Posted: 24 January 2010 at 3:43pm | IP Logged

I'm a new member, but an old guy.

I've been riding recumbent bikes for about ten years and have several, mostly Bacchettas, but one Rans Screamer.

Just bought a TerraTrike Sport Elite.  VERY happy with it!

The only thing that I have noticed, after a few rides, is that the idlers are fairly noisy.    Seems like a bike that costs $2,500 should have very good idlers.  I understand that TerraCycle offers some replacement idlers, but they are expensive.  The dilemma is: ride a noisy bike or spend more money.

After reading 16 pages on this site, plus dozens on other sites, I have pretty much decided that the 3x20 format is satisfactory.

I have put an additional pad on the seat part of my trike because the frame was rubbing my upper thighs.  Other than that, and a few adjustments, I think that this excellent trike is ready to go safely in snow, ice, and bad roads in Colorado.

I use an old Camel Back pack hung over the back seat to carry my tools and spare tube.  Might put a rack on the back, but am concerned about minimizing the overall weight.

Anyone have any constructive comments?  Thanks for reading my post.

Posted: 25 January 2010 at 7:14am | IP Logged

Hi CR, Idler noise. If they are the standard idlers, they'll be noisiest when new as they are smooth where the chain runs. After a while, the idlers wear and give a toothed effect, a bit quieter. As long as they don't cause drag, the noise isn't a major problem.

A rack won't add much weight, specially the alu ones that mount on the rear fork rather than the MTB/suspension ones. If you're not going to carry much, a pack that fixes to the seat framing might be just as good. It would center any weight and get it a bit lower than a rack.

Happy triking,

Mike Savage

South West Cork