I have ridden bicycles almost my entire life. My love affair with cycling began nearly 60 years ago at age seven when my earliest memory of riding was my mother trying to teach me, running beside me and holding onto my seat while I pedaled like crazy. I looked over my shoulder to communicate the joy I felt only to discover her faraway figure at the other end of the street. I promptly fell off. Needless to say, I kept practicing and could ride like a pro in no time.
My bike was my constant companion throughout my youth, teen years, and into adulthood, ferrying me to school, to work, and to the store. I also rode just for the sheer pleasure of riding.
When Riding Started to Hurt
Once I got into my sixties, I noticed that my back and neck would start to hurt while cycling, and I wondered if I’d have to give up my passion. A neighbor suggested I try a recumbent bike since they didn’t put as much strain on the back. She let me try hers, and again, I promptly fell off. At least I didn’t have to fall as far.
And then, she mentioned a recumbent trike. Just like the bike, only with three wheels. I’d never heard of such a thing! I knew nothing about them but started looking for a used one. My search was successful, and I found myself the proud owner of a new-to-me recumbent tricycle. It was like riding in a recliner! My neck and back no longer hurt. I was in love!
I could stop halfway up a hill and not fall over. Granted, going uphill is slow, but I put it in a low gear and away I go. Walkers sometimes pass me (I just wave!), but I can usually pedal all the way up a hill while others end up walking their bikes. Recumbent trikes can pick up speed quickly on downhills, and while I usually ride hell-bent-for-leather because I love the feeling of the wind in my face, riders can manage their speed by keeping both hands on the handlebars, slowing down and leaning into curves, and braking as needed.
Finding the Right Ride
My recumbent trike was a tadpole style with two wheels in the front and one in the back. The alternate style would be a delta, with one wheel in the front and two in the back. My trike was a thing of beauty, far different from the adult tricycles I’d seen in the past.
Since then, I’ve educated myself about the different types of recumbent trikes, gearing, wheel size, speed vs. comfort, accessories, manual vs. electric, and costs. My first trike (a TerraTrike Rover, similar to this trike) had an internal gearing hub with eight speeds and was an excellent starter trike. As I got more proficient and more comfortable with riding a recumbent, I graduated to one with 27 speeds (an ICE Adventure) that provided a greater gear range that allowed me to cycle up steeper hills and go downhill faster.
Because recumbent trikes are considered a “niche” item, they’re more expensive than standard bicycles. Beginner models start around $1,400, midline models range between $2,500 and $4,000, and high-end models with all the bells and whistles, plus motors, can be $10K+. But one thing about recumbent riders is that they almost always want to upgrade, which means good deals can usually be found on used ones. All of mine were previously owned, with my first costing about $450. The main downside I’ve found is since they have a wider footprint, they can’t get through narrow openings like a standard bike. But I’ll never go back!
Like any standard bike, recumbents can have a variety of accessories, and one of the most useful is a rear rack. Another recommended accessory is a flag, since recumbents have a lower profile than standard bikes, and need to be seen if you’re riding near traffic.
Try Before You Buy
There are many different types of trikes—racing, touring, large wheels, small wheels, fat tires, manual, electric, and trikes with or without suspension, to name a few. So far, all of my trikes have been manual. Part of me wants to keep it that way—getting places on my own power feels like a real accomplishment. However, a recumbent trike is slower, and if riding with a group on standard bikes, it can sometimes be hard to keep up. An electric trike can solve that issue, so part of me wants to upgrade to a motor (pedal-assist only!) just so I can keep up with groups. And people with mobility issues have found that they can usually ride a recumbent trike, manual or with a motor, which allows them to enjoy riding as well. It really depends on what you, as the rider, prefer. And if you have a low-slung trike built for speed, you may not need a motor. Some people even have both!
Utah Trikes has articles and videos with a wealth of information about various types of trikes and accessories, so that is a great website to visit.
One of the best ways to determine which trike fits best is to try several. Bikes@Vienna in Vienna, Va., is a local shop that provides test rides, can help you find the correct size, and can answer any questions about them. Contact them through their website to set up an appointment.
For used trikes, try Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for local ads. Facebook also has a Recumbent Trike Classifieds page. I even found one at our local Phoenix Bikes.
And if you want to connect with other recumbent trike riders in the area, check out our Maryland, DC, and Virginia Recumbent Trike Riders Facebook page.
So, get out there and get riding! I hope you get the chance to try out a recumbent trike!
PHOTOS AT TOP: The author enjoying her recumbent trike. Photos courtesy of Catie Drew.
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