Tricycles
09-01-20, 02:57 PM
#1
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Tricycles
My friend has had surgery and is months away from being able to get back on her bike. I'm wondering if an adult tricycle will work for her? We're in hilly terrain, so a single speed or 3 speed isn't going to work. A 7 or 8 speed might work if I can change out the front derailer. But I'm wondering--aren't there 10/15/18/21/24/27 speed trikes?
09-01-20, 04:07 PM
#2
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A "conventional" adult trike is probably not what your friend wants. You might want to investigate recumbent trikes; laid-back seating for more comfort, more sporting and better gearing but probably way more expensive. Good luck!
An older Schwinn Town and Country or a newer Schwinn Meridian, or one of the many Worksman models, would probably be the cheapest but might not be very fun or efficient for your friend to ride.
An older Schwinn Town and Country or a newer Schwinn Meridian, or one of the many Worksman models, would probably be the cheapest but might not be very fun or efficient for your friend to ride.
Last edited by thumpism; 09-01-20 at 04:12 PM.
09-02-20, 06:21 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by Elbeinlaw
My friend has had surgery and is months away from being able to get back on her bike. I'm wondering if an adult tricycle will work for her? We're in hilly terrain, so a single speed or 3 speed isn't going to work. A 7 or 8 speed might work if I can change out the front derailer. But I'm wondering--aren't there 10/15/18/21/24/27 speed trikes?
I can move this to the Recumbent forum if you wish. I’m sure you would get a lot more response to your question.
My wife’s new Catrike 700:
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09-02-20, 07:14 AM
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Agreed on the recumbent. If your friend just wants a temporary replacement before getting back on an upright bike, there are some less expensive 'entry level' trikes, like the Terratrike Rambler. After riding a recumbent for even a few months, though, your friend may not want to go back to a regular bike. 
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09-02-20, 07:24 AM
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A couple of days ago I came across a guy I often see riding a Workman adult trike with a trailer and a shade cover. He rides it to take his dog for a walk in my neighboirhood. This time I stopped to talk to him. It is not a one dog powered assist trike but he has e-assist on the front wheel. He told me that were it not for the e-assist he would have a difficult time pedaling it up a hill because the trike without all of the accessories weighs around 75 pounds. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone recovering from surgery due to the weight alone. Of course, the Catrike 700 at half the weight of the Workman might be a very poor choice for anyone with limited mobility. I know because I ride one. The better recumbent trikes with higher seating like the Catrike Villager are not cheap. The cheapest entry level trikes are heavy and have very limited gear ranges. It is often a good idea until the price comes up.
09-02-20, 07:26 AM
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@rydabent should be able to show you real life photos of his.
09-02-20, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
I can move this to the Recumbent forum if you wish. I’m sure you would get a lot more response to your question.
09-02-20, 08:01 AM
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I would think riding a traditional upright tricycle (single front-dual rear) in hills could be a recipe for disaster. Not because of the climbing. It would be the downhill cornering that would keep me from even trying one.
John
John
09-02-20, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Elbeinlaw
No. Please do not. I don't mind your moving it to someplace where it makes more sense, but recumbent s are not an option.
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09-02-20, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Elbeinlaw
My friend has had surgery and is months away from being able to get back on her bike. I'm wondering if an adult tricycle will work for her? We're in hilly terrain, so a single speed or 3 speed isn't going to work. A 7 or 8 speed might work if I can change out the front derailer. But I'm wondering--aren't there 10/15/18/21/24/27 speed trikes?
09-02-20, 10:34 AM
#11
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there are recumbent delta : 1 wheel in front steers, 1 of 2 wheels in back are powered they're easier to get in and out of
than the low 'tadpole' one shown above...
and have a multispeed freewheel
want the upright trike , maybe a clever bike/ welding shop mechanic can improvise, expand the drive train gear range..
they often come with a countershaft 3 speed with a cog on its hubshell..
there are cogs with the 6 holes like on brake discs to potentially use like Sturmey Archer 8 speed ...
I would contract a modifier changing for what you can find, not expect it off the peg.
...
than the low 'tadpole' one shown above...
and have a multispeed freewheel
want the upright trike , maybe a clever bike/ welding shop mechanic can improvise, expand the drive train gear range..
they often come with a countershaft 3 speed with a cog on its hubshell..
there are cogs with the 6 holes like on brake discs to potentially use like Sturmey Archer 8 speed ...
I would contract a modifier changing for what you can find, not expect it off the peg.
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-02-20 at 10:44 AM.
09-02-20, 12:30 PM
#12
Senior Member
Tell us more about your friend. What style of rider is she, and exactly what do you mean by "hilly?" What about her surgery will prevent her from riding a regular bike?
09-02-20, 01:20 PM
#14
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Convert bike to trike:
https://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11619762.html
https://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11619762.html
09-03-20, 10:10 AM
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When my sister had surgery on her head she could not balance. I bought her a Sun tricycle. She rode it for a summer at the beach.
I was thinking about taking it back now that she can ride a two wheeler again. It has a 3 speed internal gear and is awful on the hills where I live. I think a smaller front chainring would help. It is downright dangerous going downhill if you turn without slowing down more than you would think you need to.
I was thinking about taking it back now that she can ride a two wheeler again. It has a 3 speed internal gear and is awful on the hills where I live. I think a smaller front chainring would help. It is downright dangerous going downhill if you turn without slowing down more than you would think you need to.
