mcharley94

Hey All, New member, first post.

I am a 48 year old male, 6'4" tall, weighing in about 235 lbs at present. I have had three lumbar surgeries over the last ten years, looking at a forth (and final) at the end of this year. As a direct result of my injury and subsequent surgeries I have lost a great deal of muscle tone and put on quite a few pounds, my being as inactive as I have been.

In preparation of my upcoming surgery I am following through with some rigorous physical therapy, and changing my food intake, just to name a couple efforts hoping to get back to a more ideal weight level and better overall shape. In addition, my being an avid motorcyclist up until my injury, I was thinking that I might channel my interest into something more suitable to my abilities this summer, yet still keep it fun. Bicycling was my first thought, but having had a four level lumbar fusion, this obviously limits my ability to bend forward, hence my considering a recumbent rather than a traditional bike (which I already have and cannot use), hoping to incorporate this into my new lifestyle.

I've been tossing around the idea of a recumbent bike for a few years now, but simply haven't had the exposure to any to date, mainly due to my living in a rural area. Never the less I am now making the effort to change this, even if this means my having to travel somewhere distant to investigate my options. I realize these types of cycles are not cheap and I'd hate to spend a fortune on one only to find out I am not able to endure the use of one. So, I was hoping to start here to narrow down what type would be best for my abilities and riding conditions.

I am not looking for speed so much as I am stability and versatility, so I was thinking a trike would be more suitable? Again, I live in a rural area consisting of many rolling hills with gravel roads, and even a converted rails to trails that I was hoping to frequent. Too, I plan to transport the bike to one of the many nearby cities with groomed trails as well. So I guess I am hoping to find a cycle that can be ridden in both situations, if that is even an option with these types of bicycles.

Just looking for some ideas first before I travel to a reputable dealer to try some out. Any input considering all of the above would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mark

JanMM

Recumbent bikes are generally as comfortable as trikes. The seats and body positions of mine are all very comfortable. Advantage of a trike is that you can immediately ride it without the learning curve that comes with trying a bike unlike any you've ridden before; a trike won't fall over. That learning curve is variable. I was able to ride around the block when I test-rode my first (used) 'bent with only a couple of false starts. Anyone who has learned to balance a bike or motorcycle should be able to successfully ride a recumbent bike.
Visiting a dealer with a variety of recumbents is the way to go.

Bobsk8

I have had a bad back for years. I rode a Rans Recumbent bike for over a decade, and while it was comfortable, it doesn't compare to the trike I have now. I tell folks that my trike has the most comfortable seat in my home. I like the Terratrike Trikes, because the seatback is adjustable and you can find the exact position that is the most comfortable for your particular body.

mcharley94

TY for the replies. Bobsk8, I like the idea of the adjustable seat. My main problem is a sensitive tail bone due to the fusion and as such I tend to look for seats that do not have a 'curve' where the seat meets the back, but rather a clean 90 degree or better yet an opening where the two meet. Have you any issues in this regard? Which model TerraTrike do you have?

Thanks, Mark

JanMM

The RANS Slingmesh seat, like their Standard seat, has separate back and seat sections. The tilt or recline of the back can be adjusted as desired. I find the Slingmesh, available on multiple RANS bikes, is cushier in the tailbone area, compared to the Standard seat.

mcharley94

TY JanMM. Food for thought for sure. I've been researching for a few hours on the web and am coming to the conclusion that, as I already assumed, I will have to go test a few out in person. Problem I am finding is there are not very many, of any, dealers that have any on hand locally. Looks like I am in for a road trip

dzrtcat

Didn't the OP request help regarding a TRIKE??? Your pic seems to be missing a wheel....

kennytb

Check out BentriderOnline. They have a list of recumbent dealers throughout the country. In addition, on the discussion board there are several very happy trike owners who would be happy to share their opinions about brands / dealers. I keep hearing good things about Cattrike as a brand.

One aspect of any HPV is entry: getting on & off the vehicle. Consider that factor as you test ride.

Please post on your progress!

Bobsk8

I have a Rover. The Rans I had , had a separate seat cushion and mesh back, and I used to get recumbent butt with that seat after about 20 miles or so no matter how I adjusted the seat. The Terratrike seats are all the same, and I can ride for 50+ miles without getting out of the seat, with zero discomfort. If you road test something, make sure you spend at least an hour sitting in the seat, before purchasing it. The adjustable seatback is a pre-requisite for any trike or bike I would consider, because if the angle is wrong for your back, you will quickly decide to sell it and get something else.

AlexZ

Pushing Rovers again CaptainBob? You should ask TT for finder fees....

mcharley94

Great input, TYVM!

dzrtcat, though the title of this thread does refer to trikes I welcome all advice as I am new to recumbents. If you read my first post again you will notice that I did address my comment on trikes in the form of a question, and did so as to welcome suggestions on whether or not a trike was neccessery for my needs, and though I am leaning that way I am wanting to try both for sure. As such JanMM's comments on a standard two wheeler recumbent (and anyone elses) are more than welcome

I have found what appears to be a great dealer in rural New York, who has over 100 bikes on site and welcomes test runs on all. And though that is quite a distance I do have a friend I could visit along the way whom I have not seen in quite some time so I was thinking on making the trip and taking advantage of the fact.

Kennytb, TY for the suggestion. Any and all reviews will assist me in my decision. I am one to do my research first before making such an investment as this, hence my registering here in the first place.

bobsk8, I appreciate your suggestions, as will my tail bone too I am sure after a few miles I was looking at the Rover 8 Speed noticing that it has a higher seat than the Path 8 Speed, which I was also looking over. It does not appear to be as sturdy as the Path, but it does cost less, and who can really tell by a picture? I'll just have to try them out to be sure.

And just to clarify...in regards to a seat I did not really mean a true 90 degrees, but rather just a clean angle, whatever the degree...adjustable being the best option of course.

All great advice, and I welcome more...Thanks!

Bobsk8

The Rover is actually very sturdy, has a weight limit of 400 pounds and a couple of people that bought one are in the 350 pound range. There is also the Rambler that will be available mid-July that has a seat almost as high as the Rover. I am riding towards 4,000 miles on my Rover with zero problems so far.

Mr Gnome

Mark,

I've had injections in my back and really should have surgery on my low back and also my neck. I've refused surgery on my low back because I know what I'm dealing with, but never know what I'll end up with!!! The neck is a different matter with the head aches that I may have to someday. (Right now my lawyer is fighting with the workers comp insurance to get injections in my neck. It's pretty bad when I took future medical in 1982 over money and now have to fight with the insurance because of Arnold Schwarzenegger!) I've taken pain meds for 29 years, use a portable tens unit, an inversion table, chiropractic, etc. As you see I'm kinda dealing with the same issues as you.

I guess you’re mainly looking at tadpole trikes. I've only seen pictures of them. Other than ones like the Rover with the high seat, I think I'd have a heck of a time getting out of it! Judging from what you've said, I'd think that might be an issue for you also?

Have you thought at all about a delta recumbent trike with over seat steering? With my Sun X3-SX it doesn't set too low or too high. I feel like I'm sitting "in" it, instead of something like a Rover where I'd feel like I'm sitting on top of girder on a high-rise being built. I have no problem getting up from it, and if I did then I could use the ape hanger handle bars to help. Talk about ape hangers, I changed the stock ones to the Rans 3-way chopper bars...best thing I ever did to that trike!!!

Have you thought about trying out one of those recumbent stationary exercise bikes? I've never been on one, but I'd think that should give you some type of feel what a road recumbent would be like.

Bob

Bobsk8

Seat height on the SX3 is 19" , 2 inches higher than the Rover, plus it weighs 20 more pounds, which is something to consider.

pinay1010

Hi Mark, I have a greenspeed gt3 recumbent trike. It's the best one for me for my back and I'm not under pressure to work harder if I had a recumbent bike. I love mine and I had it for 1 year now.

countersTrike

I knew it! I knew it! RRRRo... Rov....AAIIEE!! I need a doctor!! A Trike Dr.! Seriously, so much depends on so many things- one being weight. I have had many trikes over 30 years; and considering weight - the best I had was the Optima Rhino trike. That trike would handle an elephant! I got it used so it was a surprise purchase, but it was cushy-smooth and was the exact opposite of my TerraTrike I had before it. Wonderful cruiser- suspension and relaxed handlebars under a hard shell 2" (great for my back) open-cell foam seat- but it was not at all like my low and jerky Catrike Speed. For my use the Speed was ideal. Try as many trikes or bikes, if so desired, as possible!

JanMM

Just the right number of wheels for a bike.

mcharley94

Now where is the fun in that I ask? Yes I do have a stationary but find it a bore for one and the seat is of poor quality as well, but so is the whole cycle for that matter (it is a cheapie). I simply bought it to give it a go, but haven't really the room for it in my 850sq home so I gave it to my sis to use.

Nothing is out of the question, Bob. I am considering the RANS Formula LE or maybe the V-Rex w/ XL Frame and will give them a go when I test ride the lot, though I know these are 2 wheelers.

I feel your pain, dude. I am getting my third caudal epidural tomorrow morning, the first two being two weeks and 4 weeks ago. The first two did help the leg pain for a few weeks but it seems to be returning already so I do not have very high hopes for this third one lasting long. I injured my back back in 1977 and have been enduring ever since. It was not until 2001 after it finally gave out on the job when I finally caved in and opted for surgery. Sure wish I was on comp still. I took the pay off under duress back in 2003 which was squat compared to what I endure still. Anywho, it is what it is I guess. Things could be worse for me and I realize this.

Rich, I did receive your IM, but being a newbie I cannot reply so I am forced to do so here instead, Sry. Anywho, you are right about Bikeman, and I agree that the quality of the Rover concerns me based on the photos, but the price tag is hard to argue with. Even so, though I will give it a try I think I may be overlooking this model and start with either the TT Path or Cruiser being they are similarly priced. Too, an 8 speed concerns me as well, which brings me to consider the Catrike Villager with 27 speeds for its higher seat, and if I am going that far then the Trail if I can handle the lower seat. Thats about all I can afford in regards to a trike. I would LOVE to consider a GS GTO or even a GT3, but these are simply out of my reach.

And again, Bob...the Deltas are not out of the realm of possability either.And I heed your advice in regards to ease of getting up and down and the assist of the handle bars. How many times I wished I had built some sort of handle over my bed for those few weeks after surgery when I have such a hard time getting out of bed. Or trying to get up from under the car after changing the oil and what not. There is something to be said about a high handle bar. Rich mentioned to me that Greenspeed has a fairly inexpensive option to help you get up out of the seat using a set of grab bars that attach to the steering arms. My being somewhat of a forced to retire prototype I am willing to bet I could come up with something that would work if I put my mind to it.

I cannot begin to express my appreciation for all the input I have received in such a short time. As I mentioned before, I plan to make a trip out to a NY dealer soon enough and spend a few days trying everything I can get my hands on, if I last that long that is, so I will be sure to take my Android with so that I can look back on all these notes

mcharley94

BTW, any input on how to transport these things? I know the GS folds up, but most of the others do not unless I am mistaken. I have a Ford Foci sedan so there isn't much room for a bike/trike unless I strap it to the roof

Northwestrider

Anything by HP Velotechnik , they have a very nice trike, their bent bicycles are hard to beat as well. I've never owned one, but have riddent them before. I'm rather sure you'll like them.

Mr Gnome

Mark,

I've got just the thing for you to transport a trike. I have a 2008 Dodge quad cab with only 18,000 miles on it. It's been garage kept, so it's like a new truck! I retired, moved to Florida and bought a truck to pull a 22ft boat. After a couple of years I sold the boat, so now I no longer need a full sized truck. So, I guess it's not quite what you had in mind?

Talk about hauling a trike, if I do sell the truck I'm going to put a trailer hitch on my Pontiac and probably get a small trailer along with one of those trailer hitch platforms to set things on. I've seen pictures of them made just for trikes.

Bob

reoguy2005

One of the nice things about a trike versus a recumbent bike ( I have both) is that with the trike, no balancing is involved. I occasionally put out my back, a muscle issue, so much so that I can't stand up straight but am rather sideways. Pain is intense, but a good way to help relax the muscles is to go out on the trike. On a recumbent bike, balancing requires use of the core muscles more, so that could be very twitchy on your back.

Where are you located? You mentioned or inferred the BicycleMan in NY....

JanMM

One of the nice things about a bicycle is that riding one can help maintain or improve one's sense of balance. That's a good thing for most of us.

Bobsk8

But trikes are so much more fun to ride.

JanMM

Fixed that for you!