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[pmillen]

You pay a weight penalty when you add suspension to a bicycle.  I suppose the same is true on a trike.

Bicycles with aluminum frames typically ride more harsh than steel frames that flex and somewhat absorb bumps.  IDK how the composite frames ride.

[slaga]

Thanks for sharing info. I actually went to the bike shop today to return a seat and get a pair of padded liner shorts. While I was there, I took a Catrike Expedition out for a test spin. I think I could keep up with my wife and ride saddle pain free, but the thing I didn’t love was the ride itself. It sent every bump rattling my skull. I’m going to try the shorts and a different saddle, but still may have to consider this if it doesn’t work. However, the model with suspension is over four grand 

From what I have read, you can change the width of the tires somewhat to adjust the ride some. A wider tire running a little lower pressure would be a little more forgiving, but may cost you some speed. Mine has 1.5" wide tires and I run about 70 psi. I do not find the paved trails or streets around my neighborhood uncomfortable at all, but they are smooth and in good shape.

[slaga]

In the last 9 days I have ridden about 3-hours / 33-miles, which is more than I ever rode the bike. The absence of saddle soreness, combined with how my back does not hurt after a ride makes riding a lot more enjoyable, compared to my mountain bike. Yesterday, I passed a Mother and her son (4-ish on a tricycle) and said you start on a trike and end on a trike, and got a good laugh out of her. In retrospect, I think I am liking the more upright sitting position of "cruiser" type trikes than the more laid down position of the trikes made for speed. I laid the seat all the way back for a short ride and my neck was hurting after the ride. The next time I moved the seat back to a more upright position and it was a lot more comfortable for me. I am glad I did not get a trike built more for speed, which was not how I felt originally. Anyway, I am surprised no one else here has a recumbent bike / trike.

[glitchy]

Well, my seat experiments and padded shorts did not solve my issues, so I will be joining your club. My Catrike 559 is being delivered today. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any decent used trikes within a few hours of me, but I did convince the place I bought the trike from to give me all but $25 of what I paid for my 2 wheeler in trade-in (even though I didn't buy the 2 wheeler from them).

There's a really nice shop that specializes in Trikes an hour away. I was able to test ride a Trident, HPV Gekko, and Catrike. Unfortunately, my wife wanted to keep a two wheeler, so my choices were very limited needing to have a 26" rear wheel to have any chance of keeping up with her.

[bregent]

>This one weighs 33 lbs.

That would be tough going up hills, luckily you live in a mostly flat area. I live in the hills and most of my rides are 3000Ft of climb or more.
Hope you have fun with the trike, it looks nice.

[glitchy]

Hills are not fun on the trikes for sure, but for me it’s trike or not riding. Luckily, I’m not in the mountains and plan for most rides to be 10-20 miles.

[slaga]

Congrats on the trike. Pro of the 26" rear wheel is it is a little faster. Con is if you want to carry a spare tube, you will have to carry 2 sizes.

I am hoping to go for a 15 mile or so ride this afternoon, weather permitting.

[MSOLSON]

Got a Harley trike. I agree, trikes are a blast to ride!

[Bentley]

Have you ever ridden a Can Am Spider?

Got a Harley trike. I agree, trikes are a blast to ride!

[Bentley]

I was looking for real world experience from someone that might have ridden both, to see it they felt one handled better then the other.  Will be happy to PM MOLSON if you would like me to remove my post?

[slaga]

I was looking for real world experience from someone that might have ridden both, to see it they felt one handled better then the other.  Will be happy to PM MOLSON if you would like me to remove my post?

I removed my message. Dealing with hail damage and insurance, put me in a bit of a mood last night.

While researching human powered trikes, the trikes with 2 wheels in front, which are called tadpoles, are inherently more stable than the trikes with 1 front wheel, called delta's, especially under emergency braking with any kind of turn involved. I do not see how adding an engine would make any difference. Lowering the center of gravity of either design makes them even more stable.

[slaga]

So, I went for a cruise this morning. I only expected to go about 15 miles and when I got done I had no idea I rode for over 2 hours, and went 26+ miles. I am a 5'-10 1/2", 235 lb fat boy, that is 48 years old, that was never an avid biker, and I enjoyed the ride so much that I will do a longer ride sooner rather than later.  Considering  I was cruising, not trying to go my fastest, I am happy with my results, even though I was gased at the end. I had trouble getting up off of the trike.

[pmillen]

That's a great ride and a great pace.  All without a sore bottom and stiff neck.

[Brushpopper]

That's 26 miles farther than I would go but I bet it was a lovely ride!  That's a beautiful area of San Antonio.  And don't let Slaga fool you.  He ain't fat.  Especially now.

[slaga]

That is correct. The day after and no saddle soreness and my neck is fine. I don't think I have ever ridden a bike more than 10 miles, ever. This is all kind of new to me. I've never felt this "OK" after a what I consider a long ride. I saw 4 other trikes on that ride. 2 cruisers, similar to mine. 1 that that was a built more for speed, larger rear wheel, lower to the ground, etc. The last one was different. The rider had no legs, and it had a hand crank. He was flat out moving and keeping up with the bike group he was in. I was thoroughly impressed.

Brushpopper, my doctor would disagree with you. He says I am in the obese category, although I'd put myself in the overweight category. In any case, between me and the trike, I am pushing 270 lbs up and down the rolling hills of the trail. That is a hefty load to be pushing up some of the hills. It was a lot of fun though.

glitchy, feel free to post your experience, whether you are as happy or not. The trails I am riding have rolling hills and are really smooth.