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First, let's get down to the basics...
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Recumbent Trikes ARE NOT...
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3-Wheeled motorcycle trikes. You need to go to a custom motorcycle shop or a Harley dealer for those. Sorry.
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Those upright, one-speed, "granny" trikes you see around mobile home parks and golf courses that max out at about 3 miles per hour. That mean old neighbor lady in the Wizard of Oz would feel young and vibrant again if only she'd get off that thing and onto a Recumbent trike! (...and Toto, too.)
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So, What ARE Recumbent Trikes, Then???
Recumbent trikes, especially the quality brands and models we sell at T. Ryx, are Human Powered Vehicles (HPV), intended for transporting the rider from point A to point B, with hopefully a lot of fun side trips, in COMFORT!!! Unlike two-wheeled "up-wrong" bicycles (as we 'bent riders call them) that keep you leaning forward in an awkward position, three-wheeled recumbent trikes allow you to lean back and see the world as you ride. They'll go virtually as fast as upwrong bikes (a little slower on long, steep uphills maybe), and they can handle any condition an upwrong bike can handle. There are even models specificlly designed for off-road riding! They're HEALTHY FOR YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT, and they "run on water" (and maybe an energy bar) so you SAVE ON GAS, too!!!
There are two basic styles of recumbent trikes: the Delta and the Tadpole, each named for the basic shape it represents. (I ride both styles, each for the benefits described below. - hoppy)
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DELTA
A Delta (Greek for triangle) trike has one wheel in the front and two in the back, forming the triangle. Normally, one rear wheel (the right wheel) drives the trike, unless a differential is added (providing for two drive wheels). Deltas tend to be longer wheel based and higher off the ground than the Tadpole style, but they'll virtually turn on their own wheelbase. These are the "sedans" and "luxury cars" of trikes, offering a lot of comfort while still providing the thrill of the ride. In fact, some models are designed for racing, and can outrun most bikes and tadpole trikes!
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TADPOLE
A Tadpole has two wheels in front and one drive wheel in back. The overall shape is wider in front, therefore, and narrow in back like a tadpole, and since the rider feels the urge to "squirm around", it can seem like a tadpole when riding. Tadpoles are lower to the ground, typically with the associated lower ground clearance, than Deltas, and are generally shorter wheel based. Because the trike frame is in the way and the steering linkage is in the way, tadpoles don't turn as sharply as deltas. But with a shorter wheelbase, they still have small turning radii. These are the "sports cars" of trikes, offering the feel of the road and the impression of a Formula One race car. They're still comfortable, but some riders prefer the lower center of gravity for the sportier feel.
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Are they comfortable?
Our recumbent trikes come equipped with extremely comfortable, breathable, mesh or foam-padded hard shell seats that feel like you're riding on furniture, unlike the "thong" you sit on when you ride an "up-wrong" bike. You don't get the traditional wedgie and sore butt when you ride, and you're not curled over your bike frame like a pretzel! You literally lean back and enjoy the view!
Are they safe?
Yes, recumbent trikes are very safe to ride! With a couple of mirrors, you can see all around without craning your neck and twisting your back, and feel perfectly safe on the road. They're stable at speed and the three wheels keep you well balanced. (I sometimes have a balance problem when walking, but I don't have problems on a trike. - hoppy) And what's more, when you want to stop, you stop. You don't have to take your feet off the pedals to keep from falling over like you do on a bicycle. Take as much time as you want climbing the hills, ride as quickly or slowly as you feel like riding on the flats, or speed downhill, without the worry of wobbling into traffic! Many people have never seen a trike and will give you extra room, just to check you out or to be courteous! (Expect to be asked where you got your trike, and all kinds of other questions about it, wherever you go. - hoppy) But as with any other riding, you need to take all precautions. Most manufacturers include, or offer for purchase, a flag for their trikes when shipped. For extra precaution, you can install a second flag purchased through us from the manufacturer, buy a generic extra flag from us, or even get a custom flag! Some of our customers have custom flags and spinners that are not only very visable, but eye-catching in design! Always wear a helmet, wear bright clothing, and use lights and reflectors in low-light conditions, and obey all traffic laws on any bike or trike! You want to see and be seen.
So what's it gonna cost?
Our trikes range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. As with conventional "up-wrong" bicycles, prices can vary depending on the components and what custom accessoriess you add to your trike. A recumbent trike is a great investment for your health, for the environment, and for your wallet! (Have you noticed the price of gas nowadays? OPEC is taking another ruthless, insulting jab at us every time we drive to the pump in our gas powered vehicles! Even hybrids burn $3.00+ per-gallon gas. - hoppy)
Drop on by for a test ride! Although we cannot stock every single model from all of our manufacturers, we have a great line of trikes for you to choose from, or to test ride and get a good idea of what you like about each brand before ordering! We can order you anything our manufacturers make! If you have any questions, feel free to come on in, drop us an email, or give us a call at 760.741.0411.
Enjoy the ride!!!
- hoppy
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