Proof That Recumbent Trikes are Slow

Proof That Recumbent Trikes is Slow. People always ask me how fast is the Recumbent Trike.

[@paul6894]

I just got home from riding nine miles on my trike. I averaged 6.1 mph. I am just like you, except I pass less people. Cool video. I love my trike.

[@davidblack5857]

Enjoyed the video, thanks for putting it together and sharing.

[@phyllisboone8957]

Enjoying seeing you pick off fast riders, reminds me of my club time trial days!!

[@steveroyer7619]

I added electric to my ICE Sprint Tour. I'm getting more exercise since I go out on windy or rainy days and further than I did in the past. It sure is nice to know I have that power assist on the hills back home.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Steve, that’s what I have been hearing riders say about e assist. The most important thing is that you are riding. Enjoy

[@paullyle3461]

Yeah your in great shape to ride that hard, The trail was beauitful, thanks for sharing. 😉😎🇦🇹

[@emiel1976ep]

So happy to live in the Netherlands. I can start from my home and go where I want. Here people also look ad me and my trike. I build mine by myself and I am now working on the design for the next one. Live the trike so much, that I now rids a lot more tgan I ever did on all my previous bikes I owned. I have a city bike, but I use almost each time my recumbent.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Love it, what a rewarding passion!

[@Vasileski88]

Any idea where I can buy a recumbent trike in Europe?

[@Mr406Galaxie]

I enjoyed the ride!! Thank you!!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

You are welcome David, I'm Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChisWest]

Great Video ... Great Ride ... I love my Trike ... I have a HP Scorpion and its definitely a cruiser.

[@driewiel]

Trikes are slower than a road bike. It's just the way it is. They are wider and heavier. Cruising speed 20-25km/h for the average rider. Which isn't all that slow. What trikes are good at is actually the opposite. You can ride really slow because they are so comfortable and spend long days on the seat. I've done over 200km in 14 hours at 55yo. Which I never managed on a bike not even when I was 30 years younger. And that my friend is the truth. Don't expect to keep up with roadies. It won't happen.

[@TheCyclingArtist]

In a VTX he has a good chance of keeping up with roadies, I did a century with roadies and came in first because I had less fatigue I ride a 700. Now a cruzbike v20 that you are not going to catch.

[@dalepettigrew5071]

Lol, this made my day! When I read the title, I was thinking “here we go again, another video on how ‘bents can’t climb”….cue dramatic music Nice job! How is your VTX over bumps/rough roads?

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Dale, maybe because this is only my 2nd trike, and I have real complaints about bumps. The flip side is most of the roads I’m riding on are relatively smooth. Dale, Thanks for the comment.

[@jamesbarker213]

Great video! Just discovered your channel and subscribed. I ride a Catrike 559 and can cruise comfortably at about 15mph and can do that towing my 65lb Malinois mix in a trailer behind me. With e-assist though. Where is that trail? Looks like a great place to ride.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

James, thanks for the compliment, the trail is located Clayton and Raleigh, NC. It’s a wonderful trail, and it’s all paved. It stretches about 33 miles one way. Happy cruising

[@jamesbarker213]

The Motivated Rider wife and I may have to drive down from Maryland

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Sounds like a plan!

[@0Triskelos0]

I like my recumbent bike and trike, and they are fast, require less effort to ride than a diamond frame. Mostly they are fun...LOL

[@bbddeng999]

For long distance , I prefer the recumbent bike

[@philipwoodford6286]

Same here man, no back pain or spending stupid amounts of money to find that ‘perfect’ saddle that doesn’t actually exist!

[@pitmastertoby2598]

can across your vid, nicely done. im transitioning to a recumbent, my body just cant take the road bike..lol.. i was looking the cat trike or the ice

[@Mislec]

Hi could you please give me some more info about the camera mount which you are using. I also have an ice vtx with camera mounted on the front and my legs are seen in the footage.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Kristijan, this one I’m currently using. I have been using this one for about a month. And this one is probably about the best option that I founded and also it’s the easiest to adjust. The other thing I like about it was I was able to get my feet out of the view of the camera. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GKZNTHK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@stephendufort4154]

Hi Buddy,I got me a ICE VTX TOO, love it love it love it, best toy ever bought myself!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Congratulations Stephen, now go ride the mess out of you ice!

[@flodrabmot]

I've been riding an ICE Vortex for about 7 years, and a couple years ago added e-assist, taking a trike that right out of the box already stops, goes, and handles well to the next level ... that looks like a great place to ride ... I live by the beach in Los Angeles, and while the bikepath itself is pretty nice, it gets insanely crowded during the summer ... I've seen videos with GPS data being displayed in the corner as an overlay ... some kind of app, I assume ... would be nice if you could document your speed, would give a little more credence to the "Proof" part of your title

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Tom, great comment, I have a GoPro and you can do it with GoPro and the challenge is the editing part. I think eventually I will invest in a Garmin which has all that integrated. I would love to have that on all my videos.

[@flightlessboid]

Love the almost Jaws theme.

[@daveyJ213]

OMG! Too funny. I love the passing music!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thanks David!

[@daveyJ213]

@@themotivatedrider3840 Also, how many chain rings do you have in front? Most road bikes only have two I know. Do you have two or three? Ten gears in back? Thanks.

[@benbrown8258]

I kept thinking of "Jaws" whenever I heard the music. This was a lot more positive than the shark movie though.

[@cliffordgreen8349]

Great video! Beautiful countryside- where is it?

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Clifford, this is in Raleigh, NC

[@cliffordgreen8349]

@@themotivatedrider3840 Thanks- I live in Nevada- mostly rocks around here, LOL

[@gfcrobertp]

Awesome!

[@johnanderson8705]

I hate being fat, but i love my recumbent trike!!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Keep riding John and it’s coming together

[@paullyle3461]

Alot of us trike riders are older and we like to smell the roses and see the squirrels, so there's no need for is to be fast and our bike trail has a 15 mile an hour speed limit.😉😎🇦🇹

[@gardenman3]

You are right . they are not to go fast on they are to enjoy life on.

[@smallnuts2]

I'm 41and getting a catrike trail. They are more comfortable than a road bike and I would ride longer. So more excersise and more comfort, you can't go wrong.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Dom, I agree with you

[@TheFlamingEyeball]

All motor dependent and, of course, motivation.

[@johnalexander9859]

there are alot of factors that go in to this wheel size gearing etc put a 5/ 14 rohloff hub with 29 on back and see

[@tinman8972]

I ride 20 miles each morning on my trike. It's very comfortable. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I just think. It's slower than most people on bicycles, and it's an effort (but doable) going up hills. It's a different sort of experience than a bicycle, safer (I think), and more mellow.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I agree with you a Tin Man

[@Vasileski88]

How long is that 20mi ride?

[@slyisabadass]

I recently got a two wheel recumbent. I’m definitely faster on my “normal” road bike, but, the recumbent doesn’t aggravate the pinched nerve in my spine. My wife dropped me on the local hill but was working to stay with me on the flats.

[@thedisgruntledharpist6699]

That sounds great, I got some kinda nerve problem that can put me in a seizure, I was getting a recumbent because of that. I was literally wondering if it might be okay and saw your comment at the same time LOL.

[@jimn3238]

What state are you in? Looks like a nice place for riding

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Hey Jim, I’m in North Carolina, Raleigh. Where are you located? How is riding in your area?

[@MsPopCulturista]

@@themotivatedrider3840 hey Mr. Jim, I’m going to be riding a trike (Sun Seeker Delta), I’m new to this and you sharing your experience is so cool-appreciate it🙋🏾‍♀️ I’m in RDU NC also.

[@karlInSanDiego]

Ok George, is it the VTX, or are you just killing it? Also, how scary is it to have the width of the two front wheels when you're navigating those trails and the traffic. It looks a little scary, but I know camera views can really be deceiving. I like the camera view where we see your feet, because it give a better sense of what your own view must be, watching your legs pumping. I imagine that is a different feeling at first. You should try swapping with a heavier trike rider to give us some feedback on how much advantage the light, stiff seated VTX is. I'm considering some day getting a Sprint X or similar and wonder what the tradeoff is in going with heavier suspended folding trike. Would probably get a motor too to make it a commuting grocery getter too, so lightness would be impossible.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

KarlinSandDiego, you are right in a lot of what you are seeing is the camera angIe. I think the trike makes a difference, I think the VTX is designed for speed. The seat is stiff and its pretty comfortable and the frame absorbs the ride.

[@lawrose4]

I average just under 8 mph on a 15-mile mostly flat, with some very slight grades, paved path. I don't pass anything with wheels and don't expect to or care. But I am seriously considering a motor.

[@andy-the-gardener]

racing trikes and their riders are a special breed apart. a vtx is probly about the same as my catrike 700. i love my 700. it has home made wheel covers which have probably bumped up the aero a bit. highly recommended if you havnt done it. 3 wheels are going to be very draggy, and sidewinds are no problem so why not. in my experience, im faster on the 700 than the averagely fit road bikie, except on steeper hills (shallow ones theres still an aero advantage). i have zero probs catching, and keeping up with fast roadies, or even over taking on flat stretches with effort, and downhill its effortlessly faster. they definitely pull away on hills, but i catch em up easily again. on some roads, not necessarily a noticable hill, the trike is blisteringly fast, pulling over 35mph and you can leave them in the dust. the high gearing really helps. i would not say im a strong rider, just average, so the trike must be fast eh. i have a fujin lowracer too and consensus in bent circles is it a faster bike than the 700, but the 700 seems to go to about the same in a sprint, and much much easier to ride. i think its easier to put power down on the 700 too. it just seems to be built for drag racing. i dont think the fugin is much more aero because in an unscientific roll down test i got to 22mph on the trike and 20mph on the fujin, which might be because the trike is about 12lb heavier. anyway, even if the trike isnt as fast, the fact its in the same ballpark as a fujin, one of fastest recumbent lowracers out there, is saying alot.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Andy, I love it, you are doing it! Happy riding!

[@karenmccombs7037]

I know where this is! I just got a Revolution Defiance yesterday from Utah Trikes, see ya on the trail! I’ll look for you.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Wow very nice, Happy Riding

[@markfeldman6509]

Nice video. Just found your channel and subscribed! I have a Catrike559 and a Trail and I cruise comfortably 15mph+- and can easily get up to 22-23 mph. I am 68 and ride 150 miles per week and do 50 mile rides easily on Cape Cod. My rides are generally in the 15-25 mile range and I throw in one long one per week. I have done several century rides and do them easily on a trike. I also have a 2 wheel long wheelbase Sun EZ rider which is significantly faster...probably 4-5 mph but it is much less stable and lousy for hill climbing . A real rocket on flat rides. I will take the trike any day over it. Btw... 15mph+- is more than fast enough for an invigorating ride...not going to catch the young guys on carbon frame diamond frames but who cares? I am generally passing everybody and our trails up here generally have a 15mph speed limit which of course I exceed when there is no traffic.

[@TodFranklinDFWCityhomes]

Where is that ride? What a great place.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Tod, it’s the Neuse River trail in Raleigh NC. Where do you ride?

[@Dfwcityhomes]

The Motivated Rider White rock Lake Dallas Texas.

[@MsPopCulturista]

@@themotivatedrider3840 I love that trail!

[@nigelnightmare4160]

They're asking the wrong question. How comfortable is it? Do you get pain in wrists, back, ass.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I love it

[@yvonnelives]

Right on!

[@drumbeatclub]

No pain anywhere. Natural body position. Unlike bicycles!

[@m.l.easling550]

Nice ride. But what were your top and average speeds? How long was your 'run'? Have you made any gearing or chain mods? Have you ever thought of using a grammar or spell checker?

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thank you for the comment M.L. Easling, That was a 22-mile ride, I averaged 14 miles per hour, and my top speed was 32 mph. I have not made any gearing or chain mods. Thanks for the suggestion about using grammar and spell-check.

[@m.l.easling550]

@@themotivatedrider3840 You are one Motivated Rider. I te some of more than just the knee bobbingoo average between 12-14 mph. My top speed is around 35 mph, down hill. The fastest I've gone on my Catrike Expedition on the flat so far is 23 mph and that was with a good tailwind - ha ha. I often do what I call cadence runs. That's were I try to maintain a 70-75 rpm for 30 minutes. My best average speed over that time frame and cadence has been just over 15 mph with a distance of 7.8 miles. Keep up the good work. 'd like to see some more vids. Maybe more than juat the knee bobbing view. Have you ever used a 360-degree camera? Something like the insta360 ONE R? Again. Keep on truck'n Stay safe. Stay healthy.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I was just researching the 360 degree camera, is there one you recommended? Or which one do you have? By the way I just topped my top speed with 40 mph

[@m.l.easling550]

@@themotivatedrider3840 I, too, am researching 360 degree cameras. So far, everything points to the Insta360 ONE R - price, quality, battery life, etc. FYI. Since you've hit 40mph, you've now gone faster than I. I'll have to find a longer steeper hill just to match or top you. Nice going.

[@averagerider92]

My trike is about 4.5mph slower then my 2 wheel bent. But its fun to ride and I don't have to ride far to get the same level of effort compared to a 2 wheel

[@MaxBorges888]

Why everything becomes a competition? Slow down, enjoy the ride... I know you are an old fellow and all but be humble and think about it.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Good point Max

[@andy-the-gardener]

why? because its fun. whats wrong with that. theres no engines involved. no-ones getting hurt or exploited. so why the big concern. humans are competitive by nature, and this is exactly the sort of outlet for it that should be encouraged, rather than all the damaging fossil fuelled crap humans do.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Andy, I did not look at it that way, I think that a great point.

[@MaxBorges888]

@@andy-the-gardener No big concern kid, keep on running like crazy if you want. But sooner or later you will feel the need for a little thinking and contemplative stuff.

[@michaelbrownlee9497]

I love hpv.

[@petervick4775]

Slow AND comfortable ;)

[@Aethelbeorn]

He corrected his title at the end of the video xD

[@bobcatt2294]

On the flats and downhill, recumbents are faster. If you do not know this, either you are out of shape or you are new to recumbents. Recumbents also includes trikes.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Good point Bobcatt22

[@bobcatt2294]

@@themotivatedrider3840 Here is just one exhibit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ-mgJp6o9-CbsU

[@bobcatt2294]

@@themotivatedrider3840 Exhibit #2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXy4k2yrf66Wn8k / Exhibit #3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpCUZ3uerc10n7M - I rest my cast.

[@Bigboy4018]

Did you forget to release the parking brake???:)

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I believe I did, it would not have been the first time, lol

[@lowracer1]

Here's my 2 cents worth. A mup path isn't the place to try and show the dominance of any bike platform. People aren't on the path to race. This video actually proves that point. I know the title is the proof that trikes are slow. I know you are trying to prove the opposite. Get out on the road in an organized century where roadies form large pacelines and maintain 25 + for the hundred miles. I have 4 racing recumbents myself but do find the trike to be the slowest. When I started into recumbents the first was an underseat steer dual 20". I felt that it was way faster than any other bicycle if ever ridden. It was king of the mup path. Took it out on an invitational century ride and got my ass handed to me. I figured there has got to be something faster. So then I bought an optima baron lowracer. This bike was now king of the invitational century rides. After some time in the saddle I was able to enter a 100 mile bicycle race. I got dropped from the main pack by mile 35. The bike was just too heavy for the uphills. Gotta have something faster. So then bought a velokraft vk2 full carbon lowracer. This improved my speed over any given course quite a bit. Then I added a razz fazz carbon tailfairing to the rear of the bike. This added a good 4mph to top speed and 1.5mph to cruising speed. I was now able to lay out a time at the 100 mile race of a 4 hour 15 minutes. The fairing was great on the flats but too much weight to drag up the hills. Next bought the velokraft nocom. .. another full carbon bike but lower. Lower than the seat height on your trike. This bike laid waste to everyone and took first place in area time trials. My fastest bike which is a quest velomobile with schermer race cap has allowed me to pull a 3 hour 36 minute time for the 100 mile race . That's almost 30mph average for 100 miles. In the ride across Florida....(most race it) I rolled in at 7 hours 4 minutes. An hour and a half later the 50 + bike paceline rolled in. So......I have a slow trike and a fast trike. I'm done rambling.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Good stuff lowracer thanks for the comment

[@teshuvahemmet3036]

👍

[@jayrutherford6867]

"On your left!"??

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Jay, I know it's necessary, but sometime i feel silly saying that!

[@michaelg.294]

Where I live and ride in Colorado it's the law to have and use an audible device when passing someone. I've almost (accidentally) taken out a few neon Spandex wearing road bikers with my Catrike Pocket when they've passed me. It's just the safe thing to do. Love your video!

[@TheCyclingArtist]

Every time I say on your left the person I am passing moves to the left without fail. Now I just say passing you.

[@deanrobbins8102]

Do they seriously have 10 mph signs on the trails?!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Lol!

[@deanrobbins8102]

@@themotivatedrider3840 exactly!

[@louiegobe222]

If you are not enjoy to ride using trike To youre feeling you are moving slow coz you not feel enjoyment

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Good point Louie

[@reforgedcriterion1471]

Maybe you're just the slowest recumbent trike rider? Because you didn't pass a single recumbent trike that whole trip! haha I kid.. I have dreamed of betting a trike for 7 years now. Broke my back 5 years ago, and I'm at the stage now where I need to get back into shape, or live half crippled for the rest of my life. If I can just rebuild all the muscles in my lower back with some low impact training.. I feel like this would be key.. That and I can afford to lose about 150 lbs right now. Problem is I can't afford a trike that will fit a 6'7 400lb guy.. So I'm putting together parts to build one. Half a weight bench frame, couple bmx bikes.. I'll probably break it a few times before I get it right. At least I took welding in college.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Reforged you sounds like you are very creative and resourceful. I might be the slowest trike for real, lol

[@drumbeatclub]

RC- you can get started without buying a $5000 trike. We started with Terra Trikes 4 years ago. Paid $700 each for them on Craigslist. Sold them a year later for the same price, then got more expensive trikes. We go every single Saturday to different trails. Most riders I've met have had some type of back problem too. Keep looking and asking!

[@ravenone6255]

👉You want speed will you just got to put them electric motors on😀

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Raven, I love the idea of having an electric motor for those time when you need them, and right now I am motivated when I create top speeds with my own energy.

[@markrobinson891]

My ride is the ICE Sprint X. Full suspension. 700c rear wheel. Tubeless tires. I rode the VTX. Rattled the fillings out of my teeth. I’ve come to grips with the fact that I’m S.L.O.W! I had another Sprint X which I motorized. 30MPH on a trike is fun but also a bit terrifying. Got run over by a truck bc I had visions of keeping up with traffic. No more motors for me. Added about 30lbs with battery/1000wt motor. No longer resembled anything like a bicycle. Nor anything like a motorcycle. Just an odd mix of unnatural creatures. Loved this video. None of my trails in Utah look that nice.

[@bentrider]

Damn.....clickbait!

[@davidlane1248]

Seems like a lot of your videos have clickbait titles

[@timknowles9730]

sure is flat where you live.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

You are right Tim, where do you live?

[@timknowles9730]

oregon