Recumbent Trike
 

My husband and I love to bike and have noticed the number of recumbent trikes in The Villages. They look like fun and seem like they would be a lot more comfortable than upright bikes. We'd love to hear from someone who has had experience with one or knows where they are sold around here.

Re Recumbant Bike
 

I, too, would like to know if the RBike puts less stress on the neck, upper body but transfers it to the lower back and legs? Just curious what the draw is to the RBike..
Thanks:024:

I have one - a Catrike Trail which I bought at Village Cycle. I really love it. It's lightweight, comfortable, no strain on neck, and fits right in back of my Hyundai Elantra Touring with the back seats down. I'm not a regular rider but can get on and ride 15 miles with no problem. I think mine was about $1800.

I just bought a Catrike Villager a couple of weeks ago so have limited experience with it. However, on my few rides that I have made it is very comfortable and the only stress I feel is in the upper legs. The back and shoulders feel fine. No problem there.

I paid $1600 for it at Village Cycles.

John

Here is a link to the Catrike website. These things look so cool. Might have to get one when I get there as well.

http://www.catrike.com/catrikes.html

Recumbent bikes and trikes are made all over the world, and the Catrike brand is a major one. If you'd like to see/know more about them, they are made nearby, in Winter Garden in Orange County. I have not been to the factory, but I understand tours are available.

I'm still riding my first recumbent bike that I bought in 2003, but may move up to a trike at some time. When I do, I'll probably take that tour.

While Village Cycle is local and has a good stock, you might also want to venture over to Floral City where the Hampton's Edge bike shop is located. Regis Hampton specializes in recumbent bikes and trikes. ("Edge" relates to the fact his shop is adjacent to -- on the edge of -- the Withlacoochee State Trail.)

Bikes
 

Where is Village Cycle???

On Bichara (sp?) a few doors from Publix near Spanish Springs.

Do they also have another location?

10 years -- love it
 

I've ridden a trike for 10 years and love it. Now that my husband is retired I spend most of my time on a tandem, but highly recommend a trike to anyone who wants comfort and fun. I run my dogs with my trike about 5 miles daily; they love it. Pictures and more about trikes at http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/F232.html

I have an 8 speed Rover made by Terratrike. It's not as low as the other recumbents, easier to get in and out of with my bad knees. Not a balance problem. $1000. 42 pounds, VERY comfortable. Got it in Inverness at Sun-Cycle.

Test drove
 

I took a test drive of one at Village Cycle a couple of days ago. Very easy to drive and quite comfortable - a lot of fun, but pricey. i'm so old now I can't fathom paying more than $89.99 for a bike from Sears.

Try one out at Village Cycle. They're really a neat experience.

Is there a Recumbent Trike Club in The Villages?

We bought Sun Trek recumbents a few years back and love them my husbands is a 2 wheel and mine a trike VERY comfortable paid about $800 each :)

Also we bought ours at the Bike shop in Leesburg, much cheaper and excellent svc.

My wife rides a TerraTrike Cruiser. It has two wheels in the front and one in the rear. After riding both I like this setup better.

Folding trikes are becoming more common, makes it easier for transporting. Ice Trikes make a very comfortable folding model.

Great example of manufacturing in the USA....akin to the days that grew this country.

The process is fascinating.....especially to a machine tool/automation guy.
Thanx for the treat.

btk

As far as I know, there is no trike or recumbent specific club in TV. However, there is one that has several TV members, including my wife and me. The club is called the CRABS (Crusty Retired All Bent Society). We ride 3 times per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) on many of the great bike trails throughout central FL. Occasionally, we ride inside TV. We welcome everyone to join us. Nice folks and fun rides. Our motto is "we ride to eat."

If anyone is interested, our rides are posted on the central Florida Yahoo website: Yahoo Groups

My wife and I have noticed how the number of trike riders seems to be booming in TV, recently. It used to be a pretty rare sight to encounter one. Now, it's common.

My husband and I also have Cat Trike's we purchased at Village Cycle a couple of years ago. We really enjoy cruising around the Villages and no longer have lower back or wrists pain like I used to experience on our older mountain bikes because of the need to
lean forward for the handlebars. We also recently purchased Sun bicycles from the bike shop in Wildwood that have regular handlebars that enable us to sit upright. We like to use both type of bikes for fun.

I saw you some years back with your Greenspeed trike and your dogs. A very distinctive sight, indeed!

One of the couples that we ride with live in The Plantation, and ride Greenspeed tandem trikes. On our rides, they are the ones who get the most attention.

I get emails about your CRAB rides. I'd participate but I get one heck of a workout right here in the bubble.

If a "bent" club was formed, I would probably join. Not really interested in riding with a group, though.