HellBent wrote:Thanks for the link to your thread, cheesewheel, it brought to my attention a lot of trikes I didn't know existed and more things to consider- not sure that's a good thing.shock: :)Also cheers for the seat adjustment aspects.
Can I ask what trike you opted for or have decided on?
It seems to me there are a few major considerations that I should really take into account such as frame material, brake set up and seat adjustment (because of my back) but other than those three issues, most trikes seem to be fairly reliable around the $3000 mark. I'm not finding any "don't go near that one" or "worst trike ever" comments.
Are there any lemons I should be warned of?
I was lucky enough to score a second hand trike from one our fellow BNA'ers (ice trike).
Before I got it, I managed to test ride a greenspeed from a LBS. The experience made me realize I would appreciate a trike with suspension ... which also might be another plus you might want to consider for the sake of your back.
(others have mentioned how the vibration caused by zooming
The only thing I would change if I had my time again would be to opt for disc brakes (since the drum brakes don't have such great stopping power ... more of an issue if you are going down hill with a bit of touring weight).
I also custom made a flag (made from a regular bike flag pole and a balinese flag) since the puny one that came with it didn't really allay my safety concerns .. although to be fair, I have never really had any cause to be concerned (despite being slightly wider and lower to the ground than what is afforded by a regular bicycle). It seems that motorists offer you a wider berth on account of a recumbent trike rider distinguishing themselves as a "god damn crazy cyclist" as opposed to just a regular "crazy cyclist" .. although to be fair, I have never ridden one through the heart of someplace like Sydney (nor do I plan to)
Here is a link which might help you locate someone nearby who has a recumbent they may let you test ride
http://www.recumbent-world.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Even if you test ride a two wheel recumbent you will get a feel for how your back will handle the general set up.
btw mirrors (one for each side) are an absolute necessity . Even though I have mirrors on every bike I ride, I find that the set up of the trike grants the most effective awareness of my 360 degree environment.
the other thing is that its probably wise to include mudguards since the geometry of most models means the tyres will throw whatever is on the road up in your face and/or all over your hands and arms
The only other consideration is that due to the reclining position you cop a face full of sun. Unless you are a fan of sunscreen, growing a beard , wearing a cap with flaps you can wrap around in an almost burqua'esque manner and/or wearing a nose cone (little thing that hangs off your sunglasses to cover your nose) seems to solve the problem
The other good thing about recumbents is that most of them have ample space to sling a water bladder behind the seat so you c an always travel with plenty of fuel in the tank. There are a range of products to do the trick - with a bit of ingenuity the insulated camelbak pouch does the trick nicely for probably the cheapest.
If after umming and aaahing and doing whatever test riding you can, you finally get your heart set on a model you want, it might be worth your while, after communicating with them and doing your order, to fly in to where ever the closest distributor is and start your tour of australia from there
Flying furniture (canberra) is reputable and probably the widely ranged stocked retailer of the nation
