Search found 7 matches

by LowdownRider
5 Apr 2019, 8:40pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Insuring a 'bent
Replies: 13
Views: 5542

Re: Insuring a 'bent

NUKe wrote:Never bothered with any bikes, last time I looked they wanted £160 to insure a£1000 bike. you can add to some household policies as an any risk item quite cheaply though.


I just insured 2 ordinary bikes, adding them to my household insurance, and my premium shot up. Ridiculous that 2 ordinary, nothing special bikes, total value (new) £830, have cost an extra 25% on what I paid for my house AND contents!

... AND I'm now trying to get my (new) recumbent trike covered and the underwriters are being unreasonably awkward, asking some mind boggling questions, and it will cost me as much as my house and contents insurance combined - IF they decide to insure me at all!

[I've been with them all my adult life and never made a single claim]. :evil:
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 7:44pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Recumbent riding with prolapsed disc.
Replies: 23
Views: 11908

Re: Recumbent riding with prolapsed disc.

cyclop wrote:My question is this.Does recumbent riding put less pressure on the lumbar discs compared to upright?


In my case, I'd say considerably less pressure.
I've never felt as comfortable since injuring my back until I sat in the seat of the trike I've just ordered (an ICE Sprint X Tour).
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 7:38pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Cycling for Disabled People.
Replies: 14
Views: 8506

Re: Cycling for Disabled People.

I too have suffered a bad back injury in the past but I have recently test ridden, and now ordered, a new ICE Sprint X Tour.

I also test rode an ICE Adventure, and that I suspect would suit you down to the ground. You can add assisters if you need hand holds to get in and out of the seat, but I managed without using any assistance. It's technique as much as balance, and really not that difficult at all once you have tried it once, honestly.
The Adventure seat is higher off the ground, which should suit you, and the seat is very supportive. You are very unlikely to fall out, unless you did something totally daft like riding up a steep bank, side on, whilst leaning downwards!

I'd recommend getting to your local ICE dealership and trying one for yourself.
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 7:24pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: An Urban Recumbent
Replies: 10
Views: 8118

Re: An Urban Recumbent

I'm (hopefully) taking delivery of my new recumbent ICE trike sometime later this month.
Living in West London, I too was a bit concerned about the risks of being so low down in an urban traffic setting, but having followed a few You Tubers with their recumbent trikes, they actually appear safer than conventional bicycles, as they are more of a novelty which catches the drivers eyes! Overtakers appear to give them a minimum of half a carriageway width when passing.

In all of the footage I've viewed there has only been one brief "close" pass, and that was NOTHING in comparison to what I've had on 2 wheels!
I'd say any recumbent, 2, 3 or 4 wheeled, is going to be safer than a conventional bicycle.
[I SHALL be flying a flag though, as well as sporting strobe lights front & rear and do not intend being a kerb hugger].

I shall still be wary of foreign HGV PSV drivers turning left though!
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 7:06pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Should You Install E-Assist On Your Trike/Bike?
Replies: 31
Views: 9055

Re: Should You Install E-Assist On Your Trike/Bike?

horizon wrote:LowdownRider: thanks for your post. It's great to get a view from someone who has tried both. I have ridden an ICE trike (and have visited the factory in Falmouth) and I think they are terrific. But I cannot give a valid opinion on e-bikes, just my own surmising which I have outlined above. I think it is a discussion worth having (the OP started it, not I) but I don't join in with the aim of dampening anyone's enthusiasm - far from it, it's just to get a better idea of how man and machine inter-relate.


I may have to alter my posting - once I've had some real experience with my new trike. I hope not, as it's quite an investment. However the electric version would have been a considerably bigger investment :lol:
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 6:17pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Should You Install E-Assist On Your Trike/Bike?
Replies: 31
Views: 9055

Re: Should You Install E-Assist On Your Trike/Bike?

I have just ordered my first (ever) recumbent trike, and I had the chance to test ride an "ordinary" ICE trike and also an electric ICE trike - before placing my order. Despite being the wrong side of 60, not in great health and coming back to biking after 40+ years, I have opted for the NON electric version.
Yes, it was easier on the e-trike, and maybe at some point in the future I will get one, but for the here and now I feel (health-wise) I need to use my own power as long as I'm able. I've grown lazy and progressively less fit for years. I believe going electric will not help me improve my health (or at least slow it down from getting worse).
One other factor in my decision was that the electric version was not a retro fit on the new ICE trikes that I looked at and, although I'm told Shimano promise at least 10 years support, what happens to the resale value of my trike when it needs a new (VERY expensive) replacement battery which is no longer produced? Does my trike become beyond economic repair/junk?
I've had to trade up SO many old mobile phones over the years, that were all still 100% perfectly usable, purely because batteries were no longer stocked! "Built in obsolecence" the yanks used to call it, and a dreadful waste of Earth's ever shrinking resources in my humble opinion.
Anyway, that's my input on the subject. I'll get my coat... (a Fast Show moment!) :oops:
by LowdownRider
4 Apr 2019, 5:40pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: recumbent riders where are we...
Replies: 176
Views: 156889

Re: recumbent riders where are we...

Outer W. London. ICE Sprint X Tour.