Guide For Riding A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


With the summer approaching it's important to get out and get some exercise in order to stay fit and healthy. Being able to ride a bicycle or tricycle is an excellent way to exercise without doing damage to your knees or spinal column. A popular way to exercise is by riding a recumbent tricycle or bicycle. Recumbent trikes are a new trend that has increased in popularity because of the way it rides for people who don't especially like riding bicycles while leaning over the front wheel.

One question people have is why they should use a vehicle with 3 wheels instead of 2. The history for the 3-wheeled nonpowered vehicle goes way back beyond the two-wheeled bicycles. The early days showed people having difficulty balancing the new vehicle and therefore a three-wheeled vehicle was created. Having a trike is a great way of riding without having to lean forward over the handlebar part of the bike.

Others ask what the advantages of the recumbent type have over the traditional bike. The biggest advantage is that you do not have to lean forward over the handlebars. You can see the scenery and not be in an awkward position. Sitting back in a relaxing pose also lets you go farther distances without tiring while traveling.

One issue some people are concerned about is how difficult it is to get in and out of the vehicle. It doesn't have to be difficult because you can start by making sure the brakes are locked. This keeps the vehicle from rolling away while you prepare to enter the vehicle. The initial step is to be sure to straddle the front section of the trike and leaned back into the seat as you sit down. Since the brakes will be locked you can sit down without worrying about the vehicle rolling when you do. Do not use the handlebars as they may become damaged because they're not designed to hold your weight but rather just to steer the vehicle. Exiting the vehicle is the reverse. Simply begin by locking the brakes and as you stand up you'll lean forward and then step to the side of the vehicle.

Pedaling the trike can be difficult at first. One of the recommendations is that you use pedals that have some sort of strap or device to keep your foot from slipping off. If your foot does slip off it could easily hit the ground and be pulled underneath the bike which can cause a lot of pain. Since you're riding a trike you don't have to worry about the bike tipping over when you stop so it is not a problem to have your feet clipped in.

There are a couple of types of configurations for steering. The linkage type may seem strange at first, but it has a big advantage in that you can steer with just one hand. The direct type is two handles and is more like driving a sports car.

Changing gears is also a problem that some people wonder about. An advantage of this type of trike that you don't have to worry about the gear you are in. Simply switch the gears as you wish as you are climbing the hill or speeding downhill. The top steering assembly is very closely related to the 10-speed bike which has two sets that can be adjusted to engage the right gears.

Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy exercise, fitness, and riding bikes. Not everyone can ride the traditional 2 wheel bike so using a recumbent version is helpful. Being able to look up and watch the landscape as you ride enhances the experience. With options like a trike that leans back, everyone can easily get out and enjoy the summer.




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