miller99
03-17-05, 09:12 PM
Hello to all,
I'm glad I found this forum, good info and a few grins.
Anyway, Talk about going full circle. Started out @ 5 with a tri, now at 57 looking for a little bigger one.
So. it's been 30 years since my last ride on any human powered bike. But, now with advanced arthritis
and on a disability pension, I don't have a lot of money to put in a bike :rolleyes:
Seeing that this is going to be my main transportation for awhile, can't afford a car. I'm looking at all the options, to get the most bang for my dollar. Whats' my limit?? $1,500.00 Canadian dollars, without tax and saving a couple of hundred for helmet, gloves, a BIG lock, headlight, maybe a computer, etc, etc.
To get to the point. I'm seriously looking at buying a recumbent bike or trike, in the next month or sooner.
Wow, have things changed in bikedom these last few decades. It's like starting out with no knowledge about the different brands, let alone all the choices on parts. Looking at the bikes, then checking the upgrades that can be had is really mind numbing. With my searching the web and reading all the info and
reviews I can digest in these last few weeks, it boils down to common sence. You get what you pay for. Quality wise, sure Greenspeeds and the like with those specs and price range are very nice bikes.
But it's a process, like everything, it's what can I afford. Well, here in Ontario, Canada by where I live east of Toronto there are plenty of bike shops to deal with, of cource not all sell bents, but there is enough to get a good selection and some test rides whenever this @#@%^ snow finally goes away.
With Arthritis as my main enemy, the bike style that makes the most sence, I think, would be a trike.
Now Tadpoles are very cool looking and I have to try one or two just to see if getting in and out of one
will be an issue. If that turns out ok then a tadpole will be an option. If I can find one at $1,500
:( but we'll see. Then the other is the Delta style, that for sure will be easy to get on and off. I tried out
in the showroom a EZ-3 trike and that felt really nice, easy reach on the pedals and handlebars.
Here in this area those are $1,200, so it's in the ball park for dollars. Still have to ride it though.
I'm not one that would hard to fit as far as a bike. I'm 5'-10" at 180 lbs so that's not a problem.
Easyracers is comming out with a new tadpole that looks pretty cool in pictures. Haven't actually seen this in person ....yet. :) The one shop has it in stock so I'll have a look see very soon.
One of the main items of concern is gearing, on any bike, because of hilly country, and my feet and knees
I don't walk very far and not without a cane. Walking up a hill and draging a bike behind, is not in cards.
Another is reliability, as far as parts, like derailers and such, quality counts here IMO. They probably will
last longer, but I know zip about those things.
Also I plan on carrying a tool bag for extra chain links, tire patch kit and pump, etc. Thanks for reading all this, I'll get off the soapbox for now ;)
Any tips, advice, or any info is very welcome. You all know this stuff better than me.
Thanks, John
I'm glad I found this forum, good info and a few grins.
Anyway, Talk about going full circle. Started out @ 5 with a tri, now at 57 looking for a little bigger one.
So. it's been 30 years since my last ride on any human powered bike. But, now with advanced arthritis
and on a disability pension, I don't have a lot of money to put in a bike :rolleyes:
Seeing that this is going to be my main transportation for awhile, can't afford a car. I'm looking at all the options, to get the most bang for my dollar. Whats' my limit?? $1,500.00 Canadian dollars, without tax and saving a couple of hundred for helmet, gloves, a BIG lock, headlight, maybe a computer, etc, etc.
To get to the point. I'm seriously looking at buying a recumbent bike or trike, in the next month or sooner.
Wow, have things changed in bikedom these last few decades. It's like starting out with no knowledge about the different brands, let alone all the choices on parts. Looking at the bikes, then checking the upgrades that can be had is really mind numbing. With my searching the web and reading all the info and
reviews I can digest in these last few weeks, it boils down to common sence. You get what you pay for. Quality wise, sure Greenspeeds and the like with those specs and price range are very nice bikes.
But it's a process, like everything, it's what can I afford. Well, here in Ontario, Canada by where I live east of Toronto there are plenty of bike shops to deal with, of cource not all sell bents, but there is enough to get a good selection and some test rides whenever this @#@%^ snow finally goes away.
With Arthritis as my main enemy, the bike style that makes the most sence, I think, would be a trike.
Now Tadpoles are very cool looking and I have to try one or two just to see if getting in and out of one
will be an issue. If that turns out ok then a tadpole will be an option. If I can find one at $1,500
:( but we'll see. Then the other is the Delta style, that for sure will be easy to get on and off. I tried out
in the showroom a EZ-3 trike and that felt really nice, easy reach on the pedals and handlebars.
Here in this area those are $1,200, so it's in the ball park for dollars. Still have to ride it though.
I'm not one that would hard to fit as far as a bike. I'm 5'-10" at 180 lbs so that's not a problem.
Easyracers is comming out with a new tadpole that looks pretty cool in pictures. Haven't actually seen this in person ....yet. :) The one shop has it in stock so I'll have a look see very soon.
One of the main items of concern is gearing, on any bike, because of hilly country, and my feet and knees
I don't walk very far and not without a cane. Walking up a hill and draging a bike behind, is not in cards.
Another is reliability, as far as parts, like derailers and such, quality counts here IMO. They probably will
last longer, but I know zip about those things.
Also I plan on carrying a tool bag for extra chain links, tire patch kit and pump, etc. Thanks for reading all this, I'll get off the soapbox for now ;)
Any tips, advice, or any info is very welcome. You all know this stuff better than me.
Thanks, John