Have you ever thought of leaving your car in the garage and freely move around the park? If you have, then recumbent trikes can be a new tool for you. These recumbent trikes are an alternative to bikes, motorbikes, and bicycles that can be used for outdooring, exercising, and even getting down to the beaten path. The best recumbent trike for money can enhance your riding experience a lot.
As we are facing a lot of issues regarding our air pollution and global warming, we can prefer trikes as alternatives to motorized vehicles as well. This will reduce the emission of carbon in the air and give us an excellent happy ride.
Recumbent trikes are customizable and easy to use. They have more stability than bikes as they balance it with an extra wheel. So your hard days of learning to ride a bike are over. You can get thousands of recumbent trikes online. Different types of trikes offer various specialized features.
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Why do you need a recumbent trike?
Trikes are probably the next new trend. They are existing tools that you can use to roam around. Recumbent trikes are easy and fun to ride. They have comfortable seats that reduce the stress on your back and shoulder. Low reclining seats also enable you to do some exercise and to keep fit.
Trikes can be a fun ride in the winter season. It has a heads up position for the rider. Now you can enjoy the beautiful countryside while riding a trike. The upheld feet position maximizes the force and boosts the blood circulation. Recumbent trikes are customizable, so you can make your one as you dreamed of.
Trikes are more convenient as they have more balance and stability. You can have a motor added to it to give it more versatility. It is handier for the kids as they don’t need to worry about balancing at all. Kids can easily access these trikes for their sophisticated features.
These are safe as well; it is virtually impossible for one of these to flip upside down. If you fall from the trike, there is very little chance of getting hurt as the seats are shallow.
Moreover, many people around us have some physical issues. Recumbent trikes can be an excellent vehicle for them. It is handy, efficient, and exciting.
Types of recumbent trikes
There are two types of recumbent trikes. They offer different features to obtain a different purpose.
Tadpole Recumbent Trikes
These recumbent trikes have two wheels at the front and one at the back. The two wheels of the front side steers. These trikes are light in weight, so they are perfect racing recumbent trikes.Also, these trikes are low and can be used for riders with short legs.
They will give you a sporty vibe without breaking the bank as they are cheaper than the other type of recumbent trikes. If comfort and speed is your prime concern, these tadpole recumbent trikes are for you.
Delta Recumbent Trikes-
This type of trikes has one wheel at the front that steers. They are not as user-friendly as the Tadpole ones. They are heavy and slow, which pulls them into the less sporty category. But they offer a lot of space for the rider, so it is easier to get in or get out of it. These can be considered for heavy people’s recumbent trikes.
One thing to remember, they are costlier than the tadpole trikes. If you are a big man and speed is not what you need, you can look for some delta recumbent trikes.
Best recumbent trike for the money
1. Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle for Men & Women. Beach Cruiser Trike – Best recumbent trike for touring and long-distance
This trike is mainly designed for a more significant experience of exercise with less stress. You can enjoy outdooring with this tricycle as it is intended to be operated on a flat surface. The gently sloping terrain will ensure comfort for you. The reclined sear provides cushioned support that minimizes the stress on your back. This comfortable trike is for adult men and women.
As we already know, trikes give you better stability than bikes. This one is no different. The low center of gravity delivers delicate handling and maximum durability. It also has dual- joystick steering. Often single joystick steering can be irritating for their less- convenient. But here, the duel- joystick steering will ensure your manoeuvers’ smoothness with simple hand movements at minimal effort.
It is made of a Hi-Ten steel frame, which gives it a solid look. The chainless design is very much user-friendly as no maintenance is required. The Wheels are 20” front and 16” rear. It has a freewheel hub, caliper brakes, safety flag. So there has been no compromise with the design.
The dimension is 28 X 29 X 48 inches (61” extended) with 44 lbs. The weight falls under the more massive category, but that also maximizes the solidness of it.
- The built quality is stable and robust, easily accessible for big riders.
- Smooth controlling with the duel joystick steering, great in turning
- Comfortable enough to go for a long-distance/ touring
- With 44 lbs. of weight, it stays on the heavier side.
- The price is comparatively high than its competitors.
This one is recommended for adult people who love touring and going to distance. This one can be perfect touring and a long-distance recumbent trike. If the price is not what you care about, take a look at this one.
2. Mobo Shift 3-Wheel Recumbent Bicycle Trike – Best off-road recumbent trike
If you opt for versatility, then this one is for you. This is the first trike in the world to have a reverse gear. Yes, you heard it right, reverse gear in a tricycle. So, no more worrying about backing up. You can do it now in a snap with it. It also has a low center of gravity that gives it more stability. The dual joystick steering offers delicate control and smoothness. Planning to go off-road? This one is the best off-road recumbent trike.
It has an ergonomic reclining back seat that includes six angle settings. So if you are tired of the angling process of the trikes you had before, take a look at this beauty. This one is easily adjustable for large and small riders. Riders from 4’0” to 6’3” can access it with comfort as it can take up to 250 lbs. of weight.
The trike is durable enough as it is made from a Hi-ten steel frame. The chainless design delivers low maintenance. It has a 20” front and 16” rear wheel with a wheel hub, caliper brakes, and safety flag. The spacious dimensions of 28 x 25.6 x 48 inches (62” extended) ease the rider. It is designed for adult males, females, and children aged over ten years.
- First trike to come with reverse gear, which not only sounds fancy but also gives the rider a lot of control
- Comfortable seats are great for exercising without stress.
- A great pick for big riders with up to 250 lbs. capacity
- A bit expensive, which can demotivate many buyers
Recommended for riders who want versatility. The reverse gear will certainly help the long ride. So people who don’t worry about the price and demands all in all performance can go for this one
3. Mobo Mobito Kids 3-Wheel Bike. Recumbent Trike – Best recumbent trike for beginners
Looking for some cool trikes for your kid? Well, this one is the right pick for you. The easy to ride three-wheelers is an excellent tool for outdooring with your lovely kids. It has gently sloping terrain and is designed for cruising and exercise on a flat paved surface.
This trike is very much low to the ground because it is designed for the kids. The frame of the trike provides maximum stability. Dual joystick steering will ensure smoothness with simple hand movements. No balance is required for this one.
This can be used as a great exercise trike for the kids. The secured reclined seat will enable you to get a cardiovascular workout. It has a weight capacity of 180 lbs. And can be adjustable for the kids tall to 4’8”. The kids will love it, and so will you.
Like other trikes, it is also made of a hi-ten steel frame with a chainless design. The wheels are a bit short, though, 16” in the front and 12” in the rear. The dimension is 25 x 21 x 41 inches (47” extended) and weighs 32 lbs.
- They are specially designed for kids, so kids will surely love these.
- No need to add balance; this trike will ensure safety for the kids.
- One of the lightest trikes in the market, so it is easy to handle
- The turning can be unstable at times, as per many users.
- The lightweight compromises with the solidity a bit
It is recommended for kids. No need to include balance; it is stable enough.
4. Mobo Triton Pedal Go Kart Trike. Kids 3-Wheel Bike – Best recumbent trike for racing
Another great trike for kids in the market. This also has the same Hi-ten steel frame, same solid look. Though this one is specially designed for kids, adults of smaller size can use it. Indeed, the perfect recumbent trike for short legs.
The dual joystick steering is very active and easy to control your trike. You can do cardiovascular exercise with it as it is designed in an exercise-friendly manner. Secure reclined seats make it easy to use. For its sophisticated features, it can easily be considered as your racing recumbent trike.
With a seat height of 11 inches from the ground, it can afford kids and adults from 3’8” to 5’2”; it has the capacity of up to 200 lbs, which is great for a kid tricycle.
- A great pick for kids and small riders as well
- Well balanced, delicate control.
- Sturdy as well as durable.
- Great for kids and adults alike.
- Comfortable to use.
- It provides exceptional maneuverability.
- Offers unparalleled stability
- The price is steep
Recommended for kids and small riders. Riders who drive trikes in the road with cars or goes for long-distance might avoid this one as this can create issues while taking a turn.
5. Trident Adult Recumbent Tricycle – Best recumbent trikes for seniors
The last trike that we are going to talk about is the trident adult recumbent tricycle. It is mainly designed for aged people. The main concern is to ensure the comfort of the riders. The reclining seats will reduce the stress from the back, one of the senior’s recumbent trikes.
The seats are made from mesh. Aluminum rings and SS spokes deliver solidity to the design. The frame is also foldable, which is quite handy for the users.
- The mesh seats ensure the comfort of the back for the riders.
- Solidly built, it can be a prominent pick for people on the older side.
- Portable, hence you can take it from one place to another easily.
- Not appropriate for people who prefer speed as this one cannot catch up much faster
Recommended for aged people. Aged people’s priority is mostly comfort, and it delivers exactly that. Not recommended for the regular riders who demand top-notch performance.
Things to consider before buying a recumbent trike:
Well, people usually don’t pay proper attention while choosing a recumbent trike for them. New owners are likely to choose trikes by seeing others or trending models, but it is useless if it doesn’t suit your body type. Some initials that one should consider before buying-
Owner’s body type:
First thing’s first. If you want to get the full benefit from your recumbent trikes, choose according to your body type. Setting goals is essential. Either you want to lose weight or maintain fitness, pick trikes that can help fulfill the purpose.
The trikes in the market have different dimensions. They also have variety in extended parts as well. So you need to check which one is easy for your body type to get along with. You are riding this for comfort, do not compromise with that.
Where to use:
Considering where and how to use the trikes, one can choose one lightweight, heavy-duty, or regular recumbent. Recumbent trikes have different gears and brakes. Some of them even have reverse gears as well. All these features are provided to ensure your ease while riding. So you should check thoroughly before buying one.
If you want to use it in a mountainous area, lightweight with the heavy-duty will be easier to use. If you are a regular rider, who goes for long-distance, you can choose the credible ones. If speed is your main concern, get one of the top-notch performance trikes.
Seat and tires:
The seats of a trike are vital. It is the tool behind your comfort. There are two types of places; woven mesh and foam padding.
Woven mesh seats allow to pass air, but foam padding seats don’t do so. So choosing seats according to weather and comfort is considerable. Especially for the warm weather, woven mesh seats are recommended.
For the tiers, avoid the cheap ones. Better use one with better performance than a low price. Tier type also depends on the track you use generally. If you are not very regular off-road, an average tier might work fine for you.
Configuration:
Most trikes usually contain under-seat steering. You can buy one with regular steering like normal bicycles. If you want better speed, under-seat steering is much better than the regular one. It gives a better grip and balance to the rider. For gears, having different ranges of gears simply doesn’t make it better. All you need to check the level of low and high gear inches. Because these two help the rider on the surface.
Wheels and brakes:
The size of the wheels is essential for the rider’s comfort. Also, how close the rider is to the ground, how much weight to carry, and how much speed you want to reach matters. The most common combination is 20 inches’ front wheel and 26 inches’ rear wheel. But you can choose according to your comfort.
Trikes can reach 80kms/hr speed, so you need a break that can work without overheating or losing its hydraulic fluid suddenly.
Accessories:
You can choose different accessories with your trikes. GPS, lock, light, tool kit, mirror, safety kit, water bottle, tier pump, tier gauge, any other thing accessory, which you feel will be helpful on the way. Most of these are not provided with the trike, so get them from a hardware shop. These small items will enhance your riding ease, so it is better not to neglect these.
Budget:
Considering all facts, a regular recumbent trike can relatively cost $1000-$1200 with basic models and no customization. If you want to customize or add configurations to your trikes, the budget can raise a minimum of $2500 to $5000. One useful customized trick can be on proper service for up to 7 years. Still, feeling costly? Then you can rent one from the stores of yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of trikes?
There are mainly two of them. One is the tadpole trikes, which have two wheels at the front. Another one is the Delta trikes having one wheel at the front to steer.
How fast are recumbent trikes?
The average speed of recumbent trikes is around 12- 15 mph. Though it depends a lot on the design and the built quality of it. The weight of the rider also affects the speed. Recumbent trikes can be fast. Many professionals have exceeded the speed of 40mph on their 15-20 years old machine. So, the speed depends on how well you can handle it.
How to hang a recumbent trike?
You can simply hang your trike on the ceiling through a bike hook. If your room isn’t spacious enough, get it into your garage. Stop by the local hardware shops, get yourself a bike hook. Then hang the trike keeping the rear wheel downwards. At first, but both the hooks in the front wheels. Pull the rope to put tension on it. Then pull it up. Done!
Why are recumbent trikes so expensive?
There are different types of trikes available in the market. I agree that the expense of those seems a bit higher. But the hi-ten steel frame and solid design justify the pricing. The trike manufacturing companies provide dual joystick steering with the trike that costs a good amount of money. Some of them also have reverse gear and exclusive control options. So I guess it somehow justifies the high pricing. Still, if you can’t agree, you can simply look for the less expensive ones available in the online and physical stores.
Are trikes stable?
Of course, they are! Trikes have three wheels, which gives them a bonus point in the balance section. Trikes are always more stable than bikes. Though some trikes have some issues with the wheel alignment and turning, it can be solved with a bit of repairing. Most of the trikes are low from the ground. It generally eliminates your fear of falling from the trike. But for safety issues, it is advised to avoid riding trikes on the road with cars. Don’t ride a trike without a separate infra for bikes. Trikes are stable, but they are on the slower side and can cause problems while turning.
Why ride a recumbent trike?
Recumbent trikes are an exciting tool for outdooring. If you are considering to keep your car in the garage and go for some fresh air, recumbent trikes can be a great pick for you. They are trendy and comfortable as well. The reclining seat ensures the comfort of the back. You can also carry a cardiovascular exercise session with it as it comes with an exercise-friendly design. There are trikes for almost all sorts of people- kids, adults, aged. Trikes provide more stability than bikes. You don’t really have to go through a learning session to ride recumbent trikes. A recumbent trike actually solves several problems for you. Want to ride in winter? Have issues in balancing? Tired of putting your feet on the ground while braking? GET A RECUMBENT TRIKE! They are fun to ride and easier to handle. You can follow the track easily riding one of these, no need to wobble. And they can be accommodating for disabled people.
Wrapping up:
Recumbent trikes are fun. In this world of cars and motorbikes, these trikes can take you in the mode of exploring something out of the box. They are simple yet effective. And as there is no learning course needed to ride one of these, you can save some extra bucks there.
Unlike bikes, riding recumbent trikes are a great way to roam around with no stress on your wrist, leg, and back. Thanks to the comfortable reclining seats. Regarding turns and brakes, trikes are handy too. Some brands offer reverse gear with their trike.
With improved control, that can add a lot of versatility to the trike as well. So, if you can get the best recumbent trike for money, you will undoubtedly enjoy it for the next period. And remember, the best one is the one that suits you well. Cheers!
