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-   -   Why do Greenspeeds Cost so much? (https://www.bikeforums.net/recumbent/62765-why-do-greenspeeds-cost-so-much.html)

funbun 08-21-04 03:03 PM

The US Scarab and Trimuter only cost about 2500 to 2700 or so. Why does Greenspeed cost twice that much?

I want a trike but everyone is either too small or can't handel the wieght. I'm 6'2' and weigh 255lbs. I want to tour with 50+ lbs of gear. Catrike Road maxes at 300lbs. WizWheels max at 250lbs. I can't find weight limits on the Scarab or Trimuter websites. Maybe that is why Greenspeed costs so much. They are the only ones that will build something to fit me.

Arnold Layne 08-21-04 08:04 PM

Have you considered pulling a trailer behind a trike?

geebee 08-21-04 08:08 PM

The GT3 is a similar price to the others but I'm not sure of the weight specification?
There is no noticable compromise in performance with the folding mechanism, and the boom adjusts out a huge amount.
Might be worth emailing for the exact specs.

funbun 08-21-04 09:19 PM

I think a trailer is the best option.

I just emailed the guys at Scarab and Trimuter. From what I understand they are both made by Doyle Manufactuirng and are both based on Greenspeed designs. They both said my wieght is fine. Trimuter said they would build a cromoly rack for me. Scarab said just use a trailer.

Woopie, now for the savings plan. I could ebay stuff, beg the 'rents, and save every month for about a year.

I'm planning on a microtour to Camp Tuskoba this Labor Day. It's only a 9 mile ride but it'll be withe the new Panniers I've built from Arkel's hook system and some square buckets. I be riding my Pawn Shop Special Trek 800 with a Cheap-Mart $20 tent.

bentcruiser 08-26-04 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by funbun
The US Scarab and Trimuter only cost about 2500 to 2700 or so. Why does Greenspeed cost twice that much?

That is mystery. The Australian dollar is $1.42308 to our $1 USD. I cannot see why. Unless the importing costs, etc are what we are getting hit with.

tootleloo 09-18-04 01:39 AM

I'm sure transportation costs have something to do with it. But I tried out quite a few brands before buying my Greenspeed, and in my opinion they're just better quality. More stable, more comfortable, smoother ride, etc.

funbun 09-18-04 06:48 AM

Yeah, you get what you pay for. I bought the GTR Plans and I'm gonna build one from those plans. It's actually cheaper for me to buy the plans, buy the tubing, take a welding class, and buy the bicycle components. I did a priliminary budget and it would cost about $1,500 to build this thing. That including the the welding class. Without the welding class it would cost only about $1,000.

The other commercial version like Catrike and Wiz Wheel don't have the weight capacity I need. I weight 255lbs and will haul 60+ lbs of gear. Ians Sims suggested the proper thickness and diameter tubes to hold a 330lbs rider and 88 lbs of gear. That 418lbs limit! Only the Trimmuter and Scarab can do that. That's only because they ripped off Greenspeeds design!

beowoulfe 09-19-04 04:29 AM

I just returned from a 900+ mile self-contained tour from Maine to VA on a GTO. I put that poor thing through a tortourous tour; pot holes, dirt roads, gravel roads, rumble strips. That GTO should be in pieces, but it held up just fine. You gets what you pays for.

Also what you get with the GTO that you don't get with a Trimuter is portability. Guy I was with also has a Greenspeed GTO and we broke them down (S&S couplings) loaded both of them with our gear into a rented van and drove up to Maine. Reassembled the trikes in the airport and rode out.

79th Frame 01-25-05 10:47 PM

Wanna build two? I've begun shopping and the price of a Greenspeed is off-putting but the ride is tremendous! Perhaps you could build the FishbunSpeed? I'm reasonably serious in this inquiry so think about it.

funbun 01-26-05 05:34 AM

I have some other pressing issues now. So, I won't be building anytime soon. I think I may just buy the frame and other things I need and go from there. I'll just save and do it.

I've got all the metal to build. I'd be happy to sell that to you. If your interested shoot me an email: funbun2@gmail.com


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