recumbent tricycle

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hoboman1
Posts: 2
Joined: 31 May 2015, 10:32am

recumbent tricycle

Post by hoboman1 »

Hi, Just wondering if anyone on here rides a recumbent tricycle as I am picking up a new one from Ice trikes in Cornwall next week and does anyone have advice on anything that I need to add or do to it for long distance touring. I think I have pretty much covered everything like Arkel GT54 panniers, 30 gears with bar end shifters, front and rear suspension, most bells and whistles.
I'm looking to go to Vietnam, through Laos and into Thailand next winter (see my listing) so anyone want to come.
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Cunobelin
Posts: 10801
Joined: 6 Feb 2007, 7:22pm

Re: recumbent tricycle

Post by Cunobelin »

I would have been the opposite....

The majority of parts are available generally, but as soon as you complicate things with suspension, and the rest than these parts become specific with a courier delivery the only way to get the parts with the consequent delay
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[XAP]Bob
Posts: 20306
Joined: 26 Sep 2008, 4:12pm

Re: recumbent tricycle

Post by [XAP]Bob »

The thing you need to add is miles.

Nothing beats miles in the legs, and a decent bedding in period. ICE customer service is fantastic, and the machines are lovely.

You'll have a great time.
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
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squeaker
Posts: 4152
Joined: 12 Jan 2007, 11:43pm
Location: Sussex

Re: recumbent tricycle

Post by squeaker »

[XAP]Bob wrote:The thing you need to add is miles.
Especially laden (touring load) miles on hilly roads with poor surfaces. Both sorts the legs out and might identify the need for lower gears ;)
"42"
TimP
Posts: 106
Joined: 25 May 2015, 6:15pm

Re: recumbent tricycle

Post by TimP »

If you intend to ride around Laos and Thailand make sure you have mirrors and have a couple of flags on poles. Lorries and buses really don't acknowledge cyclists and you are expected to abandon road for them regardless of whether there is a suitable place to do so.
I say mirrors (left and right) as Thailand drives on the same side as UK but Laos is the other side. Roads tend to be narrow and especially in rural areas they can be in very bad condition. In Laos expect to be on unpaved roads a lot and even if being bullied by lorries do not venture far off the side. In many areas Laos still has more land mines than you can imagine, so don't stray! For example, stopping to answer the call of nature behind a tree is not a good idea.
I advise you not to ride at night.
I have lived in this region for over 25 years now and brought 2 bikes out with me from UK but I confess I don't ride much due to the way cyclists are treated by other road users. People do ride but I really have not been able to enjoy it and easily end up in arguments with taxi drivers and so on. Some simply don't notice cyclists (hence the flag suggestion, especially since on a recumbent you will be low down) others pretend not to notice.
If you intend getting down as far as Malaysia just to the south of Thailand, then let me know. I'm near the capital in Selangor (I can see Petronas Twin Towers from my house). I think local cycling groups would be interested to meet a tourer from UK and would be intrigued with your choice of ride.
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