30-years recumbent experience here. Both tadpole and delta planform recumbent trikes here. 70yo, limited-mobility handicapper here. Cannot get on/off my owned tadpoles for 15-years now. Wheelchair/forearm crutches on/off ONLY on a delta planform trike! "Hase Lepus" with 2WD, air suspension, E-assist, Rohloff gearbox, and under seat steering. Indirect steering HUGELY isolates hands and arms from road vibration! Upper arms also naturally vertical at rider's sides! Once Rohloff, never again any cassette! I use heel cup pedals with nylon straps removed. Never outgrow a delta planform trike. Grow oldest on a delta planform trike. AKA: "Jason Stillwater" in the recumbent world.
@@dougbikntrik Stopped AND Slow Speed Shifting are everything to anyone having experienced such!!! Technically, one could go with more affordable 11-speed gear hub. BUT.., if a retirement One Time Purchase, Rohloff gearbox is 14-speed AND more importantly, internally indexed. I honestly do not know (I own an 8-speed, but don't remember) if the 8 and 11- speed gearboxes are internally indexed! I think they are cable indexed. Also, everybody, REALIZE that on a delta-planform recumbent trike, "Tadpole disassembly" is NOT applicable to a delta planform Rear Flat Tire!!!!!!!!!!! WHOAH!
I forgot a major configuration when purchasing a recumbent trike with e assist. Do you want a crank motor or a rear hub motor? Talk to your trike shop about the differences.
Aloha! Good overview, Bob. We both have our HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS26 set up in similar ways - rear rack, side bag, Shimano E8000 e-assist, Rohloff Hub, etc. My first recumbent trike was a Catrike Villager which I bought after my 2nd left knee replacement. It was adaptable (higher seat) and affordable for my needs. I upgraded to the HP after my 3rd left knee replacement and several years of riding a Freedom Ryder Handcycle.
Howsit Tom. Yep. We be Triking bothers from different mothers. I bought my first trike, the HP, with my neck and back problems. Now that I’ve had the operations the trike with all its bells and whistles it’s all bonus. Love it. Aloha 🌴
I bought my first trike last year. I only had two requirements: price and weight limit. The main thing was to find out if I liked trikes and wanted to invest in a better one. Great video. A lot of good points to take into consideration.
Thanks for the thoughts. Congrats on the recent purchase. I like the idea of a first buy before you buy the better one. I researched and researched for 4 months, sat in one to get the feel, and then made my move. No real regrets except I didn’t need the fixed 1lb lock which I finally removed. Happy Rolls 😎
Like you mentioned, where you ride is key. That North Shore are has lots of open road and moderate traffic compared to where I live in town. There are some very aggresive drivers here and with the lower riding position of the trike, you are much less visible even with the flag. I've been hit twice while riding my regular bike and thankfully only got a couple of scrapes and bruises but then again, as with anything you do, its risk vs reward...mahalo for the video!
I’ve ridden around the entire island and have ridden in Honolulu often, though not my favorite rides. Out in the country, but I’ve had more close calls on a bike vs the trike. I have found that drivers are more aware of me on a trike than when I was on a bike because I’m more usual. There are so many bike riders that drivers take it for granted that they’re on the road and drive closer to them. While on a trike, they drive around me more. It’s like I hear them saying “what is that strange contraption with the silly flag and the flashing lights and that old man with the ultra bright clothes.” Yes, maybe they’re more aware out here, they’re not in such a rush, easy going. There are still some wackos who drive like they live in town. Got to stay aware.
You can get some suspension by having volume in your tyres. Road tyres tend to be narrow and 90-110psi. Wider tyres can run about 50-65psi, so a more accommodating ride feel. Light, simple and much cheaper than going full susp.
Hi Bob, I’m enjoying your videos. I live in northern California. Haven’t bought a trike yet. I am considering moving to Hawaii. Can you buy recumbent trikes over there?
Aloha. Sorry I did t get back to you sooner. We certainly have the scenery but the last time I checked, no trike store. You might be better off buying one on the mainland and having it shipped here. That would allow you to try it out before you purchase. Three years ago I went through a trike store in LA and they helped me order my HP Velotecnek Scorpion direct from Germany. I then had to pay to have a tech come to Oahu to put it together and teach me basic trike mechanics (just air fare and I put him up at my house). Like I said, that was 3 years ago. You might check with the Bike Shop or Bike Factory, two bike stores here on Oahu and see if they could help. If you know what you want, they might be able to order it for you and help assemble it. I felt better having a knowledgeable trike tech put it together. You’re going to have to pay shipping cost one way pr the other, either through a store or on your own. It’s the island way. Best wishes.
30-years recumbent experience here.
Both tadpole and delta planform recumbent trikes here.
70yo, limited-mobility handicapper here.
Cannot get on/off my owned tadpoles for 15-years now.
Wheelchair/forearm crutches on/off ONLY on a delta planform trike!
"Hase Lepus" with 2WD, air suspension, E-assist, Rohloff gearbox, and under seat steering.
Indirect steering HUGELY isolates hands and arms from road vibration! Upper arms also naturally vertical at rider's sides!
Once Rohloff, never again any cassette!
I use heel cup pedals with nylon straps removed.
Never outgrow a delta planform trike.
Grow oldest on a delta planform trike.
AKA: "Jason Stillwater" in the recumbent world.
What a testimony Gary. 30 years, wow, awesome. Yeah, love dem rohloffs.
👍Thanks for sharing Bob,Yep!need to get me a rohloff so I can shift up or down when stopped 💫
@@dougbikntrikyou’ll love it. 😎
@@dougbikntrik Stopped AND Slow Speed Shifting are everything to anyone having experienced such!!! Technically, one could go with more affordable 11-speed gear hub. BUT.., if a retirement One Time Purchase, Rohloff gearbox is 14-speed AND more importantly, internally indexed. I honestly do not know (I own an 8-speed, but don't remember) if the 8 and 11- speed gearboxes are internally indexed! I think they are cable indexed.
Also, everybody, REALIZE that on a delta-planform recumbent trike, "Tadpole disassembly" is NOT applicable to a delta planform Rear Flat Tire!!!!!!!!!!! WHOAH!
Very helpful content for "newbies". Thanks and always safe and happy rides!
Glad it was helpful! Mahalo.
I forgot a major configuration when purchasing a recumbent trike with e assist. Do you want a crank motor or a rear hub motor? Talk to your trike shop about the differences.
Separation of systems would indicate crank motor.
@@garyseckel295🤙🏽
Aloha!
Good overview, Bob.
We both have our HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS26 set up in similar ways - rear rack, side bag, Shimano E8000 e-assist, Rohloff Hub, etc.
My first recumbent trike was a Catrike Villager which I bought after my 2nd left knee replacement. It was adaptable (higher seat) and affordable for my needs. I upgraded to the HP after my 3rd left knee replacement and several years of riding a Freedom Ryder Handcycle.
Howsit Tom. Yep. We be Triking bothers from different mothers. I bought my first trike, the HP, with my neck and back problems. Now that I’ve had the operations the trike with all its bells and whistles it’s all bonus. Love it. Aloha 🌴
I bought my first trike last year. I only had two requirements: price and weight limit. The main thing was to find out if I liked trikes and wanted to invest in a better one. Great video. A lot of good points to take into consideration.
Thanks for the thoughts. Congrats on the recent purchase. I like the idea of a first buy before you buy the better one. I researched and researched for 4 months, sat in one to get the feel, and then made my move. No real regrets except I didn’t need the fixed 1lb lock which I finally removed. Happy Rolls 😎
Like you mentioned, where you ride is key. That North Shore are has lots of open road and moderate traffic compared to where I live in town. There are some very aggresive drivers here and with the lower riding position of the trike, you are much less visible even with the flag. I've been hit twice while riding my regular bike and thankfully only got a couple of scrapes and bruises but then again, as with anything you do, its risk vs reward...mahalo for the video!
I’ve ridden around the entire island and have ridden in Honolulu often, though not my favorite rides. Out in the country, but I’ve had more close calls on a bike vs the trike. I have found that drivers are more aware of me on a trike than when I was on a bike because I’m more usual. There are so many bike riders that drivers take it for granted that they’re on the road and drive closer to them. While on a trike, they drive around me more. It’s like I hear them saying “what is that strange contraption with the silly flag and the flashing lights and that old man with the ultra bright clothes.” Yes, maybe they’re more aware out here, they’re not in such a rush, easy going. There are still some wackos who drive like they live in town. Got to stay aware.
You can get some suspension by having volume in your tyres. Road tyres tend to be narrow and 90-110psi. Wider tyres can run about 50-65psi, so a more accommodating ride feel. Light, simple and much cheaper than going full susp.
So true, great comment. Thanks Bruddah.
Hi Bob, I’m enjoying your videos. I live in northern California. Haven’t bought a trike yet. I am considering moving to Hawaii. Can you buy recumbent trikes over there?
Aloha. Sorry I did t get back to you sooner. We certainly have the scenery but the last time I checked, no trike store. You might be better off buying one on the mainland and having it shipped here. That would allow you to try it out before you purchase. Three years ago I went through a trike store in LA and they helped me order my HP Velotecnek Scorpion direct from Germany. I then had to pay to have a tech come to Oahu to put it together and teach me basic trike mechanics (just air fare and I put him up at my house). Like I said, that was 3 years ago. You might check with the Bike Shop or Bike Factory, two bike stores here on Oahu and see if they could help. If you know what you want, they might be able to order it for you and help assemble it. I felt better having a knowledgeable trike tech put it together. You’re going to have to pay shipping cost one way pr the other, either through a store or on your own. It’s the island way. Best wishes.
Must be nice being able to ride any trike. Being 6' 4" and 425 im very limited.
Must be tough. You can’t do much on the height but best wishes on reducing the lbs. I work hard on it everyday.