Climbing and Descending Mt. Diablo on a Recumbent Trike versus a Road Bike

Rich and I take the trikes up Mt. Diablo for the first time and compare this trip to our previous trips up on road bikes.
Music: In the Temple Garden, Saving The World, Roundup On The Prairie, English Country Garden, Beneath The Moonlight and Downtown Metropolis Chase all by Aaron Kenny.
Franklin's Fight by DJ Williams
The Milano Chase by The Whole Other
Raging Streets by Sefchol
Drag Race by TrackTribe
Danger Snow by Dan Henig

[@paulahavens2764]

White knuckles down parts of that hill. The ditch is a long way down thanks for sharing this was a great video.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yep- You have to make sure you pick a good line on those turns, Paula! :) Thanks for watching!

[@tomboyd9053]

Great trike ride guys! The views were outstanding and descending was well worth the climb. Thanks for taking us along. Keep on Triking!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much, Tom! You, too! :)

[@bruceroute4102]

Great to relive the ride. I make this ride around the year 1972. Having brought little food, I was young and in experienced, the snacks at the snack bar were some of the best I ever had. I just turned 70, live in St Louis where there is some of the most interesting urban riding in the country (a well kept secret) and still riding a carbon fiber 2 wheeler but planning to get myself a trike with an air horn for Christmas. To many friends have been seriously injured on bikes. 90 percent of these accidents wouldn't have happened if they were on a trike. Hope I get to do some rides like this on a trike.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience, Bruce! The first time I went up Diablo was in the 90's and I didn't know much about gearing. It was pre-compact cranks, and I had a 23t in the back which made things very tough! Now, on my road bike, I have a 28t. :) Yes, trikes can be a lot safer depending on where you're riding. We have squirrels here that have taken out a few folks on road bikes. They (I hope) can't really take down a trike. :) Have fun on your new trike!

[@ARCUS1200]

Incredible bike ride....looks really challenging (and dangerous in a way since there are no safety rails along the road or reflectors even).

[@bikestrikesrazors]

This climb isn't as dangerous as it looks because the road up the hill is a gated, national park that you have to pay to get into. No residential traffic, but there are cars driving to the top, so you do have to be careful!

[@keithbliss6680]

Beautiful climb! Thanks for taking us along.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Keith!

[@MrPjcrews]

Can't wait to do this. I climbed MT.D. when I was 14... maybe 15 years old on a Road Bike of 1985. I want to ride my Recumbent on this climb soon. Just had Bilateral Total Knee Replacements so maybe April 2023. We will see. Thank you for the footage

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Have fun with the climb, Paul- But make sure your knees are completely ready to go before you try this! And make sure you have some really low gears so those knees don't get too strained on the climb. :) Thanks for watching!

[@waynesbutler7834]

A fantastic video with equally fantastic views and history . This is a risk and reward venture on a recumbent trike , maybe better uphill on a bike but the downhill and comfort level you achieve on a trike with a great view to the side makes this ride the envy of any one who is unable , but never say never ..

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, WB! Yep, I think descending and the view on the trike was definitely worth the bit of extra effort getting it up there. I think we picked a good time of year for scenery. Even I was surprised by how beautiful it was out there.

[@whitepawrolls]

Great video though I would like to mention something here. as someone who rode both at first then went exclusively recumbent I'd like to mention that if your not used to recumbents anything much less the trike yes your legs are going to hurt more at first. Recumbents work the muscles differently than an upright bike. Once your used to them you'll find you only need about half the energy and get faster. :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Great point! Yes, you need to get your "recumbent legs". :)

[@wendellbailey6394]

I usually don't comment on videos. But this was super spectacular. Just got my first and second trike starting in March. And picked up a cat trike expedition last weekend from a friend. Would love to be in great shape like you all. But time will bring that. Watched your Diablo video many times just love it. You guys needless to say give me reason to dream. Love your videos keep making them their inspirational and inspiring. Hope to catch up with you one day. Bye-bye for now Wendell Wendell from St George Utah

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for the kind words and for watching, Wendell! Yep, it takes some time to develop the muscles specific for trike riding, but you'll be ripping it up in no time! The nice thing about trikes is that it's so much fun riding them, that you don't even recognize your riding time as workout time. It's just fun time! :)

[@bizitrikesdonostia]

Wow. I Love it. Regards from Basque Country (Spain)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, BiziTrikes! Greetings from California!

[@APhotographerTravels2025JohnMc]

Thought I’d check out what I missed not riding the mound Deanlo ride a month ago. I ride a much heavier trike with full suspension with my touring gear. Last January over a mountain range, don’t know what my average speed was, guessing about 4 mph. So now with this video I learned a lot, thanks

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching! Great thing about a trike is you can just throw it into low gear and crawl up these mountains. You having a full suspension trike, you’re gonna have more fun on the descents than I am. :)

[@kilroyamer2352]

I would have preferred the downhill with little or no music. Hearing the grunts of the wheels and brakes would make the experience more real! Thanks for another amazing video.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Kilroy! Unfortunately, the only thing the camera picks up at that speed is obnoxious wind noise, which gets grating pretty fast. I think you'd need some kind of special wind screen to filter out the wind, while leaving the other sounds.

[@douglas1559]

Wow cool video guys!! I usually grumble grumble all the way up I'm so slow l can draft off a turtle . But I forget all about it on down hill🤗 great video and beautiful scenery💫

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Douglas and thanks! I was grumbling all the way up, and Rich was grumbling even louder. I think we would’ve given you a “run for your money”! :)

[@Olyphoto7]

Great video, great mix of music, that descent had to be a serious rush. My wife and I choose many of our rides based on wind chill. Here in Washington layers are the name of the game. Can’t wait to see what you guys cook up next!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Dan and thanks! Yep, you can never underestimate wind chill (and I always do). I had on a thermal jacket with a storm jacket over and thermal leggings but none of it helped much. I should’ve just gone down slower but where’s the fun in that. :)

[@Olyphoto7]

@@bikestrikesrazors I always wear a wind proof layer to compensate, but many times don’t have enough insulation underneath to keep me warm. As with everything in life, learning never ends.

[@Mrmnbowen]

Well done you. God bless you.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Noel!

[@daniellarson3068]

Wow! I lived in Walnut Creek from the Fall of 1991 to the Spring of 1993. It was a thrill for this Midwestern boy. I bought a bike in Pleasant Hill and thought I did the area, but never dreamed of going up Mount Diablo. I still have that bike. I guess I'll take it for a ride on flat Midwestern ground tomorrow. You guys have something to make that climb.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Next time you're out this way, you'll have to give it a try. It's a great ride. It's a New Years Day tradition to cycle up Diablo, so that's a particularly fun day to do it- So many cyclists going up at once! Enjoy your ride tomorrow, and thanks for watching!

[@daniellarson3068]

@@bikestrikesrazors Given I haven't been in California since 1993, I don't think that's likely. Even Ragbrai would be more likely. Just the same the time I spent in California was a good memory. Good videos - Thanks

[@nestortamayo1950]

Beautiful Ride♥️❤️♥️

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much, Nestor! If you're ever in the area, give it a try!

[@deanrobbins8102]

That had to be punishing with no suspension on those Ice Trikes! Once I went fully suspended, it was a whole new world. Been thinking about upgrading my powertrain this winter to a 1x combination to get more gear range for "smaller" incremental steps. Looked like a really fun ride with some fantastic views!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Dean! I don't know why (I suspect it's the way my weight is distributed on the seat and where the seat attaches to the frame) but the VTX does an amazing job of taking rough roads, even with no suspension.

[@jimbobeire]

That looks amazing. The thing I'm curious about is reading the road. I've never been on a recumbent, but when we were young we made box carts and I remember thinking how the lower seating position made it a bit harder to spot bumps, potholes etc in the road when going at speed, compared to the upright position of my hybrid bike. Still surely a better view than hunch over a pair of drop bars and straining your neck to look past your front wheel. The downhill ride looked amazing. Thanks for the vid.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Jim! Never thought of that. You’d think you’d have a hard time seeing obstacles in the road but it’s not a problem, at least with the VTX. I know the Greenspeed Aero is much more reclined, so that may have that issue. I know that when recumbent teams were doing the Race Across America, some of the teams that were riding extremely reclined recumbents kept getting into trouble because they couldn’t see very well in front of them. Guess it all depends on just how reclined you are. Thanks for watching!

[@stoutdog56]

Thanks for another great ride a long. I think I going to rent a Recumbent Trike and try one out this year.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

If you get a chance to try one, let me know what you think, Stoutdog!

[@TomvanBodegraven]

What a downhill spectacular!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Tom! That descent was a blast! :)

[@SjaakSchulteis]

Great video guys. And also the music you used was superb (listening with my headphone)... you are the kind of people who make me feel good wanting a trike. I see some other youtube channels and often see people with too many kilo's on their ribs riding e-trikes. That doesn't look good. Not that I object, because at least they do some form of exercise, but come on.... riding a bike with e-assist is like walking on an escalator.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That’s the great thing about cycling/triking, Sjaak! It can be lots of different things to lots of different people. I think that if you could somehow expose younger riders to more affordable (but still high quality) trikes, you’d see a rash of defections from road bikes. Trikes are just so much fun, I don’t think they’d be able to resist. :) Thanks for watching!

[@JurBols477]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful ride up Mt. Diablo! I dreamt of riding my recumbent - Challenge Hurricane - up and down the hills only to find out is didn't work here... Uphill I was in the way of the roadbikers going much slower; a recumbent almost doubles the weight of a decent roadbike and studies show that the lower bloodpressure in the legs takes a toll on the power output. Going down it was the other way around... roadbikers swirling all over the the place and at 70 km/h (45m/h) it didn't feel good to do some crazy overtaking. So dissapointed and with red hot smoking brake disks I was back down in de valley I came from. Maybe one day, I wil find an empty mountain like you guys did to try again all by myself.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I've been there. The Hurricane is a nice bike, but the recumbents just don't seem to climb as well as the road bikes.

[@jeffpardoe8170]

Loved the video! Curious about your speed on the way down and whether you had any brake trouble as I would imagine the disks heated up quickly.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Jeff! When we were able to pick up a little speed, not going around hairpins and such, we were doing around 25mph. I was burning through my brake pads so fast that I could actually feel the brake levers getting closer to the bars (Avid BB7 mechanical brakes). I was gonna have a real problem there when (if) they actually hit the bars. :)

[@evanking920]

I really appreciate how you guys take the pain for the big reward. Down here in SoCal we have Mt. Baldy, a climb used in various Amgen tours. Summit of the road is 6500 ft. Give it a try sometime. The mountain itself is 10,000 plus....

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Evan! Sounds like a plan the next time we're down there! Last time I went down to SoCal, I spent what seemed like ten hours sitting/standing on a line as a prospective contestant (but eventually just an audience member) of The Price Is Right. If I can make it through that, I can make it up any mountain. :)

[@evanking920]

@@bikestrikesrazors You will conquer Baldy Mountain with ease.

[@MilesCobbett]

The Glendora Mtn Rd is my favorite path to Mt Baldy Lodge. I used to teach school in Pomona and made that climb every Sunday and tried to set a personal world record each time :)

[@evanking920]

@@MilesCobbett Maybe we crossed paths back in the day.

[@conniehoyle2669]

Well done

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Connie! It's always fun going down Mount Diablo (and kind of fun going up) :)

[@markfeldman6509]

Wow. Your best video ever and I’ve seen them all. An inspiring ride having the guts to do the climb for several hours at such a slow speed. While watching the incredible descent I thought I was embedded in a video game! Your photography was just awesome. I have to find a similar ride here in New England….. either the Berkshires in Mass or White Mountains in NH or Green Mountains in Vermont. Inspiring ride.btw…riding in California you have no idea what cold is!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks much, Mark! Yep, I’ll agree that we don’t really know what cold is out here, and I’m thankful for that. :) There have to be some good climbs up north, but I’m pretty sure you can forget about any real climbing in Florida ( but what do I know - I only visited once for a few days). There’s always Space Mountain but I’m pretty sure Disney would frown on someone taking their trike in there. :)

[@markfeldman6509]

@@bikestrikesrazors no hills at all in Florida. It is really very boring riding. Have to do lots of miles to make up for a lack of elevation. Much prettier up north. Heading home to Cape Cod next week after 3 months+ here. Did just over 3000 miles on my Catrike 700. Can’t wait to ride back in a beautiful part of the country. Might need the fleece suit and gloves for a few weeks but I’m looking forward to it. Your video was the best ever. That was on helluva climb and the rapid descent was breathtaking. Don’t have to worry about me going to Disney anymore. Took my daughter…now age 39 many times. I have three grandkids and I think we’d rather donate the money to charity or even burn it before giving it to the folks who run Disney.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

LOL! Yeah, I've heard that Disney's management is trying to take control of the state over there. Guess one of the reasons they don't have a state income tax is because of all the tourist revenue, so Disney thinks they can throw their weight around. I've also heard they've gone crazy with their pricing, so it looks like you were smart to terminate your Disney visits when you did. :)

[@markfeldman6509]

Correct. My daughter is 39 and has 3 kids ages 4,6,8. It’s not my turn to go now. FYI…. it costs $175 per person per day to enter the park. Hotel rooms are $500 per night and UP. Car rentals are $1000+ per week and $20 hamburgers , $8 ice cream cones and $6 sodas don’t cut it. We will never go out of principle, regardless of price. Heading home next weekend to good ole New England where there is actually culture, history, change of seasons and a sense of community. I had a nice winter season cycling with the warm weather but the overcrowding and price gouging here with golf, food, etc has me rethinking options for next winter. Probably will head to the Carolinas or coastal Georgia.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@markfeldman6509 I was in Orlando for a trade show back in 1998. The group booked into the Disneyworld hotel for a week. Never went to Disney but took a swamp boat ride and a canoe ride in a swamp which was terrifying. They let me go out by myself in the canoe and the creek was filled with gators (my brother swears there were no gators, but I saw one) and various colorful snakes hanging down from the trees. Definitely not Disney world! :)

[@keithbliss6680]

You guys inspired to try Mt. Diablo on Rouvy, very fun climb, 3280 feet. My legs feel it. :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Amazing job, Keith! That ride has to be twice as hard on an indoor trainer, and you don't even get the downhill! :) I'm saying this as someone who's about to go down to the basement and spend an hour on an indoor trainer!

[@bh8263]

Looks like a lot of fun. Would love to do it on my Ice Trike.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

It's a fun ride on a trike, especially going down! :)

[@1KachUp]

On the descent, I noticed you guys didn’t lean into the turn, was that strategic, or were you braking pretty much the whole time to keep your speed slow enough that leaning would be moot?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yep, we were going slow enough such that leaning wasn’t necessary. We’re overly cautious descenders. You never know what’s coming up around that blind corner. :)

[@garyseckel295]

/\/Very interesting video! Not something that I could do uphill. Not something that I would do downhill. Best scenery watching on a non-balance required, heads up riding position recumbent trike. Great view on the video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Gary! I got up and down, but my legs have been hurting for the last three days! The mountain took its toll. :)

[@SuperOptiman]

Thanks for the comparison data--upright vs bent. I am an Engineer that has been bent for 30+ years. Ride a 2-wheel Vision SWB. If you are interested in improving your uphill performance, I suggest getting a seat more upright...and lowering your pedal position to below your buns. Notice how you "bounce" on each stroke. This should not happen. It wastes energy. When I apply power, all my force goes directly through my hips into the seat back below the lumbar--very little forward/aft movement. Also, you will find your VO2 uptake is lower. Here is an experiment: sit on your bent in normal riding position, take a deep breath and exhale into a plastic bag measure this volume. Then for the next measurement stand up and repeat. Then sit on your upright bike and repeat the same experiment. You will find the volume of air will be dramatically lower in your bent position. This effect is even worse with larger waistlines--each breath has to "lift" the waistline. I wish you well.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Fascinating! Thanks for the tips, Ken!

[@jclaer]

I’m 84 with a battery assist bike. I’m wondering if it would make that altitude. I should try it. Coming down is sure to be easy! Thanks for the show.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Jon, Yep, you won't need the battery on the way down. :) On a bike, I think you'd be able to get up the mountain in about 2-2 1/2 hours, so if your battery lasts that long, you're good!

[@Hello-1814]

Is there anywhere you guys talked about what it was like on a trike going uphill and going downhill. how was it down hill? did you feel stable did you feel in control?!?! Thx for the vid! The down hill part looked awesome!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hello, Hello! :) Yes, the trikes are extremely stable on a descent like this. I'd blame it on these particular trikes, as they're very low racing trikes, but I've done lots of descending on less-low trikes, and they've all been extremely stable. Trikes are also much more comfortable than a road bike on a long descent, because you don't have a lot of weight on your arms. Thanks for watching!

[@johnverkler3962]

That was interesting. I thought you were going to mention the differences in the gearing between bikes. Sproket tooth counts front and back. How different wheel sizes would make each bike slightly different. Well..... that didn't happen.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

The bike I normally take up Diablo has a 34 up front with a 27 in the back as low gear. My VTX had a 34 up front with a 32 in back, so a much lower gear. I blame the slower climbing of the trike on weight, with the trike weighing around 37 pounds and the bike at 18 pounds.

[@johnverkler3962]

Thank you very much! I was just curious.

[@mikldude9376]

Great video guys , one thing that springs to my mind watching you guys on your run up and down MT Diablo is just how nice and stable your trikes are , these look like a real quality trike , if i may ask what brand are these trikes ? I wish we had trike stores in abundance (or any stores ) like you have in the states. In Melbourne/Victoria Australia , im not aware of a single trike shop sadly , many many bike shops , but trikes seem to be almost non existent , up north in Queensland i believe there may be one or two shops, but thats a long , long way away. I used to ride 15 or 20 k`s every day on mountain bike , but getting a few health issues in my 60`S and riding a diamond frame kills my shoulders , wrists and elbows , and some other areas I won’t mention . Anyway , keep up the good work .

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Mikldude! The trikes are ICE VTX’s, and you’re right, they’re very stable as they’re very low racing trikes. One of the great trike pioneers, the late Ian Sims, was from Australia. He and his company Greenspeed virtually invented the recumbent trike and for many years all his trikes were hand built there. I’d think there should be a few used examples floating around over there. Rich and I found both these VTX’s used, and I usually recommend folks hunt the used market as there are lots of bargains to be had! Thanks for watching!

[@mikldude9376]

@@bikestrikesrazors , Thanks mate , you make always good videos , and interesting to know the history of these recumbents , and thanks again, i will have a look on the second hand markets and see what i can find . All the best you .

[@stevenabrams5811]

I do believe that there are a few really good bike shops in Melbourne, that carry both upright bikes and Greenspeed recumbents or they can order one. By the way Greenspeed is one of the better made trikes.

[@conniehoyle2669]

You two are so lucky

[@donaldtank]

I see a video from Ken D Berry MD that using plastic bottles to drink water from put Microplastic into our bodies so what kind committal bottles would you suggest for bicycling?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Donald! I use Camelbak bottles, trusting that if there was anything terrible in them, someone would've sued them out of business by now. I'm thinking glass would probably be the only thing you really didn't have to worry about, but I don't know if anyone is selling anything with a glass interior that would work in a bike bottle cage.

[@stevenabrams5811]

I have been considering getting a trike, as my body is just not the same as it was at say 18, I am a disabled veteran and have been riding up right bikes for 50 years now, racetrack bikes, BMR, and bicycles. Only tried on trike that was not fully functioning and was disappointed. I don’t think I would ride a trike on the road where I live. But there are many miles of green belt paved trails. And that’s where my wounded warrior group rides. Most on hand trikes or recumbent trikes. Your video was fun to watch. Hat brand trikes do you have?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Steven! Between my brother and I, we have two ICE VTX's, one Greenspeed GTO and one ICE Q-26. There are definitely some roads around here where I wouldn't ride a trike, but for that matter, there are some roads around here where I wouldn't ride a road bike (It's getting crazy out there). We're lucky here (and it sounds like you are, too) to have some nice trails that keep us away from texting drivers. If you can find a trike dealer nearby, see if you can't try some different models to see what you prefer. There's everything from upright touring trikes, to low slung racing trikes, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. Good luck with your trike adventure!

[@johnscarlett5497]

Have you tried pushing your knee with your arm while you steer with one hand? I get a noticeable bit of extra power using this technique on slow steep climbs

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Haven't tried that! Sounds like a good idea.

[@taiwan1895]

Loved the descent - you started off with Hitchcock, before going through several other genres and finishing with Nine Inch Nails!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Jim! LOL! Yeah, that descent was so long, I almost ran out of "thrilling" music. :)

[@stevemullin1195]

What trikes were you riding on and what were your front chainrings and rear cassette? I have a gekko 26 with 22-32-44 front and 11-34 8 speed cassette.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Steve, We were on ICE VTX trikes with the standard gearing and climbing most of the mountain in our lowest gear, 32 in the back and 22 in the front.

[@stevemullin1195]

@@bikestrikesrazors is your rear wheel 26" or 700c?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@stevemullin1195 It's a 700.

[@raymondyong4923]

I've been riding trikes for about 20 yrs now, the last 10 in and around the Rockies. Yes, trikes are slower going up hills than bikes. I think the big difference is that with a bike, you can use your weight and almost your whole body to help pedal. With a trike, all you can do is brace with your back and push/pull with your legs. So yes, I am much slower going up, but boy do I rocket coming down!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Those downhills on a trike are the best! :)

[@mikepickering7500]

I'm looking to get a vtx, can you give some idea of gearing ratio for various gradients, I know it depends how strong we are but your values would help.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Mike! On most of the Mt. Diablo climb, we were in our lowest gear, which on these older VTX's, with triples, was, I believe, 27 up front and 32 in the back. I think the modern VTX's have different gearing but I'm not sure.

[@mikepickering7500]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks

[@debbieschwartz3132]

Epic Ride!!! Incredible views. Looked like you were spinning a good cadence. I guess there's trade offs for everything. Slower during the ascent but I would assume less overall strain on the body and you can enjoy the view. Big payoff with a fun descent. Would you consider putting e assist on ? I'd guess no considering this is a speed machine. Great ride!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Debbie! Going up Diablo is always an experience. Don't have e-assist yet, but I'm sure I'll be considering it eventually. :)

[@debbieschwartz3132]

@@bikestrikesrazors E assist seems to be the way a lot of people are going

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@debbieschwartz3132 Yep. In my humble opinion, if you're happy with the distance and speed you're traveling under your own power, there's really no need for E-assist. If you're frustrated by the distance and speed you're able to ride without E-assist, you might as well alleviate your frustration and get the E-assist. :)

[@debbieschwartz3132]

@@bikestrikesrazors Well I don't have a trike yet. So I was thinking ahead at some point I might need it. Sometimes the aftermarket e assist can be a hassle from what I gather.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@debbieschwartz3132 Could be. I don't have any experience in that department, but stands to reason it would be easier to get a trike already outfitted than trying to get one added later. :)

[@paullyle3461]

Good job guys I get the feeling you two are twins, am I right. Thanks for sharing the ride.🎀😎🎶

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Paul! Good eye! Yep, identical twins, so it can get a little confusing. :)

[@paullyle3461]

Thanks guys I kinda was thinking you were, again thanks for sharing, always enjoy your videos,😉🎶

[@rinopaternosto8732]

Sei un forte ciclista

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I try! :) Thanks very much for watching!

[@AlexandreSilva-tp9xo]

Vendo-os subindo esse declive até eu fiquei sem fôlego.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Alexandre!

[@tonydiehl5449]

Can you comment on your gearing? Which set? Happy with it?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Tony! I believe that my VTX had the standard ICE triple gearing, which has been fine for just about everything I’ve done, although I could’ve used one more low gear on this climb.

[@TrikeSquadron]

Always fun to get the downhill payoff of an epic climb like that.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

The downhill was so long I was starting to get cramps in my hands from braking so much! This is the closest you'll likely ever get to taking your trike into outer space, Glenn! :)

[@rossbrumby1957]

@@bikestrikesrazors you mean you braked? Lay off the chicken levers, we came for the wild downhill!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@rossbrumby1957 LOL! Oh those brakes got a workout! That's a long way down if you miss the turn! :)

[@ednepraunig1526]

How was the wear on the brakes did they get hot?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Ed! I could actually feel my brake levers getting closer to the bars over the course of the descent- That’s how fast I was eating through the brake pads. I didn’t check them but I’m sure they were very hot. :)

[@wtopp345985]

Going downhill, how much distance would it take to stop? How fast are you going?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Going down Mt. Diablo, there are so many turns you can’t really get up that much speed. Maybe, at the most, we were going 20mph for some stretches. The disc brakes on these trikes are great, and we probably could come to a stop in maybe ten yards or so at that speed.

[@bobpowell7002]

what Make and Model trike is that you ride ? i'm shopping, and new to them.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Bob and thanks for watching! we were riding ICE VTX trikes which are ICE's version of their "light weight, low to the ground racing style" trike. If you check out our KZbin video titled "Introduction to the recumbent trike" there should be lots of good information to help you get started!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5O8qYSpbpJkp9E

[@bobpowell7002]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks a Bunch! saves me time !

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@bobpowell7002 Glad to help. :)

[@rustyfarkel]

Hey Jeff, have you ever thought of a drag chute?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That's an idea! Especially if you fall off the mountain!

[@ThelmaDorig23]

Wow, this is a fun, great experience but descending is quite a bit scary for me, especially with so steps.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Thelma! It seems scarier now looking at the video than it actually was on the mountain. :) Thanks very much for watching!

[@joseadavila7445]

The only Diablo s where the conquistadors . Your in good shape nice ride . Going down is a .yeah ! Moment ?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Jose! Oh yeah, that downhill run is a blast!

[@normang3444]

Needing belp finding a recumbent trike for my girlfriend. She wants to try one (they seem doable despite her lack of belief in her coordination skills). She never learned to ride a bike and just wants a way to exercise (lose weight (5'3"/185lbs) too) with me on park trails if I go rollerskating (she cannot rollerskate) or biking. I have been searching around on KZbin for recumbent trikes (pedal + motorized) she may develop confidence in using (despite her fears). I reserved a Acrimoto MLM but, that won't be avaliable till maybe next year? What options are out there for me to buy for her to use this Summer (we are in Northeast Ohio area)? What would you recommend (motorized is not a need, just option if she really enjoys the experience)?

[@normang3444]

I am looking at a website I just found (bicycleman) and wonder if a more upright seat would be a better choice? The Catrike Trail seemed good if I got her the ace bar end shifters? It does not fold up (not sure what can fit in her RAV4 but, I do have a trail hitch on my car that I could then find some type of trailer for travel)?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Norman! I'd highly recommend checking your local Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and the Bentrideronline used trike listings for "Recumbent Trike". I've found most of my trikes used for around half the new price and if you're picky and a little patient, you can find one in great condition and save some money at the same time. And if you find something locally, your girlfriend will be able to try it out and see if she likes it. Oh, that Acrimoto looks wild!

[@normang3444]

@@bikestrikesrazors I found no (ised' recumbent trikes online for sale locally (seeing any recumbent trikes in use in NE Ohio is rare thing). But, ... there was a Sun E350 electric trike 6 months old for sale just a 30 minute drive away. I thought about what would be better for someone scared of cycling (like my girlfriend is) and pondered that the further ones eyes are up away from the ground and the ease of being able to jump off if scared brought me to re-think recumbent and consider this Sun E350 that was avaliable. I got her to go try it out by saying we would get her dinner at a nice restaurant on the way back and that worked. The trike is literally brand new and once my girfriend sat on the trike and figured out how to place your feet on the pedals, she felt secure and tbis magical glow engulfed her. This 50 year-old became a little girl for that moment. We bought it and will start her triking in empty flat parking lots after I get a storage rack (for my tow hook) delivered so we can tranfer the bike to-and-fro. Thank you for your videos. They helped me a lot to understand a lot!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@normang3444 Hey! Glad to hear you were able to find something nice for her, that she liked, so quickly, and in great shape on the used market! Now you just have to convince her to wear a helmet. :)

[@normang3444]

@@bikestrikesrazors The helmet is the easy thing. The trick is getting the right color helmet (she has got to have the bling). We got a cheap helmet to start off. If she rides a lot we will go to a helmet with MIPS for her. I rollerskate (in quads) outdoors and wear full pads with helmet always. I have yet to see any other guys in my area rollerskating outdoors on trails with quads at all. Helmet or not, I stand out so, just wear the helmet. Getting her in on helmets is an easy task.

[@stevenboykin116]

The whole downhill portion I was working my feet hard heel-toeing Rev matching and throwing the gear shifter back and forth just like Takume would have.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

He would’ve gotten down that mountain much faster than I did! :)

[@stevenboykin116]

@@bikestrikesrazors I believe it ya'll were flying, that looked like a blast.

[@garrykennedy5484]

Why was it faster going down on the trikes?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi, Garry! The trikes were faster descending for a few reasons. They're more aerodynamic than a road bike, so on the sections where you can pick up some good speed, they get less wind resistance. They also have a lower center of gravity, so at least for me, I can take corners faster. I'm sure there are road cyclists that can lean hard and fast into a tight turn, but that's not me. :) Also, the trikes had disc brakes, which allowed me to build up more speed for a longer duration, knowing I'd be able to slow myself more quickly later on in the turns. My road bikes have rim brakes, which are fine in most instances (I prefer them to disc brakes on my road bikes) but in this situation, I'm guessing that the disc brakes on road bikes would've likely allowed them to take this downhill faster. Thanks for watching!

[@Seblif_Ebike]

How would have loved you don't put music but using default sound. I love to hear air and surrounding when speeding.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Seblif and thanks for watching! I know there are some folks that would prefer the natural sound on the videos and when I have good quality audio for that I like to use it. With the camera I used for this video, when wind hits the camera, it has built in noise reduction software that makes the sound just sound like weird "pings" or "boing" sounds, so I don't ever get the regular sound of the rushing wind.

[@vorpalbits7720]

I do this ride, at least to the junction, 2 to 3 times per month on my carbontrike. diablo eats recumbent front tires. so much fun

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Love that carbontrike! I never thought about it, but it would eat front tires and brakes! :(

[@vorpalbits7720]

@@bikestrikesrazors I'm in pleasant hill. we should hook up for a trike ride some time. Im doing foxys fall family flat fun ride(50K) in a few weeks. meets you half way....

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@vorpalbits7720 Foxy's is a nice ride! I won't have time for it this year. Work has got me chained down right now, but at least I can get a few close rides in a week. ;(

[@hertogwil6235]

Awesome ride. Put a simple plastic bag under your shirt. It isolates like crazy...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for the tip, Hertog, and thanks for watching!

[@danielkarl8984]

Is it me or is this video more about the actual tour than the perspective/differences of riding a trike vs road bike?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Daniel, I tried to throw in the comparisons while we road. I think the biggest take-away was the time difference between the trike and bike getting to the top of the mountain. But, then again, who's racing? :)

[@johngulino2651]

Interesting that the trikes had no high up flags or high visibility gear on a road with motor vehicles. 🤔

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi John and thanks for watching! We had bright blinkies, but flags will not stay on a trike at the high speeds we were descending at. They just blow out of the holders.

[@Redmooserc]

I rode some guys trike one day on a bike trail i wish i had the money for one they are awesome

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Check the secondhand market (Craigslist, marketplace) for good deals on used trikes.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yes, and the prices just seem to keep going up. :(

[@Redmooserc]

Ya i see that to I wish i could get with someone to make a more affordable version but thanks for the advice and for replying

[@Paul_C]

Next a velomobile?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I’d love to try one! :)

[@Paul_C]

@@bikestrikesrazors I think you'd like them, however weight can be a problem. QuatroVelo for stability, but I like the lighter ones. 🤣🤗

[@TRabbit1970]

Down makes up worth it….

[@scottsuttan2123]

No much of a hill ...nice road Easy run looks like

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Scott! It really depends on how hard you ride it. If you take your time, it’s just a very long 5-7 degree uphill slog. If you push it (race up) it’ll kill ya.

[@scottsuttan2123]

@@bikestrikesrazors true but from where I em that's not a hill 😉

[@DemiGod..]

You should be able to get up steeper hills as can fit lower gearing, falling over not being an issue if too slow like a bicycle. Recovering from a disability, ftp is only 160, 15% hills can manage , seated, without getting breathless on a bicycle. The fact that you are breathless suggests that trikes are hard work compared to bicycles

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hills are definitely more work on trikes than bikes. On a lightweight, aero trike, the flats and downhills are easier than a bike for me.

[@DemiGod..]

@@bikestrikesrazors Got a trike since this post, an ICE Sprint X 26 Tour. I find that my average speed is 25% lower than on the bicycle after 6 months. My speed downhills is limited by gears (spins out at 30mph) , on the bicycle it is wind resistance. The main thing I recon that gives me slower times is climbing at 50-66% the speed which is a large part of my journeys as live in a hilly area. Considering buying a VTX, the only concern I have is comfort with no suspension on Scottish roads.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@DemiGod.. I think the trikes are going to be slower up the hills. My VTX is. You just have to make up for it on the flats and downhills. :) The downhills are definitely more fun on the trike. Congrats on the Sprint!

[@dansv1]

Watching this was a little weird for me. My brother died from a road bike crash while descending Mt. Diablo in July 1997.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Holy cow! Very sorry to hear that, Dan! It can be dangerous out there and there's a group of folks pushing for more turn-outs and other safety improvements to prevent accidents, but they're still happening out/up there. When my family tells me that they're worried I'll get killed while out riding, I try to remind them that at least I would've died doing something I loved, instead of slumped over a desk in an office. Little comfort in the case of someone like your brother, who must have died very young.

[@garyseckel295]

Crashing crossed my mind repeatedly too. Would never want to live there, even if not a recumbent trike rider!

[@jstravelers4094]

For a guy who rides as much as you do, you sure got a pot belly! I was hoping to loose mine when I retire and start riding again. I am not inspired.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Js! LOL! Yes, that's a good observation which also brings up a good point. There's a difference between "good shape" and "good condition", and you can be in good condition (strong rider) and not be in good shape (pot belly). The good news is that I've lost the pot belly along with thirty pounds of weight BUT it's also important to point out that it's almost impossible to exercise enough to lose significant weight. It really has to be done through a combination of exercise and DIET, with the emphasis on DIET. Here's what I did to lose the weight: On days that I take long rides, which is two days a week, I eat a normal breakfast of cereal with fat free milk. On days I don't ride, or take very short rides, all I have for breakfast is a cup of tea with a little sugar and milk. Also on those non-long ride days, all I have for lunch is a small bowl of raisin bran with some fat free milk. For dinner on the non-long ride days, I eat a normal, healthy dinner and that's it for the day. If I'm really starving on those days, in the evening I'll eat a small amount of mixed nuts and that seems to help. On these five non-ride days, I eat nothing else and I've cut out eating sugary drinks with lunch and dinner and now opt for water or diet soda. No candy, chips, ice cream, beer or other crap on these days. Now, on the two days I take long rides, I throw all this out the window and pretty much eat whatever I want, but I also need to point out that my long rides are sixty miles long and burn around 3k calories over four hours. On these days, I eat whatever crap I want, still trying not to overdo it. If I modify a long ride day, and take a shorter ride, say two hours of climbing with 2K feet of climbing, I'll back off the restrictions a bit, but not as much as for a four hour ride. The diet is really the thing that helped me lose the weight and the exercise just allows me to cheat a little. The weight's staying off, but I have to stick with the pattern to keep it off. Thanks for pointing that out, and there may be a video in there somewhere!

[@jstravelers4094]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks I will save this reply to refer to next year. You obviously have a strong core. As do I.....I just hate my pot belly. I will sub to your channel

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@jstravelers4094 The downside to losing the weight is that now everyone tells me how unhealthy I look, and they keep asking if I'm OK. :) I hate to recommend diets as what works for some bodies doesn't work for others, but what I discussed above worked for me, so I know there's some combination of diet and exercise that'll defeat that belly! Good luck!

[@TheRickurb]

The music does not go with the video, at all. Sorry.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

We'll try to do better next time! Thanks for watching!

[@daniellarson3068]

@@bikestrikesrazors I liked it. The Surf music at the end was the best.

[@AV8R_1]

Just a heads up, the cyclists ARE the devilish spirits.😂

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I think you're right! :)

[@pedroclaro7822]

30 m of non cinematic riding? nah man, if you catch people's attention with the video tittle then you better at least include some sort of summary or discussion at the end for those who don't have time to waste

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Pedro! About half way through the video, when we get to the summit, there is a discussion/summary of the performance of the road bikes vs the trikes, complete with the total climbing times for each platform.

[@eprohoda]

Bieks,!bravo!best - 👐

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much, Prohodaction! Thanks for watching!