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In article <[email hidden]>, LEmory <usenet-
Quoted message said:Any suggestions for purchasing a recument for a cross country trip thissummer. I am a female, 5'
2 1/2"...
Lots of good info here. I'll add my $0.02.
I wouldn't try touring on an EZ-1 or most other CLWBs. They're designed for short rides and perform
well in that context, but for long distances there are much better choices.
Given the choice between the LWB and SWB format for your size, chances are you'll be happier with
the LWB. (Steve's Tiger is a pretty cool bike, though...I really want to get a Rotator someday.) It
will handle better for your purposes (loaded touring with a trailer) and you'll be able to get your
feet down more easily. You really can't go wrong with a Tour Easy if you want a bike.
However, I agree with the guy who rode the Swift. A tadpole trike is, hands down, the best
choice for touring. (I do work for Catrike, mind you, but I say this because I really do believe
it to be true.)
There are a number of good reasons for this.
- No learning curve. Anyone can ride one of these.
- You can't fall over.
- Fit is generally not an issue, because like a SWB bike, a trike is adjusted by sliding the
boom...but unlike an SWB, there is no real limit to how short you can go. If you have a really,
REALLY short exseam, custom work may be needed, of course, but that would be true for a bike as
well. (Catrikes can accommodate exseams [distance from your tailbone to the soles of your feet] of
as short as 36 inches without modification.)
- Climbing (especially when heavily loaded) is easier on a trike because there is no minimum speed.
On a bike, if you fall below the minimum controllable speed, you have to walk. That never happens
on a trike. You can climb at 0.1 mph if you want to.
- Trikes make dandy camp chairs :-)
The downside is cost. You're not going to find a good-quality bike for much under $1500
new...forget about anything at $1000 unless you get a good deal on a used bike. And trikes are more
expensive than equivalent bikes, though in the past year it's become possible to get nice trikes
for under $2000.
Both WizWheelz and Catrike are in that price range. There may be others I'm not aware of that are at
that price point. I do not count the new J&B/Sun entry-level Tadpole as a viable touring
machine...it's cheap, and you're getting what you pay for.
If you can spend more money, there are many other fine trikes available. Do some research and
ask around.
Both of the two $2000 trikes I mentioned have advantages and disadvantages. Both are good quality
products with many satisfied owners. The WizWheelz is a fair bit heavier and larger than either of
the Catrike models, but has the advantage of a sliding seat as well as a sliding boom, so it might
fit you even if your exseam is shorter than 36 inches. The Catrike is light (lighter than many of
the bikes that have been recommended in this thread) and has a triangulated frame.
WW only sells direct via the internet. You'll pay a little more if you want the trike delivered in
an assembled state. We have dealers and also will sell direct if there isn't one near you.
Whichever way you go, do try to get a test ride on the type of machine you're interested in. If you
ride a tadpole trike I think you'll be hooked.
Hope this helps... Andrew Douglas Catrike
