Kryten41

Hello all,
I am toying with the idea of trying a recumbent trike. I came across "Slingshot by South Coast Cruzers" online, but can't find any reviews. I live in flat country, and would just be riding around my neighborhood. Do any of you know anything about these trikes? They look WAY cool.
Thanks.

BlazingPedals

It's a quarter mile from my house to my mailbox and back. I would not want to ride one of those to check my mail. It'd be too much work. OTOH, if you just want it because it looks cool, go ahead!

JanMM

Website doesn't list weight but indeed probably heavy. Wheels are aluminum but probably heavy too, in combination with the fat tires. But, might be just the ticket for riding around a flat neighborhood. Maybe. One- or three speed coaster hubs should be simple to operate.
A test ride should be mandatory with something like this "Slingshot".

VegasTriker

Save your money and avoid this beast. $589 for a single speed model and $717 for a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub. You can often find an adequate (heavy but with decent gearing) used Sun trike for the same amount of money and get one that is far more suitable. It's the most common trike that I see on my local Craigslist. There is a Sun EZ-3 trike there today for $500 https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/...607351535.html It's an example of what you might find in your area. Trike weighs 56 pounds and has 21 speeds

Kryten41

Thanks for the advice. There aren't a lot of recumbents where I live, so trying one before I buy probably isn't an option unless I find one on craigslist. I didn't know if a lot of gears would be needed for riding around a flat residential neighborhood or not -- my single speed beach cruiser does fine except when riding against the wind. I hoped the rear wheel drive would make the Slingshot better than a Mobo, but perhaps not.

BlazingPedals

Typical for trikes like that one is only having one wheel driven. So not only is the trike heavy due to cheap construction, its inefficient due to the drive being applied significantly off-center (like carrying a bucket of water in an outstretched arm.)

Cargo Guy

I have owned many recumbent trikes in the last 20 years, including a 4 wheeled recumbent. I will say that the Slingshot by SouthCoastCruisers is the lowest maintenance recumbent trike you can buy. Basically, in 2 minutes one can easily reset/adjust the Sturmey Archer 3 speed internal hub and that is why I bought a Trailmate Lowrider. For me, I was enjoying cruising around my neighborhood and just needing the trike to be ready to ride when I wanted to jump on it and go. The Slingshot is really a copy of the Trailmate Lowrider, except it has improved on the design with the plush seat and less bulk/weight in the frame. Also the Slingshot will ride straighter and truer than the Trailmate because of improvements made to the front end of the frame. In my experience, the weight was not a problem, or the fact there is only 1-wheel driving the trike, even on steep hills (I live in Passaic New Jersey and it has a lot of steep hills). The height of the seat is a joy and this type of bike really puts the feet in touch with the drive-train because it is mild steel and more rigid. When you move the pedals, there is no give or bending of the frame or the components, unlike most trikes where there are chain tubes (yuk! I have had many trikes with idlers and chain tubes that caused friction on the train and sucked torque out of my pedaling. It was like I was waiting that split second for the bike to get moving, and I could feel the obstacles in the drive train through my legs and feet). I just enjoy the ride better when I touch the pedal and the bike just goes. Also I prefer the 2 wheels in the rear, not in the front, because it feels like my weight is nicely supported by two wheels supporting my weight. And yes, it looks really cool and that does matter. Make sure you check out people's reviews, print out the reviews and give them to the assembler so he can address the many issues properly. All in all, once assembled, this bike will hold up better than many trikes and cost a lot less. And it's a powerful feeling, for me anyway, to be moving a weighty, substantial vehicle, even though it's a bike. Most recumbent enthusiasts will disagree, but most have never owned this type of recumbent, and most of them also have different needs than perhaps you or I. In the end, this is the lowest maintenance recumbent you can buy and it is a lot of fun. I say go for it. By the way, I have owned: Catrike Pocket, Terra-Trike Quad with differential which I used to pick up my kids from school $3,000), organic engines SUV $2,000, 3 different KMX carts for me and my kids, a Triton, and a Trailmate Lowrider.

shoalster321

Weight isn't a factor if you re just cruising the hood. As long as you get there in comfort is what counts. I own a 3 speed Trailmate Joyrider recumbent trike and love it.