Advice needed

[Malice]

Hi all,

I'm debating getting a recumbent trike as a way to get exercise and potentially commute (once we're allowed back in the office ).

My reasoning for the recumbent trike is i'm an above knee amputee (Right side) and while technically possible i could ride a 2 wheeler with the prosthetic, i'm not convinced it would be a good idea.

I love the look of the ICE trikes either the adventure or the sprint, but when playing on the configurator - wow those prices shoot up quickly!!

One idea i have is to get rear suspension (north east roads!!) and leave the front off for now and maybe have it retro fitted at a later date, does this seem reasonable?

I still need to have a go one one to make sure its right for me so i may look to take a trip down to York to getcycling to see them first hand and chat about them in general, anyone have experiences with them?

I suppose i'm also after general advice on other makes/models to look at that could be cheaper but still quality.

Cheers,
M

[[XAP]Bob]

Front bounce is relatively expensive to add retrospectively (>£1000)

BUT - I've never found I needed it - I moved from a large rear wheel to 20" on all three and added rear suspension, never justified front.
I have ridden front suspension, and it is really good - but the justification is the tough bit.

[[XAP]Bob]

Sorry - Hi

And - how far is your commute - mostly in town or mostly out of town?

[Malice]

The commute is a relatively small one,

Approx 5 miles each way, some of it will be town/city roads but with decent section on a national cycle route.

[belgiangoth]

There's a Scorpion trike FS on this forum, will work out cheaper than the ICE by lots. Then if it works for you, you can move on to n+1 and drop a ton on the ICE trike of your dreams (and pass the other trike on for approx what you bought it for, or keep it as a backup bike because everyone needs at least two bikes).

[[XAP]Bob]

Over 5 miles each way I'd consider the ICE range to be a luxury - I got a very old one, which then got written off and new for old insurance brought me bang up to date (with a little extra kicked in for the bounce).

However, for ANY commute I'd always recommend a dynamo lighting system - there is no chance of running out of batteries.

The FX mentioned in the For Sale forum is a rather nice looking trike, within budget if you are even considering an ICE trike, and fairly local to you...
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=139263

I'd absolutely go and have a ride!

[belgiangoth]

I 100% agree with dynamo lighting. On a trike, because the front hubs are non-standard, I would go bottle dynamo and get a nice light set, then consider a hub dynamo down the line.

[[XAP]Bob]

The Scorpion above already has dynamo lighting....

I would struggle to find a reason not to buy that initially...

[Malice]

The Scorpion above already has dynamo lighting....

I would struggle to find a reason not to buy that initially...

Its certainly put a spanner in the spokes of my thinking

especially as its less than an hours drive from me, just starting the negotiations with the boss (wife )

[[XAP]Bob]

It's already second hand... so if you don't get on with it over the course of 12 months, you'll get somewhere between 90% and 110% of the price back.