MacWildstar

VagasTriker sent this PM to me, and this is the only way I can reply to it, as I have not yet reached the 50 post mark yet.


You can find a lot of information about current users of the Rover by reading owner posts on 'BentRider Online or looking at the reviews. A lot of owners like the trike but there are also a lot of posts on modifying them to make the trike more suitable. Many are about upgrading the trike as people come to realize that it has a rather limited gear range (24-66 gear inches for the external gearing and either 20-62 or 25-80 GI for the more expensive internal gear versions). The fact that it has only one chainring in the front and no easy way to add a front derailleur makes upgrades rather expensive. It is a bit heavy which makes wanting a wider gear range even more important in an area with hills. Most of the components used on the Rover are the cheapest available on the planet. Look up Alhonga disc brakes on Ebay and it will give you an idea. I never heard of them until TT started to use them as was the Zoom brakes they formerly used. CST tires and Promax are in the same league. It is almost always cheaper to buy the right trike than to try to upgrade it to work the way you want it to work. The Rover is often a first trike but rarely the last.

I would guess that used Terratrikes may be more common where you live due to the proximity of the factory than where I am in Nevada. Lots of used Sun trikes show up on our local Craigslist and the prices are often quite good. Not many TT models though as nobody stocks them locally. Sun uses name-brand components on all their trikes. Most have a better gear range than the Rover. Some are heavier and some are lighter. I looked at recumbent trikes on your local CL and only one in your price range shows up, a Sun with the title "RECUMBENT TRIKE - LIKE NEW - $1149 (Farwell) Sun TC 3X" The brand new price for this trike at Utah Trikes is $1,499 plus shipping so it isn't much of a discount for a trike that with no warranty for a second owner. Michigan is probably not a great place to look for a used trike in winter. I know as I lived through a couple winters in Okemos. Right now there is nothing on CL here either.

There is also a TT Tour II but I would caution you on this trike. My first trike was a Terratrike (2003 Wizwheelz 3.4) which I bought new. It was part of a long line that became the Tour model. It was fun to ride but not very good when it came to durability. I had enough trouble with it to buy my second trike just 16 months later. That one, a used Greenspeed GTO lasted me 9 years and 27,000 miles. The thing to look out for on the Tour is loose steering as it wears with the miles. Any side-to-side play in the front wheel is a definite deal breaker. BTW, the steering on the Greenspeed is still rock solid so I know they can make them to last.

Some terms: Delta trike - two wheels in the rear, one in front Tadpole trike - 2 in front, 1 in rear Handcycle - "pedal" using hand power If you think good tadpole trikes are expensive, look up Invicare handcycle and get some real sticker shock. " End quote.


Well, heres my situation. Im looking at the rover for 3 reasons. 1, 4 heart attacks left me overweight. Im about 350 lbs, and most trikes have a 300 lb limit. Very few 300+ trikes out there. And we are the people who would benefit from them the most. I walk daily but need to rest often. its hard. So why not sit and pedal? When I go to the gym to do tread mill stuff, i work out my arms lifting my body on the treadmill so I am not dropping my entire weight on my feet for 30 mins while I do a work out.. So I am looking at triking to replace this come spring time.

yes Terra trike is right here in G.R. And yes they use cheap parts. But my options are limited. First, Disabled vet, living on SS Disability, meaning money is extremely tight. Second trying to get the VA to pay for this. If so, I will go for a better quality one, and will do what ever I have to to drop weight to meet the weight requirements.

yes, we see a lot of sun bikes in the local craigs list. But even most of them are 300lb limited.

I have tried Sun bike recumbent 2 wheel standards, (one front, one rear) where you sit a little higher. Not bad, but no way to take a rest without needing a kick stand or something. I have tried a 2x1 sun bike, (2 rear, 1 little front) and its ok.. but I want to get one thats standard 1x2, (one in back, 2 in front, with pedals out front).. would like to find a place that sells 400lb limit models, at around 500 bucks, but i know thats not going to happen any time soon. Guys like me, with heart conditions could really benefit from riding these, but the price is just beyond most of us. Oh well.. spring is coming and I hope to have one by then, if not, i will keep trying.

Steamer

Don't worry about the weight limits. You are taking bigger chances by letting that stop you from doing what you need to do. Plenty of people have violated them by a lot and gotten away with it, especially if you are riding at low speed and not taking the thing off curbs, etc.

MacWildstar

Im told that if you do that, be prepared to do a lot of wheel maintenance. The frame can handle it, but not the wheels.

As for me, it will be riding on bike paths, on roads, and unfortunately, some bad sidewalks with lots of bumps and dips, and drops. Same for our roads here.. they are in terrible shape.

VegasTriker

Since you know from having posted in the Special Needs section of Bentrideronline that the VA will provide you with a much better trike (costing up to 3K) if you are willing to deal with the bureaucracy, why not go that route? It is not fast but the result will be far better. It may cost you some time and aggravation. I already provided the link to Ramblinlamb's story (A vet gets a Catrike Expedition) to you on Bentrider a couple of months ago. He did it, so can you.

Steamer

I don't agree. But even if it was true, what's more important, avoiding maintenance effort or caring for your health?

MacWildstar

that is the route I am trying to go.. but I am a bit concerned over the weight issue. So I asked about it..

Getting some good feedback on it, both here and there. So I will not settle for a mere rover, if the VA will help me get one..

MacWildstar

Caring for my health is important, but if it means that I have a trike that is in constant need of costly repairs, well, what good is it doing sitting on a rack waiting until I can afford the parts? That is why I asked about the weight issue.

Steamer

There are no guarantees regardless of how much you pay. If I was you, I'd get a trike and take my chances on the wheels. Bike repair is usually fairly inexpensive if you do your own work, as most cyclists I know do.