Recumbent - New to recumbents

Hi everyone, I have been lurking around this site for about 5 years. Had different DF's and just cant ride them anymore as I go numb and its just too much pain. I recently went and looked at a Sun and it was nice. I like the two wheels in back, but I guess thats not completely set in stone. What in your honest opinion is better a Sun like thishttp://www.sunbicycles.com/product_detail.php?short_code=EZ-3+USX+HD+Trike&cl1=RECUMBENT or a Cattrike like this http://www.catrike.com/catrike_villager.html Even this is possibly out of my price range, but I at least want to weigh all my options. Problem with the Cattrike seems to be the fact that it is for 275lbs max and I'm at 310 and dropping. I want to use cycling to buttress my workout and continued weight loss. I guess I just have alot of questions and am really confused and dont want to spend alot of money on a piece of junk. I would love to order a $3k bike, but thats not realistic. Any and all help is appreciated.

Also, I am going to another LBS this week(probably Wednesday or Thursday to discuss recumbents with them).

You've decided to go for a trike and not a bike?

Most Sun products, bikes and trikes, are designed to meet a price point that is lower than most other bents on the market. More affordable but generally heavier, etc.

That said, lots of people are satisfied with Sun, especially as 'starter' recumbents.

Its not that I'm opposed to a two wheeled 'bent, but it just seems as if trikes are less expensive.

Wilbur, I emailed you back a message, I am not able to PM yet. I only have 28 posts.

If you've been lurking around here for a while, then you should be familiar with Peter_C's story. The TerraTrike Rover that he ended up with would handle your weight, and it's more affordable than either that Sun or Catrike that you linked to.

You might post a "visitor message" on his profile.

Yep I am up on Peter's story. I looked at those TT's and they are a possibility as well, I just wish there was a dealer nearby. I am also concerned about going up hills with it only being a 3spd.

Not for sure, but I think that maybe Peter got his TT Rover 8spd from Utah Trikes (http://www.utahtrikes.com/TRIKE-WWROVER.html)...

Yep I am up on Peter's story. I looked at those TT's and they are a possibility as well, I just wish there was a dealer nearby. I am also concerned about going up hills with it only being a 3spd.

Hello,

FYI - the TerraTrike Rover comes in both a 3 speed, and an 8 speed. the 8 speed costs $999.00. Check out the Utah Trikes website, as they sell 24 speed upgrades for the Rover as well as many, many Trikes.

FYI - a BROL member BROL website (http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/index.php), bought a 'Villager' and he weighs 300+...not what I would do, but the dealer had no issues, and so far, the guy likes the Trike.

I researched Trikes for better than 3 months, and went to both TerraTrike dealers in Ohio (day trips), only the Rover, and one 'delta-type' Sun trike state a weight limit over 300lbs. So, either you do not worry bout the weight limit, or you have only two trikes to choose from.

I know nothing about Sun, other than what I have heard and read. A 'clyde' here bought the Sun delta trike when he was 400+lbs, and he rode it for like 2000+ miles as he was losing weight and he loved it - but it weighs 65lbs. The 8 Speed Rover weighs 42lbs. Personally, I like the tadpole desigh better...

Lastly, the BROL website (link above) has a whole section devoted to trikes, and you might get some new insight there...

Not for sure, but I think that maybe Peter got his TT Rover 8spd from Utah Trikes (http://www.utahtrikes.com/TRIKE-WWROVER.html)...

Actually, I ordered direct from TerraTrike. That was you get the 'ride garuntee' - 30 days, if you don't like it, they will buy it back.

TerraTrike also has a small Forum (http://www.terratrike.com/forum/). If you want to ask TerraTrike any questions, you can call, email, or post on their forum. Kelli was very quick to answer all 7 of my emails - LOL

Biggieou,
You might look at a KMX trike. They are the BMX of trikes and the Typhoon will carry 300lbs. The weight can be reduced by using lighter wheels and a carbon or fiberglass seat. Another opinion is if you are “handy” to build your own trike. Take a look at Atomiczombie.com.
Irv

Thanks for all of the great posts. Peter, I know the weather has sucked here for awhile, but did you get to ride your TT up hills when you first got it? Did you have them assemble it, or is it pretty straightforward?
Irv, I have a 48 Ford pickup in the garage that still needs assembled, so I will just buy a bike already fabricated haha!

Sadly no. I have like 3 miles inside my garage :) Bout 2 miles on the road, and no real hills yet. So, I do not yet know if my low gear is low enough or not. But, there is a fairly cheap upgrade path via Utah trikes to get some lower gears if I decide I want them.

My Rover came completely assembled in a great box. I only had to put the front fenders (just the fenders, not the brackets) on (the trike would not fit in the box with the fenders on), and the rack on, and I checked the tightness of all bolts (paranoia) - well worth the cost of shipping...

I emailed Utah Trikes and they said its 150 for them to add on the 24spd set up. Sounds like it might be worth it.

Yup, and you can tell em what chainrings you want too. Like I said, if I need more gears, that will be my route :)

The way they made it sound was that they dont sell the kit, but install it themselves.

Correct. If you buy a trike from them, they will do the upgrade for you for that price. But, since I already have a trike, they will happily sell me the *parts* to do the upgrade, and if I find it' too much for me to do, I'll just take it to my favorite LBS and get Sam to do it for me.

The most cost-effective way is to look in your crystal ball, and if you feel that you will probably want the gears, is to buy it from them, and get the upgrade at the get-go. I would strongly suggest to NOT get the 26" upgrade - it's a waste, and will raise your lowest gear too high.

I am hoping that I will not need it. I like the simplicity of the internal 8 speed, and hope to keep it that way. If you will be waiting for a while, I have a short, but rather steep hill close to home, as soon as the snow goes away, I plan to do a test - and, I should think whatever is low enough for me, ought to be low enough for most anyone...

The only reason to get the 24 speed (besides a lower gear), is so if you are riding with others, you can more easily match their speed, rather than having them match yours...

I'm in no hurry, as you know the weather sucks so I wont be riding anytime soon. I just want to be prepared to ride when the weather does break. 8spd does concern me. What does it mean by internal gearing?

Internal gearing means that there is no RD hanging off your bike to get dirty, fouled, or basically damaged. Internally Geared Hubs (IGH) has been around almost as long as the bicycle. Shimano, SRAM, and Sturmey-Archer all make them. There are 2,3,5,6,7,8,9, and now 11 speed hubs.

Take a look at what Sheldon has to say: http://sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html

I have a Scram DualDrive on my Catrike Trail, also drag a trailer sometimes that I put an electric hub on the trailer's single wheel..........those hills just got easier.

Yep I am up on Peter's story. I looked at those TT's and they are a possibility as well, I just wish there was a dealer nearby. I am also concerned about going up hills with it only being a 3spd.

Right on that. The Rover will do well for an Uber Clyde. Does well for me - a Clyde Medium. Compared to my DF bikes, it is really comfortable. No more SeatSquirm, etc.

The three speed is not the space you want to be in unless you live on a pool table.

I have the Utah Trike x5 - Black Friday Sale. Today I would buy the 8DL with the 24 speed upgrade. The 26" rear raised my gearing too much for the local hills. The 8DLx24 can climb.

Right on that. The Rover will do well for an Uber Clyde. Does well for me - a Clyde Medium. Compared to my DF bikes, it is really comfortable. No more SeatSquirm, etc.

The three speed is not the space you want to be in unless you live on a pool table.

I have the Utah Trike x5 - Black Friday Sale. Today I would buy the 8DL with the 24 speed upgrade. The 26" rear raised my gearing too much for the local hills. The 8DLx24 can climb.

+1 Right on the money there. While I am *hoping* to not need the gearing upgrade, that will be the path I take if I need it.

I'm thinking my fat butt will need the extra gears, so I'm leaning towards just ordering from Utah Trikes. Their shipping is the same as if I order direct from TT.

Its not that I'm opposed to a two wheeled 'bent, but it just seems as if trikes are less expensive.

EZ-1 SX retails at $699 and is rated for 300 pounds.

http://penncycle.com/images/library/large/sun_ez1sx_rblk_08_m.jpg

Also, TT supports Utah Trike, and any modifications made will NOT void TT's warrenty :)

There are 2,3,5,6,7,8,9, and now 11 speed hubs.

I think that's 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14 speed hubs. :)