totolostnoz
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| Posted: 13 January 2010 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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Hi. I am new to the recumbent world and looking at one for sale in Eldorado KS someone there builds. I live outside of Ponca City, OK. Can anyone tell me, do there seem to be problems with those built by individuals or which is a good brand to buy? I am interested in new or used, as long as I get one that won't have lots of problems. What is a decent price range? Thank you for any advice you give. totolostnoz@hotmail.com
Edited by totolostnoz on 19 January 2010 at 12:14pm
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Dorothy
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RAFH1
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| Posted: 15 January 2010 at 11:28am | IP Logged
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Hoo boy, lots of questions.
Hard to say about custom built trikes. Some are fabulous, some are disasters. You'd have to look at it and take a ride on it and decide for yourself. Things I'd look for would be the welding quality, the quality of the components, is it in any way outlandish compared to commercially built trikes and if it is, does the builder have a rational explanation for why. During a ride, I'd check the steering: turning circle diameter, does it shimmy, is there much brake or pedal steer, is it self-centering, does it pull one way or the other, are there hard spots in the steering, like it's hanging up on something. Also look at the wear pattern on the tires. I'd check the brakes, do they stop you. A good initial test is will they lock up the wheels with the rider aboard and skid if pulled hard enough? I'd check that before I actually tried to check them dynamically. A trike that won't stop is a really painful thing. Again, will it stop with either brake applied without pulling hard to one side or the other. Are both brakes roughly equal. Is the drive line relatively quiet? Look at the chain and sprockets for wear and tear.
Is it comfortable for you? Can you adjust it? Is the gearing suitable for your usage and fitness level? Does it roll well? Are there rattles, squeaks, groans, etc when riding it? How heavy is it? Is it fun? Does it make you grin like a kid eating pies? How long does the grin last?
The above would also apply to any commercial trike.
As to those, most are pretty good. Companies that make lemon trikes don't last very long as it's a real niche market and most are small concerns. They don't do it to make money, though that's a consideration, they do it because they like to make trikes. Any of the usual firms are good: Catrike, Terratrike, Trice, Greenspeed, etc. Of course, the better trikes with the better reputations generally cost more and for the most part you get what you pay for. Typically, new trikes with stock components run from $1000 to $4000 or more. If you aren't sure about whether or not you are a 'trikester' you may want to go for one of the lower cost models. An alternative to the higher priced trikes are the mail-order models, but these generally come with very limited support, so I recommend them only to those who can and will do their own maintenance. There are also used trikes, though trikes tend to hold their value well. Still you could save maybe 15% to 25%.
A couple of issues you might want to get settled in your mind first: delta or tadpole? Either are OK, but they are different. indirect or direct steering? Again, either is OK, but they are different. Mesh seat or hard shell? Either may be OK but they are quite different. Once you settle those issues, if you can, that will limit your search some and inform you as to where and what to look for.
Have fun and if you have questions, ask away.
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RTR Message Board : Recumbent Trike
Topic: recumbent trike
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