Adult Tricycle

[willywonka8]

My wife wants an adult tricycle and I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with them. We have looked at several websites but are just getting confused. Any suggestions?

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Does she want an upright or recumbent?

There are some good reasons for a recumbent, by the way, comfort not the least, among them. ;)

Depending on Budget, the Sun EZ-3 SX is a good entry level recumbent, with the dual rear wheel configuration called the Delta type, vs the Tadpole, that has 2 steer wheels and a single rear.

They are both a lot more stable and comfortable than the traditional upright "Granny Trike". ;)
Sun EZ3

http://www.freewebs.com/bentleycycle/sun_ez3_lg.jpg

Tadpole

http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/organic_engines/images/Organic_%20Engines_Triclops.jpg

Upright Trike

http://www.wilsonbike.com/summit_trike_hires_2.jpg

[willywonka8]

I think she is leaning towards the "granny" style bike. Thanks for the info though, I might be able to convince her to try the recombent.

[StephenH]

If she wants to go slowly on level ground with a higher seat, that's the upright trike. If she wants to go fast anywhere, that's the recumbent. The upright trike should be easier to get into and easier to tip over.

Check prices on the recumbents- they are more "serious" bikes and priced accordingly.

I'm not aware of a lot of difference in the upright trikes. I assume there are some higher quality and some lower quality, but these tend not to get a lot of miles put on them, so you don't see them worn out too much.

If you live in a large metropolitan area, check out your local larger bike stores. I know Richardson Bike Mart here in the Dallas area had at least two on display when I was up there.

[HardyWeinberg]

There is an upright tricycle w/ possibly a 3 spd gearhub sold at a few of the dept stores around here, Fred Meyer, maybe Target. I think it's a schwinn. It looks a lot like that last pic above, w/ the cargo basket behind the seat. Not hugeley expensive, maybe $300?

[deraltekluge]

If you want gears, look at the Sun EZ-3 trikes. The SX is 3x7 with a gear-inches range of 19 to 71, and the AX is 3x9 with a range of about 18 to 90. They're both kind of heavy (56 and 50 lbs, respectively), but with the low end of the gearing you can grind your way up hills.