considered to be the top brands right now.
funbun
03-29-06, 07:21 AM
Would you put Catrike in the same sentence with Windcheetah and Greenspeed? Windcheetah seems to be more a racing machines and he's wanting a "SUV."
But those are very good names/companies. But Catrike to Greenspeed/Windcheetah is like a Lincoln Towncar to a Rolls Royce. They aren't even close to being in the same league.
GeorgeBaby
03-29-06, 08:00 AM
If you're heading down to MA, you probably already know about Harris Cyclery in West Newton, but just incase you don't, they are a Greenspeed dealer (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/greenspeed/index.html); I have no idea what they actually have available for a test drive, though.
Amorelli
03-29-06, 09:39 AM
Harris Cyclery is where im going.
I'm so happy too because just yesterday I found a 4 1/2 mile paved trail for bikers and joggers. It borders around the port that I live by (I live in South "Port"land). All the more reason to buy a bent. It was just 2 min away by car and I have never seen it...
funbun
03-29-06, 09:49 AM
Cool, let us know about the trike you'll try out.
blknwhtfoto
03-29-06, 02:32 PM
Wow I thought you were talking about Portland(or) for a second
BlazingPedals
03-29-06, 02:37 PM
He wants all-weather capability and cost is no object. That spells "velomobile" to me. Unfortunately, I don't know much about them.
OTOH, cost might *become* an objection when he finds out how much $$$ they run!
Ric
03-30-06, 04:10 AM
Try http://www.hostelshoppe.com/ That is where I purchased my Greenspeed Gtt and you can order on line or by phone, there great people to work with. They will ask you for your X-seam and set the trike up for you, and ship it to you. You can check the site and get the information your looking for.
Amorelli
04-01-06, 08:36 AM
I saw some velomobiles but they look like they are better off in the winter, in the summer it looks like a friggen oven. Unless they have A/C :p
Dr.Deltron
04-03-06, 12:38 PM
Hello, my name is Alex,
I'm looking into buying a recumbent that is:
Durable (like a touring recumbent)
A trike
High Performance
Money is no object.
I am 6' 3" so it needs to be big enough for me.
This has got to be a hardcore recumbent because I would like to ride it in the winter/rain too.
Is the sock compatible with most trikes? I would like to have one for my recumbent.
Thanks.
There is one good answer to all those parameters;
GREENSPEED! They have several models (I have a GTX & a GTT) and fit Burley trailers like any DF bike.
I have several friends who also own GREENSPEEDS and they LOVE them!!:D
You want the best bang for your 'bent buck? Get a GREENSPEED!!! You will NOT regret it!
If you want to save a buck, (and get one sooner)check eBay as they do show up there once in a while.
I actually got my fully loaded GTX from a local bike shops bulletin board for $2K!
The GTT I ordered because I had to have an ORANGE one. Why? Tee-eye-double G-er!
jeff-o
04-03-06, 01:22 PM
I saw some velomobiles but they look like they are better off in the winter, in the summer it looks like a friggen oven. Unless they have A/C :p
Most, if not all velos have vents that help circulate air. Some have a removeable top that let you convert to "convertible" mode.
Here is a great new Velomobile shop located in Toronto, Ontario: http://www.bluevelo.com/