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High Riding Recumbent?

Old 06-08-14, 02:59 PM
  #1  
Aznman
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High Riding Recumbent?

Recumbents look interesting, but I do not like the fact that they are very low on the ground. Even with flags, I wouldn't feel safe.

Are there any high-riding recumbent trikes out there?
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Old 06-08-14, 03:28 PM
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Many, many. Google "high racer recumbent."
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Old 06-08-14, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by cplager
Many, many. Google "high racer recumbent."
Yes, but add the word 'trike' and almost all the hits go away. Combine the high center-of-gravity of a tall recumbent with the balance issues of a trike in a sharp turn and you run into some basic physics issues.
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Old 06-08-14, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by prathmann
Yes, but add the word 'trike' and almost all the hits go away. Combine the high center-of-gravity of a tall recumbent with the balance issues of a trike in a sharp turn and you run into some basic physics issues.
Crap. Sorry. I missed the word trike in the original post.

Delta trikes are generally taller than tadpole trikes, but still not quite tall.

I will tell you that most trike riders report getting more respect from cars than (DF) bikes because they are so unusual. Flags and lights go a long way, too.
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Old 06-08-14, 04:55 PM
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I have a Long Wheel Base two wheeled recumbent, and a Catrike recumbent trike and ride them both nearly daily. Last Friday I rode my trike to work for a change (I usually ride the two wheeler) and noticed that every car and truck that came by me, with the exception of one gave me at least a half a lane of space when they went by. By far, much further away then they pass when I'm on the two wheeler. Now the trike was running a flashing taillight and the regular flags and stuff, but there was a NOTICEABLE difference in the amount of space they allowed me. So cplanger is right on that score. By the way, I ride a Catrike Villager trike, customized by Utah Trikes, they call it an Annihilator and it sets up a good ways from the road and is pretty easy to see with the 24" front wheels and a tall seating arrangement.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
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Old 06-08-14, 05:51 PM
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I ride both a Stratus and a Cruiser trike. As I have posted many times 99%+ I get a really wide berth by traffic when on the trike. Bents are noticed, and trikes REALLY noticed.
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Old 06-08-14, 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Aznman
Recumbents look interesting, but I do not like the fact that they are very low on the ground. Even with flags, I wouldn't feel safe.

Are there any high-riding recumbent trikes out there?
Not all recumbents are trikes, ya know. In the trike world, delta trikes tend to be taller than tadpoles. Greenspeed, Hase, Kettwiesel, and Sun make delta trikes. Personally, I think worries about height are unfounded. The only time height might be an issue is in a parking lot or a narrow street with lots of parallel-parked cars blocking views.
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Old 06-09-14, 08:28 PM
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This is from a Bike/trike shop in Iowa. It is a good starting point about generalizations, and also represents the trikes he sells. There are other manufacturers not listed.

Connecticut Yankee Pedaller, Inc.
906 Court Ave., Chariton, IA 50049 * 641-774-5557 * https://cypBikes.com/CYP_Recumbent_Trikes.html
In an effort to help folks ferret through the many Trikes we stock, we have (using both data and our opinion) made categories
that should help narrow down the choices more quickly. This is not foolproof- let us know what changes need to be made!
Trike Categories
Fast Trikes (High Gears):
Catrike 700 115
ICE Vortex 122
TerraTrike Sportster 118
ICE Sprint 26 117
Catrike Expedition 112
Inexpensive Price:
Sun EZ Tri-Classic SX $949
TerraTrike Rover 8 $999
KMX Typhoon $1199
TerraTrike Tour II $1399
TerraTrike Rambler 8 $1399
Sun EZ-3 Tad $1399
KMX Viper $1399
KMX Typhoon $1199
High Weight Capacity:
Greenspeed Magnum 400
TerraTrike Rover 400
Sun USX-HD 400
ICE Adventure HD 325
Light Weight:
Catrike Pocket 29
TerraTrike Sportster SL 30
ICE Vortex 32
Catrike 700 33
Folding:
ICE Adventure
ICE Sprint
Greenspeed GT1
Greenspeed GT3
Greenspeed Magnum
Short Rider X-Seam:
KMX K-3 25
Sun T3 CX 29
Sun X3 AX 31
Sun EZ TriClass. 32
Catrike Pocket ??
Long Rider X-Seam
Domestic (USA) Production:
Catrike (All Models)
TerraTrike Sportster
High Seat Entry- Easy On/Off:
Sun EZ TriClassic 22
Sun X3 AX 20
Sun X3 SX
Sun EZ-3 USX HD 18
TerraTrike Rover 16.5
TerraTrike Rambler 15
TerraTrike Sportster 14
Sun EZ-3 Tad 14
Catrike Villager 12.5
Comfort-built Trikes (with
shocks):
Catrike Road
ICE Adventure RS
ICE Adventure FS
ICE Sprint RS
ICE Sprint FS
Comfort- Wide Seat:
ICE Adventure HD
Multiple-Rider Trikes (quick
boom/seat x-seam change):
Catrike Villager
Catrike Trail
Catrike Expedition
Catrike 700
Catrike Road
ICE Adventure (all models)
ICE Sprint (all models)
Recreational Trikes:
Catrike Villager
Catrike Trail
Catrike Pocket
TerraTrike Rover
TerraTrike Rambler
TerraTrike Tour II
Greenspeed Anura
Greenspeed GT Series
Sun Eurus 3 UAX
ICE Sprint
KMX Typhoon
Many others
Rugged Trikes:
KMX Cobra
ICE Adventure HD
Long-Trip Trikes (room for lots
of gear):
Catrike Expedition
ICE Adventure
Cool Looking Trikes:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Upright Trikes:
Sun Traditional Trike
Motorized Trikes:
All Models- Either Front or Rear
Wheel conversion.
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Old 06-10-14, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by tpy2010
This is from a Bike/trike shop in Iowa. It is a good starting point about generalizations, and also represents the trikes he sells. There are other manufacturers not listed.

Connecticut Yankee Pedaller, Inc.
906 Court Ave., Chariton, IA 50049 * 641-774-5557 * https://cypBikes.com/CYP_Recumbent_Trikes.html
In an effort to help folks ferret through the many Trikes we stock, we have (using both data and our opinion) made categories
that should help narrow down the choices more quickly. This is not foolproof- let us know what changes need to be made!
Trike Categories

Snip...



.
I'd note that the Magnum has a highly adjustible seat both hight and recline.
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Old 06-10-14, 12:41 PM
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If you happen to be from AZ (just a guess from your handle) the following shops carry recumbent trikes.

Sun Cycles, Phoenix, AZ (stock Bacchetta, Catrike, Terratrike)

Ajo Bikes, Tucson, AZ (stock many brands)

You are going to probably get sticker shock as the better trike brands like Catrike, Greenspeed, ICE, HP Velotechnic, and Ketterweisel are pretty expensive. The entry level brands/models tend to be very heavy and have limited gear ranges. I have yet to meet an owner of any of the above brands who wished he had bought a different brand trikes. They handle exceptionally well and are noted for their durability.
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Old 06-10-14, 03:01 PM
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Some with 2 26" wheels will be right up there ..
Center for Appropriate Transport » 455 W 1st Ave. Eugene, OR 97401 used to make a 2 26" long wheel base over seat steered (long handlebar, to swing the front wheel )
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Old 06-10-14, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Aznman
Recumbents look interesting, but I do not like the fact that they are very low on the ground. Even with flags, I wouldn't feel safe.

Are there any high-riding recumbent trikes out there?
As others have said, a higher trike will tend to be less stable. In general, a trike tall enough to be "visible" would be a tippy, unstable beast. However, I know of one that is not:
The Stites Chameleon: Velo Vision::Stites lean-steer urban recumbent trike goes into production and Velo Vision::Two new trikes also at Stites Design | Bikes, Trikes, Tricycle, Transport, Electric, Cargo, Portland
but I think it's been a long time since Bill built one.

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