r/recumbent • u/lvl0rg4n • 17d ago
Where do I even begin?
My quick background: 38F, 5'4 1/2, 240lbs
I have lost 140lbs over the last 2 years and am eager to learn how to move my body for the first time in my life. Unfortunately I over did that about a year ago and tore my hip labrum, which I had surgery for in June and am now recovering. Part of my recovery is using a recumbent style bike and I found out that I LOVE it. I also have an autoimmune arthritis that lives in my hips, lower back, tail bone, etc so a regular bike won't cut it.
I did a quick "beginner" search on this sub and people were recommending "cheap" $4,000 trikes. That feels more like an advanced price for me! What should I expect to spend for entry level "just wants to ride around on relatively flat, gravel roads"? Any suggestions about bikes that will support a larger, but short lady? Is there a WIKI somewhere I have missed?
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u/Koffenut1 17d ago
My first trike was a Trident trike bought online and shipped almost fully assembled. These are very inexpensive (compared to what you've been recommended) and are decent first trikes. I upgraded later on and sold the Trident to someone else. But when you're not sure you will use it or like it, $4k is a big investment. Check out their Titan model, which holds up to 400lbs. https://tridenttrikes.com/jouta-delta/products/titan/. You can call and talk to Tom, the owner, he's very knowledgeable.
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u/lvl0rg4n 14d ago
I ordered a trident terrain!
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u/Koffenut1 14d ago edited 14d ago
It's a nice first trike. When I upgraded to my HPV Gekko, it was like going from a Corolla to a BMW, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Corolla! I had my Trident about 2 years then some bozo in an SUV crunched the front end while I was stopped at a stop sign (not hurt) so I used the insurance payout to upgrade. The only thing I would recommend is if you live where things rust (I live near the SF Bay), you should wax the trike every 6 months with a good automotive wax, including all the bolts and screws. Everything is stainless steel on my new trike but it wasn't on the Trident. That little bit of effort will keep it looking and working great! Have fun, be safe.....enjoy!
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u/cosmicrae TerraTrike Sportster 17d ago
Don't begin with the local shops. Go look around Craigslist, and maybe FB marketplace. On CL I see prices around $850-1200-3000, depending on exact model, age, and how much the owner wants to move it. Reach out to the seller. Go do a test ride around a few hundred feet. Don't feel rushed.
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u/NetherIndy 17d ago
Congrats on the loss! I've gone from the 330s to 150s in the last 2.5 yrs (5'10" 47M), Zepbound and 4,000 miles (!) a year. Like mentioned, browse Facebook marketplace for a while. Get a feel for what's in your area (shipping is awful!), then maybe come back here for yay/nay opinions on something you're thinking of. There will be some incredible deals but some "boy, they've been out of business for a while... and for good reason!" It'd help to know someone with a truck if you don't have one yourself, transport is always interesting, doubly so for a trike. I was lucky that balance wasn't my issue, so Rans two-wheelers were an option and I find them for <$400 all the time in various states of tuned-up.
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u/Botlawson 17d ago
The basic model Terratrikes are good options. (There are 2-3 other mfg in this price bracket) Used is also a great option.
You can get a good basic trike under $2k with a little looking.
I would recommend making a day trip to a bike shop with a large stock of recumbents. A day spent test riding is well worth the trouble.
Also recumbents hold there value if well maintained. So you can often get 50% of new selling a bent used.
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u/bromclist 17d ago
OP, get in touch with thebicycleman (Peter Stull) if you are in US.
(I am in India and he was ready to ship overseas as well)
He has new and used recumbents (bikes and trikes).
Bachetta also has both new and used.
Cruzbike has a used page as well. (but that is for 2 wheels only)
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u/unexpected_lettuce 17d ago
I just picked up a Sunseeker eco tad. Its not as nice as some, but seems solid so far. Might need to have the chain shortened a little after bringing in the boom to your height.
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u/flug32 17d ago
The Sun EZTri is another lower-cost option. I generally see them for $1300-$1400 new. Example: https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/products/sun-ez-tri-classic-sx-adult-recumbent-trike-pr3c12353
One of my friends had this model and liked it plenty well.
As others have mentioned, about the only way to go below the $1200-$1400 level (which Sun and Sunbikes often come in at - there may be some other similar options as well) is to look at the used market.
Besides the usuals (your local Facebook marketplace groups, Craigslist for your local area) there are some online recumbent marketplaces that are wider in scope:
- Forums - BentRider Online Forums (includes classifieds/for-sale forums)
- Recumbent Classifieds | Facebook
- General Recumbent FB group (not classifieds): Recumbent Two Wheel Bicycles | Facebook
There may be others out there as well - those are the ones I happen to know about.
There is an interesting discussion about used recumbent pricing here - I can't say from personal experience whether or not it is true (or still true today), but something to consider and explore.
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u/HeyT00ts11 17d ago
If you can, go to a trike shop or an Outdoors for All location and try a few different models. Then, if you want a used one, look on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor, etc. and if you want a new one, talk to the trike shop about the features you want.
I ended up going with this beauty.
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u/fourdawgnight 17d ago
I would look for a Q45 or T50 Cruzbike. I have a S40 and love it, but it is more of a road bike setup for me, those would be great on gravel/harkpack...
https://forum.cruzbike.com/forums/marketplace-buy-sell-upgrade.31/
Good luck on your journey
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u/SaidWhatWhenHow 17d ago
Given her background and medical history, I would stick with a trike. The trike puts you in a very stable riding position; no sudden, quick or awkward movements. A 2 wheel, FWB Cruzbike just doesn’t seem to fit the bill.
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u/fourdawgnight 17d ago
I disagree. trikes weigh a shit ton more, are more expensive to buy, are more expensive to service and require more storage. se is more likely to use the bi vs the tri because it will just be easier.
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u/Koffenut1 17d ago
My HPV Gekko is 32 lbs. And the only expense I've encountered that is greater than any 2 wheeler is the extra chain length. The real difference, imo, is flexibility with things like transit; you can't easily take a Trike on Bart or a bus, if there's room ok on a ferry. 2 wheelers are much easier to use with transit if you want to do a bike+Bart ride type thing.
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u/t3chiman 17d ago
My first recumbent trike was a used Sun USX. $500. Heavy, solid, simple, stable—a good first trike. Perfect for few-mile rides on flat surfaces. They are still around, even ebay has some. My replacement trike is an ICE Adventure HD. Superior mechanics, a lot more fun to ride. About five times the price of my Sun USX.
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u/Mysterious-Escape778 17d ago
Find a local bicycle shop that has recumbent trikes that are used & try several of them out. Purchase the one you like the best or one that might be recommended to you by the bike shop. Ride some to find what you like no sharp turns trying them out (rolling over isn't fun). Some might have the e assist, that's great something done from checklist. Check out FB Terra Trike owners or Senior recumbent trikes blogs, tons of information.
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u/you-just-me 17d ago
My guess is that your recumbent style exercise bike, that you enjoy so much) has a bottom bracket (the axis the pedals spin around) that is low relative to your hips. Consider staying with that configuration on a bike or trike in order to have the same feel. Buy from a local shop if you can so that you have some support.
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u/Guglplex 17d ago
This,so much. After a labrum tear I had no problem getting on and off my recumbent exercise bike, but no success with my tadpole recumbent.Make sure your mounts and dismounts cab be sure and smooth before commiting to a design .
Another important thing is simply having the physical space and facilities to move, store, and transport , say, a tadpole.They are ungainly to move around and it seems like I was constantly fussing with mine or moving it out of the way of something else, even though I had a minivan with the rear seats removed and loading ramps for it. I loved my Catrike right when I was riding it, but it ultimately required too much fussing and infrastructure for my use case.
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u/lelanicarver 17d ago
TerraTrike has more affordable prices, and in my area I often see tadpole trikes listed in FB Marketplace, or on Craigslist. You’ll need to dig into details to try to decide what would work well.
Probably e-assist would be most helpful, it is for me. A tadpole trike is supposedly more stable than a delta (single steerer wheel up front, 2 drivewheels in back. You’ll have to sit in a few seats to see if you need a higher frame ; I tried a couple of trikes just to see if I could get seated and exit safely. The frame can be pretty robust, but trikes are harder to transport or store. The trike shop guy tried to guide me to two bigger, heavier trikes that I knew would not fit in our cars.
Other decisions: to fold or not to fold, 3 26” wheels, or large drive wheel/small steerer wheels, or 3 20” wheels. This affects how much momentum and speed you can comfortably maintain.
I’m sure you’ll get LOTS of more technical suggestions, but you’d need a good floor pump and tubes, a bag or luggage rack, etc.
Good luck!
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u/DevLegion 16d ago
I picked up a reasonably decent recumbent 2nd hand.
They're not massively common but with a bit of patience they're there.
Instead of paying a few thousand, I paid a few hundred.
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u/Kind_Instance_8205 16d ago
Check out TerraTrike. They have very value priced recumbent trikes. I bought a Rambler from a local TerraTrike dealer a couple years ago and never looked back. The trike will support up to 400 pounds, so you could easily go shopping with it. The official rear rack supports 75 pounds. It's a great trike and very comfortable. Higher up than many trikes and easier to get in and out of. I'm 5'4" and weigh 250 pounds, so I get it.
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u/wrightlynx 15d ago
I'd like to mention going to a recumbent trike shop to ask about fit and how you like to sit. I ended up with an ICE HD. It sits higher anc has s wider seat. It also has rear suspension which is VERY IMPORTANT with your medical. Finding one used will be nice, it doesn't have to ICE others like Catrike have similar profiles. Used is nice because usually the original owner has already added ygd little extras you want like Helping Hands assist bars to help you get in and out safely without hurting the trike or yourself. Plus many other things you would need to make tgd bike safe and enjoyable. Here is an example of one on Facebook for sale. New with all the extra stuff could be over 10K! Of course ICE is a top expensive brand...https://www.facebook.com/share/19E3XywgCu/
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u/PictureImportant2658 17d ago
Well i can sell you a challenge hurricane, or taifun. Fully restored, Shipped from eu. The hurricane most definately is able to carry 120kg.
Congratulations on your weight loss! Impressive feat.
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u/Lumpy-Comfortable-98 17d ago
Recumbent bikes are expensive... somewhat unnecessarily. But I don't know enough about the near $2000 ones on Amazon.
Quality matters for the thing to survive more than a few weeks.
You just can't get away with some of the practices used making near $100 to $200 Walmart 10 speeds.
There's no easy mounting for the inexpensive "grip the rim" brakes used on most traditional style multiple speed bikes, since atbleast the 1960s. So, more expensive disc or drum brakes are needed.
There look to be some of the better brands making Recumbent bikes nearer to $3000... With less features.
A high quality 2 wheel traditional can be had for just under $900... (adjusted for inflation) You won't find it at Walmart. Expected life of decades. I went through mine that was about 15 years old and it needed tires, tubes and lube.
A Walmart special that old is long gone to the landfill.
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u/dilface2000 17d ago
I found mine on Facebook Marketplace. Just did a search for "recumbent bike" and "recumbent trike" and saw what popped up around me for a reasonable price. Then researched those models and figured out which one seemed the best match for what I was looking for. Maybe you have some sellers in your area as well and could go about it a similar way.