Recumbent Trike, what's it really like to ride, how does it work, Swindon's Old Railway track

On this video I circumnavigate my local town Swindon in Wiltshire and cover a distance of 33 on the ride.
I've been asked by a few people now to explain how the Recumbent trike works so thought I would take this opportunity to explain things.
There's some interesting riding locally and I journey along some nice rural roads and some not so rural and also along the old railway track which runs from Mannington to the Old town, the line opened in 1881 and was in use for 8 decades closing in 1961.
Here's a link to the Strava route of this ride: / strava
Music used in this video is all from the KZbin Audio library:
Outlaws farewell part two - Reed Mathis
Dude where's my horse - Nat Keefe and the bow ties
Nature nurture - Quincas Moreira

[@bobhowler5978]

Sandy warms my heart

[@neilwilkinson5415]

Good to see you out enjoying the recumbent. I think anything that puts a smile on your face like that, must be good for you and is life affirming. 😊

[@WiltshireMan]

Spot on :)

[@charlespark7338]

Hi Sandy, you know I speak as a converted smiley 😊 Recumbent Rider. Like someone mentioned in a comment, you ride with a real smile that exuberance’s, cheerfulness and excitement. If it brings that much wellbeing surely it has to be the go to pedal machine. I have two friends that have severe disabilities and both would be unable to continue riding if it was not for, a Recumbent trike. That fact alone, elevates the trike above two wheel bikes for me. The wellness and motivation that those two individuals gain from being able to continue riding is unmeasurable. You have heard me preach many times, Cycling is about fun and enjoyment and for me the Recumbent Trike delivers both. If your video inspires only one person to go out and experience the fun and enjoyment we do, then I take my hat of to you, for show casing the Recumbent Trike. Cheers

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Charles, I have you to thank for introducing me to the pleasures of Triking thats for sure. I can honestly say it's one of the best purchases I've made in many years and I always look forward to riding it. I just wish I had a bit more time cos then I'd be out as often as you :)

[@TheAncientBiker]

Absolutely brilliant Sandy, loved it and while not totally convinced cycling is for me I'm certainly leaning in that direction now you've explained the recumbent.

[@mtbninjawarrior]

Another quality production from the Wiltshire Man! Great to see the trike up close Sandy. Always look forward to seeing the countryside as well as points of interest in Swindon, seeing the history is fun. Glad you enjoy the trike, we enjoy the videos. All the best, Travis.

[@WiltshireMan]

I wish I could travel further afield sometimes but with a disabled wife and two dogs to walk I can't got away for too long.

[@Martycycleman]

You do look very comfortable Sandy.😊 I hope you had a nice birthday.🎉🎉🎉

[@seanoreilly6774]

Great video and great bike looks comfortable keep cycling.

[@alexmutimer3691]

Thankyou for the trike tour, very interesting. I have been unable to cycle for 2 months now, waiting for opperation, l miss it hugely. Best wishes all.

[@WiltshireMan]

Good luck Alex, hope you are soon better

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

That trike is cool sandy just stay safe in those very busy roads, your doing the right thing avoiding them 👍 life to Mandy and the woofers ♥️🥰👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Cheers Marcus, Trikes are great fun, we all need to have some fun in our lives and ofcourse exercise...but I won't preach:)

[@campfire52]

A great ride Sandy! What an interesting area that you live in. You have really come to enjoy that trike and I can certainly see why. You always look so happy and relaxed when you are on it riding around the countryside. You make it look effortless as if it were almost moving those pedals itself. I definitely know that it does require plenty of effort from you to move it along but you enjoy it so much it deceives one into thinking that it might just be effortless. Thank you for another very entertaining and inspiring video my friend. See you on the next adventure. Stay happy and healthy.

[@WiltshireMan]

The more you ride, the stronger you become and indeed it does become less perceived effort Terry :)

[@campfire52]

@@WiltshireMan Your trike is powered by happiness and content my friend.

[@HenryWilkinson-c5n]

Collins Lane level crossing is a great spot to watch the trains go by and soak up some country air. I cycle there quite regularly to enjoy the setting sun and an iced Vanilla Cappuccino. The simplest things in life sometimes really are the best. I particularly enjoyed watching the magnificent swifts who return each year to a nearby barn. They arrive in late April/early May and have just one thing on their minds - to mate. Swifts pair for life, returning to the same site each year for a little nest renovation before laying and incubating their eggs. Swifts are summer visitors, breeding across the UK, but are most numerous in the south and east. Spending their winters in Africa; swifts migrate 3,400 miles twice a year, stopping off to refuel in places like Portugal and France along the way. I last spotted them in early August so they no doubt safely back in Africa now and enjoying the warmer weather. 🌅

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for the comment Henry, you can't beat being out in and observing nature and yes the simple things are always the most rewarding.

[@218colin1]

Lovely video Sandy. It don’t matter what you ride. The cycle is a wonderful invention. Cheap easy to maintain. And gets you away from the mad roads.

[@peter236uk1]

Loved this Sandy often looked at a Trike would have been great when I lived in Bedfordshire. I dont think it would cope well in Cornwall with all the hills lol

[@WiltshireMan]

They are slower uphill than a bike Peter but a lot of fun down hill:) Yes Cornwall has some steep ups and downs :)

[@whitetribe6424]

You've got a pair of big one's Sandy to go down that hill that fast on your trike😂👍🏼

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaaa

[@allanmason7544]

learnt a lot from that vid sandy thanks

[@robtherover]

Good old Isambard. He was born in my hometown. Great ride out on the recumbent again Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

He was a very clever chap thats for sure Rob

[@reddirt5489]

Good ride Sandy really enjoyed getting to ride along!

[@pauledwards499]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@leonardmcdermott7703]

Lovely small adventure Sandy and a nice mini review of the trike.

[@jonathanmellish4439]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts on the trike. I have ridden 2 wheel recumbents which are very fast but not three wheelers.

[@hArtyTruffle]

Utter delight Sandy. The editing, the music, the landscape views and the info, both historical and local… I’m still saving for my recumbent… gotta get a bed first 🫤 Great upload. Thanks ✨👌🏼✨

[@WiltshireMan]

Great stuff, I hope you are able to find a good second hand one like I did

[@daveflute2937]

Nice one Sandy. Just bought and ICE Adventure Trike and I'm loving it....

[@WiltshireMan]

You've got a bit more ground clearance with the Adventure

[@robertmulhall1634]

Hi. I think another advantage of the three contact points is,if you're careful recumbents can be used in icy , snowy conditions.

[@francismccrossan1669]

Nice to see you back out sandy on your trike looks abit wet wet wet it hope you enjoyed your self in your trike and like to say hope your Mandy going forward with her illness stay safe and stay healthy one life enjoy blessed be

[@colinpearce7079]

Hi Sandy,what a great insight to the world of recumbents,the downhill white knuckle ride was quite impressive as for your friend Charles having a couple of incidents I remember when I got my first Brompton,I got a few comments from youngsters with nothing better to do,but I think be your own person,”only dead fish go with the flow,”atb Colin P.👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa I like that sentiment Colin

[@sanclewphotographic]

No one Narrates this social history angle better than you, this Video was just magical to listen too, so much information It's so interesting, and when you see all the Traffic rushing by we know your on the right track, the Countryside and your love of It really comes to the For, are you still doing your Photography Sandy as I notice this seems to be taking a back seat these days, cannot wait for the next Video, take care Colin.

[@WiltshireMan]

I don't take the camera out as often as I should Colin, the fact is especially when I am carrying camping gear the extra weight of my DSLR is just too much when when cycling. There just isn't the pannier room or carrying capacity for all the extra gear. The Nikon D7500 plus lens is just to bulky and heavy but I should get out and do a photo video especially now as the Autumn colours are here. I'll try and surprise you on my next video as I am moto camping in a friends woodland and there should be some photo opportunities:)

[@barryconway]

Thanks for sharing the adventure, Mr. Wiltshire. And thanks for the look round the recumbent, too. That ‘enclosed’ chain isn’t something I expected… clever. In some of your recent videos I thought that I had seen some “lean” in the front wheels as you turned, but the “closer look” suggests that this was likely just a camera effect. I recall you saying, when you started to cycle more than motorcycle, how the bicycle was so much better for “stopping and seeing”. The recumbent clearly trumps the bicycle in this respect!

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Barry you will see and experience more on a human powered machine and get fitter into the equation, but I still do enjoy my motorcycling :)

[@zedcharlie]

When I used to ride with ctc we had a member nick who used a recumbent occasionally. 100 mile runs mainly in North lancs and Yorkshire. Total hero. Serious hills.

[@marleneruddell9395]

Really enjoyed your rundown on the trike, I can see why you love it so much. ❤

[@skywalkerdream2490]

My uncle used to race trikes in the 50’s, I always remember him telling me how he used to fly past the 2 wheelers down the hills at frightening speeds! Then taking the corners was a scary challenge! BTW they do speed trap down Blunsdon hill 😂😂

[@WiltshireMan]

The fastest I've managed to do going down Blunsdon hill was 42 mph :) but I don't know how accurate the speedo is!!

[@JohnRichardson-v2l]

Brilliant ride, trikes in great condition and an absolute bargain. 'Ull' east yorkshire.

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

I live right beside a rail trail, right out my front door. I rarely have to ride on a busy road. I totally agree, Sandy, You have to keep moving. Thanks for the video.😀

[@WiltshireMan]

Your fortunate to have that on your back door Brian

[@peterrobertson8141]

Nice one Sandy. Good to see you out again enjoying that trike 🙂

[@BeercanBushcraft]

It's got a 'reverse'? Very beautiful route . Totally agree with your exercise thoughts ,I'm ten years older than you and even though I've got back issues ,I'm not on any prescription drugs and I try my best to keep myself fit . Looking forward to your camp . All the very best to you and yours 👍 🍻 🍻 🍻

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes it has reverse and I don't need to select a gear to use it, I just need to be on a hill :)

[@BeercanBushcraft]

@@WiltshireMan 😂😂😂🕺 Most of my bikes when I was young were fixed wheel and so cycling is reverse was a thing 😆

[@jeetts59]

Thanks for that vid, very informative, my problem is I'd need to fold it to go into the boot as where I live is too hilly to ride.

[@WiltshireMan]

A lot of trike will fold, but mine is an older model and doesn't

[@stevetaylor8446]

Kingfishers...they werevmy dads favourite birds. He was never one for tatoos, but eventually got one and it was his favourite bird. That rain has come down the past few days Sandy...not been through the lanes the other side of Orpington yet, but am guessing the same thing, run off from the fields would be on the route. Seeing you ride that trike, it gives the impression of a comfy reclining garden lounger. Those new builds...give me woodlands, trees and fields any day...they look so soulless. Same when i see all that traffic on the main flow. Glad youre getting out and about mate...look forward to the camp video 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

Cheers Steve, The trike is just so comfortable, you will have to try one. Orpington I bet back in the day was a lovely Hamlet, how progress ruins things!

[@stevesanders2350]

Great video I enjoyed that thank you 👍

[@altern8tive]

19:00 that time of year again when the rail head treatment trains begin their cleaning operations during the autumn. Loving the trike, this is a great demonstration and you've got me eager to try one but I just think one would be a bit risky on the busy roads and minimal cycle infrastructure I use locally 👍

[@Gettinglostwithlea]

Great video Sandy, loved coming along sharing the beautiful scenery❤ the downhill ride looked a lot of fun . price range seems similarly to a Brompton, but both have a unique design and lm guessing like the Brompton holds its second hand value well 😊

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great vlog on channel thanks lee

[@thewiltshirewomble]

Loved this Sandy...thank you ! 🙂

[@01cthompson]

There is a paved rail trail not too far from me where I've seen a few of these. I've also seen one quad cycle. They all look like a lot of fun.

[@garphykeks]

Very entertaining Sandy👌😎I love your trips out whether on the trike, bike or Himmy Hope Mandy is keeping well....

[@WiltshireMan]

I shall be out on the himmy very soon, going moto camping next week all being well

[@whoarewe7515]

Love your outings.

[@jameswalksinhistory3848]

Interesting Sandy -Thank you

[@ianmcleod4]

Safe cycling sandy 👌🍀

[@annsmith8000]

Good day Sandy, thanks for this new upload which you have become a pro’ at. I have mentioned before that I come from Shrivenham where my sisters and I grew up. Oh wow you flew down Blundstone hill I miss the exhilaration that you self achieve cycling, I was telling my young sister Margaret all about your posts and that I remember you and brother Stephen when both little boys meeting you at Pearceys home, as a family we were always fairly close with right from Alms houses up to number 15 Sandshill, Margaret said she went to school with Stephen. Well anyway I would love to try your trike as bit scared of push biking cos Kiwi drivers including me love putting their right foot down n what with balance and botched hernia repair issues feel that recumbent triking would be the story for me. Currently living in Manawatu area NZ but wish to return into beautiful Bay of Plenty God willing, where my darling and I have six kids n eleven grandkids between us now. Hey Sandy I really do applaud you as I feel that you help uplift folk away from the darkness that slowly is flooding everyone’s lives especially right now within the amazing British Isles so thank you for this work that you do freely for others and may God Bless you and yours.Love from NZ...........Robert

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Robert, Yes you understand me perfectly, these are dark times but we must always look into the light and not the darkness, there are some many things vying for our attention and mostly they want to put people into a state of fear, the news, a lot of social media posts etc, I do not look at them, it's a trap, when you look at negative things on line that looks back at you. As the saying goes, "Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back into you", so I only consider positivity and light and I try and share that on my channel as much as possible. Steve is now 71, he is doing OK but does have some health issues unfortunately. He doesn't cycle or exercise enough in my opinion!

[@henryporter5466]

Sandy, great to see you out and about on the old pedalo. I would love one but my neck of the woods is not conducive to it; no cycle paths and very busy roads. too dangerous for my old bones. A couple of channels for you to check out, both will be of interest to you. Velocipedium and Shedvelo. Regards, Henry.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Henry I'll look at those channels, trikes are great but best to avoid the busy roads for sure!

[@billhambelton7698]

Agree about the exercise Sandy. Im 2 weeks into the couch to 5K program. Looking to run weekly parkruns in 2025.

[@WiltshireMan]

Got to get out Bill, I'm clocking up around 80 miles each week on the bike and nearly 30 miles each week on dog walks...

[@Daytona2]

A lovely ride except for the busy traffic (Ferrari excepted), Sandy. I know it's fake, but perhaps exclude those bits, so it just seems peaceful for us viewers ? You're the fastest editor/uploader I watch on YT, a phenomenal achievement, perhaps a vid on how you do it, both for interested viewers and to help other YTers ? +19:03 that was the rail cleaning train, hope you didn't get sprayed, the cleaning jets operate at ~22,000psi - enough to damage the rails, if they're not switched off below 20mph. I love the secluded microclimates you find in steep valleys and old railway cuttings too.

[@WiltshireMan]

The Ferrari sure made a noise, yes traffic noise is real life these days

[@garyseckel295]

Adding some advice from 30 years recumbent experience: Your trike has superior indirect steering. Direct steering is an increase in vibration to hands and arms! Direct steering also typically puts rider's arms forward and outward, which can be less comfortable. Emergency braking at "39" speed could, (even more so downhill), dig pedal crank onto road and flip rider forward airborne. Hope this can help inform recumbent trike newbies.

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes Gary, Indirect is great :)

[@patrickevans8940]

Jeepers, slow down on that machine Sandy, bleeding boy racer 😂😂

[@garyseckel295]

Correct, dangerous speed!!!

[@davidpayne8413]

Just to get away from the hurly burly of urban life priceless!

[@TheMendipman]

Brilliant Sandy! I love my trike too. Been out again today on the Strawberry Line from Cheddar to Yatton. Are you joining the South West & Wales Trike Riders ride out on Saturday 20th Oct? I'm going. Hope Mandy's doing well. Noel

[@WiltshireMan]

Mandy is doing very well thanks Noel, I didn't know about the planned ride on the 20th, I would like to join you but not sure how easy it would be to get the trike there. I have a hatch back Vauxhall Astra, I'll give it some thought. I shall be 62 on Frioday 18th October and planning a 62 mile bike ride to celebrate the occasion. PS I think 20th is actually a Sunday?

[@alanvaughan4143]

Hi Sandy . The cycle routes in your area are by far superior to the routes in my area Bath other than the twin tunnels or canal tow path .main roads are a death trap and country lanes are now rat runs especially as the A36 is closed until spring 2025 🙄- take care mate 👍

[@bucksboatanchors3328]

FB Sandy. Great to see you having so much fun with the trike. Real "smiles per miles" cycling. I wonder if you were the first to ride a tadpole trike through Tadpole village? 😎 JBJ ...-.-

[@WiltshireMan]

Hahaa I never thought of that Rupert but I may be the first. Really pleased with your old trike, I love it, almost 900 miles clocked up now :) JBJ ...-.- dit dit

[@charlespark7338]

Don’t want to spoil the fun, but the Optima Rider has been through there numerous times. Funny the name has never dawn on me, my daughter even lives over there. You could be the first to video it though 😀👍

[@bucksboatanchors3328]

@@charlespark7338 Plenty of tadpole trike activity in the Tadpole village area then.....that's nice to know. 😀

[@stuartsutherland7664]

Clipless pedals are a must for this trike. They'll stop your feet falling off and getting sucked under the trike resulting in a nasty injury.

[@garyseckel295]

Heel cup pedals are safe! Clipless pedals are hard to use if one is arthritic, OR if one is a handicapper!!! Arthritis pain worsens on IMMOVABLE feet attached to CLIPLESS PEDALS!!!

[@driewiel]

Fun fact. ICE 'cheapest' model. After years of making really expensive trikes they wanted something more people could afford. Looks nicer than the new models if you ask me. Kinda classic with the polished alloy rims. And not spoiled (yet) with e-assist. I sometimes feel like taking the motor off my QNT again. Back to basics. I'll be slower. But also lighter and less to worry about. It may sound strange, but going slow is actually what trikes are good at. Going 15 km/h you hardly have to pedal at all. To maintain 25 km/h you really have to work. Trikes are not racing machines. They're cruisers.

[@Andyb2379]

£3000 is a pretty penny for a new one. I still think it’s needs a mod with a nice lawn mower engine 😂. I know I say it every time. Purring up those hills & lanes then.

[@garyseckel295]

Keep in mind engine is illegal on most, if not all, bicycle trails!!!

[@Andyb2379]

@@garyseckel295 this true but it would be great advantage up them hills 😅

[@paulturner7829]

Fare play to you Sandy that is some miles on a weekly basis.

[@peetsnort]

Very efficient for air resistance. But cars will have you for breakfast on the Herefordshire roads.

[@tombristowe846]

Great video. One question, which I think a lot of us recreational cyclists will want to know is, how do your average speeds on the trike compare to a conventional bike? I used to know that area quite well when I worked for a few months in Marlborough. I rented in Wilcot. Happy days.

[@garyseckel295]

Three wheels slower than two wheels. 2 wheels both swivel and sway like a swimming fish. 3 wheels disallows such, thereby increasing tire friction. In other words, 2 wheels stay on road AT center of tire tread, decreasing friction!!! Only Hase Lepus trikes here (70yo handicapper, but 30 years recumbent experience!)

[@WiltshireMan]

I would say 5% slower on the trike but comfort makes up for that by a big margin in my opinion

[@techguy9023]

Someone once said there are bold mushroomers and old mushroomers but there aren't old, bold mushroomers. I knew a man who was good at finding Morels but that was his limit.

[@WiltshireMan]

There are lots of old sayings around about fungi. When I was a kid we used to go "Mushrooming". The only advice we were ever given is don't pick the toad stalls. I know all of the real deadly one's by sight, the one I found was some sort of Agaricus possibly a field mushroom but not growing in a field! I would advise caution of course

[@brianm712]

Hi Sandy I do like the idea of a recumbent but the roads around here are way too dangerous, with miles of narrow winding lanes and all with the national speed limit 80km p/h I think I would be "squished" in no time, especially with our local farmer who is as blind as a bat and drives like an unguided missile. keep up the good work. Brian Leitrim Ireland.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Brian, Yes I would be careful to avoid certain roads

[@TheSkskitey]

Nice review of the trike Sandy . You didn't say much about the brakes , i take it they are drum brakes , are they easy to replace when they wear out ? :-)

[@garyseckel295]

Drum brakes are very rarely ever replaced, compared to disc brakes!

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes drum brakes, very strong they are too and don't seem to wear much at all!

[@dougfields5798]

I hope that trike has good brakes .😮

[@WiltshireMan]

Very good infact

[@dougfields5798]

@@WiltshireMan That’s a relief ,I don’t want to see a video of you wrapped around a lamppost at the bottom of that hill .

[@MsDenver2]

You know your pole at the back could you fit a flashing light up higher so cars can see you better? I think I would be too scared of the traffic? I am considering buying a small dingy for exercise on the canal which would be safer than the roads. Only downside is I would have to use the car to get to a canal or lake?

[@WiltshireMan]

A dinghy is a nice thing to have Donna, very peaceful:)

[@sarahroberts8304]

Sandy, if you don’t mind me asking, my husband would like to know what is the make of the shoes you are wearing? He likes the look of them, and the fact that they’re flat for walking, but will clip into pedals.

[@WiltshireMan]

I can't say Sarah as the brand name has worn off and they were given to me, I don't think they were expensive and they came from Halfords

[@JohnShipp-oy9zl]

Hi sandy i had 35 going down blunsdon hill. you were quicker. My bike was a 1980 carlton corsair

[@WiltshireMan]

My fastest is 42 shhhh

[@JohnShipp-oy9zl]

I went down it this morning on a heavier mountain bike and could only get 30 mph that was using a bryton odo

[@stevetaylor8698]

where I live, I have to negotiate quite a lot of railway level crossings which are closed to most traffic (farmers etc have a key to get through the main gates) and I have to use the pedestrian side gate which I suspect would be, if not impossible, very difficult. Have you come across such challenges during your 800 miles?

[@WiltshireMan]

A few obstacles Steve but I have always found an alternative route

[@stevetaylor8698]

@@WiltshireMan Alas, for the obstacles I mentioned, the alternative is a busy single carriageway A road. Might be able to manage if it's possible to get a trike vertical on its rear wheel and wiggle it through that way.

[@MsDenver2]

So is it easier or harder than a normal bike and what’s it like going up hill? You do look easy riding it and it looks very comfortable but is your legs as comfortable?👍

[@garyseckel295]

Easier, no balance required. Easier to sightsee when no balance required! Horizontal legs comfortable. Great blood flow when elderly legs are horizontal! Slower up hill, but lower gearing AND no balance improves hill climbing above two wheels!

[@WiltshireMan]

Slower than a bike but strangely feels easier and more enjoyable than a bike

[@bigboy01uk]

Hi Sandy! Can you adjust the seat forward to shorten the stretch to the pedals? Ok if you’re 6’2” but what if you are a shorty? They look pretty cool! 👌🏻

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes the front boom which holds the pedals is fully adjustable

[@ian4iPad2]

@@WiltshireManI was going to ask this question too. Okay, but if the boom is shortened, what happens to the chain length, is it taken up somehow or does it need to be shortened accordingly? Thanks for the video, very good! 👍

[@WiltshireMan]

@@ian4iPad2 Thats a good question, you have to add or remove links accordingly, there is some latitude if the adjustment is small say and inch or so but any longer then the chain needs altering

[@tomprentice6935]

⚔️💪🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍👌

[@oscartravis5740]

I'm quite sold on the trike after that demo. Do you need cycling shoes that clip to the pedals so you don't slip?

[@garyseckel295]

NO! Heel cup pedals require NO hand usage! Arthritis FAR better dealt with if one can move feet on heel cup pedals! I remove all the not needed nylon straps. No clip-in pedals anymore, after using heel cup pedals! Totally safe!

[@oscartravis5740]

@@garyseckel295 brilliant, that's even better! As an arthritis sufferer, that's music to my ears 😀

[@TomRyall3]

I'm hard of hearing so I use captions most channels they are automatically on but they seem to rarely be on this channel for some reason.

[@WiltshireMan]

I have enabled captions on this video now

[@TomRyall3]

@@WiltshireMan Thank you

[@michaelcase8574]

Have you ever ridden the other trike conformation with single wheel in the front? I wonder how they differ in riding experience? It looks like the clearance of the derailer is lower than the frame by a bit. Under the right circumstances , might bottom out. If you ride in a deep enough, you could get your butt wet! LOL! What day is your brthday? I turn 76 on the 11th. Happy early birthday, Sandy!

[@garyseckel295]

FWIW: Both Delta and Tadpole trikes experience here. Tadpole is the sports car for faster cornering! NEVER see tip-over riding! Never see jacked-up expensive off-road automobiles tipped over either... Delta is max suspension/traction (even 2WD IS AVAILABLE) under torso. 2WD best in running dogs off road or towing Wee Ones on snow toys. HUGELY Best for rear cargo carrying too! USS Delta can carry small/medium dog cage in front of rider! Not so, tadpoles. 70yo, limited mobility handicapper here. Love Rohloff gearbox! Hate cassette shifting when a now elder rider. My Hase Delta' are wheelchair/forearm crutches accessible with optional 25-inch seat height! Tadpoles ARE NOT always handicapper accessible to many riders!!! Never outgrow a Delta planform trike. Grow oldest on a Delta planform trike.

[@michaelcase8574]

@garyseckel295 Thanks! Very informative. For Sandy's purposes, looks like he made the right choice. Some older citizens would often ride trikes, not recumbant, single front wheel, and they would often fall off. Single rear wheel would be much better for them.

[@WiltshireMan]

My birthday falls on the 18th :) I have never ridden the other style of trike, the one I have is much safer and very stable

[@garyseckel295]

Agree, but no falling off of recumbent supportive seats!@@michaelcase8574

[@garyseckel295]

@@michaelcase8574 Recumbent twin rear wheels hugely different from upright twin rear wheels!!

[@Brookspirit]

They look like drum brakes, how do you like them?

[@garyseckel295]

Rim brakes are fine. Drum brakes RARELY, if ever, need replacing!

[@WiltshireMan]

They are great plenty of braking power

[@WelshLad.]

I'm 56 and suffer from Osteoarthritis in my hips and back what's it like peddling on a trike is it easer than a bike.

[@WiltshireMan]

I have been diagnosed with degenerative right hip for over 4 years now, the pain and aching was getting very bad, going from my hip into my lower back and sometimes down my leg. The movement of the hip during cycling either on a bike or recumbent trike is similar and has resulted in much less hip pain for me now, I also limit eating certain carbs which can cause inflammation and cause more hip pain, my hip pain is now manageable without pain killers but is still there. I suppose one day I will need a hip replacement but hopefully not for some time.

[@WelshLad.]

@@WiltshireManI feel your pain. I know exactly what pain you were going through; I suffer the same. I used to ride a mountain bike but had to give it up and sell it. The bike was making my hips and knees worse. I never knew that carbs would make the inflammation worse. I eat a lot of carbs too, but after you mention that, I will certainly try and go carb-free and also look to buy a trike.

[@garyseckel295]

Yes, easier.

[@martymartin2894]

3000 is scandalous money for them yokes and theres not much in them like everything else these days extortion.

[@WiltshireMan]

People often pay more for a bike too.

[@stuartsutherland7664]

Market forces!

[@martymartin2894]

@@WiltshireMan I know sandy but it's just taking advantage of people it wouldn't cost much to make one of them bikes there's not much in them is my point. Even e bikes are too expensive but at least they have more technology and equipment in them.

[@BrianWatts-i1b]

Didn't realise you had reverse?

[@WiltshireMan]

Only works on a hill

[@BrianWatts-i1b]

LOL thanks

[@mickp3526]

Who has to give way if your walking a dog on a narrow path way?

[@WiltshireMan]

Here in Swindon there are plenty of cycle ways which transition into what looks like footpaths then back into cycle ways (with no signage) and if it is not safe to use the road then I will ride on the path and ofcourse give way to pedestrians. Probably breaking the rules and law in your eye's but if it's safer then that's what I will do!

[@mickp3526]

@@WiltshireMan wasn’t being nasty just think it’s a bit big to be going down narrow paths walkers dogs pushchairs and I enjoy your content all of it but there not for me.

[@WiltshireMan]

@@mickp3526 the outrigger wheels can take rough surfaces so I'd be quite happy to move half the trike onto grass or even down the kerb to make room.

[@COBBETT1215]

Love everything about Sandy and all his doings. But I will never see the point of this. What can you see that low down of the passing view. And nothing will convince me that you are more visible to cars and lorries. Utterly unpersuaded.

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

Ridiculous machines

[@WiltshireMan]

You are so wrong but that's your opinion and your welcome to it :)