100% agreed on all points. I know you have mentioned this on other videos but it deserves another mention ... mirrors (of some type). Looking behind is important and different than an upright bike. Great channel!
Hills pose a significant challenge for trikes vs. bikes since you can’t use your body weight to help. Learn the best gear settings to support the climb before getting to the beginning of the slope.
I agree on all points and a couple of additions. Always wear a brain bucket. Your head is often at bumper height, or you can take an unexpected spill. Wearing a helmet can be the difference between the trip to an ER to be checked out, or having someone feed and change your diaper for the rest of your life. The thinnest part of your skull is the sides. Also, wear clip in cycle shoes (not Croc's) to prevent leg suck. Many trike riders I encounter and chat with mention not wearing them in the beginning and then experiencing this very painful phenomenon. I use a very bright white light on flashing even during very sunny days. This was after spotting an intense flashing light approaching me from the opposite direction. I realized that I saw this light from several blocks away and it wasn't until it was about a hundred yards away that I could see it was a Trike. But all in all...very good tips. I shift between a road bike, gravel bike, and my Trike. Depending on mine and my body's moods. Getting a trike rack for your vehicle also opens you up to getting out onto trails without riding on streets to build confidence.
Most, if not every trike, hasn't got nearly enough brakes! Yes, they will stop okay for a quick stop, but going down a steep long hill will overtax most brake systems the manufacturers put on trikes. I have an electric trike with a large heavy battery. To make it safer to stop repeatedly, I installed 4 piston hydraulic brakes on 203 mm rotors. I consider this brake system a major safety upgrade for any trike that is capable of going downhill at speed in excess of 30 + miles per hour, and certainly on my electric trike.160 mm rotor brake system just doesn't cut it for any trike unless your riding area is completely flat.
Great video. Thanks. Part of being safe is finding the recumbent trike that is right for you. I am 6’4” tall and 300lbs. I don’t know much about recumbent trikes but from the research I’ve done, it seems that the Ice Adventure HD or the Greenspeed Magnum XL would be the best choices for me. I am not sure the Ice would handle my weight if I carry gear to go touring. What would you recommend?
We agree that finding the right trike for you is a key part of being safe. Our recommendation would be the Catrike Max! Check out our Max video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7dA4s--ZrmM.htmlfeature=shared
Additionally, the under-seat "direct steering" shown IS vibration passing. Under-seat indirect steering hugely isolates rider's hands and arms from riding vibration. The lessened vibration of indirect steering is not minor! Envision Vertical upper arms, and Horizontal forearms, with Push/Pull Steering.
I don't think I'll bike if I get the point of needing a recumbent, first off the weight and the bending down. The pressure on knees getting up and down .. nope
The ability to go as slow as I wish and the fact that I cannot fall off is a major attraction for me, hence I am currently building one, (64 years old).
Instead of focusing on the trikes, and the demonstration of steering mechanisms what we get is a young guy hogging the screen demonstrating narcissism.
Here's a link to our power grips pedals: www.utahtrikes.com/UTBRAND-71.html Check out our heel support pedals too: www.utahtrikes.com/SEARCH-0:999999:0:0:heel_support.search
Good video but you missed two vital safety tips. One, install clipless pedals and wear clipless shoes, or alternatively, install Power Grips pedals. And understand why. Two, install or wear a rear view mirror on your helmet (which you must also have), and understand why. Without adhering to these safety tips, you are very likely going to get hurt.
