OHMO

..

Wildwood 

https://www.worksmancycles.com/#

Just keep in mind that single wheel forward is not the most stable if going more than 10mph.
Below, a more stable platform, but maybe a lesser grocery getter.

https://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toy...FZCVfgodFHII3Q

Or a Schwinn (not made in Chicago)
https://jet.com/product/26-Schwinn-M...9933fa699b2e6c

CliffordK

There are 3 basic types of trikes.

• Upright trikes... think of old Schwinns from the 70's.
  Still solid trikes, just be careful with racing them around corners.
  Mostly single speed, although a few 3 speed ones are available. More?
• Delta Recumbents
  2 rear wheels, one front wheel. Often somewhat taller than the Tadpoles. Somewhat of a traditional mix.
• Tadpole Recumbents
  2 front wheels, 1 rear wheel. These tend to be the lowest and thus most stable of the trikes.

The biggest issue that people tend to have with the Tadpoles is that they are so low, they can be difficult to get in and out of. The Deltas may be a little easier with that, although you would have the center portion to contend with, while you just walk out of a tadpole.

There are a few trikes on the used market to check out. Perhaps you could also talk to the owners. It is hard to find a good tadpole for < $1000, although a few do show up.

Upright:Delta:Tadpole:Personally, I like the Delta and Tadpole recumbents, but it is your choice, and they tend to be the most expensive. Keep your eyes peeled for good deals.

I don't like "tire kicking" on Craigslist, but you could talk to the sellers and see what they're like.

Note, you can't easily carry a backpack on a recumbent, so a rear rack or trailer is useful for carrying stuff.

CliffordK

I'm not sure how they would expect to sell an unassembled trike, so they may clean it up and put it together for you to try, even if you aren't sure you wish to buy it. Unless, of course, they took it apart to save space.

Cadillac

I can identify with you. I am 76 and had 2 heart attacks and now have a pacemaker. As well, I am 25 lbs overweight.

I have both a diamond Trek road bike and a Catrike.

This spring I injured my left leg, but I found that while I couldn't ride my Trek, I was comfortable on the recumbent Catrike.

I rode the Catrike 18 km (11 miles) about 3 times a week.

Now I am back on the Trek doing 32 km (20 miles) 3 times a week and projecting to increase it to my usual 50 km (30 miles).

The disclaimer is this:

1. Short rides will not reduce your weight.

2. With a trike, you need clipless pedals (and matching shoes) or else on bumps your foot can slide off the pedal. I know this from experience. I have clipless pedals on my Trek and used to have them on the Catrike, but I replaced them with standard pedals and toe clips so that my friends could take the Catrike for a spin. I hit a bump and hurt my ankle when my foot slipped off the pedal.

3. Recumbent trikes are low to the ground and for some people, it can be a struggle getting out of the seat.


4. Trike seats are usually just mesh and not so very comfortable. I added an ObusForme (TM) padded seat to mine for great comfort.

fietsbob

I have seen a couple recumbent trikes* with extra bars added to get yourself up and out of them,
and lower yourself down to thar low center of gravity seat.. tadpole , drive wheel in the back.
*they were Catrikes

The other trike style Delta , are only driving one wheel and are difficult to fit brakes on more than the front wheel
restricted to an $800 budget this is what you will find .
sunseeker* is a pretty long, semi recumbent for more than 1 gear
there is a countershaft .... cranks turn that
and another sprocket and chain loop drive the wheel drive axle.

in that category are the heavy basket between the back wheels trikes , and the quirky British Racing Tricycles..

* https://sunseeker.bike/index.php/prod...ri-classic-sx/





....

CliffordK

Trikes can have disc brakes, or perhaps drum brakes which can be part of the design. But the manufacturer has to pay attention to the design. Some of the uprights also have coaster brakes.

Delta trikes can put the discs on the axle in the middle, or at the wheel.

A great number of trikes only drive off of a single wheel, whether it is a dual rear wheel or a single rear wheel. It can be an issue for riding on gravel.

fietsbob

but many features, possible, push the cost past the target budget ceiling..

VegasTriker

About the only way you are going to keep the cost at $800 or below is to buy a non-recumbent adult trike (aka granny trike) of buy a used recumbent trike. The problem I see is that all of the adult trikes are heavy and inefficient. They have limited gear ranges and sometimes are just one speed. It's OK if you want to go short distances to and from the store but not for serious riding. You also mentioned having emphysema, being overweight, and out of shape. That's not a good combination for a very heavy trike with few gear selections. The $600 one on Craigslist at Potosi https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/d...639409326.html isn't a light trike (56#) but has a decent set of gears (21) so you can start out slowly and increase speed gradually. It is important to be able to get a comfortable cadence for all conditions and that requires more than one or three speeds. I'm well aware of the complications of having emphysema as my dad had it late in his life. I'd suggest clearing this with your primary care physician before starting out on an exercise regime. The Sun trike has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.

wsteve464

A bit more than your budget but very cool

https://www.trykit.com/

OHMO

Search is over.


Recumbents are not suitable for me because, as pointed out in the initial post, most of my riding will be "in town" - residential and retail/commercial streets. I think they are just too low to be seen by drivers on their phones or even being alert while driving. An upright might be missed, too, but it will give me a better view of what's coming and going around me. However, I do appreciate - and considered - all the information, links, opinions, etc, provided.


Seems I stumbled into the only bike shop in St Louis that had a trike of any ilk on the floor, assembled, and available to test ride. Sun Traditional 24" model. In budget & three speeds, too. Test ride was pretty taxing for me. The hill the shop sits on would have been difficult for me on foot, and the 1/4 distance I pedaled (nonstop back to the shop) had me huffing and puffing (note to self - remember to take inhaler next time.) Would not have even gotten started in a single speed trike. It fits in my Escape after handle bars and post are removed, so I know I can drive to the Katy trail once or twice a week for a real good workout.


So, again, thanks for the inputs.

CliffordK

Well, glad you found a bike you like.

I'm not sure about the complaints about recumbents. I think they are quite visible ahead of one on the road (although any bike could disappear in traffic). It is also common to use a flag, sometimes large flags.

Looking behind oneself is a pain, and good mirrors are common.

Wildwood 

Congrats.
Stick with us.
A few more posts and you can give us a pic on the Katy.
This group can be enabling.
Are you St. Charles?

Did you get one in celeste? An Italian racing color you know.

rydabent

IMO riding a trike in the city with all the stops and starts is the way to go.

MikeDD

You should check out www.electricbikereview.com. They review bikes, trikes and kits. There is also a forum for e-bikes.

JanMM

Fixed that for you.

Trsnrtr

OP has ended his search.

rydabent

Actually hanging you head down DOES NOT give you a better view. On a recumbent bike or trike you sit upright and have basically a 180 degree view. Add a rear view mirror that works better on a bent, the riders view is much better.

OHMO

ACTUALLY, (expletive deleted) you have NO idea what is best, or even good, for me. Nor is yours bigger than mine because you think you know more than me about me than I do. Jaysus, Go pretend to know more about someone else.

Siu Blue Wind

Welcome to Bike Forums! I'm really glad that you know what you want and I am very sorry that that what others offer for help is not what you needed - although it was nice for everyone to take the time out to try to help you with your inquiry.

When you get a chance, please review the forum guildelines that you agreed to when you signed up here. https://www.bikeforums.net/faq.php

tcs

Two wheels in front or back? Debated for 140+ years with no conclusion!

John E

I wouldn't say that at all. The stability argument in favor two wheels in front is overwhelming.

tcs

I'll just leave this here.

fietsbob

Hah, But it was racing a slalom course,

Trained dogs even miss gates in that type of trial.

BlazingPedals

Yep you can still tip a tadpole; it's just harder to do than tipping a delta. Narrow 'speed' oriented tads, of course, are the most susceptible kinds of tadpoles.