Did a search and found a couple of threads on bikes that had one or so posts regarding trikes but very little. I am looking into purchasing a tadpole type. What do members have and what do you recommend?

There are many brands and models to choose from. You can go all the way from a tank to a sports car. I owned a total of five trikes when I was into recumbents: 1 Greenspeed, 1 Catrike, and 3 ICE trikes. Obviously, ICE was my preferred brand. As synthplayer mentioned, you can have direct vs indirect steering. I had both but my preference was for indirect.

Trikes in general have become very popular these last few years and the prices have skyrocketed - particularly since covid. If you want or need e-assist, it will add a lot to the price. Some trikes with e-assist and other bells and whistles can go for over $10,000. I'm not trying to scare you; I just want you to be prepared if you haven't done much research yet. Also, there is the used market if the price of new is overwhelming.

The best place to look for info would be the message boards over on Bentrider: https://www.bentrideronline.co...ssageboard/index.php

There is a lot of info to be found there and the folks there will try to be helpful if you have questions.

Be sure to get a flag for it if you ride on the streets, damn things are super low and everyone is in a mega tall SUV or pickup..

Few people ride them here, all have the tall flags, and I'd get a flashing light for it too.

I've had an ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering) trike for several years. I love this thing - no more numb hands or sore rear end from riding a normal bike. It's like sitting in your easy chair and peddling. The seat adjusts for incline and the bike folds in half, allowing it to fit in the back of my SUV. It was, however, expensive. I ride mostly on paved bike trails. Riding on the road scares me, due to the low profile.

I had one and loved it!
However:
Finding a car rack to haul it was a PITA.
It being wider than a conventional bike, I had many near misses with people on bike paths.
The drive chain, due to its length needed a bit more maintenance a regular bike.

I did catch comments on the internet regading the steering and rode a Catrike Dumont yesterday. With having had both shoulder scoped due to injures while I was employed I found the side to side steering to be less than ideal. I am making a trek (not Trek LOL) today to the Connecticut Yankee shop in Chariton, Iowa to take test rides on several trikes. They stock HP, Azub and ICE so I should be able to get a feel for the indirect steering concept. They also have electric assist units available for test rides. Not sure I am ready for a $10k+ trike but they do have some in stock.
Will report back later, this may be an expensive little trip.

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:
With having had both shoulder scoped due to injures while I was employed I found the side to side steering to be less than ideal....They stock HP, Azub and ICE so I should be able to get a feel for the indirect steering concept.

I consider those to be the top 3 brands for quality right now. The indirect steering is more of a fore-and-aft movement that gives better leverage and more precise control. I expect that you will prefer it. Have a great trip.

My wife and I both have TerraTrike Tour II's.

We love them. I have rode others, and there are more comfortable rides available, but the price difference was significant. For us, the Tour II's were best value for the money.

As far as comfort all around... no other bike road, trail, cross, mountain etc are even remotely as comfortable. We had recumbents, but going up hill, or starting off was always a challenge. The trikes are so comfortable, and can go as slow as you want.

I do have a Tacoma, and both trikes fit in bed with tail gate down. We prefer bike trails as opposed to roads.

I don't have flags for them, but do have flashing tail lights if we happen to be on the road.

Well returning here with tail between legs...
Had a great day yesterday test riding 5 different trikes. Some of my theories regarding what I would like/dislike completely blown away. I thought I would prefer 26" wheels front and rear but reality sent me to 20 front 26 rear due to handling. Thought I would prefer the Azub titanium suspension trike, it was good but the HP Velotechnik was by far the top dog on ride and the ICE was third.
Also found out how out of shape I am and how much electric assist offsets the extra trike weight versus a bike when climbing hills. So basically all of my pretty much preconceived ideas from internet surfing on other sites were destroyed when my butt hit the seat.
I ended up with a very well equipped HP Scorpion FS26 WITH electric assist! That also blew out the idea of being under $10K, not much over but nonetheless over. And yes it would be easy to spend far more if one chose to. If you happen to be in the Midwest or can get here I highly recommend visiting the good people at Connecticut Yankee Pedallers in Chariton, Iowa. A family business with people that want you to get the right trike for you without pressure, a great service department and deep stock (there were at least 40 different trikes of all makes and price ranges) in order to be able to ride anything you want to try. Can't say enough good things about these folks. I spent more than I had initially planned but got the right trike for me and because of my choices not because of how they directed me. And their prices are competitive as I got quite a few nice accessories included in my purchase.
All in all a great experience.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bettysnephew,

Nice to hear that you have a great shop close enough to you. Test riding is the key for most people and not many shops have a deep enough inventory. It also sounds as though they let the trike choose you and that is important. I never owned a Scorpion but I always heard great things about them. Congratulations on your purchase.

Update! A couple of days back we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather for Iowa so I put the flag on the trike and took a short ride around town as I needed to get the battery discharged a bit for Winter storage. It was at 100% which is not the best way to leave a LiOn battery for extended periods. Got on a nearby trail and pedaled down to the river and on to a local bike shop for an accessory shopping trip. Didn't find a lot, but didn't expect to but like to support local business when I can. Before the trip was done, I had traversed slightly over 20 miles with no ill effects to my legs. This thing is a blast to ride and I am looking forward to warmer weather come Spring. This boomer geezer had a great time and am already planning on a couple of rallies(??) to attend this year, just looking into better options for hauling this long and low machine. Actually considering a small enclosed trailer for extended trips that preclude riding to the event. Might even consider doing the RAGBRAI tour depending on how I do with riding.

Is it legal for mount trash more?

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:

I ended up with a very well equipped HP Scorpion FS26 WITH electric assist!

Please post some pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Is it legal for mount trash more?

It has electric pedal assist, so it is not a motor vehicle, no problem taking it up on the trail. You have to pedal to make it go. Mount Trashmore is on my to visit list once the season changes. I was quite surprised how much the pedal assist helps on hills yet is unobtrusive on more level terrain. I get a workout but not to the detriment of my knee prosthesis'. Pretty neat how the assist increases when the pedaling pressure goes up.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bettysnephew,

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:

I ended up with a very well equipped HP Scorpion FS26 WITH electric assist!

Please post some pictures.

I prefer not to use a hosting site but would be willing to forward to someone that is willing to post.

We have Catrike recumbent trikes. We have the Dumont. Only recumbent trike made in the US. Look at Utah Trikes. They carry all the brands and do custom builds.

There's a 78 y.o. fella here in tiny town with horrible crippled up legs that rides a vertical trike around as his primary transport,to get breakfast lunch and supper.


If I had the dough I'd present him with an electric .

It takes him 25 minutes to go a mile.
I don't know what he does during inclement weather.