helijohn

So I was on my Tiger that I love so much, came to a stop in the backyard and dropped off.
I thought at my age this is not good. As a consequence I thought about something I would never have considered even up to a month ago.............buy a tricycle. This became a good idea especially as I needed some occupational therapy while in lockdown so I bought a kit just to keep me busy.
This went together well and when I finally completed it I tried it out and loved it but so did my partner who then said she wanted one. So I built another but this build had a few complications. Nonetheless when I tried it I loved it too.

They are not 100% complete but are certainly getting there.
For one thing the muds are not fitted and I doubt the baskets will be.

Moe Zhoost

Nice. I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

helijohn

Thanks.
​​​​​​​I like that I can stop and still remain comfy. I like that there is less traffic too especially with a wide bike under me.

osco53

This is my Trike. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My Trike is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
Without me, my Trike is useless. Without my Trike, I am useless.


My Jeep

osco53

I'm a rider who loves the work.

This Is my Gravel grinder I do lots of long 12 to 13% grades

helijohn

I like the tyres - I always swap out the factory ones for some beefy MTBs.
What does the tread on these look like?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vandorm-S...r=601149258468

Morg33

Never had a Trike, but this one looks very nice! I guess how good is to go around in woods with it...

Baldy1953

Bought my wife a Terra Trike Rover as she has some balance problems when starting and stopping. With the recumbent, those problems go away. She has had a smile on her face since she first sat on it and rode around the parking lot of the dealer. It is also a lot more stable than the ones you show as the center of gravity is much lower to the ground. I am sure you will enjoy the pleasure of riding the trikes.

The Rover is not extremely expensive, but is more than what you are riding.

osco53

The Maxxis Minion DHF 24x2.40 Foldable bead 120TPI 3C Maxx Terra Compound 3C/EXO/TR [Mountain] is on the Rat and I can climb better. I will do more testing but so far so good.
The Stock Smart Sam was 2.1 wide and after a month sitting at 65 psi when not out riding I got the Smart sam's up to 2.2 when let down to 17 psi.
The Maxxis on my 38mm I.D. rims was 2.6 wide at 65 psi and when let down to 17 psi was 2.4 wide and has not stretched out yet.
I suspect 2.5 wide at 17 psi in about a month.
This Tire Is Taller placing it farther up into the chain stays. Plenty of side clearance but a 2.8 wide would not work and the newer 2.6 wides if they stretch may get too close,
unless they are low profile...

osco53

Yep, I've already flipped mine over, helmet and gloves,, always
There Is a learning curve, my first flip was all my fault, I'm getting better at body leaning...

peterws

I was looking for a section on 3 wheelers, but there isn't one. I'll so used to the Gym Bikes now, it's taking time to adjust to the road machine, bumps and all. Particularly stood up, pulling from side to side; my ankles protesteth too much.
Just wondered if folk, having made the switch, are happy on the 3 wheeler and the changes it brings.

helijohn

I have not really had a chance to give it a try out but I can say I felt right at home on it from the get go. There was a moment as someone somewhere said that you have to get used to not leaning but after that it's like an armchair on legs compared to two wheels. We have one or two recumbents around here on the village roads and TBH they frighten me to death more than two wheel bikers do.

Baldy1953

helijohn , I don't know why the recumbents should scare you. Maybe the operator of the recumbent. They might have a false sense of security.

helijohn

Because they are so hard to spot being lower to the ground. One even has a flag on a pole which I assume is an attempt to be better seen in traffic.

VegasTriker

This is a common misconception about recumbent trikes. Most riders will tell you that they get far more room from passing cars than they do with a standard road bike. I ride a Catrike 700 which has a 25 degree seat angle so is about the most reclined of all the recumbent trikes. I do fly a flag and wear a helmet because that makes sense. If a vehicle driver can't see a 7 foot long trike with a rider who's head is about 36" off the ground, they need to trade in the vehicle for a white cane and a seeing eyed dog. I've been riding recumbent trikes since 2003 and only had one incident. That was on a 4 lane road with marked bike lanes on both sides. It was in the middle of a bright sunny Sunday morning with virtually no traffic. In fact, the car was the only one in sight and I could see him coming a long way off. I don't know if the driver was impaired on drugs or alcohol but he came right up behind me straddling the bike lane. It would not have made one iota difference had I been riding a regular bike. I wasn't hurt and there was minimal damage to the trike but it was very scary.

BlazingPedals

If drivers can see potholes, they can see recumbents.

osco53

Car drivers ? see Potholes ? when did they get that skill uploaded ? LoL

BlazingPedals

My only concern about being seen would be in an area with heavy traffic and cars parallel-parked along the road so as to block vision of what's coming. In that case it would be wise to ride as far to the left (US) of the lane as possible. Otherwise, well, drivers hit upright riders with some regularity; so I wouldn't say that height makes you more visible. If they're looking at all, they'll see you ; if they're not...