Recumbent - Newby with a lot of questions.

Hello all. Been a recumbent rider, Greenspeed, for over a month now. Love it, but I have questions. Imagine that, a newby with questions.

#1 Not very happy with the stock tires, good for a perfect word but mine has road hazards (Three flats, glass, rocks, etc.). Looking for recomendations on more road hazard proof tires.

#2 Trying to decide on a trailer, single or two wheels?

#3 Going to the Outerbanks next month. Any recomendations, warnings, advice?

Thanks
Bigburd

Put your feet up and enjoy the ride.

With the tyres I dont know that much. All i can suggest is what i've already tried. All we did was got the same size tyre but a bit thicker, this just makes it harder to puncture but if you runover something like glass you'll probably still blow out. Other things to try are putting strips thorn/glass resistent, on the inside of the tyre, and getting the tubes slimed mightn't be a bad idea either.

The trailers are usually better with 2 wheels just because they can carry more load and are less likely to bend, buckle or break because any load on them is spread between the 2 wheels.

Try Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tires. The Plus version is suppossed to be almost bulletproof, with a thick layer of rubber in between the tread and the tube. You could (supposedly) ride all day with a tack stuck in your tire, without a leak.

A single tire trailer is better for rougher roads, two wheels are better for smooth roads (Yes, contrary to what you might think)

Outerbanks? I don't even know where that is...

...Not very happy with the stock tires, good for a perfect word but mine has road hazards (Three flats, glass, rocks, etc.). Looking for recomendations on more road hazard proof tires...

Hi Bigburd!

I'd recommend looking at tubes rather than tires. Two types of "flat-resistant" tubes are "Slime tubes" and "thorn-resistant" tubes. I've personally not been happy with the Slimers. They don't seem to seal too well, the slime goes everywhere if you need to deflate, and they leave residue on the valve.

Thorn-resistant tubes I've been happy with. They have thicker rubber on the tire side than the rim side and it takes a real hazard to puncture them. They're available in most sizes from Pyramid.

There are also kevlar strips that can be laid between the tube and the inner tire casing. These are primarily sold to MTB riders, but they should work fine for any wheel.

Finally, it may be just my personal impression, but I find that wider tires seem more flat-resistant than narrow ones. Glass and other road debris seem to be "pinched out the side" of the wider tire while a thinner tire just rolls right over them. Your ride - your choice.

Good luck - sorry I can't advise on either of your other questions.

Hi Bigburd!

I'd recommend looking at tubes rather than tires. Two types of "flat-resistant" tubes are "Slime tubes" and "thorn-resistant" tubes. I've personally not been happy with the Slimers. They don't seem to seal too well, the slime goes everywhere if you need to deflate, and they leave residue on the valve.

Thorn-resistant tubes I've been happy with. They have thicker rubber on the tire side than the rim side and it takes a real hazard to puncture them. They're available in most sizes from Pyramid.

There are also kevlar strips that can be laid between the tube and the inner tire casing. These are primarily sold to MTB riders, but they should work fine for any wheel.

Finally, it may be just my personal impression, but I find that wider tires seem more flat-resistant than narrow ones. Glass and other road debris seem to be "pinched out the side" of the wider tire while a thinner tire just rolls right over them. Your ride - your choice.

Good luck - sorry I can't advise on either of your other questions.

I appreciate the information and I agree with the slime tubes. Punctured one, unknown to me, that I had purchased for a replacement. Hit it with the air, still trying to clean up all the sealant. it went everywhere.

Try Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tires. The Plus version is suppossed to be almost bulletproof, with a thick layer of rubber in between the tread and the tube. You could (supposedly) ride all day with a tack stuck in your tire, without a leak.

A single tire trailer is better for rougher roads, two wheels are better for smooth roads (Yes, contrary to what you might think)

Outerbanks? I don't even know where that is...

The Outerbanks are off the coast of North Carolina, 72 mostly flat miles, sand, sun & ocean. Going to try it this May.

Thank you for recomendations on tires & trailer.

For both questions I'd call the Hostel Shoppe. Ask for Scott the mechanic. He's done touring on his greenspeed. www.hostelshoppe.com

Or just contact the folks at Greenspeed. It seems tourists are thier main customers. They have a wealth of info.

I guess I have had good luck with slime tubes, I run 2 bikes with slime tubes and usually have many punctures before they won't seal anymore. If you get slime in the valve just remember to clear it with a quick blast before you try to pump the tube. I use them for all my tours and have always been more than happy. I used thorn proof tires for awhile, they seemed very heavy and could not stop a puncture from a goathead

I use those thick innertubes. The one that are really thick on one side. The work the best for me.

Personally, I'd go with a B.O.B. single wheel trailer. Best (safest, easiest) hook up to the trike and the load limit is good. 70 lbs limit is much more than a single cyclist would ever carry, IMHO, and the 90 litre dry sack is convenient, waterproof if closed properly, etc. Except for the hills, you won't even know the trailer is there.