Recumbent trike rack

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have never ridden a recumbent bike, but have seen a few around. I have to ask what is the advantage, as to me maybe sitting comfort would be the only one. Visibility would not be so great sitting low and I would worry about being seen sitting that low, they are obviously harder to stow and carry, they must heavier, they look funny, and and one I have seen while road riding seems WAY slower. When road riding, can you still draft like you do with road bikes?

Plus the big one, how the heck can you blast along a single track with them? The dual wheels on the back would never fit.

Educate me, please.
I would sure like to try one out sometime, but don't know anyone with one around here.

I was thinking if I added a fourth bike to my stable, it would be a fat bike. I know a couple folks with them, and they add a further fun factor riding in snow and loose soil.

If they are able to fold they are easy to stow and carry. They are heavier than some bikes and lighter than others.
Sitting low is no more of a disadvantage on a bike than it is in a sports car. Sitting low in either creates less air resistance.
This isn't the kind of bike that "you blast along a single tract' with. Look at the tires. They're road tires not trail tires.
In the Ice Recumbent bike video, the dual wheels are in the front, not in the back as you 'thought'.

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

While lots of riders pass me when on the road, never a recumbent, and I have blown by many of them. That said, I really would like to try one.

Eric, you need to bring yours to the rally next year so I can try it out.

To me though, they seem to lose the fun factor of riding, like blasting trails while exploring. Are there ones that can do this? My Specialized Stumpjumper is aptly named, as it does a good job clearing roots, rocks and so on on trails.

I only want to bring one bike along when taking the trailer. I don't bring my (expensive) full suspension bike(or my road bike either), preferring an older Specialised Hardrock, a mountain bike with no suspension at all. Much less of a theft target, a bit lighter due to simplicity, and works better on smooth stuff where suspension is not needed. Not so great for single track riding with drops and rocks on the trail. Being a mountain bike it is geared really low, so climbing is a breeze, but I run out of gears when blasting down big hills.

Jim, I have about 9 bikes, including 2 recumbents, and a couple 'go fast' road bikes (as opposed to the touring road bikes) One of them is a light weight model with a titanium frame. When I was young and skinny I passed lots of upright riders and routinely rode in 28 to 30 km/hr range. I think the reputation that ‘bents have for being slow is due mostly to the aero-belly sported by many of the riders. They can be a lot of fun, especially on flats or rolling hills.

We do like our Bromptons. The are compact. Two of them fit easily into the back of the highlander. Easy to unpack and ride to the grocery store or the local winery. Unfortunately they are also expensive — about $1700 each. But excellent bikes for multi-modal adventures.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by LeonW

I think the reputation that ‘bents have for being slow is due mostly to the aero-belly sported by many of the riders. .

Hey I resemble that statement!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by LeonW

Jim, I have about 9 bikes, including 2 recumbents, and a couple 'go fast' road bikes (as opposed to the touring road bikes) One of them is a light weight model with a titanium frame. When I was young and skinny I passed lots of upright riders and routinely rode in 28 to 30 km/hr range. I think the reputation that ‘bents have for being slow is due mostly to the aero-belly sported by many of the riders. They can be a lot of fun, especially on flats or rolling hills.

We do like our Bromptons. The are compact. Two of them fit easily into the back of the highlander. Easy to unpack and ride to the grocery store or the local winery. Unfortunately they are also expensive — about $1700 each. But excellent bikes for multi-modal adventures.

That is a good speed for the flats. For a good bike, that is not too much in my mind, as my full suspension bike cost more than twice that. One must pay for good quality.

Thanks to all for the input. Yet another thing in life for me to try out.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by thoer

Hey I resemble that statement!

Hi: thoer... I have a "Molson muscle" and it took Molson and I a lot of time and money to get me where I am today. It's been a great ride!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Alf,
The comforting fact about it is that you paid for it all in small installments over a lifetime, and didn’t miss the money. It will take take time to get rid of if you decide to downsize as nobody on craigslist wants it. Of course that would only be necessary if you can’t get your ascend to ascend those 5.0 stairs to the penthouse.
Iowa Dave

[phalaney]

Originally Posted by Playdog

I just bought a recumbent tadpole trike. I want to carry it behind my Escape. I have been unable to find a rack that is for use behind an RV. Does anyone know of a rack I can use for my trike? Is anyone using a rack that is not specified for use on a trailer? I don’t understand why a hitch mounted rack would be much different behind the trailer than a car.

Thanks
Mitzi

When we had our 19' Scamp 5th wheeler we carried both a Bikee Rx single recumbent, and an electrified Bikee E2 tandem recumbent, behind. We removed seats and battery, but carried it for over 19K miles, with no problems We used a hitch from this outfit, and it looks like they also sell trike carriers.

Hitch Rider Racks: Bike racks, trike carriers and no wobble tow carry racks

Scamp claimed that their 2" hitch could handle 400#. On hindsight, I think that's too much, but our carrier was heavy, and all told I'm sure we were carrying over 150#. Escape claims 150# capacity, and I would stay under that. But if your total would be less, I'd go for it.

The name of the game is minimizing bounces. I battened down our bikes to the bumper with thick motorcycle tie downs, and made sure that the hitch cinch stayed tight. The Scamps are narrower than the Escapes. so I could see the tip of the recumbent in the rear view mirror. A couple of times I was not happy with the bounce and stopped and tightened things up, but for the most part, no problem.

We're gonna carry the smaller recumbent behind the 5.0 TA we're picking up next month, and Peg's Giant in the bed. Biking is an important part of our camping, and is the way to go when visiting picturesque towns.

[Ron in BC]

I usually have the opposite problem. How to tow with a recumbent trike.

My hobby is making adaptive devices for disabled people. This person can self transfer to the trike, the wheelchair hitch pivots and locks behind the trike and the person rides to work with the wheelchair as a trailer.

Just had one with a 2,000 watt motor and a suitcase size bank of lithium batteries. Talk about a rocket ship. Of course, for $20,000, you'd expect a rocket ship.

Love riding them. My next project will be building one. Uh-oh, then I'll have to figure out how to carry one.

Ron

[Jim Bennett]

It just realized that the title said 'trike' after reading phlaney's post with a link to a rack. I had pretty much assumed they were all two wheeled, as that is what I see on the roads around here, but looking around on the net, found there are some 3 wheeled versions too. This only adds to the confusion for me. I was just starting to understand how one might use the two wheeled version.

Yep, really need to give one of each type a go. I did also see a three wheeled one designed for rugged terrain.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I usually have the opposite problem. How to tow with a recumbent trike.

My hobby is making adaptive devices for disabled people. This person can self transfer to the trike, the wheelchair hitch pivots and locks behind the trike and the person rides to work with the wheelchair as a trailer.

Just had one with a 2,000 watt motor and a suitcase size bank of lithium batteries. Talk about a rocket ship. Of course, for $20,000, you'd expect a rocket ship.

Love riding them. My next project will be building one. Uh-oh, then I'll have to figure out how to carry one.

Ron

That's a cool project.

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

It just realized that the title said 'trike' after reading phlaney's post with a link to a rack. I had pretty much assumed they were all two wheeled, as that is what I see on the roads around here, but looking around on the net, found there are some 3 wheeled versions too. This only adds to the confusion for me. I was just starting to understand how one might use the two wheeled version.

Yep, really need to give one of each type a go. I did also see a three wheeled one designed for rugged terrain.

It sure pays to understand a post before replying.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by J Mac

It sure pays to understand a post before replying.

Why? Then I would not get your smart *** posts.

Never once did I say I was perfect, and if I did I knowingly lied.

[SFDavis50]

http://www.bentrideronline.com/?p=1831

I have a Stratus XP which I really like riding but there is a reason you don't see recumbent bikes in the Tour de France. Going uphill you can't stand up and use your weight to pedal, you have to use your thighs for power as your back pushes into the seat. If you're in good shape, not me, you can pedal uphill but as you slow down instead of wobbling the recumbent will start swerving left and right. Kind of dangerous on a busy street or trying to go slowly on a bike/walking path with a lot of pedestrians. On a regular bike you will wobble (lean back and forth) but not necessarily swerve.
Also, starting on an uphill is more difficult. You can't stand on the pedal, you have to be seated and pedal and the start is difficult to control until you get a little speed.

On a straight away with gentle uphill climbs or downhill it is like driving a Cadillac, very comfortable, stable and fast.

I plan to bring it to the Escape Rally in May and by then I may have a Geo Orbital Wheel on it.
https://www.geoo.com/pages/how-it-works

I'm hoping the heavy (17 Lb.) wheel in the front will give it more bite and I want the electric assist for starting out and going uphill.

[thoer]

Steve, the disadvantages you describe are some of the reasons we just sold our long beloved Vision recumbents and bought the ICE trikes. With the trike, the MANY hills we have here in the Unglaciated Region of Wisconsin are much easier. The ICEs have great low gearing for hills and with a trike, you can go as slow as you want up them, even stop in the middle if you need to. Starting up is a breeze, and best of all I don't fall over if I need a panic stop and don't get my feet out of the toe clips in time! I hate those Laugh-In type falls! Added to that is being able to fold them and put them both in the Highlander, as opposed to climbing up the step ladder to put our Visions on the top carriers. The cost of the ICE's seemed extravagant, but if it keeps us moving and getting exercise it will be worth it in my opinion.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I doubt there are links, but it is pretty easy to visualize as the hitch is out on a long cantilever and any trailer bounce is exaggerated back there. We had a Swagman we sold after friends following us described how much it bounced. It also wore paint off our bikes from the action. The 1UP is very solid back there.

The Eddy's bought a Kuat rack, so must use regular bikes I would think. BTW, they are from Vermont, but you are very close.

I knew they were from up north somewhere and he is an iron worker of sorts. Met him at Alf's Rally in 2012 and he had his recumbent bikes with him, and a bike rack on the trailer. Not sure they were mutually exclusive, maybe he will chime in.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I usually have the opposite problem. How to tow with a recumbent trike.

My hobby is making adaptive devices for disabled people. This person can self transfer to the trike, the wheelchair hitch pivots and locks behind the trike and the person rides to work with the wheelchair as a trailer.

Just had one with a 2,000 watt motor and a suitcase size bank of lithium batteries. Talk about a rocket ship. Of course, for $20,000, you'd expect a rocket ship.

Love riding them. My next project will be building one. Uh-oh, then I'll have to figure out how to carry one.

Ron

Great hobby you have and I am certain that those you serve are so happy to get those set-ups.

[float5]

Leon, I know we have had 9 bikes. Gave some away. We still have our recumbents and they were sure fun bikes. People like to see them. With all of the work on our lot though and all of the biking, the hips are no good by now. I also have a carbon fiber Softride that cost over $2000. Hardly used. Since I want over $1000 for it, I think it is going to be nice wall art! We have had fold-ups and mountain bikes and all kinds. Recumbents were our favorites but not for hills! Stopped using them before trailering but used to put them on top of the car with a Thule and then a Yakima.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Yep, really need to give one of each type a go. I did also see a three wheeled one designed for rugged terrain.

The one I just did some mods on was one of those. "Outrider" Like I said, a rocket ship. The young person that owns it had an accident. I decided to check the factory defaults for speed. Wasn't surprised to find that he'd reset the factory defaults. But 500 mph! The kid really has a sense of humor. Top recorded speed, 91 mph

Ron

[Kent]

Originally Posted by Playdog

I just bought a recumbent tadpole trike. I want to carry it behind my Escape. I have been unable to find a rack that is for use behind an RV.
Mitzi

Mitzi, I have a Catrike Expedition and plan on hanging it from a modified, raised and beefed up Yakima hitch rack. The Hitchrider Truckee model pictured here is the way I would transport it.

The Yakima rack pictured is a newer version of what I will be modifying.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

The one I just did some mods on was one of those. "Outrider" Like I said, a rocket ship. The young person that owns it had an accident. I decided to check the factory defaults for speed. Wasn't surprised to find that he'd reset the factory defaults. But 500 mph! The kid really has a sense of humor. Top recorded speed, 91 mph

Ron

Methinks I should conscript you to build me one of these babies. I loves to go fast.