Experience with adult tricycle?

[Sadie22]

I am an overweight diabetic looking for more ways to exercise. I'd like to be able to ride a ways down the bike trail after I drop my husband or son off! I am looking into purchasing a tricycle for myself. I asked on the general community board and someone suggested the Schwinn Meridian available from Walmart as one idea. Does anyone have experience with any other brands, pro or con?

 

[Ali]

Check the weight limit for the bike before you buy it.. A few years ago I bought a trike for about $210 at Walmart, got it into my car after a struggle, brought it out and tried to ride it but it was unsuccessful due to the weight limit. Schwinn supposedly doesn't have a weight limit but I have never seen any in store. It would have to be ordered special here.

Other than that, the learning curve is supposedly short, with a different turning issues. I want a bike but haven't found any I can try out except at a bike shop and that one cost $400 so it stayed at the store.

Good luck!

 

[Sadie22]

Thank you! The Schwinn Meridian apparently is in stock at a Walmart a hour or so from here, but that doesn't mean it's assembled. I may call and ask about it.

I'm also planning to call every bike shop in the area and find out whether they have anything for me. I've been checking Craigslist too.

Anyone else?

 

[Sadie22]

Anybody have any experience with the Tri-Rider trikes? The company is Belize and they used to only be available in Canada but now there are U.S. stores that carry them. I'd still have to have one shipped and cannot try one out, however, so I'd love opinions from anyone who might have experience with these.

I like that they have a 250-pound capacity trike (which would work for me) and also a trike that can handle even more weight. I also like that they make a 3-speed with both coaster and hand brakes.

 

[Sadie22]

I've found another manufacturer that states a weight capacity that makes me feel comfortable about using one of their trikes. There are a couple of dealers within driving distance that I'm going to call. Anyone know anything aobut Trailmate trikes?

 

[Piggeldy]

As you posted three months ago, you have likely already found a solution but I just wanted to add information for the next person who might be on the search

We just bought my husband (CP) a Huka city bike, which he loves. It has a weight limit of 130 kg (about 290 Pounds). When we picked it up we were told that they sell a lot of their Duet Bikes to North America so I assume you might be able to buy their "regular" tricycles as well.
They are not cheap but they appear to be extremely sturdy (he bikes to work - about 6 miles a day - so we need something sturdy) and of a good quality. Their service (for now) is excellent, at least over here, and their bikes actually look nice. Which I have to admit was one of our main reasons for getting a Huka city bike instead of a regular therapy tricycle. Or as my husband put it "Just because I have no balance doesn't mean my bike has to look ugly."

 

[Sadie22]

I still haven't taken the plunge and made a purchase. I'll probably put it off until spring at this point.

I will look into this one. Does your husband use one with a motor?

 

[Piggeldy]

I am sure he would love to, but I won't let him

That really is the only workout he gets, our hometown has fairly flat terrain (not even a mild hill in sight) and he does need some exercise! He is tall (about 6'2") but could lose some weight. I told him he can get a motor when he retires , for now he doesn't really need it.
Huka does offer motors for their bikes but they of course add some extra weight to the whole structure and as I really want him to actively bike as much as possible that didn't sound like a good idea. Tricycles are rather havy from the start (my guess would be around 50 pounds), no need to add any more if not totally necessary. Also, I have to be able to lug it around if necessary (like getting it into the van when we picked it up) and our bicycle mechanic has to be able to lift it up when it needs repairs.

Tricycles are amazingly expensive over here (prices starting around $900), "good" tricycles (made for more than grandma needing to go see her doctor once a week) even more so, especially if you have specific needs/wishes. We had a quote for that exact same bike we bought that was over $4,000 (we paid much much less in the end and had more extras). But I have to admit, it does look great and when looking at it from the front you can't even see it's a tricycle on first glance.