9 Ways to Make Your Recumbent Trike Faster!

[@markfeldman6509]

Good advice all the way around. I ride a 700 and a 559. The 700 is awesome but I got tired of the stock Schwalbe Durano tires wearing out in no time flat and costing $200 plus to replace. I switched to the Marathon plus which are wider, have tread and are so much more comfy. The Duranos were always getting flats. I have yet to have one with the Marathon Plus. Also ditch the extraneous junk we all carry. It isn’t needed. Btw there was negligible speed loss when switching from the Duranos. The Plus still get inflated to very high psi. One other point to mention….it is crucial to do a series of stretching exercises before going out, especially in colder climates. You start out loose and can get to stop speed much more easily with less strain. The motors weigh a lot and have governors on them. I can outrun anybody on my 700 with leg power only as the governors stop folks at 20 mph and to exceed 20 mph it’s all on your legs and you are carrying the extra 20 pounds for motor and battery.

[@The-GreenHornet]

I own a Catrike 700 and Expedition. I run on both Marathon PLUS tires 1.35x20 and 1.35x26 for the Expedition. And 1.35x20 and 1.35 x 28 for the 700. I just bought it brand new in May. So...what can really make the trikes FASTER without any compromises to the trikes?

[@bryanlane31]

I made a major change when I ride my trike (559) versus the upright road and mountain bikes…I changed my attitude. If I want to go fast I ride the Trek, if I want to have an enjoyable, comfortable ride it is always the 559. I don’t care that my average speed is less than 2/3 of the bike speed. When I am cruising along on the trike I am in a different zone. As a retired giant (I’m 6’8 and down from 260 to 240 in the last two months of retirement riding) I spend about the same amount of time on a ride (2-3 hours) and cover less distance on the trike, but find the ride significantly more enjoyable. I usually cruise along at 10 -12 MPG on the trike and just like on the road bike will push it to catch up to someone in front of me or to stay ahead of someone coming up behind me (still too competitive according to my wife), but back of much more quickly on the trike and remind myself that it is 2-3 hours of good steady exercise, not a race.

[@Mark-oq9fl]

Do you have thoughts on clothing for trike touring (like 50-100 mile days)?

[@LaidBackCycles]

I like to wear mountain bike clothing, it's breathable and usually doesn't have the chamois that a triker doesn't need.

[@Mark-oq9fl]

@@LaidBackCycles thoughts on rain gear?

[@trikeyeah]

@@Mark-oq9flyou can wear nearly anything. I prefer hiking clothing. REI has great cheap rain gear.

[@Mark-oq9fl]

@@trikeyeah I was wondering if you tended to get water pooling in your lap and if some things were better than others at dealing with it.

[@garyp.7501]

Losing weight is the least expensive way to go faster and live longer.

[@LaidBackCycles]

True true. I lost over 40lbs a few years ago and besides making me ride faster, I just felt better all over :)

[@VacuousCat]

What a transition!

[@SFCRambo60]

I disagree about clipin pedals, my Catrike Dumont Trike got Kampway Pedals and they are great because I don't have to buy these expensive clip shoes, plus I don't feel like I walking on marble.

[@garyp.7501]

True, about having to buy special shoes, they are expensive. But if you are riding long distances the stiff sole of the shoe helps put your energy into going forward instead of bending the shoe.