Clyde/Athena on Trikes
05-15-08, 10:10 AM
#1
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Clyde/Athena on Trikes
My darling wife is tired of me and the kids leaving her at home while riding and she's decided she wants to buy a trike.
I've seen from past threads that CrazyLady rides a Sun EZ3-SX and that is sort of the first entry point that she is considering. I'm encouraging her to try lower center of mass trikes such as the Terratrike cruiser or less expensive Catrikes. She is about 250lbs with an xseam of 43.
She wants stability and visibility. I want to keep the family riding a reasonable pace. She is concerned about control in the downhills.
Any guidance or issues from you Clydes and Athenas out there? Where do the trikes start to feel unstable? Any trikes out there more suited to the wider seated of us?
I've seen from past threads that CrazyLady rides a Sun EZ3-SX and that is sort of the first entry point that she is considering. I'm encouraging her to try lower center of mass trikes such as the Terratrike cruiser or less expensive Catrikes. She is about 250lbs with an xseam of 43.
She wants stability and visibility. I want to keep the family riding a reasonable pace. She is concerned about control in the downhills.
Any guidance or issues from you Clydes and Athenas out there? Where do the trikes start to feel unstable? Any trikes out there more suited to the wider seated of us?
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-15-08, 10:22 AM
#2
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Well, I can chime in here. Crazylady has dropped hills on her trike in excess of 40MPH. Granted, the steering gets REAL twitchy with the geometry of the EZ-3, but a light grip and relax the arms on the descent make it very enjoyable. She screams all the way down the hill, but it's not "Oh my God, I'm gonna die!", though, the scream is "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
That said, the Tadpole design IS much more stable. There is more of a visibility issue though as well. Put a flag on it.
That said, the Tadpole design IS much more stable. There is more of a visibility issue though as well. Put a flag on it.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
05-15-08, 10:24 AM
#3
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Continuing my thoughts:
Look at Greenspeed if you have the budget. There is no better Tadpole, IMO. Cat Trikes are a good choice as well. Another, but on the pricier end, is the Skorpion.
Look at Greenspeed if you have the budget. There is no better Tadpole, IMO. Cat Trikes are a good choice as well. Another, but on the pricier end, is the Skorpion.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
05-15-08, 10:45 AM
#4
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not shelling out for the Greenspeed yet. Is CrazyLady's trike the SX or the higher end AX?
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-15-08, 10:51 AM
#5
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
SX. It's chief drawback is that it's slow on flat ground, 12 MPH average
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
05-15-08, 11:03 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dodge Center, MN
Posts: 820
Bikes: Trek Pilot 1.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm thinking the easier it is to pedal and ride, the more motivated she'll be. I'd get something light and fast even if she plans on riding it slow. Her falling behind while working her butt off on a heavy slow trike could kill motivation if that's a problem.
05-15-08, 11:31 AM
#7
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cain,
You rode with me... I guess you remember that once I get warmed up, I can make good time.
I agree with you about a slower trike serving as a demotivator. She says she is somewhat intimidated by speed and not motivated by it at all. If it weren't for a health condition that keeps her off of a saddle, she would still ride her old navigator 200. Having put on a few thousand miles, I think she will have more fun with a more responsive ride and _want_ to get out and go.
You rode with me... I guess you remember that once I get warmed up, I can make good time.
I agree with you about a slower trike serving as a demotivator. She says she is somewhat intimidated by speed and not motivated by it at all. If it weren't for a health condition that keeps her off of a saddle, she would still ride her old navigator 200. Having put on a few thousand miles, I think she will have more fun with a more responsive ride and _want_ to get out and go.
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-16-08, 12:27 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dodge Center, MN
Posts: 820
Bikes: Trek Pilot 1.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cain,
You rode with me... I guess you remember that once I get warmed up, I can make good time.
I agree with you about a slower trike serving as a demotivator. She says she is somewhat intimidated by speed and not motivated by it at all. If it weren't for a health condition that keeps her off of a saddle, she would still ride her old navigator 200. Having put on a few thousand miles, I think she will have more fun with a more responsive ride and _want_ to get out and go.
You rode with me... I guess you remember that once I get warmed up, I can make good time.
I agree with you about a slower trike serving as a demotivator. She says she is somewhat intimidated by speed and not motivated by it at all. If it weren't for a health condition that keeps her off of a saddle, she would still ride her old navigator 200. Having put on a few thousand miles, I think she will have more fun with a more responsive ride and _want_ to get out and go.
I'll be ready for you this year at Mille Lacs..
05-16-08, 12:55 PM
#9
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You've lost weight, I haven't. I bet you are ready right now. 
I am training for RAGBRAI, though. I can't wait.
We are going down to cool shop in Chariton, IA. Small town, but lots of trikes in this store. I plan on test riding several myself.
I am training for RAGBRAI, though. I can't wait.We are going down to cool shop in Chariton, IA. Small town, but lots of trikes in this store. I plan on test riding several myself.
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-16-08, 12:59 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dodge Center, MN
Posts: 820
Bikes: Trek Pilot 1.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've traded the bike for a hammer and saw for the next couple months, so I won't be really ready again till fall.
What brands do they sell? Keep us informed of what you come up with. I've been wanting to get my mom into a trike for a while. So i'll be interested in what you find out.
05-16-08, 01:11 PM
#11
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
KMX, Catrike, WizWheelz, Sun, OrganicEngines, Greedspeed, Sherer
https://www.cypbikes.com/recumbent_trikes.htm
https://www.cypbikes.com/recumbent_trikes.htm
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-16-08, 01:42 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dodge Center, MN
Posts: 820
Bikes: Trek Pilot 1.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
KMX, Catrike, WizWheelz, Sun, OrganicEngines, Greedspeed, Sherer
https://www.cypbikes.com/recumbent_trikes.htm
https://www.cypbikes.com/recumbent_trikes.htm
05-16-08, 01:52 PM
#13
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, and those are just the trikes. The bents are good too. There's a place called the bike barn near me in Ogden, IA that has quite a few bents, but only Sun Trikes.
Good idea, I'll try to take a few pics.
Good idea, I'll try to take a few pics.
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-17-08, 07:23 PM
#14
Clydeasaurus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, the bike shop trip went well. We came home with a used, TerraTrike Cruiser for my darling Athena. On the test ride, she came around the corner with a big old recumbent smile and I knew that she was hooked. I don't have my pics yet, but I will post them in another thread.
She also rode Sun EZ3-SX and the AX, both Delta Trikes. Said that they felt less stable and they are a lot heavier than the Cruiser.
She also rode Sun EZ3-SX and the AX, both Delta Trikes. Said that they felt less stable and they are a lot heavier than the Cruiser.
__________________
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
2007 TerraTrike Cruiser (XL) Trike
2004 Rans Stratus XL LWB Recumbent
1999 Trek Navigator 200 21"
05-17-08, 10:01 PM
#15
half fast
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Western Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 196
Bikes: Catrike Trail (fixed frame) tadpole trike recumbent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Remind her that trikes must be named. 
Even if one doesn't crave speed, a light weight trike (or bike) accelerates and climbs better. Congrats on the TT. I looked at them when I shopped at the Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI. The steel frames are comfy and the adjustable seat angle is a plus too.
Here's a recent video of a nice, fast hill descent on my Catrike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKnhNgoMJfM
Even if one doesn't crave speed, a light weight trike (or bike) accelerates and climbs better. Congrats on the TT. I looked at them when I shopped at the Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI. The steel frames are comfy and the adjustable seat angle is a plus too.
Here's a recent video of a nice, fast hill descent on my Catrike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKnhNgoMJfM
