I've just come back from the York Cycle Rally (UK) and spent some time trying the various Trice
models, in particular the new Meteor. This appears to be an XXL (hard shell seat, low, medium to
narrow track) with an extended rear-end to acommodate a full-size rear wheel. I tried it and the XXL
back-to-back.
The XXL has fabulous handling, is fairly light for a trike and the ventilated hard-shell seat is
very supportive and comfortable; you can really lean in and turn hard.
The Meteor is definitely slightly quicker, and somewhat more comfortable. An XXL with suspension is
slightly heavier again. The Meteor's big back wheel helps it accelerate like a rat out of a trap,
and the ride is seriously smooth on all but the worst surfaces. The longer rear-end compromises the
handling a bit but it is definitely easier to power, even with the extra idler which is required to
get the chain up to the rear hub.
I'm not an experienced triker, and I only got to ride them a half mile or so on a variety of
surfaces, but that Meteor really did impress. Usual Trice build quality, braze-ons for everything,
excellent paint job, and if I thought my wife would ever speak to me again it would have been
strapped to the roof of my Volvo coming home. The price also seemed pretty keen.
I also tried the HP Velotechnic SpeedMachine, which is a nicely sorted bike, very smooth ride, but
more flexy than my Stinger. If I were buying again it would be a close call between the two - the
SpeedMachine has front sus and a bigger back wheel, so less drivetrain resistance, but the Stinger
is definitely less prone to rear-end waggle under power.
All in all an amusing weekend riding other people's machines :-)
Guy
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