Recumbent Trike - Bicycle Basics - Part I

If you are uncomfortable riding a bike or cannot ride aBecause delta trikes have higher and more vertical
bike due to balance issues, a bad back, sore neck orseating positions, just like on an upright bike or
the fact that a traditional bike seat hurts too much, arecumbent bike, the wind can really slow you down.
recumbent trike bicycle may be your answer. There isWind is not, however, much of a factor when riding a
little doubt that a recumbent bike is more comfortabletadpole recumbent trike bicycle. Such a trike generally
than an upright bike. However, if balance is an issue forplaces the rider lower to the ground and in a more
you, a recumbent bike is not the answer, becausereclined (or recumbent) position. When you ride a
maintaining your balance on a recumbent bike can betadpole trike, you are typically seated low, just aft of
more difficult than on a traditional upright bike.the two front wheels which is exactly why it performs
By contrast, there ARE no balance issues with abetter on straight and/or curvy roads or paths. So, if
recumbent trike, however, because the trike allowsspeed is your thing, and you have the dexterity to get
you to stay fit while having fun and enjoying theon and off of a tadpole recumbent, that is the way to
freedom of cycling. Say goodbye to your sore back,go.
sore bottom, sore neck and sore wrists. A recumbentThere are a couple of things to keep in mind when
trike comes in one of two configurations.deciding what kind of recumbent trike bicycle to buy.
For those just getting back into cycling, a deltaFirst and foremost, although delta recumbents may be
recumbent is often the best place to begin. A deltaslower, they are easier to get on and off of and easier
trike has two rear wheels and one front wheelto store. Though you will find riding a tadpole
whereas a tadpole recumbent has two front wheelsrecumbent will provide greater performance, getting on
and one rear wheel. Delta recumbents place the riderand off one requires greater balance. Storage can
higher off the ground and typically in a more uprightalso be an issue, unless your tadpole recumbent trike
position. They are very maneuverable, because thefolds. Nonetheless, the single most important thing to
single front wheel allows the trike to pivot in turns. Inkeep in mind when considering a delta or tadpole trike
addition, because delta recumbent trikes have twois that both are far more comfortable and better for
rear wheels, they can be stored in an upright positionyour back, bottom, neck and wrists than the best
on the rear wheels, thereby consuming less storageupright bike. Moreover, when you begin riding a
space. Because the cyclist's position is higher off therecumbent trike, you will become addicted to it,
ground and more upright, if you have bad knees, youbecause it allows you to stay fit, have fun and enjoy
will find it easier to get on and off a delta trike. There iscycling freedom just like when you were a kid.
a small penalty paid for this comfort - performance.