Adult Tricycles, folding, powered, cheap and dear: tell me what you know

In My Humble Opinion
21

It’s also $2000, and doesn’t have the awesome cargo capacity of a conventional trike.

[QUOTE=scr4]
I’ve done 55 mph on a recumbent trike (downhill, obviously) with no handling proble,ms at all.
[/QUOTE]

We’re not talking about recumbents here. I’ve never ridden a conventional adult trike at high speeds, nor do I intend to. My only experience is at low speeds, and plan on keeping it that way.

On the other hand, I noticed a woman cruising around town today on a trike (the foldable type) and she cruised down the freeway undercrossing with no problem at all (albeit, very slowly). I didn’t see her making the climb out. I’m of the habit of hitting the fastest speed I can muster so to make the climb easier, and this is not sensible on a conventional trike.

Here’s an irrelevant video on the stability of 3 wheel ( one steering wheel) cars. They pretty much banned 3 wheel ATC’s due to the inherent danger.

22

You guys have really screwed me up now! Too. Many. Choices.

But actually, I’m getting kind of attached to the idea of one of these. Sorta perfect, if I can find a really good basket/carry… that’s still the sticky. Little bike baskets aren’t all that much better than my arms or a backpack, that’s the big advantage of trikes for local errands.

But it’s going to be a real investment for me, I don’t want to make a decision for today that fustrates me in 6 months:
[ul]
[li] A: Get a trike for the stability and carrying capability now, but in six months when I am slimmer, stronger, and I have had to deal the limits of not being able to combine it with other vehicles: grr.[/li][li] B:Get a more flexible and versatile 2-wheel comfort bike now,but be frustrated with how little I can actually tote on it after months of dealing.[/li][/ul]
So what I really want is the Day 6 with some really good option for occasionally needing to carry something significant, a bike trailer.

And now that I think about it, that seems like the absolutely perfect solution… especially since I found these! My only other nagging issue about giving up my car was giving up being able to carry my dog. No more! Get a good pet trailer and it can double, being a great cargo area. Hey, it could even turn my dog into an extra safety measure.

My original budget thoughts were about $800 for everything, but I think I’d be smarter to invest up front in getting whatever equipment I need, in good quality, than to try and cut corners. After all, the savings over a car, even with bus fares and maintenance, will far outstrip whatever I invest up front, right? Not to mention the ancillary benefit of my health. I think it will probably run closer to $1200 when all is said and done. (Are there any bikes that are built like those Day 6 bikes a little less expensively?)

Thanks, everyone, your input has been very helpful in shaping my decisions. When I take the plunge I’ll post pictures of my rig.

Gotta sell my car first, though…

23

Congratulations, I think you made a good choice. One more thing to consider is the weather. When you ride a bike you either make your own wind or add to wind already blowing at you. Plus there’s rain and cold to consider if your bike is to be your main mode of transportation. You’ll need breatheable rain gear when it’s wet and to dress in layers when it’s cold. There’s a young female lawyer in Chicago who rides her bike to work all year round, even in snow, and her site has lots of good info. It’s at letsgorideabike.com. It would also be a good idea to read up on how to brake and ride on wet pavement and deal with road hazards like railroad tracks and white road stripes when they’re wet (slippery). Might seem like a lot now but it really isn’t. Just take your time and learn as you go. Good luck and happy riding.

24

Aw, hunny, doncha know, I’m a Cali girl… we don’t have what you people know as “weather”. I’m aces between 60 and 90, and since LA rarely gets outside that range, I’m not too concerned. Especially about cold: it might change if I take off a whole lot more weight, but being varying degrees of obese I welcome the wind and cold if I’m making the effort of pedaling around town: there’s a reason sea mammals are fat. It’s the heat that will require my attention; even walking in warm weather I suit up with stuff like this. Frozen. Wrap my head, neck, wear the vest, stuff my bra… and depending on the weather and my effort, you’d be amazed how fast it all melts and gets warm!

That’s really the only thing I’ve ever disliked about exercise: being hot. HATE it. Which is why I love to swim. But if I have enough “keep cool” stuff, I’m good.

25

Great! No worries then. :slight_smile: