Recumbent - Has anyone heard of a rickcycle? opinions please

We are new to all of this recumbent stuff, recently did a demo ride on a Terra Trike, very impressive, but pricey, but that is the only negative we could find. Would buy one tomorrow if we had the $$. Someone emailed me about a Rickcycle as a more affordable option. Since we are so inexperienced at all of this we aren't even sure what to look for as far as quality goes. Do Bike shops carry them? No idea where we would try one out, and sure wouldn't want to buy without a test ride or 2. What is the comparison between the 2? The price difference is so great between it and the Terra Tandem, I'm thinking the quality may be as well. Whatever we decide on and save for will be a big commitment for us. We want something that is realiable, easy to use, and that will give us many years of riding pleasure. We already have a DF tandem bike that doesn't get ridden as much as we would like because it isn't a good fit for us, don't want to go there again. PLease share your opinions and expertise with us on this. Thanks

I can not comment on the Rickcycle as I've never heard of it. I do, however, sympathize with your DF tandem woes. My wife (stoker) and I endured too many years of discomfort riding a DF tandem. Many mods, changes in stems, bars, saddles, etc. would not relieve us from the discomfort that we felt after 50 km (30 mile) or longer rides. (neck, lower back, crotch, wrists) So, we traded up to a Rans Screamer. That was 7 years ago. Expensive yes, but we are on the bike 3-4 times a week and have accumulated 14,000 km. No pain anywhere! We justify the cost as we ride a good deal, although we only have a 6 month season in this neck of the woods to do so. To put the money in perspective, I know people in this area who have spent $10K on snowmobiles, one each for mom and dad, and who only get out on them on weekends, three months of the year, if they're lucky. They also pay yearly trail fees, insurance and get no exercise. I'm not surprised you liked the Terra Trike. My single ride is a Catrike Road and I love it! Sorry, I can't help with the Rickcycle. Mike

That would be Ricksycle.

http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Ricksycle

They look like pretty good delta style trikes. The side by side tandem is interesting.

No, never heard of rickcycle/ricksycle. But I heard of rickshaw. And popsicle. Banana-flavored popsicles are pretty good.

I met a guy earlier this year with a Rickcycle on a group ride. He likes his but said it is really more of a novelty to ride. He told us that its great for short, flat trips but really not good at all for longer distances or variable elevations. He said it was a lot like driving a bus: slow and requiring a great amount of space to turn. On the positive side, he also noted it was quite excellent for carrying on a conversation during a leisurely ride.

Sorry about misspelling the word, yes that is the one I was asking about. One of our concerns was weight, it weighs 85 lbs, that sounds like a lot of weight of weight to be pedaling along, especially up hills. Also it has 16 gears, I have read that hills are slower on recumbent bikes, so am wondering how the gear thing would work out. We live around a lot of gravel roads so would be biking on them as well, so that is another issue. I like how easily it folds up for storage and transport. We are so new at all of this, I have no experience to draw on, should I be concerned about the things I mentioned? Thanks.

You bring up some very good points, Dh and I both feel we will bike more if we have a comfortable bike that I feel safe captaining.

That is why I would agree with the "save some $ while you are looking" so you can get the better product and therefore use it more and enjoy it more. Of course I do not know your finances but if you are not satisfied with what you get, as you have said, it is not worth it.
peace

Before considering the Rickscycle, and in consideration of the fact that you are looking for some economies, in your situation I would first consider linked conventional trikes.

The front trike has a bracket at the rear to whick the forks of the rear trike mount after remval of the front wheel. The bikes are then linked together and still have the turning circle of a solo. Some people have chained more than two together. Also you can use different makes obviously.

The trikes have to be conventional to do this - two wheels at the rear.

Thanks for your reply. We were fortunate, found and bought a used Terra Trike tandem at a pretty good price. Hope to have it assembled tomorrow so we can go riding...weather permitting, rain and high winds are predicted, but we are so eager to get it out on the trail that unless it's really bad, we'll probably give it a try.

TP