Recumbent - Looking to get a bent trike suggestions?

Like the title says. I haven't been on any kind of bike in over 10 years....except a 30 mile rides on a regular bike. I'm very interested in a bent trike. Problem is I don't know any places that sell them. I live in the san jose ca area if this is any help. Any and all suggestions are appreciated :) on brands, types, places to test ride them at...

Like the title says. I haven't been on any kind of bike in over 10 years....except a 30 mile rides on a regular bike. I'm very interested in a bent trike. Problem is I don't know any places that sell them. I live in the san jose ca area if this is any help. Any and all suggestions are appreciated :) on brands, types, places to test ride them at...

Recumbents are his forte, and he is one sharp cookie:

Zach Kaplan Cycles
Alameda, California
510-522-BENT (2368)
zakaplan@earthlink.net

Dublin Cyclery, Gold Country Cyclery.

See suggestions above, then Test ride, Test ride, test ride....:)
(A suggestion from many other bent riders' that I took to heart and feel served me well))

This spring I've bought a bent trike for my mother in law, one for myself, and got my dad on one.
Two delta trikes and a tadpole, my dad doesn't like the delta's, and I don't like the tadpoles.
I rode several and just couldn't relax with my feet hanging out there in the breeze, tried USS
on a delta and just didn't like it, ended up with a X-3 AX and just love it...
Have ridden more miles in June than previous years combined, more in half of July than June, you
do the math...:thumb:

Did I mention, test ride, test ride, test ride;)
Gave the Giant DF (fully suspended Cypress) to my son as it will never be below me again...

Easy Racers currently has several trikes or 2 wheel 'bents in showroom; Hangar Way (off Airport Blvd/Hiway 1) in Watsonville. Seems to have the monopoly in Santa Cruz County.

What do u mean you dont like your feet hanging out there? I'm just started researching recumbents the other day...but i did a quick search of the delta and tadpoles u mentioned...the feet seem to be in the same place to me. http://home.mindspring.com/~kb7mxu/images/ez3.jpg

also thanks for all the suggestions everyone :) i will try and test ride a few this weekend. I was hoping to keep the bike under $1k...especially since it will be my first bike of any kind in a while...and i know close to nothing about them especially mechanically. I know this might mean buying used. Also i have heard of the kmx tornado...which sells for $800 something new...and thoughts?

edit: what is USS?

USS=under seat steering.
Oh, I forgot Steve at Bay Trail Trikes.

http://www.baytrailtrikes.com/Home.html

If you get trike you MUST grow a beard, no exceptions.

lol...i cant go 1 day withouth shaving. The stubble is just so damn annoying. Most days i shave twice lol.

sorry for the double post. I've heard these mentioned a few times. Is this priced too high?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/1268930182.html

Brad,

I have had one of most every bent. Some thoughts:

-Like the others said, you have to test ride them. And ride them more than 5 minutes or you won't really get a feel for the ride comfort.
-I don't have any trikes right now, but I love them. I've had many brands but think I'd recommend the Greenspeeds over anything. I might want to try a Cattrike too.
-We had a BikeE. It's not really something that I think you would ride much if you really want to ride. There are many better choices. Watch the For Sale sections at bentrideronline.com and the hostelshoppe.com

If you get trike you MUST grow a beard, no exceptions.

That's not quite true. I got a dispensation from the Pope. you have to vow to wail on roadies to get it, though.

edit: IMHO, one of the reasons Bike-E went out of business is that they put too much effort into upscaling themselves. They took a basic, inexpensive bike and added a shock, then tried to sell it for 2x as much. At $1100 it was overpriced, and asking half that for an 8-ish year old bike is too much, too.

thanks for all the help people :) im still testing some out. What do you guys think about a 2001 vision r40? and what should i expect to pay for one?

You can check out the listings on Craigslist nationwide and a couple come up in the $500-600 range. The bike listed for around $1,300 and ATP stopped production in 2003. When a company is no longer in the recumbent business, the prices tend to go down even though almost all replacement parts are going to be available from any recumbent shop. This bike came in multiple frame sizes so you might ask about the height of the owner in advance before going any distance to see it.

That's not quite true. I got a dispensation from the Pope. you have to vow to wail on roadies to get it, though.

edit: IMHO, one of the reasons Bike-E went out of business is that they put too much effort into upscaling themselves. They took a basic, inexpensive bike and added a shock, then tried to sell it for 2x as much. At $1100 it was overpriced, and asking half that for an 8-ish year old bike is too much, too.

They also had a problem with the shock model because it would pogo when climbing hills. I tried one and hated it, while I owned my basic CT model

"The force is strong within you, young padawan" Trikes rule!! Trikes for life!! :D

Hoo Ya...trikes RULE THE ROAD, well thats my sentiment

I just got my bent the other day? how do i upload a pic here? hopefully i dont need to sign up for photobucket or something....Also im looking for a shop near SJ ca that works on bents....as i would like to get a tune up for it and maybe upgrade some of the older parts eventually. Do some of the shops u guys listed do good work on them?

Well, don't keep it a secret. What did you get?

a 2000 orange vision r50 with a rack, lights, bags, and a bunch of other extras

Hmmm, I only see two wheels...

Ya i went with a regular bent haha

My new trike is a Cat Trail

If you get trike you MUST grow a beard, no exceptions.
I do everything backwards!
Rode a trike 28 years cleanshaven- sold the most recent trike to ride the velomobile only this year
grew beard
guy who bought trike lost job, left trike here
velomobille great- trike has low tires: now I don't want to shave to ride the trike.

If you get trike you MUST grow a beard, no exceptions.

WOW, had my trike for 1 1/2 years now and never realized this was a requirement. Wonder what my husband will think...

My wife says she may be open to a trike. The one that Im looking at is the Terratrike since the seat can be moved and reclined so the both of us can use it.

you mentioned the kmx tornado. Im still learning alot about that trike. i got mine off craigslist for 300 bucks. a hell of a steal i now realize. so far it's been great, naturally i can't leave it stock so i've got another thread in here where im trying to customize it some to suit me better.

I'll probably be pulling the trigger on a new trike soon myself. Agree strongly that you have to ride them. I rode several different models, all from Catrike, and was surprised at how different they felt. Although I really wanted to love the 700, I think I'll be getting a Speed.

layedback1: you know that with Terras, the seat only provides limited adjustment, and you may need to replace the boom if you and your wife are significantly different in height, right?

There is a new trike that is just now coming out on the market, the Trident. Utah trikes has an excellent review of the Stowaway models. Definitely worth a look if anyone is considering a new trike. I ride a Catrike, and love it, but if I were looking to buy right now, the Trident Stowaway 2 would be very high on my list.

Look at the Challenge Concept or the folding models.
You can find videos on youtube of guys riding them on just two wheels, which says a lot for the frames and the handling.
They cost more to make and buy. Maybe a used one.
See for sale ads on bentrideronline.com etc.

Yeah! Trikes are awesome! I ride a QNT myself. I am really lusting over the new ICE line that has full suspension. They are very dreamy.

:)

Good choice on a trike - you are truly advanced since trikes are the vehicles of the future! (http://hollerit.blogspot.com/2010/01/vehicle-of-future-trikes.html)