Recumbent - Sun EZ3 USX question.

I am an avid, but casual bicyclist. Just doing the regular paved bike trails in the city, 22 mile dedicated section.

My wife suprised me yesterday with a new Sun EZ3 USX recumbent. I have only expressed passing interest in one in the past. I was using normal hybrid bicycle previously.

The question i have, to pick your brains, is that I am a large framed person, 6'2, 280lbs, with lots of bicycling under my belt.

Is the Sun EZ3 USX a good bike to switch to? I test drove it yesterday, and everything about is comfortable, but havent tested it yet for the long haul runs. Or is there a different recumbent bike out there that i should look into instead? I used to be very agressive and power ride on the normal bicycle. Can i power ride, hard core on the Sun EZ3 USX? I dont have a speedometer installed yet, what can i expect top speed wise?

I dont want to hurt my wifes feelings, she splurged alot for this for me.


Any thoughts or ideas on the Sun EZ3 USX performance would be great.



Brett

I'll start with my 2 cents... I do not own a trike, would like to, and am not an expert.
I would say give it a shot, try the trike...it is now used in the eyes of anyone who looks at it cause is not on the 'showroom floor'. So don't, as you say, hurt the wife by questioning her pick of machine. Use it and see what you like or do not like. Of course you start out telling her what you like before you even think of mentioning the not so good stuff. Unless it is a lemon it can not be that bad of a trike... Enjoy what is already perchased and then you can put in your 'bid' for what you want the next time.

Ya, don't look the gift horse in the mouth, just be happy with the gift. In the future, if you like it, you can get something even better.

I found there was an adjustment period on the recumbent before I could match my old speed on the older bike. Even then, you'll climb slower, if you're used to climbing fast.

You'll find the riding quite a bit different from your hybrid. I've talked with a couple of owners of this trike and they seem to like it. When I got used to my trike(I've got a tadpole), I found that I'm still a little slower than on my hybrid.

My wife would never, but never buy me a trike. I had to do that on my own. I think I need your wife to train mine.

I would agree with the above posts, ride what you have! (your wife needs to be commended for her thoughtfulness!!!) If you want to improve speed, switch to skinnier tires. And of course, keep in mind the idea that if you do upgrade to a higher end trike, the wife may enjoy inheriting the Sun.
Also, now that you are officially a "trike" rider, join a local 'bent club and see what all the other members are riding. Our local club includes many trikes and trike trandems, including my 2 Greenspeeds, a couple of ICE's, an Actionbent tadpole, a SlipStream (pre-Windcheetah design by Mike Burrows), and a couple of CatTrikes.
Welcome to tricycle recumbentdom! Enjoy! (and don't forget to thank your wife profusely!!!:D )

Brett go ride the new trike and let us know what your thoughts are of the EZ3 usx. That trike was one of recumbents that I was looking at on-line. Where I'm at there are just no recumbent riders, so go ride and let me know as I'm going to be taking a package from the company I work for sometime this spring and that will be my retirement present to myself. I know that if i do not stay active the weight and blood sugar will just go out of control. So ride and post.
Russ

loads of fun - comfortable ride - a bit heavy - but ride is as stable as a unit i tried that cost almost 4 times as much

had mine 2+ years -- neighbor tried it - 6ft 4in 200 + lbs no problems - his wfe liked it too - they bought 3 of them - a spare for when the kids visit

very social vehicle - can stop and talk, we toured xmas decorations in city

just be careful not to take a nap at the stop lights -- the horns jar you awake!

Wonder if Brett 217 went for a ride and has forgot to come back home!!

It has been 6 weeks now. Any observations to pass along on your trike, Brett217?

Well I hope he is so busy riding that he hasn't had time to respond. I also hope that he appreciated the gift in the spirit that it was given. Long after the bike has been used up, the memories of the giving and getting will be remembered and enjoyed. I also hope he takes a minute to evalute the last time that he put as much thought into a gift for his significant other......it made me think.

What I want to know is - where did you find your wife?! :)