MacWildstar

Hi guys and gals. I'm new to the forum here. Not new to bents/trikes. In 2011 while staying at the Vets home here, some group donated 5 bent trikes of various types. None were with the foot crank gear way out front, but 2 were hand cranked. All were nice to ride.

Since that time i have tried both 2 wheel and trike. I like them both, and each for its own reason. But still I need to learn a bit more before I get one.

Unfortunately one of my issues is size. I live in a small apartment and this thing will be parked in my living room when I am not using it. and getting it into the garden apartment may be difficult, due to a long narrow hallway and having to pass thru 2 doors 90 degrees apart.. Have to go thru door at end of hallway and turn left into apartment door.

Second, is its got to be able to carry a 350 lb (or less) guy. I'm currently working on loosing a lot of weight I gained due to a medical issue, and aiming for 300 by Jan 2016.

Another issue is price. Need to get best bang for the buck so to say. I'm on limited resources here. I'm thinking of either a standard 3 wheel trike like a Sun seeker tri classic, or a sun seeker ex sport ax. or other models similar to those.

We have 2 bike shops here in G.R. that sells them. Terra Trike, where they actually make them. (it was great visiting that place and trying out a few). and a local bike shop on the NW side, which I will be check out later this week.

What I need to know is, what should I look for in a "bent"? breaks, gears, bench seat verses the ones that look like big inflated "nad buster" seats?

I will be using this bike for pleasure riding, on some of the rails to trails bike paths, and for quick trips to the store for small amount purchases, so would I be better with a basket, or a pack on the back?

Ive looked at the local craigs list for used ones, and it seems they retain their value even after 7 years.. Is this normal?

Ive got a lot to learn yet, before I am ready to get one, but the goal is to have one by spring of 2016.

Thanks.

Retro Grouch 

1. If you are considering a tricycle, open up your apartment door all the way and measure the opening. If you plan on rolling your tricycle in easily, that's the maximum width that you have to work with.

2. I don't know how bike companies calculate load capacity but I assume there's a reason why they do. At 350 lbs (or less) I suspect you'd be wise to check.

BlazingPedals

Maneuvering a bent - bike OR trike, to your apartment may be a problem. Especially if you want a trike. The cash flow and weight issues will only make your quest harder. Maybe one of the Sun bikes, such as the EZ-Classic or the EZ Sport will 'fit the bill,' especially if you can find a used one. Before you buy anything, you might need to make a cardboard cutout to see if you can get one around all the corners.

I hat to say it, but a bent might NOT be do-able, mostly due to the circuitous path in and out of your apartment. If the bent plan is going to be too hard to implement, you might also look at bikes like the Electra Townie as a near-bent option.

MacWildstar

Well, Ive got 35 inches to get thru the door. and 3 feet to the center of the hall way door. that 90 degree turn may be a problem.

As for weight, Ive looked online at the capacity and 300 seems to be max standard, thats one of the reasons I am waiting till spring to get one.. so I can finish dropping more of this extra weight.

Ghefty

When I returned to cycling in the late 90's I was #365 . My wife bought me a BikeE AT, over the next two years I dropped #120 riding and dieting. I did have to fix lots of broken spokes and had the rear wheel rebuilt with a stronger rim, no issues after that. The BikeE is not a fast bike, but it is comfortable. The company is out of business and you can find them used on Craigslist.

rydabent

Get one, you will never regret it.

Tony Marley

"What I need to know is, what should I look for in a "bent"? breaks, gears, bench seat verses the ones that look like big inflated "nad buster" seats? "


I recommend test riding as many different 'bents as possible before you buy, to determine if you want a bike or trike; if a bike whether you want long wheel base or shorter wheel base, above seat or below seat handle bars, etc. Trikes are comfortable, but tend to be heavier. Balancing and starting from a stop is different between long wheel base and short wheel base.

I like both the 'bent bike and trike, so have one of each, plus the tandem.

osco53

Folding tadpoles should fit through doors better

rydabent

Also----------winter is a good time to buy a bike of any kind. Bike shops dont have too much buying traffic in Jan and may give you a good deal.

tcs

I maneuver my step-daughter's Sun delta by popping it up vertically on it's hind wheels [example (not my picture)]. It will spin on it's own centerline and stores against the wall, sitting on its two rear wheels and the seat back with the front wheel up in the air in a relatively small footprint.

IIRC, the Sun EZ3 USX HD (overall width 32") has a max load of 400lbs.

MacWildstar

yeah, well I will most likely be getting a Terra Trike rover, also rated at 400lbs, for my first recumbent trike. I have tried the 2x1 style (2 in back, 1 in front) your daughter has, and while I can ride them, If i am going to spend that much money, I'm going to get a 1x2 trike, (1 in back 2 in front), as that seems to be the most popular of all the recumbent trikes.

10 Wheels

Weight Limit 550 LBS.
The Electric motor is a PLUS for hills.




Personal Acitivity Vehicle PAV Tricycle from Worksman Cycles

rydabent

BTW I am a great believer in recumbents. I have both a recumbent bike and trike. That means that I have the proper tool for the ride at hand. Further I fully believe that most cyclist would be better served if they rode a recumbent. The comfort, view, and safety of a bent trumps all the arguments about being a "real cyclist" on a DF bike. Most all cyclist will ride further and faster on a bent, I did.

MacWildstar

Nice 2x1 trike, and nice to know there is one out there for a 500 pounder guy! We have a few at the vets home that might want to ride that.. but I am going for a 1x2 trike. Looking at TT Rover or Tour II Now, as I have lost a few lbs and by spring might be under the 300 limit for them.

Now if I have to have an electric motor attached, well that defeats the purpose of having one, IMHO. The purpose of having one is to exercise the legs and get the heart rate up to burn calories, (among other things).

MacWildstar

LOL, Yeah Rydabent, after riding my first bent, I just never wanted to ride a "stick" bike again.. Stick is what I call the saddle on a normal bike. LOL

10 Wheels

You might need an electric boost when you become tired and have some hills in front of you or should your knees begin to Hurt.

MacWildstar

yeah, I can see someone wanting it for that.. but really.. ya got a bent! sit back, relax, take a break, and then move on..

And first before you even go out, don't plan on going farther out than you can get back home on time. Or without needing to call someone for a ride back!

I rode a friends TT rover for a week.. first day I went for an hour, 2nd day 3, 3rd day 4 hours and some hills. Took it in steps.. its what made me want to get my own for this coming spring.

and if i am going to carry a battery, it will be for lighting.

BlazingPedals

Trikes with 1 wheel in front and 2 in back are called, "delta" trikes. Conversely, 2 in front/1 in back is called a "tadpole."

Best bang-for-the-buck will be with a 2-wheeler, probably a compact LWB; especially if storage space is also an issue.

MacWildstar

First, thanks for telling me about the 2 types.. I was confused as to what a tadpole was.. LOL. Now I can use the proper terms.

As for the 2 wheeler, I hope you mean a recumbent 2 wheeler. I have tried 2 of those, both Sun Bikes, and while I could ride them, it is my preference to get a tadpole.

Here is a Delta, at the vets home, where I lived for a few years, recovering from heart surgery. This was when i was 400lbs +

BlazingPedals

If you like tadpoles, there's the Sun line-up, specifically the SunSeeker Eco Tad.
Utah Trikes - SunSeeker Eco Tad SX Tadpole Recumbent Trike
It lists a 300-lb rider weight, but 75-pound payload on top of that, for 375 total. And it's 21 speed instead of only 1-3.

Juan Foote

As to storage, depending on how much weight you can carry, it might be an option to just carry it inside.

I lived in a small rental without a garage. Mounted a hook on the wall and carried a tadpole trike in sideways to get in the door.

MacWildstar

That is probably what I will have to do.

osco53

OP,, You Need a T.W.I.G , (Two Wheels Is Good)

T.W.I.G | Trident Trikes, Recumbent Trikes, Chameleon Convertitrike, Stowaway Folding Trike

MacWildstar

I am not impressed with the Sun line of products.

MacWildstar

Nope, I've seen those kind of bikes..they may be good for some but not me. I am going with either a Terra Trike Rambler or Rover. Rambler if I can do it, maybe a tour II, if not, a rover. Unless I can get a Magnum! But thats more than I can afford at this time.