?? Tandem Recumbent ??
#1
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?? Tandem Recumbent ??
Does anybody have an idea about what bike this might be? I have the chance to buy it. The components seem OK, just wondering if anyone knows anything about it. Thanks for the help.
#2
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Maybe a Trident?
There aren't many manufacturers for tadpole tandem trikes. Greenspeed from Australia was one but the owner died and the company name has been taken over by Terratrike. It is not a GS tandem because the frame is much different. You can see a GS GTO tandem on CL https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...469973597.html It is pretty easy to spot a GS tandem as the mesh seats were nearly always bright yellow. This one seems to be priced reasonably but has been there nearly a month now. I own a single GS GTO trike and it is right up there with the best quality trikes.
Here is a picture of an older Trident Chameleon trike https://bicycleman.com/used-trident-chameleon-tandem/ that was sold recently by Bicycleman in Alfred NY for $2K. If like this one, the one you are looking at has the SRAM dual-drive in the rear, it predates 2015 when SRAM discontinued the hub. What makes me think your trike might be an older Trident is the frame coupler that is visible in the last picture. Trident uses at least two of them and perhaps four on their trikes. It's the silver thing in front of the derailleur in the picture.
Here is a picture of an older Trident Chameleon trike https://bicycleman.com/used-trident-chameleon-tandem/ that was sold recently by Bicycleman in Alfred NY for $2K. If like this one, the one you are looking at has the SRAM dual-drive in the rear, it predates 2015 when SRAM discontinued the hub. What makes me think your trike might be an older Trident is the frame coupler that is visible in the last picture. Trident uses at least two of them and perhaps four on their trikes. It's the silver thing in front of the derailleur in the picture.
#3
Junior Member
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Thanks, I have not seen any trikes with the wing shaped front beam like this one...
#4
Newbie
To me, it appears to be an old Organic Engines Troika tandem except that it has been modified to have all of the drivetrain on the right side. Look at this photo here: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...92a2ac9927.jpg
You can see the "wing" shape on the cruciform, as well as the two smaller tubes running down the top and all of the vertical supports between the upper and lower tubes.
You can see the "wing" shape on the cruciform, as well as the two smaller tubes running down the top and all of the vertical supports between the upper and lower tubes.
#5
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I would have to agree TennBent, thanks
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Yep. That's a 'Troika'. I've never seen one that wasn't Red. I'll want something like that someday, but for as long as I can still balance 'Big Red' we will risk the rare capsize. Best of luck with 'Blue Thunder'.
#7
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I like that "Blue Thunder"! I did end up buying it, will be taking it home this weekend (I bought it while working out of town). Hope my wife likes it. She rides a recumbent, but my son & I are road riders. This will be my first time on a recumbent. If she likes it, the bike will need a complete tear down and cleaning / lube. Depending on how she like riding it, I may have it powder coated. Will post some better pics when I get home...
#8
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Organic Engines went out of business in 2013 so proprietary parts are going to be hard to find and maybe non-existent. The good thing is that most wear parts are not proprietary. I own a vintage Haluzak Horizon and Bill Haluzak closed shop even before Organic Engines stopped production. The owner of Organic Engines had a real history of being unresponsive to customers near the end. Lots of complaints about him similar to what Windcheetah owners experienced (but maybe not quite that bad).
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Parts and all
Organic Engines went out of business in 2013 so proprietary parts are going to be hard to find and maybe non-existent. The good thing is that most wear parts are not proprietary. I own a vintage Haluzak Horizon and Bill Haluzak closed shop even before Organic Engines stopped production. The owner of Organic Engines had a real history of being unresponsive to customers near the end. Lots of complaints about him similar to what Windcheetah owners experienced (but maybe not quite that bad).
Blue Thunder has disks, so I doubt anything other than THE SEATS would be proprietary.
It is likely a powder coat finish. So if you have it repainted, consider the cost of removal. He sold quite a few seats separately as I recall. knowing him he still has the jig for bending the tubing.
Enjoy your rides!
No Whey