New GS X5 trike owner

[mcarthur]

Hi,
Lucky ebay winner that I am (well, using 'buy now' rather than waiting helped ), I now have an X5. I've sporadically ridden a Rans VRex (soon to be FS) for a few years, more on than off, and wanted to change to a trike. Now I just need to outfit her - thanks to Fuse here in Canberra for helping - and get trikin'!

No pic cos of forum rules for people just joined.

Rob

[Kalgrm]

Welcome Rob.

Send me a PM of the URL of the photos and I'll add them for you.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Kalgrm]

Photos for Rob ....

[william]

Hi Rob,

The trike looks like new. Is it?
I never had that much interest in trikes until one followed me coming out of Geelong doing a pace of 45 Kph. I stopped at Werribee for water and he kept going.
It totally changed my perception of trikes. Now I have an interest in Velomobiles and Greenspeed's Glyde looks fantastic.

William.

[chuckchunder]

mate they are nice trikes, hope you have many many good kms

what are the additions you intend?

[Lloyd]

Thats a very tidy looking trike. What sort of speeds can you average on a 3 wheeler?

[Freddyflatfoot]

Yep! That X5 looks good!
GreenSpeed do make good trikes.
Weight is similar to my custom trike. I just did over 60 k's this morning and avg was 26.7 kph. Fast enough for you? Mind you, I wasn't working hard, I was just in cruise mode.
Of course it does depend on the 'engine' and the terrain you are riding in.
I'm sure other trike riders will chip in with their avg speeds as well.
For comparison, the trike is a bit slower than my two wheel bent, where my avg for the same circuit is around 27.5 -28.5.
Hope this helps!

[Lloyd]

26.7 kmh is very good and if I can reach that I would be happy. Still developing those new muscles!! At the moment I have no idea how fast im travelling. Went to fit my cycle computer but the cable wasnt long enough to reach the handle bars. Any recommendations for recumbent computers?

[Freddyflatfoot]

Lloyd, I have spliced extra wiring into my wired cycle computers to get them to fit. Pretty easy job if you are handy with a soldering iron.

[Lloyd]

Could give it a shot - I didnt think of that. Havent been able to find any info on computers with longer cables so far.

[mikeg]

The Echowell F2 with cadence has a long lead for reading speed off the back wheel on a DF bike

[Lloyd]

Thanks Mike, it looks pretty good and reasonably priced too. Do you use the F2 yourself?

[mcarthur]

The trike looks like new. Is it?

Not really. I believe the history is that it was used as a try-out trike at GS and lent out to try things on. I bought it on Ebay from S.A. where it had been used to tryout for a solid seat moulding for future GS (don't know anything more, including where there will be such a thing or not!). One dealer has said to me that they know the trike and it's a slightly lighter X5 than normal. Could be true

what are the additions you intend?

I'd like to add simple things like

• twin mirrors
• rack
• rear mudguard
• cadence on the 1606l
• pannier(s), for touring as well as commuting (if different?)
• possibly neck rest, but I'll need to ride her for a while to see
• another 2-3 chain links. The local shop sold me some of the gold connector links (have one already on it) but I think (?) I just need 3 normal links. Getting into top and bottom on the front chainring would be nice
• trailer
• clipless pedals & shoes to go with them (shoes or sandals?)

Some changes to make include:

• possibly schlumpf mountain drive (in my dreams )
• fix disc brakes to work better - they seem a bit un-sharp at the moment. I've never had disc's before but these feel different from what I've heard and read about

And one thing I don't think I'd like to remove - the recumbent (trike) grin

What sort of speeds can you average on a 3 wheeler?

Good question, but one I can't answer yet. Because of the chain length issue, I can't get into high on the front/low back. I peaked at about 35kph in middle front/near small rear (42 & 10 on the capreo). My recumbent bike is faster. I doubt whether, on average, I'd ever get the same. Trikes are just different though - you feel faster because you're closer to the ground and I'd agree that they're simply more fun; but I wouldn't try and win on one. Except in the hedgerows of England where you wouldn't see anything on either, I'd prefer touring on a trike I think. But for me it's all early days and it could just be that high of a new toy...

I just did over 60 k's this morning and avg was 26.7 kph.

Blimey, you've got a better engine than I do! Mine could easily lose 10-15% of weight and a large increase in power. Perhaps if I buy a Honda tatoo?

Rob

[mikeg]

Thanks Mike, it looks pretty good and reasonably priced too. Do you use the F2 yourself?

I use it on my flat-bar road bike. (I don't have a recumbent yet)