Folding Bikes - Carryall 3 Wheeler > Questions

I am a 64 y/o disable person now retired and I am in
the market for an adult tricycle. I am considering
tricycles from Maimi Sun and Trek when I ran across
Pacific Cycle's Carryall, see link below:

http://www.pacific-cycles.com/

While an interesting concept, the USA distributor
wants $749.00 USD including UPS shipping. The
Carryall's technology, durability, and quality level
is unproven, not to mention that I prefer to buy
from a local bike shop.

What kind of reputation does Pacific Cycles have
for manufacturing quality bikes?

Is the Carryall worth $749.00 USD?

What do you think?

The Trek I am looking at is about $750.00 USD and
the Maimi Sun, with upgrades I want, is $650 USD.
Both are 3 speeds!!!

Still the Carryall interests me.

Tom Welch
Mesa, AZ USA
pm4hire at excite dot com

...What kind of reputation does Pacific Cycles have
for manufacturing quality bikes?...Is the Carryall worth $749.00 USD?...What do you think

Hi, very welcome to folding bike forums!

I would say reputation is very good. Pacific Cycles manufacture the excellent Birdy and the - by its owners - well liked CarryMe. I was convinced and will testride a CarryMe in September - and buy one if not too small for me. The CarryAll should be good quality and worth it if its the right measures and concept for you.

The main question I have is... do you need a bike that folds up? If not, I would say getting one of the other bikes might be best. I say that, not because the CarryAll is bad, just that it might make better sense for you to have a bike that can be more easily worked on locally.

If, however, you need a folder because of space issues, or because you plan on riding the train, or you want to take the bike in your car... In that case, the CarryAll seems like a good choice.

I would warn you, however, that it's a small bike. If you are tall, you may not fit it well. You may also want to verify the maximum rider weight if you are on the heavy side. I know that's one reason why I won't by the CarryMe, I'm far too heavy for it. LOL

--sam

I am a 64 y/o disable person now retired and I am in
the market for an adult tricycle. I am considering
tricycles from Maimi Sun and Trek when I ran across
Pacific Cycle's Carryall, see link below:

http://www.pacific-cycles.com/

While an interesting concept, the USA distributor
wants $749.00 USD including UPS shipping. The
Carryall's technology, durability, and quality level
is unproven, not to mention that I prefer to buy
from a local bike shop.

What kind of reputation does Pacific Cycles have
for manufacturing quality bikes?

Is the Carryall worth $749.00 USD?

What do you think?

The Trek I am looking at is about $750.00 USD and
the Maimi Sun, with upgrades I want, is $650 USD.
Both are 3 speeds!!!

Still the Carryall interests me.

Tom Welch
Mesa, AZ USA
pm4hire at excite dot com

-Many of the best folding bike designers contract their manufacturing to Pacific Cycles including several of the most expensive and highly regarded specialty bikes in the world such as the Birdy folding bike, the Airnimal folding bike, and the Greenspeed recumbent. I've never heard anyone describe the quality of a bike manufactured by Pacific Cycles as being anything short of the best and I personally consider their cheaper bikes to be an incredible value.
-While I've never ridden a Carryall or any adult trike I am a satisfied Carryme owner. From the pictures it looks like the Carryall is made out of nearly all the same parts as the Carryme. So if I were you I wouldn't have any reservations about the quality or durability.


Is it worth $750 to you? I don't know, but I'd have to guess that those other trikes must weigh almost double what the Carryall does (21 pounds). So assuming the Carryall is of the same quality as everything else from Pacific Cycles I'd want those other trikes to make me breakfast in bed to justify pedaling around an extra 20+ pounds.

Like Lalato said, fit might be an issue, but I'd trust Pacific's documentation and Alternative Vehicle's recommendation on the matter. Alternative Vehicles was trustworthy, even modest, when I dealt with them and given the fact that Pacific makes a whole slew of special needs trikes I'd think they would be more in tune with the riding style of a disabled person like yourself than any of us folder fanatics.

Somnatash

I'm in no rush to buy the tricycle b/c it is hotter than
hell in the Greater Pheonix area, so emal me with your
impressions of the Carryme next month.

Lalato

I'm only 5'4" and 155 pounds, and you're correct there
are tradeoffs. Another advantage of buying a regular
tricycle is that I can upgrade the tricycle later with
power assist and be car free.

Tom in Mesa, AZ USA
pm4hire at excite dot com

Thank you all for taking the time to educate me.

Tom Welch in Mesa, AZ USA

Somnatash

I'm in no rush to buy the tricycle b/c it is hotter than
hell in the Greater Pheonix area, so emal me with your
impressions of the Carryme next month.

I will. Actually I might even be able to see the CarryAll "in person" as I am meeting the guys of Pacific at a the eurobike trade show. You want me to ask something special or something?
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee323/Tarmacblossom/logo.gif

Somnatash:

I'd like to know what yearly maintenance is required, if the chain and
tires need replacement, parts availability in the USA, just how stable
the Carryall is?

Thanks,
Tom Welch
Mesa, Arizona USA

Somnatash:

I'd like to know what yearly maintenance is required, if the chain and
tires need replacement, parts availability in the USA, just how stable
the Carryall is?

Thanks,
Tom Welch
Mesa, Arizona USA

I posted in one of the Carryme threads about parts availability. In short the only part which is 100% unavailable from anywhere but Pacific are the rims (which may eventually need replacement as the brakes wear down the braking surface).

In any case, please post back to let us know what you end up deciding and if you get something that folds then post again to let us know how you like it.


P.S.

To Ken and Ryan,
How about a recumbent version of the Carry-all? Sure to be the lightest folding recumbent trike on the market by a long shot. :)