350kitty
10-21-2007, 10:14 PM
Hi folks!!!
I never learned to ride a bike, and now with a ten year back problem, I can't risk it: one bad fall would cause me tremendous problems.
Recently I heard about tricycles for adults - specifically recumbent tricycles - a friend who loves to bike for hours on end and used to work for a bike shop recommended a recumbent trike one for its ergonomics. They are so stable I could just get in one and go. I love the idea - and I need the exercise!
No bike shop in the SF Bay Area seems to carry one - I even called a couple of big ones in SF and Berkeley, and no one knew of any other bike shop that might. However I do see lots of them online.
Has anyone or anyone you know in the northbay bought one? Is there any chance I could try it out? I live in Santa Rosa, and occasionally pass thru Marin, SF and Berkeley. Otherwise I might have to go all the way to Santa Cruz, to where one of the manufacturers are, which is pretty out of the way for me.
Here's more info if you are interested.
Here's probably the least expensive recumbent trike that folds! Prices start at 1595 (for the smallest one):
https://www.jmrecumbents.com<wbr>/indexenglish.htm (https://www.jmrecumbents.com/indexenglish.htm)
In case you're curious, this is a good basic intro to the two different types: "tadpole" (two wheels in front) which are better for racing and "delta" (two wheels in back) which are higher and easier to get in and out of. I think the delta is the one I'm looking for: higher/easier to get in and out of, more maneuverable at lower speeds, and less expensive than the racer trikes.
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/trikes/recumbent<wbr>-trikes.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/recumbent-trikes.htm)
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/recumbent_faqs.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/recumbent_faqs.htm)
I've only begun my research, but a quick search turned up one that retails for about $800, billed as the least expensive recumbent bike (not true - see actionbent.com), and at 65 lbs also the heaviest:
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez<wbr>-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm)
Here's a review of the EZ3:
https://www.easyracers.com/BROL_EZ3.htm
eBay of course has a few that are cheaper - only $359, but it's the Triton Pro, which only has a single gear, which would be bad for going uphill.
Here's a nice review of a Greeenspeed GT3 which also folds up for easy transport but the price is a hefty 2700+:
https://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/greenspeed_gt3.htm
A good picture:
https://www.greenspeed.com.au/gt3.html
Thanks for any help!!!
I never learned to ride a bike, and now with a ten year back problem, I can't risk it: one bad fall would cause me tremendous problems.
Recently I heard about tricycles for adults - specifically recumbent tricycles - a friend who loves to bike for hours on end and used to work for a bike shop recommended a recumbent trike one for its ergonomics. They are so stable I could just get in one and go. I love the idea - and I need the exercise!
No bike shop in the SF Bay Area seems to carry one - I even called a couple of big ones in SF and Berkeley, and no one knew of any other bike shop that might. However I do see lots of them online.
Has anyone or anyone you know in the northbay bought one? Is there any chance I could try it out? I live in Santa Rosa, and occasionally pass thru Marin, SF and Berkeley. Otherwise I might have to go all the way to Santa Cruz, to where one of the manufacturers are, which is pretty out of the way for me.
Here's more info if you are interested.
Here's probably the least expensive recumbent trike that folds! Prices start at 1595 (for the smallest one):
https://www.jmrecumbents.com<wbr>/indexenglish.htm (https://www.jmrecumbents.com/indexenglish.htm)
In case you're curious, this is a good basic intro to the two different types: "tadpole" (two wheels in front) which are better for racing and "delta" (two wheels in back) which are higher and easier to get in and out of. I think the delta is the one I'm looking for: higher/easier to get in and out of, more maneuverable at lower speeds, and less expensive than the racer trikes.
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/trikes/recumbent<wbr>-trikes.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/recumbent-trikes.htm)
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/recumbent_faqs.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/recumbent_faqs.htm)
I've only begun my research, but a quick search turned up one that retails for about $800, billed as the least expensive recumbent bike (not true - see actionbent.com), and at 65 lbs also the heaviest:
https://www.bicycleman.com<wbr>/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez<wbr>-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm (https://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/trikes/sun/sun-ez-3-USX-recumbent-trike.htm)
Here's a review of the EZ3:
https://www.easyracers.com/BROL_EZ3.htm
eBay of course has a few that are cheaper - only $359, but it's the Triton Pro, which only has a single gear, which would be bad for going uphill.
Here's a nice review of a Greeenspeed GT3 which also folds up for easy transport but the price is a hefty 2700+:
https://www.bentrideronline.com/reviews/greenspeed_gt3.htm
A good picture:
https://www.greenspeed.com.au/gt3.html
Thanks for any help!!!