Mikeflys

I am interested in Recumbent trikes. The problem I am having is I can only find 1 bike shop in my area that sells them. And they only carry 1 brand, the Sun EZ tadpole. This might be the best bike on the planet or it might be just mediocre. Without being able to compare it is hard to tell. I have seen I can order most any over the Internet if I am willing to pay the shipping. Terra Trikes for example are charging $200.00 per bike to ship to your door. Without spending a lot of time searching forums can someone direct me to a site that might post a comparison between models/manufactures? I will be going to our local shop and checking out the Tadpoles. I like supporting the local folks but if I can get a better bike online that's what I will need to do.

Retro Grouch 

I'd suggest taking a road trip to a recumbent specialty retailer. Besides all of the different styles of recumbents and brands, you also have to consider how to transport and store a recumbent. A recumbent specialty retailer will be able to talk you through the process. An ordinary LBS, who only has a couple of recumbents in stock, probably won't.

Mikeflys

The closest Recumbent specialist I have found is 6 to 8 hours away. Not a great option.

FBinNY 

No not great. OTOH - a bicycle is a very personal item, and buying based on written reviews that may be biased, or reflect priorities other than your own is not a great option either. IMO it's a worse option except for riders experienced enough to infer what a bike will be based on written data.

It's like architecture and buildings. It's very hard to visualize a building or the spaces within from the printed plans. You might see a 12x14' room, but still have a hard time visualizing how furniture will fit, or how the lighting will be. Architects can do this (usually), but the average person can't.

So, as lousy as having to drive for 6-8 hours to check out a variety of bikes may be, it beats the alternative which may be spending big dough on a bike you end up not being happy with.

I suggest that you invest the time, maybe making a weekend trip of it with some point of tourist interest thrown in.

BlazingPedals

Sun is fairly low-end, but has the advantage of being in the J&B catalog; so any bike shop can order one. Sun makes a whole line of recumbents, including several bikes and trikes - not just the tadpole. 6 to 8 hours away from where? Another option is to find an owner that's closer.

ncbikers

Some info options: go to www.mashpedia.com/catrike there is a video "catrike recumbent trikes at RBR" that has good info about catrikes. Also try bicycleman.com who has a lot of info about all models. Look around on their site.

6 hrs is not a long drive to find a dealer.

BlazingPedals

Bentrider has reviews on lots of bikes and trikes.
'BentRider Online » Reviews

10 Wheels

I have been riding with a guy that bought one of these.

Pic out your color. Comes with Clipless Pedals, Rear rack, and Neck rest

Performer Recumbent Trike JC70CM FRP Acera 27SPEED | eBay

VegasTriker

Check out the Utah Trikes website. Utah Trikes - Online Recumbent They carry just about every brand of trike that can be sold over the internet. I bought my 2013 Catrike 700 from them. Anybody that ships a trike to you is going to charge you around that much for shipping. Trikes are bulky so they cost a lot to ship. UT sold me the trike in parts. The frame was in one very large box and the rest of the trike was in a second much smaller box. I assembled it myself and the shipping charge was $80. I don't know if they still do it that way. My CT700 was $2,800 in 2013 so the sales tax on the trike would have been $240 if I picked it up at a store. I'd suggest staying away from the custom upgrades UT offers. Buy the basic trike as it comes from the manufacturer.

Buying a trike without at least trying it out is a real crap shoot. That's my experience with my first trike. It was expensive($1,800) and fun to ride but turned out to be totally unsuitable for an avid rider. I test rode a friend's Catrike Expedition before buying the CT700 so I knew it was going to be OK since the two models are pretty close alike. Some companies like Terratrike offer a 30 day return but realistically that is not worth much since you have to pay freight both ways and that can be a good % of the total cost of the trike.

Mikeflys

VegasTriker Thanks for the PM, I tried to reply but I guess I have not made enough post for me to send a PM yet. The info you sent in your PM was exactly the kind of info I needed.

Mikeflys

OK I am excited now! I just saw that Utah Trikes sells KITS!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea baby that's right up my ally. Any input about the KMX trikes? Looks rugged, I like that.

Tony Marley

I bought my Catrike via the internet from Utah Trikes, and have been very happy with it. I had lots of online conversations with them prior to the purchase, and read lots of reviews on "Bentrideronline.com."

BlazingPedals

KMX comes from a background in BMX bikes. Yeah, they're pretty heavy-duty.

Mikeflys

Thanks everyone for your help and info. In the end It turns out I just couldn't afford a trike. One of my local shops had a Cattrike that someone had ordered but backed out on. It was fantastic but just out of my income bracket.

VegasTriker

Keep your eyes out for a used recumbent trike. You don't say exactly what your price range might be. You can try using Ad Hunt'r - Search ALL of Craigslist? and more! to see what is available in nearby areas. Just enter the brand you might be interested in and then limit the search to nearby areas at the right side of the page. There was an older Catrike Road for sale in my area for $550. It needed a little work but the description seemed to indicate that parts would be under $100-$150 which would put it in the price range for most buyers. It's a good brand with a sterling reputation for longevity.

VT_Speed_TR

I had a Catrike Road at one point, very nice trike. Check out Bentrideronline's classified area for trikes, you may find one there:

Trikes For Sale - BentRider Online Forums