Easy Racers T3 AX and CX
 

Does anyone have one of these or know someone who has one?

I'm getting ready to buy and need as much information as I can get. I rode on last weekend and it was a real treat, but I can't find any reviews, accessories or anything else anywhere on them. The ER website has minimal info and no one is posting in the forum threads of my questions. I called the shop and got a hurried one word answer to questions and a hang up. Normally this would direct me to another bike just in the way I've been treated, but I really like the bike.

So, if you have anything on these trikes, please share.

Thanks

Karma

If you like riding it, that is the most important thing. Accessories can be obtained after you get the bike. Another place to ask this question is on bentrideronline.com. I haven't ridden or seen that trike, but there are many different accessories that can be fitted or modified a bit by you to fit. What accessories are you looking for?

Thanks for the reply Chief. A rear rack to begin with and maybe fenders later on a bit. I'm lookin really hard at the Catrike Exp too.

Thanks

Karma

My 2 cents...the "factory" is at the races this week. (see the thread pertaining to "seeing the worlds fastest recumbents") I'm surprised someone answered the phone. ;)

Since you rode one, did you look on the rear dropouts for a threaded hole for mounting a rack? If there are, then mounting a rack should be a snap. Recumbent shops also carry seat bags that slip over the top of your seat, but you wouldn't need that if you got a rack.

I like the Topeak racks. They have a rack that allows the bag to slide on and off in a second.

Well, after more and more research and digging, I feel like a moth to the Catrike Expeditions flame. I kept looking and looking for more information on the Sun trike and I kept finding more and more information on the Cat and almost nothing on the Sun. So I'm gonna go try the Cat again.

Karma

I've got the X2-AX, which is the 2 wheeled version. No racks are available until 2009. The model is new, and they are still making/designing the racks. The LBS guy couldn't find any standard racks to fit it.

The seat seems to be the same as on all the older models, so a seat bag would work.

Right now, I'm using a duffel bag. The big strap slides over the seat, and I'm securing the little handle straps with old belts. I put them through the bar on the back of the seat.

For Christmas, I want one of the messenger bags.

I want the rack when it comes out so I can place my battery further back than it is now.

Sun products
 

I own and have ridden for four years a Sun EZ3 delta trike. Their product is not advertised well, but bikepartsusa has accessories for Sun. Sun will only deliver their bikes/trikes to a LBS and will not sell to an individual. Having said that, my trike did not come with "top of the line" components, though the ones spec'd are quite functional. I have found the trike absolutely bullet proof. It has suffered the abuse of my riding along with a now 9 and 11 year old playing and riding it. After four years the only thing besides regular maintenance after thousands of miles was replacing the nylon seat cover from a small rip that was caused by me. Everything about the trike is built almost to overkill. At bikepartsusa you can purchase fenders, racks, fairings for EZ3 and the new tadpoles, and surprisingly a canopy for EZ3. Almost all special Sun trike parts can be purchased, seat, rear axle, idlers, geez about everything. I wouldn't be very surprised as the new tadpole trikes start hitting the road you will find more accessories for the tadpole. I can heartily endorse the Sun trikes and find it the most functional self transportation in my stable. Bikepartsusa is also the only place I buy bike parts besides my LBS. I love my trike, but wish I could spring for the new adpole!

jnp2whls are both rear wheels on the EZ3 "powered"? A little off topic, but I am considering a Sun trike just trying to narrow my choices. Thanks

Ez3
 

No only the right rear is powered. The only thing I dislike about the trike is the above seat steering. When I bought the trike it was the only option. I have a shoulder injury that the USS would be more useful for. The rear brake is disc and stops very well. I still wish for a tadpole, but even then would go for the Sun because of the huge difference in cost and the interchangeability of parts and part availability no matter where I go. When I first got it I couldn't even ride an upright because of a head injury and balance issues. The trike was my only transportation. I even converted a discarded child trailer to a utility trailer, made a wooden hitch and used it to move many things I could bearly lift. Having said all that I can only assume that the CX and AX are built to the same standards as other Sun products. They don't advertise well but most any bike shop that uses JB importers as a source can readily get one. Do check around as some bike dealers mark them up differently. Here in the Dallas Ft Worth, TX area one can be purchased from $999-$1250. A little calling around will help.

I've got one of the Sun T-3 AX units and it's one of the hardest cycles in the world to ride. I'm an extremly experienced, stable rider but I have a hard time controlling this bike above 15 mph. The steering system axis is too perpendicular to the ground so the slighest body movement causes the unit to wobble side to side.

Sun has a design problem with this recumbent and I'm hoping they come up with a solution to fix the handling. I'm trying some options myself but haven't come up with a good solution yet.

New Sun T3-AX
 

I just bought a new Sun T3-AX from Easy Racers in Watsonville. As part of the process they had to order a new frame as the original had steering heads in a way too vertical position. The new heads are angled inward at a much steeper angle. I did not ride the original frame and I don't know if this is a frame recall. In any case, I only rode it a few blocks, probably at a top speed of 20mph. I tried zig zagging at this speed and with no experience on trikes or with direct steering, to me, it tracked very well and I had no unstable feeling. Don't know what 50mph might feel like and to be honest I am not ready to travel at that speed. I picked it up and would guess the weight in the higher 30s. It coasted and ran much better and more easily than my $500 mountain bike, but I realize that is probably not a proper thing to compare it to. In any case I liked it a whole bunch and bought it.

Ron Bingham

Before I got my Catrike Expedition I test rode a lot of different trikes. Direct steer, Indirect steer, folding, and the Expedition was just the most comfortable and stable. I got the trike on 1/31/09 and as of today I have just a little over 2400 miles on it. I think you would be very satisfied with the Expedition:

One of the things putting me off the Sun was the weight. Have a look at the listed weights on the Sun website.

I have the SUN EZ Sport AX. That lists out at 34, and the steel version comes in around 38 lb. I'd have to think that the listed weight for the trike (IIRC in the upper 40s) is accurate.

I tried a few trikes and did a lot of reading, and ended up with a Trice Q. I liked the Catrike Road a lot, but it was just a bit too small for me, my upper back kept contacting the cross bar.
I also liked that the Trice folds and has an adjustable seat and rear suspension. It also has a wider gear-inch range than most, with a fairly decent granny-gear for the hills around here.

Not cheap, but fair value for the money, and much better value than the equivalent European / Australian competition.

I absolutely LOVE my Expedition. Trikes truly exemplify the notion of different strokes for different folks. If it's possible I'd suggest trying out as many different trikes as you can. You can find dozens of threads by owners of EVERY trike manufacturer describing in great detail why they love their trikes. To me that just means the bar's plenty high for all, and the choice is personal. Don't forget ActionBent trikes. They sell TW Bents, a Taiwan manufacturer that makes great trikes and terrific prices...plus many of them are folders.

I have a EZ AX Sun you can find what ever for them,Mine is tricked out for for long relaxing rides down to a FM radio.Fenders,cooler holders,rear rack with planers,computer,& lights,What else you need you can`t find? I have just over 3,000 miles on it and still going strong.Just replaced tires and could use a seat cover soon.
I see you are looking for a trike but I would think all still gos.I have seen fenders for them.

One Month on the Sun T3 AX Tadpole
 

Well it has been an adventure for a 63 year old fart. I learned a lot about fixing flats until I got rid of the thin rubber rim liners and went with the French cloth type. So far so good. The rest of the trike is living up to my expectation except for the left front brake that chatters so loudly I use it as a horn:) Ordered some Gold pads so we will see if that helps. If not I will replace the brakes with Avid BB7s. Handling seems good. I have ridden it downhill at 37.7 mph on the motionX iphone GPS. Nothing wrong with the handling at that point but I start thinking about what a crash might look like and start applying the brakes. To me 40mph is fast enough for a trike. Actually 30 feels like the right speed. I replace the pedals with clipless. Why are clip on pedals called clipless? Always hard to explain to the non-bikers, "Yeah, I am clipping into my clipless pedals."

Last Monday I did the 17 mile drive in Monterey and it was pure fun. Well at least the flat & downhill parts. Uphill is work for me as I have a disability and my lower legs are just along for the ride. Actually that has been one purpose of buying the trike in the first place. It has been great for strength building in the upper legs. So far I have around 300 miles on it and would say I am happy. Of course I have been looking at the upper end trikes online but no need yet to move up.

Steering issue
 

So did you ever get the steering issue resolved I also have a T-3 that is squarlly

I don't have one, but "squirrely" is almost always the rider, not the bike. Sun designs their bikes with plenty of trail; so they should have fairly sedate steering. Best advice is to relax your upper body when riding. Keep arms relaxed and don't push on the bars to steer. When I was a newb, I found it helpful to take a deep breath and let it all the way out.

There is nothing unusual about the design of this trike that would lead one to believe that it is inherently unstable. The company has been building them for enough time to work out any problems with the steering. Since this is a tadpole trike, properly adjusted toe-in on the front wheels is important for stable handling. If the toe-in is off, the first sign would be excessive tire wear but also bad handling characteristics when you go fast. It might not take many miles to wear down the tread on the front tires if it is off significantly. Are you capable of checking toe-in? If not and the trike is new, you should return to the seller and ask them to check it. It is one of the things that is sometimes missed when the trike is assembled, especially if the shop rarely handles recumbent trikes.
It is cheap and relatively easy to make your own measuring device using a 3/8" wooden dowel with a drywall or woodscrew inserted in the end. You should be able to find directions for measuring toe-in on manufacturer's websites or try going to bentrideronline and looking for it there.