This week, we review the TerraTrike Rambler. A three wheeled tricycle, both an on-road and off-road machine, designed for people who aren't into two wheel bicycles.
I love my TerraTrike Rambler. I did quite a bit of research plus riding other models. It may not suit other cyclists, but it does me. I am short-no need for a boom cutter. I have a physical disability and can get up and down easily. I could go on, but you get the idea. My suggestion is to think about your purpose in triking, your physical needs (if any), whether you are tall or short, whether you ride inclined roads a lot (e-assist has really helped me), whether you need a foldable trike (I don’t), and I am probably leaving out some of the things I considered. Don’t just get what so-and-so has, do your research to get what’s right for YOU. I am not rich, and, yes, it was a big expense, but I cannot ride a two-wheeler and for the first time in years, I can enjoy being outside.
Moving ahead 2 years via my time machine: Terra Trike now offers the Bosch active line plus kit for the Rambler..& a wide body version... which is pretty dang sweet.
I agree on everything you said. I know what I am talking about, I own a Full Fat Trike from ICE. Similar type to the Rambler, but with Fat Tires. I think the Rambler is good value for money. Still expensive, but for a trike it is not expensive. Going off road is great, also it handles well on the road as well. Riding over a pothole is no problem. A FLAG is a great PLUS. I attached a red-white windsock to my solid flag. The fluttering windsock can be seen from any angle. Also I wear white and red lights on my helmet, turning them always on, day or night. That improves your visibility. ride my trike in the compact city of Utrecht, in the Netherlands. I always find parking space, next to a post for locking. In the winter I recommend studded tires, to maintain grip on black ice.
Dude if people were limited to riding on trails, they wouldn't get anywhere in most cities. Secondly I ride my trike on the street all the time. I just make sure to take the lane. This way cars are forced to go around me in another lane or slow down. Thirdly I have both a safety flag and lights on my trike to warn drivers that something is ahead of them.
We need to get better about calling out inaccessibility in cycle infrastructure. Many disabled cyclists need handcycles, trikes, quads, etc. We have to stop thinking of inaccessible infrastructure as "normal" and it's just tough luck that your cycle doesn't fit. All cycle advocates should be advocating for accessible infrastructure and consulting disabled cyclists on what accessibility to design in as default. It's not that the TerraTrike Rambler "can't" do the path, it's that we are designing paths to be too narrow to be inclusive of all cyclists. It's not that it's intrinsically hard to lock to a rack, it's that car-centrist planners don't prioritize accessible secure cycle parking with accessible rack designs, siting, and spacing. The point about space to park at home is definitely an issue, but that also comes down to our housing problems in general. That said, I live in a trailer and keep my recumbent quadricycle locked outside under a tarp. So we're not all wealthy homeowners and I do use it for daily errands like shopping... Thanks for this review. I haven't seen a recumbent review in the snow before and it's neat to see that as well as seeing one geared out for bikepacking/touring.
I saw a guy on one of these yesterday while my kid and I rode home from sessioning some local features on our mountain bikes, and dude stopped to tell us "this is more fun" completely unprovoked. I'm blaming you for being so loud about how fun it is. Definitely had more fun on my hardtail than I would just bragging about my $3k tricycle to a couple randos on the bike path.
@@mlauer he literally just rolled up and opened with "this is more fun". He wasn't starting a conversation in good faith, he was shitting on our equipment and telling us his was better.
Are there any trikes w/the two wheels in back that are at an optimum width that stay upright when stopped. You would think someone would come out with one so that you could ride on the road & not stick out too much. Everyone I've looked at is just too wide. The trikes would be a great stable platform & fast if someone would think a little about those features.
2 wheels in back mean the need for a differential = more weight & mecanical complexity ...unless you endure the inefficiency of a single drive wheel on one side.
@@martinmartin5904 you could probably get away with a solid axle, but neither is ideal. You could always put the drive wheel up front. Anyone who's ever ridden a bigwheel can tell you how great the traction will be on that!
I bought a rambler without doing any research, ......2yrs later, I still regret that I didn't have the sense to shop around.....I only wish i could turn back the clock, with what I know now!!!....
I love my TerraTrike Rambler. I did quite a bit of research plus riding other models. It may not suit other cyclists, but it does me. I am short-no need for a boom cutter. I have a physical disability and can get up and down easily. I could go on, but you get the idea. My suggestion is to think about your purpose in triking, your physical needs (if any), whether you are tall or short, whether you ride inclined roads a lot (e-assist has really helped me), whether you need a foldable trike (I don’t), and I am probably leaving out some of the things I considered. Don’t just get what so-and-so has, do your research to get what’s right for YOU. I am not rich, and, yes, it was a big expense, but I cannot ride a two-wheeler and for the first time in years, I can enjoy being outside.
Moving ahead 2 years via my time machine: Terra Trike now offers the Bosch active line plus kit for the Rambler..& a wide body version... which is pretty dang sweet.
I agree on everything you said. I know what I am talking about, I own a Full Fat Trike from ICE. Similar type to the Rambler, but with Fat Tires. I think the Rambler is good value for money. Still expensive, but for a trike it is not expensive. Going off road is great, also it handles well on the road as well. Riding over a pothole is no problem. A FLAG is a great PLUS. I attached a red-white windsock to my solid flag. The fluttering windsock can be seen from any angle. Also I wear white and red lights on my helmet, turning them always on, day or night. That improves your visibility. ride my trike in the compact city of Utrecht, in the Netherlands. I always find parking space, next to a post for locking. In the winter I recommend studded tires, to maintain grip on black ice.
Great Review! I got one in May 2017, loving it!
Dude if people were limited to riding on trails, they wouldn't get anywhere in most cities. Secondly I ride my trike on the street all the time. I just make sure to take the lane. This way cars are forced to go around me in another lane or slow down. Thirdly I have both a safety flag and lights on my trike to warn drivers that something is ahead of them.
I’m thinking of getting this.
Nice review on the Rambler. But where did you get those nice looking fenders? TerraTrike does not offer them, yet anyway.
We need to get better about calling out inaccessibility in cycle infrastructure. Many disabled cyclists need handcycles, trikes, quads, etc. We have to stop thinking of inaccessible infrastructure as "normal" and it's just tough luck that your cycle doesn't fit. All cycle advocates should be advocating for accessible infrastructure and consulting disabled cyclists on what accessibility to design in as default. It's not that the TerraTrike Rambler "can't" do the path, it's that we are designing paths to be too narrow to be inclusive of all cyclists. It's not that it's intrinsically hard to lock to a rack, it's that car-centrist planners don't prioritize accessible secure cycle parking with accessible rack designs, siting, and spacing. The point about space to park at home is definitely an issue, but that also comes down to our housing problems in general. That said, I live in a trailer and keep my recumbent quadricycle locked outside under a tarp. So we're not all wealthy homeowners and I do use it for daily errands like shopping... Thanks for this review. I haven't seen a recumbent review in the snow before and it's neat to see that as well as seeing one geared out for bikepacking/touring.
They are not built for speed but other trikes are. Just leave 10 minutes earlier to commute on this one. Or buy an ICE Vortex!
Pls, Why is it not a good everyday commuter?
I saw a guy on one of these yesterday while my kid and I rode home from sessioning some local features on our mountain bikes, and dude stopped to tell us "this is more fun" completely unprovoked. I'm blaming you for being so loud about how fun it is. Definitely had more fun on my hardtail than I would just bragging about my $3k tricycle to a couple randos on the bike path.
....how dare someone attempt to start a conversation with you!
@@mlauer he literally just rolled up and opened with "this is more fun". He wasn't starting a conversation in good faith, he was shitting on our equipment and telling us his was better.
@@mlauer was that you that we met that day?
That's just regular trailhead awkwardness. I doubt it came from a place of malice.
@@ExtremeSquared stopping in the middle of a path to tell people your gear is better than theirs is normal trailhead awkwardness?
A terra trike mamca l'opzione della dinamo a mozzo, altre marche lo hanno tipo Azub, HP veloteknic, ice, il cerchio con dinamo è importante
Has anyone had a problem with the chain touching the back tire in lower gears???
How do I hook up a trailer. On this bike
Great review! Where did you get the custom fenders?
Terratrike sells the direct, or through their dealer network.
Are there any trikes w/the two wheels in back that are at an optimum width that stay upright when stopped. You would think someone would come out with one so that you could ride on the road & not stick out too much. Everyone I've looked at is just too wide. The trikes would be a great stable platform & fast if someone would think a little about those features.
2 wheels in back mean the need for a differential = more weight & mecanical complexity ...unless you endure the inefficiency of a single drive wheel on one side.
@@martinmartin5904 you could probably get away with a solid axle, but neither is ideal. You could always put the drive wheel up front. Anyone who's ever ridden a bigwheel can tell you how great the traction will be on that!
No mirrors!
Mirrors are a MUST. Thanks Chris Hvid.
Very Slow 1:16 fastest I can get my Rambler is 20 MPH
Way way too expensive and THAT alone will limit sales ...
I bought a rambler without doing any research, ......2yrs later, I still regret that I didn't have the sense to shop around.....I only wish i could turn back the clock, with what I know now!!!....
Meaning what exactly? What would you buy instead and why? Useless to complain/criticize here and not provide rationale.
The suspense.. what was the other choice? Lol