[Sportsandrec] looking at a tandem trike

[Ron Burzese]

Hello Robert,

I’m happy to hear about your team’s mutual interest and excitement about the trike.

Regarding your question about the three-speed, it should be fine, for mostly flat to moderately rolling bike trails.

A lady friend of mine bought an upright, two-wheeled tandem for her daughter, who is 11, and has mild autism. I tuned it up for her. It is very heavy, like seventy pounds, because it is mostly made of steel. However, once I rode it with her, it did not matter that it was only a 3-speed and 30 to 40 pounds heavier than the tandems I normally ride. It fit her well, up front and I was able to get comfortable enough, considering the leisure style of this bike. We rode it twice, including an 18-mile trek from my garage to hers. Around town, we kept it mostly in second gear, due to the stop and go. For small hills, like climbing over a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river, we’d use first gear. Once on a portion of the bike trail, which is mostly flat and smooth, with virtually no stops, for 32 miles, we were in third gear. Overall, I was impressed with the execution of the gearing. However, had we ridden the trail further east, nearing the foothills of the Sierras, I would have wanted a wider range of gears.

Back to your potential trike, go with what you can, if the price is right and the fit is comfortable. It will be a good, starter bike, for both of you. As you ride, you will both get stronger and learn about the bike’s pros and cons. Most likely, you will want to keep riding and possibly make modifications or upgrade.

I imagine that the 8 or 11-speed hubs are two to four-hundred dollars. Not to mention, it will cost at least $40 to rebuild the rear wheel. I like to reuse spokes, but many shops will want to use new ones, adding $30 or more to the project.

If you really want more gears, you may want to sell the bike, outright, and start over, with another bike. Only time and distances ridden will tell if the bike meets your team’s requirements.

Generally, tandems hold their value pretty well, when it comes time to resell. Take it out for a realistic test-ride, find some hills and see what happens. The shop should take the time to make sure your legs are properly extended, which is the most important adjustment, both for comfort and efficient power. Three weeks ago, I rode 130 miles, in 11 hours, total time. If my saddle is too low, I’m struggling to go five miles, literally.

Go to the shop, with some food in your stomachs and take your time. In the first ten minutes, ride easy, to allow you both to warm up. Keep that excitement under control, or you will both get winded, with burning legs and want to go home. Ease into the ride. You, are the customer and always right. Most shops employees are there, because they love cycling and want to promote their favorite activity.

Consider the terrain around your home, as well as pavement conditions. If your roads are in good condition, then the original tires should be fine. If they are rough, from hard winters, then you may want tires with a larger air-volume, for more comfort. I mention this, because the shop may credit you on parts they change for you, before the purchase.

I’m curious to hear what you both think. Please keep me in the loop and feel free to call if you have more questions. I’d even be happy to call the shop and talk with the staff, should you need a forerunner. Oh yeah, if you buy the bike, get a bell, for her and another noise-maker, like a squeaky toy for you. I have some squeaky-toy kitties, on the back of my tandems. As people call out to you, on the bike trails, it is a convenient way to respond to the compliments.

I have ridden this particular trike and written up a report, along with the heavy 3-speed, if anyone would like to read them.

Shalom,

Ron Burzese, NOMC
Sacramento

> On Mar 21, 2016, at 7:54 AM, Robert Moore via Sportsandrec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all. 
> 
> I am looking at getting a tandem recumbent trike for my wife and I. I kept
> it a secret for  some time while I was doing some searching around  and
> checking them out. I  still have not yet physically gotten my hands on one
> but  found a place that rents them out for dayly rides and then sells them
> at the end of the season or in this case what was left of last years bikes. 
> 
> They have a  couple of terra trike tandem recumbants left. I was  hoping to
> get over there today and take a look but that sadly will not work out  with
> our schedual. 
> 
> My Wife was a bit hesitant at first but now is all on  board with the idea.
> Can't wait to go and test ride this   trike. 
> 
> I have heard nothing but good  about these  tandem trikes. 
> 
> Since they are used and not a large selection it won't be customized to our
> exact wishes but since this is our first trike I think long as it is a clean
> comfortable ride in good mechanical condition and will   adjust to our hight
> requierments it  should be all good. 
> 
> One  question I might have is, if it is only a 3 speed, is that still
> comfortable gearing for two beginners that are in moderate to poor
> condition? I of cource would rather have at least an 8 speed 
> 
> Do  any of you know about what  it might cost to retro fit it to an 8 speed
> later on if I wanted to? 
> 
> 
> 
> We are not looking to race or go all that far at least to start with we are
> planning on just tooling around the naiberhood  
> 
> 
> 
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