just bought a used trike.

[smilingcat]

Woo hoo...

Should have a used trike here in about two three weeks. It's an entry level trike with only one wheel in the front and two in the rear. Steering is by a bar that runs under your seat so its going to be bit odd. Odd too that I will be lot closer to the ground and the thing weighs like a ton. Far cry from my racing bikes.

I've been contemplating on switching from a regular racing bikes and TT bikes fro number of years. I was told 10 years ago by a neurosurgeon that there will be no next time for me in a crash. That was my last major crash. no memories what so ever nor the stay in the hospital with exceptions of few things here and there. Trike is an added insurance against another major crash and another head trauma.

This will be a step toward an eventual velomobile. Velomobile has a full body so more protection against crashes. Velos can look very sleek and very sexy. :P

[goldfinch]

Congratulations on the trike. Because of arthritis at some point I will probably get a trike. Like any cycle they sure look like fun. I know enough to know that you got a "delta" instead of a "tadpole." :)

[carolp]

I've got a whizwheels terra trike and love running around the neighborhood on it. Make sure you get yourself a nice, big, noticeable flag. Trikes are a lot of fun. Don't be too impatient with it. They are slow on the uphill, but you'll get there, and you'll also develop quads of steel!

[TsPoet]

If you are switching from racing bikes to a trike, especially an entry level trike, you will find it to be a giant change. So, take it for what it is!
I just sold my trike to my SO's father. I miss it.
You may be on your way to a bent ;)
Just to give you an idea, so you aren't shocked too much
Commuting average times:
on my performance bent (Bacchetta Corsa) - 15mph
on my commuting bent (Bacchetta Giro) - 12 mph
on my Greenspeed (racing) Trike - 10 mph
in my Velo - 16 mph

"Racing"
on my performance bent (Bacchetta Corsa) - 17mph
on my commuting bent (Bacchetta Giro) - NA, never done it
on my Greenspeed (racing) Trike - 11 mph
in my Velo - 18 mph


I would expect close to a 50% drop in your average speeds!

edit - I just saw a "color me naive" thread over on BROL - that about sums it up.
I just don't want you to be disappointed.

BTW - trikes are a blast!

[smilingcat]

Yes, I'm on BROL web site.

I have no preconceived expectation of the trike. I look at it as a challenge. I also look at as fun and something new. A test platform to learn about trike.

Can't wait to hop onto my trike and go for a spin. No matter how slow I am on it, I can't possibly imagine it being a disappointment. I'm like a child in a candy store who discovers that not all candies are sweet. It can be downright puckery sour. :D :D

smilingcat

[shootingstar]

Warning:

Make sure your trike model does not tip when you turn. A friend brought one for her mother and had to return it because it tipped off-base at the back, ie. 1 wheel on ground while other wheel went up off ground. :eek:
My partner had heard from someone one else that was the case as well. There are some models that will tip less.

So you had no interest even switching to a hybrid with wider wheels?

For instance, my partner just bought a new touring bike (Salsa ....I'll have to look at model) and to be in a more slightly upright position rather dropped down handlebars. Also switch to Schwable Marathon wider tires than road skinnier tire.

Actually he has been riding a bit wider road tires (not knobbly mountain bike tires) ..for the past 5 yrs.

Anyway hope your trike works well on the turns.

[smilingcat]

It's a recumbent trike so my head is pretty close to the ground. Much harder to tip over than a traditional adult trike. This one has an USS, Under Seat Steerer and you are reclined in the seat quite a bit. My whole body is less than 27 inches off the ground. Where as, traditional adult trike you are sitting up like sitting in a regular chair (office chair), handles bar out front like a beach cruiser.

search for pictures of terratrike, cat trike or Greenspeed recumbent. And you will see how different it is than a traditional adult trikes. These are much harder to tip over. It can be done if you are going down a steep winding mountain road.

[TsPoet]

search for pictures of terratrike, cat trike or Greenspeed recumbent. And you will see how different it is than a traditional adult trikes. These are much harder to tip over. It can be done if you are going down a steep winding mountain road.

you said 1 wheel front, 2 rear - so is it a Kett, or a GS anura? Inquiring minds want to know.

You can still flip them - especially if you are having fun :D

[shootingstar]

Sorry, didn't realize it was a recumbent trike.

Let us know of your experiences!

[smilingcat]

Sorry, didn't realize it was a recumbent trike.

Let us know of your experiences!

quite alright. Different people have different view of trikes.

the one I bought is really an entry level trike. Its Sun USX trike heavy and slow. I WANT IT FOR THE COMPONENTS!! WHEELS, HEAD SETS, BRAKES... Everything but the frame and the seat. I'll still ride it as a USX EZ-3.

http://sunbicycles.com/product_detail.php?short_code=EZ-3+USX+HD+Trike&cl1=RECUMBENT

and a review here

http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm

It's a trike to be sneered by serious trike and velo riders.