Bheleu

Just curious if there were any updates on his purchase decision, and to be honest - I felt more comfortable riding my Tandem (solo) than my road bicycle when I initially started riding the roads. I have a folding pannier on the back on the tandem and always left them unfolded (more bike to be seen). It's the bigger is more visible theory. If I had a quadracycle, I would get one of those farm decals (under 35MPH vehicle) triangle thing on it and treat it as you would a tractor (pull over every now and then to be courteous to traffic) but own the road when it's not safe to pull over. Additionally lights rule, irregardless of cost (what's your life worth)! Light N' Motion Arc Light on the front of my bike, no Dinotte yet (eventually...) for the rear but at least I have the bright flasher one (name escapes me at moment, but does great for ~$30).

AlteredWalter

I bought a 4-seater modified Rhoades Car to use for a Green business I was starting. I thought (for the money I was paying - $7500) that I was getting a high-quality quadricycle. Boy was I wrong.

Rhoades Car uses the cheapest, lowest quality components for their quadricycles. The bearings, cassette, shifters, wheels, etc., are terribly substandard for what one pays for a Rhoades Car.

I had my Rhoades Car only 2 weeks before the drive sprocket just broke apart - no load, hill, or speed stresses - it just broke apart. I was told by Rhoades Car that they've seen this happen quite a lot. I asked Rhoades Car why they don't change drive sprocket manufacturers and have never received an answer. Then, the replacement part they sent me was the wrong size, so I had to buy an 1/8" chain (can you believe the stock chain on the electric drive is 3/32" !?!) and use it.

I had just finished repairing the Rhoades Car drive sprocket and was out on my first job when 3 wheels folded on the Rhoades Car as I went over a bump. I was carrying around 400 lbs at the time. When I bought the machine Rhoades Car told me it could carry 1200 lbs. The wrecker home cost me $200.

I had a couple of bike shops in the area look at the wheels and they all said they folded because they were cheap, and said no cargo manufacturer uses rims like Rhoades Car as the rims Rhoades Car uses cannot withstand any lateral stresses.

So I bought much stronger wheels and put them on. On my 2nd ride with the new wheels, the right rear axle bearing on the Rhoades Car failed with a god-awful whining noise. Fortunately, I was able to make it home in my Rhoades Car - but just barely. That was over 2 months ago and it is still sitting where I left it.

The Rhoades Car is the cheapest, most poorly designed piece of crap I have ever seen. Here's another example for you: the rear wheels on a Rhoades Car 'float', i.e., they are free to slide on the axle - what holds them in place are the disc brake calipers! I kid you not.

Here's what they are saying in China: 罗兹车是垃圾

Whatever you do, DO NOT BUY A RHOADES CAR!!

JanMM

This Zombie Thread had been asleep for three years when you woke it up to, again, share your bad experiences with a Rhoades Car.

We feel your pain. Really. We get it.

AlteredWalter

Thanks. I plan on waking up all threads that reference Rhoades Cars regardless of how old they are. The least I can do is alert people that may be thinking about buying a Rhoades Car as to their poor quality.

I wish more Rhoades Car buyers had made an effort to do the same - it would have saved me an enormous amount of money.

ttusomeone

The original owner/founder of Rhoades Car was a neighbor of mine growing up. I would see him driving one all the time. He actually passed away several years ago, and I wonder if the quality of the cars haven't went down since his passing.

AlteredWalter

I don't know what the quality of a Rhoades Car was like when David Rhoades was alive, but the quality of a Rhoades Car is quite low now.

But, Rhoades Car quality problems are fixable. The Rhoades Car simply needs redesigning and usage of higher quality components.

I don't think Rhoades Car is interested in anything much beyond profits.

Sad really.

Since I've posted my problems with a Rhoades Car others have responded that they too have had quality issues with Rhoades Car:Rhoades Car charges such a high price that I think everyone should be forewarned before making such a sizable investment.

pyratenomad

Wow. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I clicked on this thread......

I had considered purchasing a Rhoades car, but I just may have to rethink now.

VegasTriker

The OP has not posted on this site since 2010. It would be interesting to find out how much he has ridden the beast since 2006 when he bought it. It sure is awfully expensive for something with serious reliability problems. Utah Trikes sells a $600 conversion kit for the Terratrike Tour that converts it to 4 wheels. You can find used TT Tours on Craigslist across the country selling for $1,300 to $1500 right now. I own a much older version of this trike and it wouldn't be my first choice for a trike but it certainly would be several steps above the Rhoades Car if someone really wants a quad. UT formerly was a TT dealer and sold conversion quads. They also come up on bentrideronline occasionally in the for sale section. I bet shipping wouldn't be cheap though.

AlteredWalter

I could have saved nearly $8000 if I had done my research better on Rhoades Cars.

Buying a Rhoades Car was an expensive mistake on my part, but at least my experience can serve as a warning to others.

Rhoades Cars uses the cheapest components on an extremely poor design.

I truly don't see how they can stay in business.

osco53

https://conceptcycles.net/

,,,Just sayin,,,

and the 4 wheel Anura:

BlazingPedals

I hope we aren't continually subjected to this thread being resurrected just to keep dissing Rhodes Cars. I mean, it's not like the normal folks here are likely to upgrade their RANS or their Bacchetta for a Rhodes. We get it, you as a Rhodes customer are unhappy; but don't take it out on us. Maybe you guys should start an "I hate Rhodes Cars" web site.

Steamer

Clearly, you are participating in the great Rhodes Car conspiracy.

BlazingPedals

Yes, of course that's the ONLY explanation!

AlteredWalter

Sorry. You're right. I just thought it was important to let those people interested in quadricycling know the good from the bad and hopefully the previous posts might have saved someone from a really bad quadricycle purchasing experience.

It should be noted that just because Rhoades Cars builds crap quadricycles doesn't mean everyone does.

I encourage everyone to bi/tri/qudricycle - just not on a Rhoades Car.

How I wish I could have stumbled upon a thread like this before I bought my Rhoades Car heap - I would have saved the cost of 3 RANS StratusXPs, and had a quality bike to ride.

BlazingPedals

In the past, we've had members post about equipment failures on their bikes, and it's all good info. We all learn about potential problems to watch for and how to advise friends or newcomers to this forum. And having posted your unfortunate experience, it'll now be searchable for future prospective buyers. Thank-you for your service, and now let's get back to our regularly-scheduled discussions!

Bikeguy156

The Rhoades Car International company is newly purchased by a Couple in there 60's. Probably just out to make a quick buck before retirement.
I've ridden and tested several Rhoades Cars. They are plagued with mechanical problems especially when it comes to the wheels and bearings. Very heavy, even more so when you add the motor to one of them. Tough to transport unless you have a full size truck or trailer. Rhoades Car are only meant for flat surfaces. any sort of minor bumps in the road can cause the wheels to warp or the bearings to break. Or both.
When testing a Rhoades Car with a Motor, ride alone. So that you can see how much the Rhoades car is going to pull to the left on you. How fat you are is going to determine how much it pulls. The motors aren't strong enough to climb hills.

JanMM

Are you dissing people in their 60's?

delcrossv

That concept cycles thing looks interesting. Utility quad with fairly decent components.

Bullman

I thought of getting one of these at one point as my wife has balance issues and I thought it would be a way we could get out and exercise together. She does her own thing at the gym though, so I guess right now I am just looking to get into the bent game somehow. did find a local dealer that deals in Sun trikes