Recumbent Trike Pros vs Cons

Recumbent trikes. They've become pretty popular.What are the pluses and minuses? In this video, I give my opinion on the pros vs. cons of owning and riding a 'bent trike.

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[vincentbeanes]

Hi David I am a disabled Navy Veteran and I ride a Fat Tad tadpole e assisted trike. I was raised in the Pacific Northwest and rode a racing bike during my younger years I have always been active in the outdoors but I suffered from past service and have been limited but I never gave up even during my darkest moments and thanks to God and you for giving me inspiration I have watched your you tube rides and listening to you gave me motivation to push ahead and I think my stubborn head gave me to extra to get my butt out on the trike for a ride and I have to admit I do feel better after even the shortest rides I now live in Corpus Christi . I can’t thank you enough for your words and inspiration to me to be a better person even when the pain is the greatest. When I do ride I always go solo but I imagine you riding with me even on the clouded days. Thank you sir always
Vincent

[jenniewatson]

I have a TerraTrike Rambler EVO and do about 75% road cycling. Safety: Wear hi-vis clothing, have Bontrager headlight, taillight and 2 multi-color flags posted inside the seat holes. Have been given multiple thumbs up, waves and positive comments from motorcyclists, motorists, pedestrians and even law enforcement. Have *never* had anyone come close to me, honk or "wave" at me. Always use hand signals and follow all road rules. Well worth the cost. I also pick-up litter during my rides--so easy to do on a trike. Lots of plastic bottles, bags and cans---sadly, my panniers need emptying a couple times during the ride. Please everyone who reads this consider doing a small part and picking up litter while riding. Recumbent trikes are THE BEST and ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS!!

[JohnTubbsMB]

Very motivational - my wife and I decided last week to get recumbent trikes since we're at that age now where 'everything hurts' when we finish a ride on a regular two-wheeler, and we both have some age-related challenges (not even beginning to approach your history, thus the motivation for us!). I will be leaving the house in about 45 minutes to drive to the bike shop and pick up my new Catrike 559. My wife has one on order, to get the color she wanted, but she will check about in-stock Catrike Dumont's when we're at the store, and may pick up one of those to get the rear suspension instead. We are both very excited to start getting back in shape doing something fun. We are fortunate enough to live in a development with over 40 miles of road, with large (golf-cart size) riding lanes on all the major streets, and the side streets are not heavily traveled. Thanks for the video(s) and you have a new subscriber!

[paul]

I ride my trike almost everyday. One thing I like over riding my normal bike is the ability to stop and relax with it. I have a favorite spot that I ride to, then I stop and play with my phone for a while. At least I am outside enjoying the fresh air.

[gudruncrittendon]

Hello, I am very impressed with your description of riding a recumbent trike. Being an elderly rider myself, it has given me an exhilarated feeling of living again, as I can hardly walk across the room sometimes due to chronic pain. But riding my trike has gotten me off the couch and I love it! It is worth so much more than the price of the trike, whatever it may be. After all, our health is worth so much more!!

[beagle]

Very nice video. I have been an avid cyclist for well over 40 years. I just bought my first trike and I LOVE it. I will be riding with my 2 German Shorthaired Pointers using Bike Tow Leashes. The trike is a game changer for me. I agree with you, the trike gives the rider a more enjoyable ride. LOVE IT!!!

[karleenpeattie]

I really enjoyed your video on the Pros and Cons of the trike. Forty five years ago (at the age of 15) I sustained a severe injury which left me with right sided paralysis. Thankfully I had the family that would not allow me to sit, strongly encouraging my independence. I studied and graduated and worked; but constantly felt I was 'skating on very thin ice'. The inevitable happened, with pain invading my life. I had walked for over twenty years to keep myself fit, but when I began hyper-extending in my R knee, that was the end of walking. I have had my eye on getting one of these trikes for many years, and we are just on the cusp of it coming to fruition! I have tried on numerous occasions to ride a the normal bike, believing I could possibly teach myself - as I have done with many things; but I never succeeded with it. I have a sister who is the only surviving family member who constantly discourages me. But, I have had that ever since the accident, so its like water off a ducks be sure to write another letter as soon as I get the trike.

[boatman]

Excellent detailed and well rounded discussion of the pros and cons of trikes! And as a type 1 diabetic of 47 years duration I'd give this guy ten points out of ten for guts and determination! Great example of someone making the best of a very difficult situation and he should serve as an inspiring example of same.

[josepharmstrong]

Thank you sir...as an open heart surgery surviver...I am planning on an epic adventure soon.
Your video is inspiring...and I like your spirit.

[bettymorgan]

you've inspired me. I purchased my first Trike this week. a Terratrike GTS . I am looking forward to picking it up later this month. (I have to get the trike rack installed on my car) I have been fighting clinical depression since my husband of 33 years died last January. I know that getting out, meeting people, and getting exercise is going to help me a lot. Thank you

[niallwildwoode]

I have an ancient ICE 'S'. It's a hardtail that I rode in the early 2000s until I got sick of winching it up our steep hills. A year ago I took it out of storage, dusted it off, built a 1500w, 52V PAS rear hub motor onto it and put fat Schwalbe gravel tyres on the front. Now I LOVE riding it. I'm actually getting fitter than when I first had it, as I'm pedalling up to 60 miles in a round trip, and only really using the power when on steep uphills if I'm getting tired. I've ridden to 45mph, but that's not too safe as the steering can get a little twitchy. 30mph out of town is a good average. A small throttle lever gets me out of danger or gives me a boost when I'm in a tight spot. It's now replacing my car, as I recharge it for free on solar and am building a trailer to add for extra haulage. Ride safe and stay fit!

[russellniebolt]

Thank you David, great vid, nice meeting you!

[brickboo]

Dave, 80 years old here. Could have gone 2 rounds with Mike Tyson 4 years ago, however I got AFIB in 2018, and now can only throw two punches and I'm out of breath. Three weeks ago I got a Sun Seeker Eco Tad with a 700watt 17.5 amp Electric Trike for $2700 out here in Western Colorado. No off road for me. My first ride I did 24.5 miles and still had more than half the battery on the little computer screen (I call it). We have miles and miles of paved paths along the Colorado River and Parks etc. I don't get out of breath pedaling with the assist. I do rely on the E Motor most of the ride. I'm out in the sun meeting and talking with folks on the trails and not sitting for hours in front of the Boob Tube watching Gunsmoke all day. I bought a $50 bumper carrier from Harbor Freight and with a few screws and a couple 1X4's I made a carrier for cheap and not much time. My younger neighbor friend helped me put it together. I can pick the trike up and mount it. I tie it down with the Velcro Straps that you use to hold your pant from getting into the chain and sprocket. I go down the road 55 mph with no problems hauling the Trike on the Carrier. Hope this helps some who find hauling it around a problem for far off trails..

[peterwilliamson]

Great comments David. I get folk calling me up just to say they thought they saw me out on a trike. They never do that when I ride the diamond frame. Love your clip.

[jerryblackerby]

Very Good Video on Pros and Cons on the Trike as I have ridden several the last 8 years and was a great discovery when I found Trikes !

[lisamarie]

Thanks for this, David. I recently had a fall from my bicycle, riding on a trail very similar to the one in your video, landed on the side of my helmeted head resulting in huge hematoma and subsequent extensive facial bruising, and a fractured metatarsal. I'm almost healed up enough now to begin cycling again...but I might be letting fear get the better of me! Anyway, here I am, researching recumbent trikes, and you've provided some great info. The wider footprint, I feel, for my local ride of 6 miles on sidewalk to a fantastic trail offering another 11 miles 1 way, would be problematic, since the trike would take up almost the entire sidewalk. I COULD ride in a bike lane for some of that ride, but as a driver, whenever I "see" a recumbent, I think to myself, "wow, you can hardly see that thing!" I am a careful and observant driver, but so many are not! Please continue to wear fluorescent colors, use flags, blinking lights, etc., on the road!

[esegoldberg]

Great video with honest information. Many years ago I owned a beach trike that had the yellow mesh seat and blue frame and coaster brakes. I went faster than I should have down a hill and lost control and got a good cut on my chin. Even with the cut on my chin I couldn't wait to ride it again. I wound up selling it and moving in life. Now I'm retired and back to riding a trike again. I started out with one of those cheap Walmart trikes you talked about and it worked for a while. But it didn't have any gears and any kind of hills were too difficult to climb. Once I got a higher quality trike it made a world of difference. It pays to do your homework on researching trikes. There's good deals on used recumbent trikes out there, you just have to be ready to pounce on them because they usually don't last long. Be safe. God Bless You and Yours...:)

[drkelvingoodson]

Thanks David, I’m excited to be getting my new ice trike here in the UK in a few weeks time. I’m getting the adventure model. Your video confirmed all the aspects that I thought were true. I too have had numerous health issues, and much of the motivation for getting a trike is to regain fitness after my most recent health event.

[myleghurts]

Hi trikers! My wife & I bought our tadpoles 3 years ago and the comment below from Gudrun Crittendon about it's worth vs it's price is spot on. As a lifelong cyclist myself, a trike, to me, is a three-wheeled go-kart, a party machine in which I generate (ours aren't electric assist as we don't feel the need for it yet) the mood as per the speed I want to travel at. Even at low speeds, a trike brings back the child in us automatically. There's no fixed dollar amount for this joy. Ours are low-end models, KMX Kobras with 20"f/24"r wheels. Party machines I tell you!✌

[oadfgvu]

Hi David, like you I ride a trike, a delta trike (HASE Kettwiesel) in the UK. And I agree with all your good and bad points to triking, when it comes to the lowness of trikes, I just use two flags on the rear, the top of the flag pole is about 6 feet high, with highly colourful flags to catch drivers eyes. I now have an e-motor on the front wheel as I have an arthritic hip, so it makes things a lot easier. Your an inspiration to all us trikers, keep safe and happy, Malcolm in Yorkshire England.