Originally Posted by
RamAlaRag
Hi all,
After being off the bike for too long, I have been getting back in the rhythm of it and putting down some miles... I've been doing a lot of gravel/trail/logging road riding on an upright with 32c tires. I have been getting more and more interested in trikes and quads, and have been considering the idea recently. I don't expect to be doing any single track type stuff, but hard pack dirt, large gravel, small gravel, pavement and light touring would all be on the menu of riding. I'm space limited, so I have to keep the stable to two bikes, my plan is to sell my current bike, ride the trike/quad for most all of my riding, and fill in the gaps with something else (I expect an MTB or fat bike). During the winter I am in Idaho, with a couple months of possible snow.
Standard advice about RIDE EVERYTHING. Get a feel for the bike. Look at Craigslist to see if you find something "close to what you want, but the great price." Recumbents a few years often are bought for about 50% list price.
I initially fell in love with the ICE trike. Everything about it on paper looked great. Went for a test ride, and oh my it was twitchy. In a way, it was a Ferrari with lightning fast responses. I needed something a little more stable and tracked straight.
I ended up with Catrike Dumont. I don't care about folding it, as it is a pain to fold. It has a rear shock, and front wheels have rubber bumps. Our local roads are chip seal (tar put down, then gravel that embedded into the tar). Horrible surface, but that suspension helps soak up the bumps.
406mm front (20" BMX size) 559rear (26" tire) I feel are a tad small, but gives you options for gravel riding.
Light touring. I'm tempted to add the Bosch Generator hubs for lighting.
The Catrike Dumont weighs in at 45 pounds but has decent gearing for climbing.
Regardless of what you buy, get in a few test drives to make sure you like it and how in handles. I need both hands to hold a water bottle. Hence the Catrike is a bit more stable for my use model.