Trike recommendations

[Hawthy]

Hi all. My first post.

My wife and I retired three years ago. She learned to ride a bike at age 65 - plenty of spills but kept getting up, so well done to her! Lots of short trips on the bikeway between Coolangatta and Burleigh.

Since then, she has had a cancer diagnosis (her third), chemotherapy, etc. and had two broken wrists unrelated to cycling. Diagnosed with osteopenia, which is low grade osteoporosis. Her bones are somewhat brittle so she wants to get off the bicycle and on to a more stable vehicle like a tricycle.

My question then is, does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably good but well-priced trike for just cruising the beachfront paths it will need to be foldable for transport purposes.

Many thanks.

[LateStarter]

I assume you refer to a more "up-right" trike rather than a Recumbent type, both can have three wheels though.

This discussion is more the recumbent end of the spectrum although shops for these types would cater to both

viewtopic.php?t=108387

There might be more in the "Recumbent" sub-forum

PS Post NDIS there are more trikes around these days so not as difficult as previously but still a bit niche

[recumbenteer]

My question then is, does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably good but well-priced trike for just cruising the beachfront paths it will need to be foldable for transport purposes.

Many thanks.

My recommendation would be to get in contact with Trisled. They are based in Morwell Vic., they may have something that is foldable.
They carry a few different brands. They are also good with modifications/personalising if you want something specific to your needs.


www.trisled.com.au

[zebee]

I don't think there are any upright adult trikes that fold. Gomier and Gomier copies are about all there are and they don't fold.

Recumbent trikes can and a Greenspeed Magnum has adjustable seat height and angle so someone who doesn't have a lot of mobility can get in and out. And they fold. Bad news is that you are not paying Gomier prices. You will be looking at minimum $5500 to buy one.

Trikes are rare and rare things don't get economies of scale so aren't the same price as upright bikes.

Keep an eye out for 2nd hand on ebay and gumtree and maybe the OzHPV facebook page.

[LateStarter]

Trikes are more common in more civilised realms (like UK/Europe) but they do have the advantage of 500 million people (but still "niche"), mostly Audax types with various medical conditions but who refuse to let go

https://eu.zonerama.com/ivomiesen/Photo ... /481943862

https://eu.zonerama.com/ivomiesen/Photo ... /484292526

And recumbents also more common

https://eu.zonerama.com/ivomiesen/Photo ... /481943875

All from the start / middle / end of the Randonneurs Netherlands Hanze 6-9-6 Netherlands (1200 or 2100km)

https://eu.zonerama.com/Album/11998108

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=127364.0

Good stuff to dream about? Good Luck with your search

[zebee]

Also check MR Recumbents mrrecumbenttrikes.com/ he sometimes has used trikes,

[Daus]

We have a recumbent trike purchased from Queensland Recumbent Company (recumbent.co) a couple of years ago. My wife has Parkinson’s Disease and did not want to stop cycling due to balance issues with her condition. The trike is a trident stowaway and is foldable and we are very happy with the trike.

[zebee]

Looks like the trident has bar end shifters on the higher end model. I strongly recommend bar ends if you have wrist mobility problems or weak finger grip.

I use gripshifters on my 2 wheeler but a) HPV have their own long shift setup so i can use multiple fingers and b) the shifters are good quality and move easily. If you think wrist mobility might be an issue make sure you test ride any gripshift trikes.

[Daus]

Looks like the trident has bar end shifters on the higher end model. I strongly recommend bar ends if you have wrist mobility problems or weak finger grip.

I failed to mention the bar end shifters, my wife has very poor hand control and weak grip, the bar end shifters are easy to operate along with the lever steering for her. The only issue we have is getting her onto the seat due to stability with legs and I also have to support her when getting up- very unsteady on her feet, but once seated and clipped in to the pedals she’s good to go.

[ironhanglider]

I have seen that the Para cyclists often use a regular road bike attached to a frame that mounts to two rear wheels. I have no idea who makes them or how to get hold of them though.

I hear that Carol Cooke is retiring. Maybe she has an old one to sell?

Cheers,

Cameron

[find_bruce]

A nice picture of Carol Cooke's the frame & rear wheel attachment



Don't think I'd ride that style if not required by particular racing criteria - a tadpole trike with 2 wheels at the front tends to be more stable into corners. A delta trike with 2 wheels at the back handles about as well as a reliant robin

[zebee]

Plus deltas - which all upright trikes are - can be difficult in tight turns cos you can't see the wheels so often turn too early and get stuck.

I haven't ridden a recumbent delta so no idea if they suffer the same problem but can't see why they wouldn't.

Upright trikes feel better to nervous riders because they are higher so easier to get onto and better vision in traffic. But the first time you meet a ramp that for whatever reason you can't get at dead straight.... (Cook's River Path Charles St railway underpass I'm looking at you!)