Bikes in villages

[Heartnsoul]

Does anyone know what they call those bikes I see people around the villages on?? They have a seat, are low to ground and I believe controls on side of seat?? And where do you look for one?? thanks

[renrod]

Does anyone know what they call those bikes I see people around the villages on?? They have a seat, are low to ground and I believe controls on side of seat?? And where do you look for one?? thanks
You might be asking about Recumbent Bikes. Google Recumbent Bike. You could call a local bike shop and they can help you, at least tell you where to buy one.

[Arctic Fox]

Does anyone know what they call those bikes I see people around the villages on?? They have a seat, are low to ground and I believe controls on side of seat?? And where do you look for one?? thanks

recumbent bikes, or "bent bikes" in the vernacular

just make sure if you ride one you make yourself very visible to others

[GaryW]

Does anyone know what they call those bikes I see people around the villages on?? They have a seat, are low to ground and I believe controls on side of seat?? And where do you look for one?? thanks

Recumbent bicycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recumbent_bicycle)

You can get them at most bicycle shops.
Try the Villages Cycles at Spanish Springs,, Mark know these bikes real good.
Also Mike at Santos in Belleview deals with them alot.

[KayakerNC]

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQiFhVwpmhY96zB-1Ue_Ob-CoB1SXAISSUrPnwKVPnEMRw3rvws7A

[Chazz]

Does anyone know what they call those bikes I see people around the villages on?? They have a seat, are low to ground and I believe controls on side of seat?? And where do you look for one?? thanks

As you've described them, they are most likely recumbent trikes. My wife and I have been riding them for several years now and absolutely love them. The population of recumbent trike riders in TV has been growing steadily since we've lived here (7 years). As previously stated by others here, you can see them at the Villages Cycle shop, although their selection is limited. Santos Bike shop doesn't sell many, if any, trikes, but Mike Phelps is an expert at working on them.


If you want to see the widest variety of trikes, the best place to go is Hampton's Edge Trailside Bike shop in Floral city (about 45 minutes from TV). They carry a wide range of brands and models in various price ranges and they are very friendly and easy to deal with. They are located right off the Withlacoochee State bike trail, so you can test ride with no cars around you. Here's a link to their website: Hamptons Edge Trailside Bicycles Floral City Florida Recumbent Bikes, Recumbent Bicycles Sales, Service, Rentals. (http://www.hamptonsedge.com/). Even closer, and also on the Withlacoochee is Suncoast Cycles in Inverness. They don't have quite as much as Hampton's Edge, but they are easy to deal with, too. Here's a link to their website: Sun Cycle Centers - Trek & Bontrager Authorized Internet Sales (http://suncyclecenter.com/).

[LndLocked]

I think that you will find that Village Cycle's selection of recumbent bikes has increased, I saw no less that 4-6 on the floor there last week .... including a very cool, well built one with outstanding components, including disk brakes!!

I do not know the Hamptons folks .... but Sun Cycles are also great people.

[rhood]

You can see them at The Villages Cycle Shop. But, they are hard to see when they are on the road and you are in a car unless they are flying a flag or pennant. My feeling is that they belong on closed courses, not Buena Vista or Morse.

[archerlc]

They are especially good if you have some physical problem. Bad backs and limb problems. I have ridden with a guy in the Villages with a dead foot. He straps it to the pedal. He can go fast and go long distances. Amazing guy.
You will see a lot of them on the W trail. Since two of the places mentioned are on the trail you can test ride right there.

[Chazz]

You can see them at The Villages Cycle Shop. But, they are hard to see when they are on the road and you are in a car unless they are flying a flag or pennant. My feeling is that they belong on closed courses, not Buena Vista or Morse.

I've heard that alot, even from well meaning friends and neighbors. Until they get behind us and see that it is not a real concern. Of course, everyone is in danger from inattentive drivers who are looking up in the air for, planes, helicopters and UFOs. :pray: Actually we have had no problems being seen by anyone throughout the many thousands of miles we have ridden our trikes. When riding on roads, we ride with tall flags and extremely bright flashing tail lights. Cars, generally, give us more room than they do 2 wheelers, in part I believe it's because we look so strange and seem to take up more room on the road. There are a few situations where it is an issue, where there are tall shrubs, or your behind a car or SUV, etc. You don't have to balance yourself on 3 wheels and you don't have to put your feet down when you stop. All in all, I feel much safer than I ever did when riding a regular upright bike, which my wife and I did for many more years than our trikes.

All said, we prefer riding on closed trails, whether we're on our trikes or uprights, simply because it's less stressful. There are so many great bike trails within an hour, or so, of TV, that we regularly ride them with our group of trikers and 2-wheeled recumbent riders.

[Monkei]

They are especially good if you have some physical problem. Bad backs and limb problems. I have ridden with a guy in the Villages with a dead foot. He straps it to the pedal. He can go fast and go long distances. Amazing guy.
You will see a lot of them on the W trail. Since two of the places mentioned are on the trail you can test ride right there.

what is the "W" trail?

[Chazz]

what is the "W" trail?

I think he means the Withlacoochee State Trail.

[archerlc]

Yes. Withlacoochee. You can get on at many places. We get on at Inverness (public parking). Longest paved trail in Florida. And don't forget Little Italy for lunch.

[Chazz]

Yes. Withlacoochee. You can get on at many places. We get on at Inverness (public parking). Longest paved trail in Florida. And don't forget Little Italy for lunch.

Little Italy:pepper2: Now, we're talking! Delicious and fun place to go after a nice ride on the trail. FYI, they are closed on Sundays.

[quirky3]

Here's a question on recumbent bikes/trikes....I have seen two types of models. One with two wheels in the back and one wheel in the front, and one that is the opposite. (You can see both on Amazon.com)

Which is the most common? The steering must have a different feel for each of those models. Anyone with experience in those?

[graciegirl]

I think....I am pretty sure I saw a person lying back in the recumbent position on a regular looking and regular height two wheel bike.

It looked very............unusual.

Could I have seen that Bike42?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I think....I am pretty sure I saw a person lying back in the recumbent position on a regular looking and regular height two wheel bike.

It looked very............unusual.

Could I have seen that Bike42?

Yes those are definitely out there. And by the way, two wheelers are much more beneficial health wise as you work many muscles of your body staying balanced all the time. Trikes are great for aerobic workouts but balancing on a two wheeled cycle will build more muscle.

[graciegirl]

Yes those are definitely out there. And by the way, two wheelers are much more beneficial health wise as you work many muscles of your body staying balanced all the time. Trikes are great for aerobic workouts but balancing on a two wheeled cycle will build more muscle.

In my case balancing and peddling lying down would result in me waiting over at the emergency room and I can just hear the triage nurse saying..

What were you thinkin.??? ;)

[Chazz]

Here's a question on recumbent bikes/trikes....I have seen two types of models. One with two wheels in the back and one wheel in the front, and one that is the opposite. (You can see both on Amazon.com)

Which is the most common? The steering must have a different feel for each of those models. Anyone with experience in those?

There are 2 types of recumbent trike models, as you described: 2 wheels in the front are called tadpoles; 2 in the back are called deltas. Currently, tadpoles are far more popular. My wife and I ride tadpole style trikes, as do all the members of our group. Generally, but not always, deltas are higher off the ground, and have a tighter turning radius than tadpoles. On the other hand, tadpoles are usually, but not always, faster than deltas. I have experience riding both and like them both. I recommend trying both styles and as many brands and models as you can find to see what works best for you.

[Chazz]

I forgot to mention it, because I thought it was self evident, that both tadpole and delta trikes are incredibly comfortable. I now take for granted that I can ride for hours on end and when I get off the trike my legs are tired, but nothing hurts.

[Heartnsoul]

I did stop in yesterday at bike shop over near spanish springs. they do have one for 2,000 it's alot of money so have to make sure it is what i want. thanks for other places to check. i will do that. are the back comfortable on them for long rides?? are they difficult to get out of as you age?? lots to think about appreciate any advice

[Heartnsoul]

As you've described them, they are most likely recumbent trikes. My wife and I have been riding them for several years now and absolutely love them. The population of recumbent trike riders in TV has been growing steadily since we've lived here (7 years). As previously stated by others here, you can see them at the Villages Cycle shop, although their selection is limited. Santos Bike shop doesn't sell many, if any, trikes, but Mike Phelps is an expert at working on them.


If you want to see the widest variety of trikes, the best place to go is Hampton's Edge Trailside Bike shop in Floral city (about 45 minutes from TV). They carry a wide range of brands and models in various price ranges and they are very friendly and easy to deal with. They are located right off the Withlacoochee State bike trail, so you can test ride with no cars around you. Here's a link to their website: Hamptons Edge Trailside Bicycles Floral City Florida Recumbent Bikes, Recumbent Bicycles Sales, Service, Rentals. (http://www.hamptonsedge.com/). Even closer, and also on the Withlacoochee is Suncoast Cycles in Inverness. They don't have quite as much as Hampton's Edge, but they are easy to deal with, too. Here's a link to their website: Sun Cycle Centers - Trek & Bontrager Authorized Internet Sales (http://suncyclecenter.com/).

thanks for this info will definitely look into it. did you go to Hampton place? how are they for comfort? am concerned about back etc.. do you use them often? how far do you go? able to get through tunnels?

[Chazz]

thanks for this info will definitely look into it. did you go to Hampton place? how are they for comfort? am concerned about back etc.. do you use them often? how far do you go? able to get through tunnels?

I bought 2 trikes at Hampton's in Floral City. All of the trikes are very comfortable on your back and other parts of your body, as well. For the ultimate in comfort, some have a suspension system. My wife and I bought ICE brand trikes with rear suspension. The model that they sell similar to ours is the Adventure, which you can get with or without suspension. It is higher off the ground than some other trikes, making it easier to get in and out of. You will find that, after a little while, getting in and out is not a problem, but your own physical condition will determine that. The key is to try several brands and models.

They are, however, very expensive. The ICE trikes are even more than the Catrikes that you probably saw at the Villages Cycles. However, to me, they have been well worth the expense. My wife and I ride more miles each year on our trikes than we rode in the 25 years combined, before, on our road bikes. The main reason is comfort. If you feel good, you'll continue to ride.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[trenbarg12]

I've heard that alot, even from well meaning friends and neighbors. Until they get behind us and see that it is not a real concern. Of course, everyone is in danger from inattentive drivers who are looking up in the air for, planes, helicopters and UFOs. :pray: Actually we have had no problems being seen by anyone throughout the many thousands of miles we have ridden our trikes. When riding on roads, we ride with tall flags and extremely bright flashing tail lights. Cars, generally, give us more room than they do 2 wheelers, in part I believe it's because we look so strange and seem to take up more room on the road. There are a few situations where it is an issue, where there are tall shrubs, or your behind a car or SUV, etc. You don't have to balance yourself on 3 wheels and you don't have to put your feet down when you stop. All in all, I feel much safer than I ever did when riding a regular upright bike, which my wife and I did for many more years than our trikes.

All said, we prefer riding on closed trails, whether we're on our trikes or uprights, simply because it's less stressful. There are so many great bike trails within an hour, or so, of TV, that we regularly ride them with our group of trikers and 2-wheeled recumbent riders.
I love to ride as well and have a trike, is there anyway I could be included on your invite to ride trails outside TV My name is Terry Renbarger trenbarg12@gmail.com 765 661 2543 I have a green speed

[TNLAKEPANDA]

This looks perfect!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Quattrocycle_with_canopy.jpg