New transport.

[dalekboy]

On the weekend Sharon and I tried out two trikes from Fuse Recumbents. I came away from a 4km ride with no issues, and the 8-month preggo chick's only issue going up a hill was that her belly was getting in the way enough to stop her.

So shortly I shall possess a secondhand, 1993 Greenspeed trike, with trailer so I can take parcels down to the post office. Very happy about this. It'll save us some petrol money, and it's a form of exercise that is fairly low impact. Combined with my swimming lessons, I'll hopefully be doing good, exercise-wise.

arcadiagt5, a long-time trike supoorter/pusher, is over the moon.

Comments

[magnapops.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about a recumbent for a while now, to take the pressure off my arms. You must let me know all the details. Also want photos.

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

Here are Fuse Recumbents links to external reviews, including some medical stuff. (http://www.fuse-recumbents.com.au/reviewsandlinks.html)

Don't know how you'd go with your hands, but worth a look. Michael from FR was fabulous. He met up with us at a lake with a good bike track and basically told us to take the bikes out to test for as long as we wanted. Half an hour, three hours, he was fine either way.

Should have it within a couple of days. Photos soon-ish, hopefully. I have about 158,786 photos to get up, but my computer's graphical side has been problematic.

[magnapops.livejournal.com]

depends on the loads. I have flown a plane so don't seem to have that much problem in the pull push, as long as I can reach.

They are not cheap though.

[dalekboy.livejournal.com]

Cool :)

I think the starting prices are around $3K. Depends on what you want. Some fold up and cost more, and the various bells and whistles add to the cost.

I'm getting mine for $1800, including a new trailer, mirrors, new tire on the back, delivery, flag, etc. which is a bargain. It's a solid frame, and heavy, but that doesn't bother me. My first (and only) bike prior to this dated from the 1940's and was a steel frame. The Greenspeed is the first bike I've been on with gears!

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

Gears are your friend!

[leecetheartist.livejournal.com]

There are cheaper recumbents, mine is one of them from justbents (there's a link to my review below about it below in another post), WizWheels for $1990 Apoyo for $1690 and the ActionBent on the Flying Furniture website.

If you're in Perth Justbents' service is very good.

[magnapops.livejournal.com]

Thank-you for that, I read the review, it only makes me want to investigate more. I'm in Ballarat, Vic however, so neither Canberra nor Perth shop recommendations are going to be useful, however appreciated.

Any Melbourne stores to recommend?

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

Well you could pay Greenspeed a visit...

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

Trisled are also based in VIC (Mornington Peninsula I think) and IIRC also handle Challenge bikes & Hase-Kettweisel trikes in addition to building their own.

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

It will take the pressure off your arms as the seat will be taking all of your weight.

Because of this the handlebars on many recumbents are not load bearing so you can't use them to pick the bike/trike up.

After that it is a matter of personal preference as to whether or not you go with over (OSS) or under (USS) seat steering.

[magnapops.livejournal.com]

Logically I can see that it should be easier, my only concern is lack of reach because of arthritis damaged elbows.

I will have to find a shop to let me try them.

[arcadiagt5.livejournal.com]

I will have to find a shop to let me try them.

Always a good idea. My first rule for buying any sort of bicycle in fact: try before you buy.