Selecting a tricycle for my adult autistic son
 

My first post here. I'm hoping this forum is the best one for this "out of left field" query.

My 28 year old son has "high functioning autism". He will never drive a car. He can ride a 2 wheeler, but not safely: too much of his attention is devoted to staying upright and theres not enough left to be aware of road and traffic situations. My wife and I both feel he has a good chance of safely gaining much more independence with and adult trike.He is very enthusiastic about getting one. I need some advice on picking one for him.

I've looked at buyer reviews on a lot of the internet sales sites and at adulttricyclereview.com. It seems many adult tricycle brands have serious design and fabrication quality issues. Based on a long day cruising the internet it looks like I'm down to the True Bicycle Co "Fold and Go" 3 speed, the True "Low Step" 3 speed and the Pashely Tri-1.

Here are some questions about trikes:

I've seen a few comments about large wheel (26") being less stable but the other side of the coin is I'm wondering if 20" bikes might be less visible in traffic. Are either of these issues really valid, or are these fine distinctions that can be more or less ignored under most circumstances?? Note the "Fold and Go" and the Tri-1 are both 20" and the Low Step is 24".

Does anyone here on the forum have any of these bikes? If so I'd love to hear your impressions!

From the web site, Pashley seems like a highly engineered well made bike, but there are few bike shops that sell this brand (and none that I've been able to find on the internet in the northeast that have a trike to sell). The True Bicycle Co bikes come with free shipping, but its harder to tell what the quality is without going and looking at one. I know of no shops that carry them around here in central NJ.

Also, should I be copying this query to other sub-forums ?

Any good advice is very welcome!

Thanks in advance for any help.

--Lenny Wintfeld

Worksman makes several types of trikes, I see them in Boeing plants, Post office facilities, and other locations. They seem to be basically indestructible.

Cargo Bikes, Industrial Bicycles and Industrial Tricycles from Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store

Look at three wheeled recumbents. A big selection of quality ones out there and a variety of types

You may have better luck in the Adaptive sub forum. Click here to go to it.

Second it might help if you let us know what country you are in, to help direct you.

Good luck in your search.

Sun bikes and trikes are available through most any bike shops. They offer both traditional and recumbent trikes.
Sun - Bikes

Agree that the Commuting forum is not the best for your query.

This Town's Bike shop carries a couple brands that offer adult trikes .

Mechanical over view.. applies to them in general, not brand specific.

Among the Options: a 1 speed or a 3 speed drive . the 3 speed uses 2 chains, the long one to the Cranks turns the hub which is with 2 sprockets .

Primary.. driver; and Secondary.. hub-shell , in place of spokes , attached to where they would be.

a second chain attaches to a hub shell mounted sprocket . that offers the gear changes, because like it would be if in a wheel

the hub-shell can turn at a different rate , faster(1st) or slower (3rd), than the primary drive, chainring and hub cog ratio . (thats your 2nd gear)

the second short chain drives one of the rear wheels through a 4th* sprocket mounded on a long axle.. the Other back wheel turns on bearings without power
* or 2nd if no more gears than 1 and a single long length of chain.

Trikes like that rely on just the front wheel for Braking .. so Confer with the dealer whether a better brake, like a hub mounted drum brake may be better

You can use both handlevers , 1 still for the rim Brake it generally, comes with.

A coaster brake on the hub (with the 2 sprockets) can only act on the 1 driven wheel ..

Thanks, I will try "adaptive". As for country, as I stated in my post, it's central NJ, if that will help.
--Lenny

Pashley Picador weighs about 70lbs. Anything heavier is probably excessive. Industrial trikes are made for hauling big loads over flat surfaces.
In the UK we have these adult utility trikes but also high performance trikes (not to be confused with recumbent trikes).
The performance models usually use std 26" or 700c wheels and are made from quality bike steel (butted chromoly)
The wheel size does not affect the height of the rider off the ground or visibility.
20vs24" seems to related to the size, in some models, 20" version is smaller all over.

Pashley distributors

For an upright bike, I wouldn't worry about visibility and different tire sizes.

A recumbent trike as mentioned above has much better stability, but may or may not compromise visibility. You can always add a flag or two if you think it is necessary.

What kind of riding do you have in mind? Distances? Paved vs gravel?

Many of the trikes drive on one wheel, which is a pain for dirt or gravel, and may feel like it is pulling to one side.
Many of the trikes are 1-speed which limits them to shorter rides around the neighborhood, and perhaps also limiting hills.

What about storage and transportation? When I was looking at trikes earlier DiBlasi was the best folding upright trike, although they are expensive, and HEAVY. It appears as if several recumbent trikes are now experimenting with folding.

Anyway, much of the innovation in the trikes is in the tadpole recumbent trikes, and can be very high end bikes. Expect to pay well in excess of $1000, but if you want something that he can ride and keep up with others... that would be the way to go.

As mentioned, above, the upright trikes like the Worksman are also designed for some cargo capacity which can be nice for trips to the store, although many bikes can be adapted to carry a little cargo, or perhaps pull a trailer.

Just bear in mind To make something reliable in the long run , adding more Material , like thicker tube wall , 1017 steel will cost less

than using an expensive alloy , say 4130, which will allow a thinner tube wall with same strength..

But this category of Trike is not one to sell well at a $2000+ which is about what one will cost to add Rear differentials to power both wheels, etc .
It has been done in some 'Delta' trikes .. The typical recumbent trikes are 'tadpole' they have 2 steered wheels 1 driven wheel ..

Performance riders accept the Higher prices of the more expensive Machines.


The British have Built a Competition around a custom made Light weight Upright trikes , but they to are 1 wheel driven .. Its part of the technique challenge
To get around the course first, with fastest Lap time , as everyone else has the same kind of Rig.

There are full differentials available for about $100 or so. It wouldn't break the bank, but probably is only necessary for dirt and gravel.

Many of the one-speed upright trikes have coaster brakes. Perhaps also 3-speed. The designs I've seen have an idler shaft in front of the axle. A "poor man's differential" would simply run two freewheels on the axle stubs, but one would loose the coaster brakes.

Chromoly might add a little to the cost, but wouldn't be more than a couple hundred at most. It is probably more in marketing. Thinwall chromoly does occasionally dent, but a well built frame should last a lifetime.

Re Differential (provide Link) OK but then the trike frame has to be built to use it, & that fabrication at US overhead rates wont come Cheap.

I dont perceive the OP is ponying up a couple Large for a Custom made Machine, Perhaps they are ,

as they have a son who will have decades ahead of them to Use this machine.

Perhaps Clifford Knows Fabrication shops specializing in building equipment for special Needs Clients and can share that resource ?

I agree, custom can get expensive, but the right bike could last a person decades. When I think of my 30+ yr old Colnago Super, the original purchase price works out to the equivalent of about 2 cups of coffee for every year I've owned it.

For tadpole recumbent trikes, there are several manufactures and innovators. Utah Trikes?

I've seen bike conversions for upright trikes, some pretty good, giving multi speeds, and even suspension. CAT here in Eugene has some odd bikes, but I'm not sure how much manufacturing they do, they are a pretty odd place. However, if the choice is to go fully custom, hopefully there would be a local shop in NY/NJ that would assist as it is hard to cover unique needs on a coast to coast basis.

The Asperger's/Autistic individuals are a unique class of "special needs" people, and wouldn't require adaptations like a hand cycle. More of it would be to just find a quality bike that works for them, whether it is a 30 yr old trike to wobble around the neighborhood, or a tadpole trike that would get them up to 20+ MPH at times.

Perhaps add some good lights???

I have a pretty basic small wheel upright trike here that I've been meaning to retro fit multi speeds into (3? 7? 11?), and perhaps even a differential.

Actually I've been trying to start a small bike business... So I might be able to build or rebuild a "custom" given a little time. I am sure I could work out a good price for the first few bikes.

I was exploring the recumbent trikes a bit, but I have some development work before going the route.

Thanks to everyone for your relies to this thread! It provides some good perspective, especially on bike weight, 20 vs 24 inch wheels and some of the other issues (weight etc.) which I never even considered.

Only one of 3 local bike stores had a trike to try (Schwinn 26 inch 3 speed) and it was worth putting my son on it to just see that it doesn't fit him at all. They wouldn't let him take it out for a ride; were even reluctant to unchain it from the rack so he could sit on it in a natural way and had no suggestions about making it fit better. In an empty store, they "didn't have the time" to look for better seats and handle bar stems for it.

To find more models for him to sit on I tried Target, Walmart and Sears but no trikes there. I will look further afield for more bike stores that have trikes in stock and who are more cooperative. Once the size, weight and fit seems right we can get to more details like 1 vs 3 vs 6 speed etc. Its tempting to just order something on-line from True Bicycle or from Worksman, but it seems the fit is as important as the features.

With my sons autism, any purchase has been a gamble. We've spent big money on things that he didn't take to at all, including musical instruments, and various therapies. I don't regret doing it. The world can be a difficult, sometimes even cruel place for "not-normal" people so if money has to be wasted sometimes to occasionally find something that makes his life better, easier or more fun, its well spent. His IPod and IPhone are good examples. The fact that he is enthusiastic about a trike, bodes well for the search and the purchase, and will be worth the work and expense if he enjoys it.

--Lenny Wintfeld

Maybe you can find a rental at the beach or somewhere to try out before making a purchase.

Is this the kind that didn't fit your son? I see a fair number of people riding these around. They sell them at a few department stores around town. They will be more visible than a recumbent trike but you can still put a flag on it.

Yes except it was 3 speed. --Lenny

Here are some options that you might look at, depending on your budget.

SidewinderLowrider Recumbent Tricycle
SUN RECUMBENT TRIKE LIKE NEW ONLY 34 MILES
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/4976022738.html
Pedal into Spring on a Recumbent Trike
Recumbent Trike for Sale

I'd probably go for the ones in NY if you can get there, and if they were within your budget.

Finding a non-recumbent tricycle with even basic performance features and options can be frustrating. Mission Cycles Tribrid is the best I have found so far. The combination of 21 speeds (Shimano components) with 700c wheels with disc brakes sets the Tribrid apart from the stodgy traditional offerings.

Mission also makes an incredibly stable four wheeler, the Groundforce, that is similarly equipped in a 24 inch wheel size.

Mission Cycles

This was a great idea. There is a rental place that opens for the season mid May and is around 30 mi away. As a bonus they also own a bike shop which i will call soon. After I read this advice I hit my forehead and did a DUH! --Lenny

Tnx! Showed them to my son; he says they're not "bikey enough" for him. But looks like Craigs is a good thing to keep an eye on. --Lenny

:roflmao::roflmao:
Hopefully there aren't any recumbent people reading this topic!!!! :recum:

Try this search in Craigslist or Searchtempest.

(trike|tricycle|wheeler)

I think this older Schwinn is 3-speed, and full differential.
Early 80's Schwinn Tri Wheeler for sale/trade

I think it may have 24" tires though. Still worth having a look at if it isn't too far away.

How tall is your son?

I would still encourage you to try out the recumbents. They are supposed to be faster and more stable than the upright trikes.

This probably isn't the right forum, but there's a guy who has a trike for driving his dog Bailey around that has put a lot of miles on it. He's modified it too for the two of them, he could ad some insight I can't. Why can't I remember his name?

Bikey enough
 

Yes, CliffordK that bike is "bikey enough". We will check it out.

I apologize for not answering some of your questions until now. My son is 5'7" and around 180. Strong but mild mannered and cautious. His use will be 90% for transportation, mostly around town, and a bit of watching the world go by. Now, in good weather he'll announce he's gong to take a walk around the block (apx 1 mi) 2 or 3 times a day, even in bad weather he'll do it once. He'll go to Starbucks in town on foot, maybe 3 miles round trip, etc,etc. I don't expect he'll tour with it, but you never know, I can't count the times he's surprised us.

--Lenny

I recently got a Sun Trike 24" wheels for my Mother In Law and had a Sturmey Archer 3 speed kit added to it. She loves it. Came with a basket which she can put groceries and her dog when she rides around the neighborhood.

Sun - TRADITIONAL