recumbant trikes
 

does anyone own one?? was wondering if they really are comfortable. the ones low to ground that you see around the villages. They are very expensive 2,000 or more so is it worth investment?

I have a Catrike Trail and really love it. It is very lightweight and I can put it in the back of my car - no bike rack needed. My car is a Hyundai Touring. The trike is very comfortable. There is also a Catrike Villager which is a few inches higher so you don't have to go down as far when you are getting into it. I tried both but was more comfortable in the Trail. There are other models above the Trail also. It was worth the investment for me.

I responded to your other post on this subject in "Bikes in Villages" message thread. There are many excellent brands of recumbent trikes. Each feels a little different and handles differently, so you need to try them out to see what works best for you. As Mfp509 points out, even within a brand, each model feels different.

I agree. I've had my Catrike Road for 8 years. I knew the Villages would be an ideal place to ride, with the exception of the MM trails. I hang mine on a home-made rack in the garage. It is easily transported in my pickup truck.

The recumbent is better suited for me since I have neck and back problems. The one thing you'll notice is you can't use the weight of your body to help pedal. It's all in the legs. One heck of a workout. I love it.

Actually, you can use your weight, somewhat. You can use a technique known as "bridging." It's a difficult technique to use, but it does boost your power when climbing or sprinting. I rarely use it myself, as it is tiring.

I good friend has it with back issues loves it, I can't keep up with him.

I think they range in price about $600 & up

I'm a heavy woman and find it very comfortable. Mine is 18" off the ground, a Terra-trike Rover and $1000. Fits in my CR-V. Got it at Sun Coast in Inverness. Problem......, I don't ride it enough.

Would you like to see your Terra trike?

Ii've never ridden one , but it worries me when I see them being ridden around The Villages. I think they have a visibility problem. Not so much when they're with a bunch of "regular" bikes. No problem there. But when I'm driving around and come across a single rider, they're not as noticeable. I am on the look out for golf carts and regular bikes and pedestrians, but recumbents seem to be below where my eyes are looking.
Be careful out there!

That's why most "bents" have a flag. I don't ride on the multi-modals. Don't like breathing cart exhaust and they make me nervous. I ride around the local neighborhoods.

I hear this all the time, and I have found it to be not the case. Most drivers see what is on the roads, including pavement markings, unless they are somehow distracted. The fact that these vehicles are so different looking from others gets them more attention. In fact, I have never even had a close call with a car with more than 15,000 miles on my trike. On the other hand, I had many close calls when I rode my regular bike, with drivers often buzzing me intentionally. With my trike, drivers typically move into the next lane (wonder if they think I'm in a wheelchair?).

There are some situations that require more caution, such as when riding through roundabouts. Also, in densely populated cities (e.g. NYC) I would not ride a trike alongside other vehicles, as I'd be below eye level. I wouldn't ride a trike or a bike in the downtown areas of such cities, at all.