Why we don’t sell AZUB or HP Velotechnik…

AZUB and HP Velotechnik are GREAT brands... so why don't we sell them in our shop? Many times we have someone come into our shop and wonder, "Where are all of the AZUB and HP Velotechnik trikes?" Similarly, our KZbin audience wonders why we don't make videos on those brands as well. In this video, we explain why.
🆓 FREE BUYING GUIDE (click the link below to download)
guide.laidback...
🚴 Ready to try a recumbent trike? Schedule a test ride today! Click here: laidbackcycles...
👥 You can also find us here:
Website: laidbackcycles...
Facebook: / laidbackcycles
Instagram: / laidbackcycles

[@hqvx]

The only trike I can think of buying is HP Velotechnik or maybe AZUB. I have a HP Velotechnik scorpion fs 26.

[@yumaberry123]

My HP IS very solid! Love it. Thanks for the overview!

[@jamesdaniels3699]

I was my local bike shop the other day and more than half their stock was electric motors assist. I seen only four recumbent trikes. The bike shop is about two miles away from Terra trike main office in Kentwood Michigan.

[@bobt2522]

I appreciate your explanation and the respect you show to the brands you don't sell.

[@CoastVid]

Agree on Terratrike customer service. Impressed with my few interactions with them. 👍

[@EZSteve]

Businesses must carry products that the majority of customers can actually afford. You are making the best choices for making the most in sales to the majority of recumbent trikers. Sure, it would be great to carry it all, but clearly, that is not practical from a business standpoint. I remember when Ian Sims introduced me to the Magnum at the second annual Recumbent CycleCon ... it was a nice trike, and I liked the adjustable aspects of it. I've had two ICE trikes, and the suspension is good for sure, but it falls short compared to the HP suspension, in my experience and opinion. Thanks for the talk Mickey. steve

[@markfeldman6509]

Great explanatory video. In the end, you are a small businessman and you can’t display, service and inventory so many different brands with each unit costing thousands of dollars. Trikes take up a lot of space in the shop. one would have to have in inventory so many different parts for service. The brands you carry are superb and affordable. The Azub and HP are excellent but at a different pricepoint and access to parts can’t be as easy and reasonable like Catrike, Terratrike, etc. fyi….I ride Catrikes and I can call Orlando when I need some info or parts and somebody answers the phone and I know them on a first name basis. It’s like a family business. And the parts arrive the next day.

[@coniow]

There is a truism here: If you give folks too much to chose from, they CAN'T chose. I work at the UK equivalent of Home Depot. We used to sell sell more Mitre Saws than you could shake a stick at. Chop saws. Sliding saws. Compound Mitre saws. Metal saws. big blade saws. Times that lot by 3 or 4 different manufacturers. If you were not a Pro, who knew exactly what they wanted . . . . . . Basically, you want to cut a piece of wood. They ALL DO THAT. We had one customer wanted a saw. Couldn't decide, after much thought. He went to a smaller competitor, and bought a saw that we sell, but there, he could see the differences as they only carry half the ranges. When you are buying your SECOND trike, and you have a better idea of what you need, THEN you can narrow the options before you start riding demo's. So you go to the places that stock them, or order direct.

[@bobavontanelorn5713]

Great video, wise decision. The Policy of selling too many brands can become a business killer. You will have to show at least one bike from each brand in your shop (and in stock) whether you're selling any of these brands. So, you are investing more and more money into stuff that you do not sell. The amount of bikes that you can sell is not endless, so it is smarter to offer a limited variety of brands instead of trying to have as many as possible. That goes especially for HP Velotechnik (I have been riding a Scorpion for nearly 20 years now and they are awesome...) which comes intercontinental and takes much longer shipping times - a.k.a. customer waiting time... Kind regards from Germany

[@LaidBackCycles]

Thanks! Our goal is to give more people the freedom to ride :)

[@steves.922]

We love our ICEs!

[@Dreamrider7]

Dear Mickey, I really love your videos. I sometimes I wish I lived near Sacramento so I could visit your store and ride with you guys. But. Ilive in northern Ut. and wouldn't give up my mountain trail rides. The reason I am writing this is because you made one small error in your Why We Don't Sell video. You said Terra Trike was the only trike with a lifetime warranty, that happens to not be the case. I live in Roy, Ut which is only 80 miles from Springville Ut. Where UTAH TRIKES is based. Last year I bought a Sun Seeker Fat Tad CSX from them which does have a life time warranty on the frame. This is the only small faux pas I have found in all of your videos. If you ever want to ride in some truly spectacular mountain country let me know and you can ride with me, sincerely. RJ Milligan

[@LaidBackCycles]

RJ, that sounds cool. I don't get to Utah often but love to ride there. Thanks for the heads up on Sun, we haven't carried them in over a decade but glad to hear they have a good warranty.

[@lbrown7164]

Wise man

[@elaineolson550]

Great overview 😊. Happy Cattrike owner here ❤

[@kinbro9460]

your video inspires all riders' vision

[@heatherdtime]

Have you tried out the Sun Seeker Trikes? I’m seeing a decent amount of reviews on them and they look pretty amazing but I’m curious to your thoughts on their quality and build. I also just purchased the TerraTrike Rogue after watching nearly all of your videos. Thanks for your guidance!

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

I just bought a HP Velotechnik Speedmachine second hand. It is perfect.

[@karenleclerc3142]

We love our Terra Trikes. The customer service has been exceptional. The warranty help sell them to us along with recommendations from other owners. Love your videos

[@Recumbenttrike]

I rode Auzb tricon 20" for 30.000 km across Europe and Asia. I rode from Italy to Afghanistan and back 🙂

[@LaidBackCycles]

Very impressive!

[@Recumbenttrike]

I also rode a fat trike withfat trailer in Europe and Africa for 10.000 km. But the next trip will surpass all others :-)@@LaidBackCycles

[@davidcherfus5212]

Do you think it's a good idea to invest in a recumbent trike for my daily work commute, which covers a distance of 6.5 kilometers each way and includes varying inclines and declines along the route? I'm in good health and don't have any physical issues. Currently, I use an electric bike for my commute, which takes place entirely on a paved road shared with vehicular traffic (as there are no dedicated bike lanes). Regrettably, I'm unable to test ride a recumbent trike due to limited availability in my country's stores. Thank you for your advice!

[@LaidBackCycles]

I try to stay clear of busy traffic areas on my trike when possible and when I do, I use a flag and bright rear blinking lights that can be seen. Also, I typically ride a little slower on my trike than on my two wheel bike, so make sure you leave early enough to get to work.

[@petecresswell932]

If you can ride a bike, I would opine that a trike would be a beeeg step down in functionality, speed, comfort, and safety. To Wit: * A trike wants to tip over. Anything more than about 8" off camber on my ICE Adventure and I eat dirt. * A trike is heavier than a bike - and you really feel it on the hills. * A trike is wider than a bike, so it is more exposed to passing traffic. * You can't jump curbs with a trike. * Trike visibility is very, very VERY poor - both by the rider and to others. Think "Closed-Casket Funeral" if you are going to be mixing it up with motor vehicles. On a scale of 1-10, my bikes were a "10". Out of the box, my trike was a "2". Various aftermarket modificatiins have it up to a "3" or a "4", but that's it. OTOH I can no longer ride a bike so, for me, my trike is an "11" because without it I'd be laying around waiting to die. But it you can ride a bike, don't even *think* about trading it in for a trike. OTOH, do consider supplementing your ebike with a decent gravel bike - because I think you will enjoy the reduced weight and overall livelier feel.

[@gregsettle9725]

A most reasonable explanation. Thank you.