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First time Trike buyer

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:38 pm
by moogie
Hi all,

I am going to purchasing my very first Trike for commuting to work. I have my eyes on a second hand recumbent GTR and since i am new to the recumbent trike scene I would like to ask some questions about what to look (out?) for in a second hand trike.

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larger images can be found at: http://www.jpegbay.com/gallery/000541318-.html#I1

The current owner is unsure as to the actual age of the trike and am wondering whether you can give me a likely age range of the frame.

Is there any areas I should be critically investigate when purchasing a second hand trike, especially one with unknown age? i.e. how many kms between drum brake shoe replacement, idler cogs, etc…

The current owner has stated that it is an 81 gear version, and has an internal 3 gear hub. He also indicates that the drive train (apart from the geared hub ) has been recently replaced and the tyres are near new Shwalbe Marathons. He also has stated that he has done about 500km since he got it second hand himself. He replaced the brake shoes when he bought the trike so depending on the expected shoe life time it may be up for replacement. The internal hub is my largest worry as I do not know how much duty beyond the current owner it has seen… what is the expected lifetime of the 3 gear hub?

Are you able to tell from the pictures what frame size it is? I am unable to see it in person as the owner is in another state to my own… I have recently test ridden a GT1 ][ with a standard size frame and as such I believe I would also need this GTR to be standard size.

Thank you for any assistance you would be able to give me :)

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 5:32 pm
by chuckchunder
hi moogie

i would suggest your best way of finding out the age of the trike is to call greenspeed with the frame number - the frame number is on a plate on the underside of the frame, it's really obvious when you look underneath.

As far as I know the GTR frames were all the same size unless you wanted it built differently. again, greenspeed may well be able to help. give them a call, they are very helpful.

You may be able to size the frame by asking the owner for their inseam measurement and comparing it to your own, there is a fairly large range of adjustment.

Idler cog - i've got 50,000+km out of one
Drum brake shoes - my trike had different brand drums, but i got 10-15,000km out of brake shoes.
Schwalbe Marathons - have given me around 7000km of life
Kingpin bushes - i get roughly 25,000km out of the bushes
3x8 hub - changed mine for a Rohloff after 15,000km so don't know beyond that.

what state is the trike in? someone here might be willing to take a look for you.....

reckon it would be worth posting your questions on bentrider.com too.

hope that helps a bit

cheers

glen

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:47 pm
by moogie
Thanks Glenn that is really helpful!

The Trike is located in ningi, Queensland, Australia

I will ask the owner for the frame number and give greenspeed a call as you suggest.

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:54 pm
by moogie
an update:

I have purchased the trike and am quite happy with it, the low gears are perfect for the nasty hill on my commute to and from work :)

I believe that it does need a servicing however as the brakes seem to grab, which at low speed make the trike wobble and the selection of low gears on the rear sprocket is a bit hit and miss as the gear selection setting seem to be slightly out of synch with the derailleur.

I do not have the skills for a major service and would like any recommendations for a bicycle store that is familiar with recumbent trike servicing? I live in SA, Adelaide. Northern suburb store would be preferable.

thanks!

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:01 pm
by chuckchunder
Hi Moogie

good one!

Can't help you with a bike shop, I live in Perth.

If you are able, when you get these things adjusted see if you can get the shop to show you how. It is better to be able to sought these things out yourself, and if shown the right way, not excessively difficult.

cheers

glen

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 10:35 pm
by Storm
HEY moogie, I dont have a trike but I do live in the northern suburbs (E Vale), Im waiting on a Performer LowRacer to arrive in the next few days, if you want to go for a ride let me know.

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 10:42 pm
by }SkOrPn--7
moogie glad you have found something that takes your fancy and apart from a few issues your having. If you didn't live north I would come and service it for you and teach you as I go for free but give this link a try to get started and if you have any problems hit me up a PM and I will give you my number so I can help walk you through things.

Look through the videos and find the derailleur set-up and see how you go.

http://bicycletutor.com/

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:19 pm
by moogie
}SkOrPn--7: Thanks for the link, will have a squiz :) I have sent a PM also.

Storm: My wife and I have a young infant (2 1/2 months) and during the pregnancy I stopped biking to work and only now I have been able to get 20 or 30 mins a night to start to get my stamina and muscles back up to a point so i can begin commuting again. I am not sure whether i am ready for a reasonable ride just yet :) Thanks for the offer for a ride, I will keep it in my mind for the future when i am fit again :)

Re: First time Trike buyer

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 8:57 am
by Storm
Congratulations!

Let me know if your keen, I'm no athlete so it would be very casual.