[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]

Originally Posted by sunsetgal

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]

Originally Posted by sunsetgal

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]

Originally Posted by sunsetgal

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

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]

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by sunsetgal

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.. 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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

what is the "W" trail?

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by Monkei

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Little Italy 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?