Recumbent trikes in the snow

[@eclecticneophyte2581]

Definitely looks like fun! Sadly I didn't get my recumbent trike soon enough, and missed what little snow we had here. Lots of sand around though... Great video and thanks for the inspiration!

[@JohnSwitzer]

The trike is fun on dry roads too

[@donnarhill1932]

Looks like a good thing to use cable chains on ❄️

[@Hoaxer51]

I wondered if you would have to do a little pushing uphill, I’ll bet your wife was happy you came to the rescue! I’m sure all the clothes you had on weren’t helping with the physical things you had to do! Looked like fun though, keep moving!

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

You can mount electric propulsion in the front wheels of your trike, for a smart and engineering guy like you I think this could be an interesting challenge which both you and your viewers would be greatly impressed of and highly enjoy. Good luck😊.

[@mardiffv.8775]

Thanks for the tip of letting so much air out of the tires, to 1 psi/ 0,07 bar.

[@helphelpimbeingrepressed9347]

Ah the blacksmithing vids! Thats where I've seen this fellow before, its been bugging me for about a week lol

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Chain up the tires ice truckers do that. So much snow there must be wonderful. No snow here in Delhi🤔

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

I see lots of people suggesting chains, but I am amazed that they work in snow at all. I probably shouldn't be, but driving any kind of bike in snow would make me nervous. And I've never ridden a bike with anything bigger than light offroad tires, so it could simply be a lack of any sort of experience. The fact that you can get your trikes out in the snow is awesome, even if you have to push it in some spots. And I would rather have to push a trike than a car...

[@JohnSwitzer]

They do make bike chains as well as studded tire. But I suspect we won’t ride them that seriously in the snow.

[@andibeat9108]

Hello John, a great video and a wonderful location, I always like to watch your tours, it's really great where you live, I myself come from Mannheim Germany, unfortunately there isn't as much snow as you do, but that's always nice if you take us on your tours, thank you for that, i wanted to ask you if you could make a separate video about the experiences of both of you, as far as the trainee is fat and yours, that's very nice of you, because i I might also like to get one, the Fat Trike is great but not spring-loaded, and I'm not sure which one it should be, sorry for my writing, I'll translate everything, because my English isn't that good, thank you for your understanding John, I wish you both a break free drive lg Andreas from Germany

[@erniew5805]

it is true tire chains are the ultimate in traction. but practical in all cases ?

[@JohnSwitzer]

Probably not. I wonder if something like cross country ski climbing skins could be used. But they probably would have to be installed just for this last climb. So pushing it up the last 100 yards might be the way to go.

[@Taoweiji]

You could try dedicated snow tires.

[@SFCRambo60]

I saw one channel where the guy used Cleats that wrapped around the tire and rim like snow chains for his trike. But deflating the tires do work also but not to low where they start ( metal rim ) cutting into the tires side wall or the inner tube gets pinched.

[@GWIRailroad]

Time to forge a set of chains!! Wayne

[@volvo245]

I've been able to get up polished wet ice inclines on non-studded fat tires if i drop the pressure to about 3-5 PSI. Not sure about the gradient, maybe 10-15degrees? Though i would not recommend any go on wet ice with a bicycle fat tires or regular unless you have proper studded winter tires.

[@liegeradontour1901]

We have no experience with trikes and snow so far but we've had similiar problems with the traction with our tadpoles on deep gravel and uphill paths. The Kettwiesel with differential was the better alternative in this situation, although it's not the best option for rough paths. Here the Ti-Fly X is hard to beat.

[@garyseckel295]

A Hase delta trike, (multiple Lepus' here), with 2WD and Rohloff hub (mid-mounted), is vastly superior to any tadpole recumbent! Gary "Jason Stillwater" in the recumbent world.

[@charliebecker9391]

Looks Great John. Looks like fun, with the exception of pushing the Trike up hill. However; as you said, leaving some air out of the tires, I believe; would help, however; how would I know???. I'm watching your Channel today from Inchoen, South Korea. Visiting my in laws for the Christmas and New Years. I've been looking for a Blacksmith here in Korea, and I've found one just outside of Seoul in the suburbs, however; it's doubtful that I'll be able to locate or visit him due to our travel schedule, and the fact I only speak enough Korean to eat, sleep and travel the subways (which are also marked in English). The dense populated area does not make it easy to navigate. With my limited language skills in Korean, if I were to try to direct a cab to a Blacksmith; I'm certain the outcome would not be positive. Lots of forged iron here on the old Temples and Dynasty Residents. Hopefully, I'll have chance to visit some of those locations. Another great video John. I watched from my sister in law's Massage Easy Chair. Rough life they have here!!!!! Best Wishes from South Korea. Charlie

[@douglasfathers4848]

Riding the trikes in the snow looked like cold fun ,and pushing Jannet up that hill was a good work out ,now to the forge to warm up.

[@JohnSwitzer]

Except for fingers and toes the ride warms you up pretty good.

[@darryljordan647]

As. a trike rider in Wisconsin I can attest the loss of traction. The issue is weight distribution. Most of the weight of a tadpole trike is on the front wheels therefore the rear wheel is lightly loaded wing is doesn't dig into the soft surface for sufficient traction. So I put a small tote of sand in my pannier for added weight. And I have knobby tires for grip.

[@JohnSwitzer]

great suggestion

[@cmdrlee2190]

Some configuration with tie wraps might work

[@johnjude2685]

More cardio per.mile in snow is the views better than summer ?

[@jeffgrier8488]

That actually looks like a lot of fun, I wouldn't take a regular bike out in the snow.

[@JohnSwitzer]

I have a friend that rides on two wheels no matter the weather. He’s tougher than I am

[@benwhite3227]

I’ve ridden my bike to work in as cold as 2-3 degrees F.

[@benwhite3227]

It’s only 1 mile :-)

[@tinkmarshino]

always dig the snow.. we just do not get any here.. darn it!

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

Mybe the German Bambuk 4x4 recumbent e-quad are the right equipment for you here?

[@jameshuggins4300]

Studded tires?

[@JohnSwitzer]

I am sure it could be done if the roads stayed this way all winter. But luckily we have more dry road days than we do icy road days

[@jameshuggins4300]

@@JohnSwitzer 👍

[@mardiffv.8775]

No, with studded tires, the snow will stick to the tires. In 2013 Maria Leijerstam cycled to the South Pole with studded tires. She needed to climb the Leverett glacies of 25 % incline. But on the plain, she removed the studs for the reason above.

[@pojiloybivis9421]

Can you show us how it's work with 1-2 PSI on this conditions?

[@andrewprint7523]

Put the azub tiflyx tubeless and drive on low pressure in snow gives way more grip 😉

[@BikeTall]

Maybe getting an electric assist added to the trikes will help in the snow?

[@oriaadiga4011]

I got TLX and I love it the fly X and I love it

[@grandadz_forge]

Spikes. LOL remember the old studded tires?

[@JohnSwitzer]

Yes I do. They actually make studded bike tires and chains.

[@Taoweiji]

Hi John, I’m looking to get either a TI-Fly X or AZUB FAT, Maine with ESteps. Pretty much the same specs you have. I live out in the Morrison / Evergreen areas in very steep and difficult terrain for a recumbent tadpole trike. I was wondering if I could take a look at your two machines and pick your brain on your experiences? I’ve bought two trike from Angletech and would likely get the next one through them as well. I’ve just recently added a 1000W Bafang motor to my TRIcon, and aMTB cassette for low range drive. So far the results have been disappointing, since the Bafang was fitted with a 46 tooth chanting, thus negating any advantage from the cassette. Kelvin has all my contact info to get in touch.

[@JohnSwitzer]

Either of these trikes would be a great choice. If you're all off road I might opt for the Fat Trike. But with some paved roads thrown in The Ty-Fly is my choice. Going through the guys at Angletech is certainly the way to go, We have had great service from them. I'm afraid we won't be having any visitors while the virus is still an issue.

[@Taoweiji]

John Switzer can you email me? I have more questions and would like a more in depth discussion. Taoweiji@ yahoo.com. Thanks

[@butterbeans7342]

I rode burieto bulls all year round,had to chop a eighth inch off my toe,from frost bite,how a boot that,meeter made?

[@velvetvideo]

any idea how these would compare to a Hase Kettwiesel in the snow? ...or in general.

[@JohnSwitzer]

I'm not familiar with the Kettwiesel. Although, these aren't great in the snow, just fun

[@1FishinAddict]

It’s no difference in snow vs soft sand. Btw is that a bikee motor ?

[@JohnSwitzer]

Shimano E6500

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I thought there were stud attachments (like having chains) for this sort of thing.

[@JohnSwitzer]

You can if these are the conditions you ride in all of the time. But since the roads are dry most of the winter, I'm not sure its worth it

[@danbreyfogle8486]

@@JohnSwitzer My youngest brother lived in Fort Collins most of his adult life and it seemed that he had studs on his bike but I think that was because he rode to work on it regardless of the weather. And then of course he had more than one bicycle so I suspect on dry road days he would chose the non stud bike. Great video John.

[@heystarfish100]

You need some Nokian Hakkapeliitta’s on that trike. 🤣👨‍🔧

[@danandashleyhayes3159]

Ah, to be a kid again!

[@markowsley4954]

Maria Leijerstam road one to the South Pole. Read her book, it was an amazing accomplishment

[@JohnSwitzer]

I will take a look for that. it sounds like a real adventure

[@robertayers9424]

Forge up a set of tire chains.

[@JohnSwitzer]

😂🤔

[@jerrystott7780]

Wrap some rope around the rear tire for traction.

[@JohnSwitzer]

I have thought about that. I wonder how well it will stay on

[@jerrystott7780]

@@JohnSwitzer I've done it with a truck in mud, should work fine with a bike. Have a good one.

[@ravenone6255]

Chain up tires and put on electric motor and you got yourself a snow trike mobile😁

[@Carterironworks]

Aren't you supposed to chain up when conditions get like that.

[@JohnSwitzer]

On the high passes you are

[@daliborkirin6350]

There are also recumbent quad motrike. Write motrike quad. Much better.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John Well in german there is a called " Sprichwort wer sein Fahrrad liebt der schiebt" You are pushing your wife up the hill. That is love 🧡 Otherwise well Done in the snow Good bless you Yours Frank

[@ScottRedstone]

Studs.