Thanks! That’s a great idea. I don’t have a trike with direct steering in the stable right now, but I have owned two in the past. I’ll see what we can work up!
Haha. Great video. Guys like you and me have solved the problem. One of each! My first trike was a Catrike Trail( 20” on all three). Smaller, nimble, compact, easy to turn and transport.stepped up to the Catrike 559 with 26”..... faster in high gears, more comfortable for longer rides , super neat looking. Just spoke with my dealer and ordering a new Catrike 700 to round out the inventory ....super lightweight buildout, best gearing available and going to run it fast. The 559 and 700 won’t turn as nimbly as the Trail, but put the 700 in high gear and I will be ripping throughout New England.....assuming Catrike can even build one with the parts shortage. Speaking of tires and parts......I ordered three new Schwalbe Marathon plus last November before driving from Cape Cod to Palm Beach/Boca Raton....wanted to have spares as I was approaching 5000 miles on the originals. The tires just arrived at my shop on the Cape..4 1/2 months later. I am driving back this weekend and have my service visit scheduled for Tuesday. Thanks for, your great videos. My next purchase when I get home is a great new GoPro latest model so I can ditch the iPhone camera. Then a drone ...then whatever comes next. We love our toys!
Hey, Mark! Yep, you found the secret. Just buy one of each. :) 5000 miles is great mileage on those Marathons! I tried going for speed with the Pro One's, but I've worn some down to the casing with only 800 miles on them. Yikes! That gets expensive and it's like, "Didn't I just change this tire?" Yes, I did. :) Good luck with getting that 700 ASAP (and the GoPro)!
Haha….btw I am a69 year old retired doctor and had simultaneous venture capital career while running my practice. Fortunately money is not the issue and myself, wife, kids and grandkids are all taken care of. Buying a few bikes/toys is a helluva lot cheaper than even a single divorce! I actually live conservatively, drive a modest car and buy golf clubs and bikes as needed and desired. Funny event today…..I sold my original Catrike Trail with Bionx e assist that I bought used for $1500 five years ago to an a older guy looking for a hub drive e assist trike to help him in his stroke recovery. He had done all,of his research and he stopped me on Cape Cod canal right where he lived and wrote me a check on the spot for $2500. Used trikes at a premium now. Had this 5 years and rode it almost 12,000 miles and made a grand. Some guys just know how to cash in!
For me the rear wheel size is the most important factor in how good a trike looks. The larger the rear wheel, the less it looks like a grannymobile and the more it looks like a badass race car.
@@tobisteffen I've never had a chance to try an Aero. The local dealer had one for a short time but it sold and he never got another one. I saw a rider on my local trail with one and he looked REALLY low and reclined. Love to get a chance to try one but with Greenspeed in limbo and the problems they've had with frame cracking, I'm not sure you're going tp be seeing anymore for the foreseeable future.
I agree. The larger the rear wheel the better it looks. That being said, I find having a trike is an ego dropper. I ride for the experience and maximum time on the trike. So I have leaned more into function over form. The convenience and stiffness of 3 x 20" wheels is ideal for me needs. Cheers!
I have a Catrike 559 and a Catrike Pocket. Love them both but for me the Pocket is my favorite. We live in a hilly region and it climbs much better for me than the 559. I am also 5’4 and the fit is perfect. I have no problem keeping up with the 559 either. Thank you for the video!
If I had the money and the storage, I’d have multiple trikes with a variety of tire sizes including a few with fat tires. Thanks for another great video!
Great video. I have had 3 trikes with a 26” rear. Your video made me reconsider my most recent Azub Ti-FLY purchase and changed it from a 26” rear to the 20”. I ride in the city of Portland and gravel. Can’t wait to try it out when it arrives. I will report back.
For touring it's better to have the same tire size all around so you can carry only one spare. But let's be honest, a bigger rear tire simply looks awesome!
I think they look better, too, Alex. But you're right, it's much nicer just carrying one size of tube, and if touring, you could even carry an extra 20" folding tire.
Man, your roads are like glass down there. No argument about wheel size here; mostly trails, so fat 26 is the way to go. Your style of cruising and high-speed stuff looks like fun!
Great topic as usual , really enjoy your content . I have two trikes one with 20 inch wheels and another with 700c and both have radical differences in turning radius and general handling . I enjoy the 20 inch wheel for threading bike trails and city street riding , the 700 though has higher speeds but pedaling my 700 through busy city traffic is like driving a rail dragster through a parking lot and just as low ...
Also have 2 trikes, Greenspeed GT3 and Magnum big wheel. The GT3 is a nimble, sharp turner with no wheel flex and a great riding position (minus the slowly sliding forward in the seat) but has frame flex and twitchy steering at speed. The big wheel has improved steering and ease of getting in/out plus a stiffer frame, but the 26" wheel flexes noticably at speed pedalling. I'm considering a fat 20 with road tyre on the Magnum, and doing a cut n shut to increase caster angle on the GT3 to make it hold straighter at speed like the magnum.
@@rossbrumby1957 Great choice Ross , i like Greenspeed for their quality and price . I do prefer the 20 inch wheels for its nimbleness like you mention with no wheel flex unlike the 700 . Funny you mention caster on bikes , i do alignments on vehicles for GM here in Canada and its even important on trikes for directional stability . You cant adjust caster as routine maintenance but you can adjust toe which makes a huge difference in tire wear and stability also , especially going down a hill at high speeds . Anyways Ross enjoy your ride and be safe ..
Oh yeah 😎. So? What happened to 24 inch? Most of the delta trikes come with 24 inch on all 3 wheels. Front wheel and the 2 hollowhub rear wheels. Bought red, Kent Monterey aluminum folding delta trike with 26 inch wheels. Replaced Front Steel fork with bright 🌞 yellow 💛 Carbon fiber fork and 700c wheel with dual Sturmey-Archer hub with a internal drum brake. Nice. Looks good. 👍 Bought an older "Organic Engine" steel framed, SWB (short wheel base ),OSS (over seat steering) recumbent from Tallahassee, Florida. Came with 24 inch drive wheel and 9 speed. Converted using a $25 used Chinese 7spd trike rear-end with SunTrike 24 inch Hollowhub wheels. Used one of the 2 Bolts 🔩 (total of 4, 2x Bolts left side and 2x Bolts right side) on each side of trike-frame the axle drop outs. Re-enforced with 2x hose clamps on both sides infront of the rear axle to firmly hold the trike setup to the recumbent frame. 👌 😀 The Organic Engine came with a "60" Tooth large chain ⛓ ring triple. Was wondering 🤔 where the young lads 👦 were getting these huge 60 Tooth chain ⛓ rings they're putting on their single speed/fixey 🤔 bikes. Well they're young and dumb. Bought aluminum frame for a LWB (long wheel base) with USS (under seat steering) Recumbent (Atlanta frame builder) for Trike conversion. FYI: the Sun 🌞 Trike 14.8mm (5/8"?) Axle will fit into the Chinese trikes rear trike bearings. All the SunTrike wheels have 3x pin holes on both sides of their hollowhubs which match up with the 3x drive pins on the right, driveside of the SunTrike axle.
2012 Terratrike Tour II - rode for one summer, then converted to their 26" rear wheel kit. Enjoyed the slightly higher top end gearing, better ride, but notice more frame flex. Extended dropout kit lengthened the wheelbase 3", but it wasn't that tight turning in the first place so that wasn't an issue. I'd do it again. Wheelbase is axle to axle, by the way, not end to end of the total package, when you're talking about storage and transportation sized.
I’d use up the stock tires before changing to something else unless you’re looking for the fastest tire you can get, in which case I’d look at the Schwalbe Pro One. It’s not that long lasting but it’s fast rolling. The Marathon Plus will be durable and long lasting but it’s a heavier, slower rolling tire.
Great video thanks, I just bought a youth KMX KOMPACT trike 7sp, I am 5'4" tall and it suit me fine but I want to switch out the rear 16" wheel to 20" and seeing your video I am more convinced a 20" rear tire is recommended
Hi Tommy! Sounds like a nice trike! I had 16" front wheels on my GT3 and it was pretty zippy. The 20" will give you more tire selection and lift the back of the trike a little more. Can't hurt to try it and see if you like it.
I obsessed over big wheels for a while. Grew out of it. My Terratrike 3.2 with the right tires and gearing is as quick as anything I tried. Big rear wheels may just be marketing hype for most. I have a bunch of foldies with 12-16-20"wheels. Its the frame size, cg, tire choice and geometry that more affects handling, there. Small wheels in general don't like rough roads. They are just stiffer.
Speed seems to be more about weight and tires. I have a cushy '04 ICE XL Sclumpf/Rollie with 2.5 wide tires for the bad roads. Even with the tech on the Terratrike which just screams Detroit 1970, its weight, race tires and close ration 105 switch gear make it sufficiently sporty. It's more aero than I am.
I'm considering a trike. I'm a beginner! Im 65 yrs / OA in knees. What's best and to start with? What seat position is best for workin the glutes more. Is an assist good to have?
Hey, Klynn! Do you have a dealer near you? The absolute best thing to do is to find a local trike dealer and try out a few different types to see what’s most comfortable and which type or brand most “floats your boat”. That way you’d also be able to try something with and without E-assist to see what you think of it. Assist adds quite a bit of cost, but lots of folks love it (I haven’t had a chance to try it yet). If you’re thinking about buying used, you can’t go too wrong with any of the big brands (I’d recommend either ICE or Catrike) and if you buy used on the cheap and don’t like it, you’ll likely be able to resell and get your money back. Which seat position works the glutes more? Hmm...good question. I’d speculate a more reclined position, but I’m not an expert in biomechanics, and a very reclined position brings along other issues. You might want to visit the forum over on Bentrider Online. I’d be willing to bet that there are several folks over there that have made a study of which positions work which muscles most effectively. Thanks for watching and best of luck on your trike journey!
Interesting video...im still in the research, test riding and learning phase. I ride 650c on a road bike with lower air pressures and gravel and mountain bikes tubeless. I think you are right and about tire choices and bike/trike design more than wheel size. The debate will continue....👍👏
All three of those are beautiful trikes (and expensive)! I'd hate to have to decide between them. Then again, most of my buying decisions are made based on what I can find for half price on Craigslist, Bentrider Online, ... :)
I have a Catrike Expedition that came with a 26" rear wheel. I purchased extenders to use a 700c wheel and can definitely confirm that the 700 wheel is faster. Early in the year when I don't have the legs I use the 26" wheel as it is easier to peddle and accelerates quicker. The 700 would just tire you out and ache the knees if you don't have good peddling legs The 700 wheel configuration does take up more room in the car.
@@bikestrikesrazors Both wheels weigh the same at 4 lbs (weighed with tire, skewer and 13-30 gear cluster). Tires are Schwalbe Durano 700x28c and Schwalbe Kojak 26x1.35, both psi at 110 with Kojak 20x1.35 on the front at 80 psi. When I first bought the trike I would ride in the middle 39t chainring. I ride on mostly flat trails. Now my chainrings are 32-38-42 and mainly peddle in the 32 but I'm thinking of going to a 34. Best average is 16 but mostly I do 15 with the 700, about 1 mph less with the 26 in. for 22 or 27 mile loops with very small hills. I prefer a bike over a trike but my arthritic hands, shoulder, and back can't take the bike as much so I actually get more of a workout on the trike. I miss riding all over the roads like I used to do on the bike. About half the bike/trikes i see on trails now are electric.
@@sattvic11 A 16 average is pretty impressive. My regular road bike rides are all shorter than my trike rides. The drivers these days are so distracted and sketchy that I feel much safer when I'm on a local trail.
Love the Catrike Trail! I used to have one of the original Catrike Pockets, but I'm about 5'11" and it was way too small for me. Still had a lot of fun with it!
I get to answer this question definitively for myself. I'm modifying a Trident Titan to fit a 26 rear just for kicks, to see what changes. I'll be dropping the smallest chainring to a smaller size to keep my lowest gearing though. And it's a bolt on process, reversible.
Thank you, very interesting video. Actually, I have been wondering if a bigger rear wheel would provide me higher speed (I ride a 20" Steintrike Wild One), but after seeing your video I understand that it's not that simple, and there are other aspects to consider as well.
Now I want a burger with mustard and ketchup. I still love my Challenge Trike. It has a 26" rear wheel. Most of the time, though, I use it with a training stand. My current car is too small to carry it. I use my Bacchetta Bella recumbent bike outdoors.
Helpful videos. I'm also just researching where to start. I like the ICE Adventure HD (not far from where I live in UK too). Am I right it can take a 20" too. Looks better for loading up more touring gear
Hey, Rod! Yes, you are correct! The Adventure HD gives you the choice of a 26” or 20” rear wheel. You can’t go wrong with either, which, I suppose, just makes your decision more difficult. :)
I had a Catrike Road for 7 years and could climb hills so much more effortlessly than the Catrike Expedition that replaced it. Way less inertia to overcome with the 20" wheel. However, there is definitely a difference between cruising speeds. I could cruise around 17-18 on the Road, where I can cruise 20-21 on the Dumont that I now have. So, I do believe the 26" wheel does have a mechanical advantage in the flats over a 20" wheel (especially with the same gearing).
Hey, Garry! It's my impression that when climbing, gearing has a lot more to do with things than the size of the rear wheel. Given low enough gearing, I don't think a trike with a 700c on the back would be any more difficult to climb with than a 20". But- I really don't know if anyone would be putting a cassette on a trike with anything larger than a 32 tooth low gear in the back, so if you had a trike with a 32 tooth low gear cassette and a 20" rear wheel, that would have an easier go of climbing than a trike with the same cassette on a 700c wheel. Still, with a triple chain ring up front, like most trikes have, you should have plenty of low gearing to climb anything.
@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks for your reply. I watch/read lots of confusing stuff about wheel sizes that climb better than others. Your explanation seems more sound. If you haven’t already, it will be cool if you did a video about that (“Recumbent Trike Climbing - Does Rear Wheel Size Matter”). I do enjoy your videos, they are very informative and Entertaining. I’m a newbie Triker. Been wanting one for several years. Now that I’m retired, just 66 yo :o), I have more time to ride, ride, ride !!! I’m considering a Catrike 559, I Soooo Cannot Wait !!!
@@garryfavor7614 All the Catrikes are great trikes, Garry. See if you can't find a dealer that has all the models in stock so you can give some different types a try. That is a great idea for a video- I'm just trying to figure out how I can measure the wattage to determine if one wheel size does climb better. Sounds like a good excuse to buy some watt measuring pedals. :)
thanks for the info.i retire from the military a few years ago and i love to cycle. due to some back and neck injuries it has prevented me from enjoying riding. since i came across your page iam transitioning to recumbent trikes. so many choices to choose from. any advice will help to narrow my decision. thanks God Bless..
Hey, Pitmaster! You can't go too far wrong with any of the major name brands these days, and you're right, there are lots of choices. Don't know where you are, but if you have the option of searching something like a local Craigslist or even the Bentrider Online classifieds, you may be able to find something used at a big discount. This way, if you decide later it's not a style you like, you could always sell it, get your money back and try another. If buying used, I'd try and stick with a brand that's still in business so you don't run into any part supply problems. ALSO, the absolute best thing to do is to try and find a local dealer so you can try out some different trikes. That way you can decide what you like and what best suits you, without having to spend ANY money first. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors much appreciated , I'm in Colorado. I mostly ride flats lol. I'm looking towards new preferably the trikeky the three wheel I wanted be able to adjust the back seat also seat up a higher from the ground. Your videos have been very helpful in selecting the right one.
@@pitmastertoby2598 Toby, you might want to take a trip over to Colorado Trikes and take some test rides. They look like a pretty good dealership: www.coloradotrikes.co/ Ha! Just remembered, you never said where in Colorado you were, so this might be quite a drive. :)
One 20" advantage you showed but didn't talk about is the greater room it gives for luggage over the larger wheels. Loved your intro/outro but didn't get the ginger reference?
That's true! Didn't think of more room for luggage! Oh, Ginger and Mary Ann- Two characters from the 1960's TV show Gilligan's Island. Both beautiful, but one a glamorous movie star and the other a country girl. Which would you choose is one of those eternal questions. :)
The 406 fronts wear at least twice as rapidly as the 700 rear. Also in my case using tubeless the 406 are crazy expensive. Still I’m trying to convince the world that tubeless tires for road is as good an idea as it is for MTB. I’ve not had a flat in at least 3000 miles. I encounter frequent thorns on my routine routes ...(Satanic goat heads) more than once multiple thorns in three of three tires on a single ride. Thorns fall or i pull them out, sealant stops the leak almost instantly. I hit a small metal shard on one ride which did not self repair but a “plug” repaired it. Two down sides. One is they’re not easy to set up. I’m convinced it’s an inexact science. Perfect tape, perfectly clean surface, presta adapter on a good air compressor, and messy sealant. Once they’re on, life is grand. The other is cost. I’m running 60 psi as Schwalbe told me it may extend life. Alignment is obviously a big factor in front tire wear.
I bought a Catrike Dumont and right off the bat had to get rid of the slick rear tire for an aggressive tire because on my first trip on doing a bike/walking trail I had to go off into the grass to do something and when I tried to get back on the pathway I just sat and spun, had to get out of the Trike to pull it back onto the pathway.
Hi Tom and thanks for watching! One of the best recumbents I ever had was a small two wheeler from the late 70's. It was a speed demon! "16 inch wheels can be very "zippy". I had a Greenspeed GT3 trike that used 16" wheels.
personally i love the big rear wheel, but i’m only a two-wheel rider and i don’t know if my opinion counts. too scary to ride a trike/recumbent here in san francisco. really wish i could!
yeah I have a road bike, TT bike, and a more gravel oriented ebike I ride in sf. I've been hit by cars 3 times. it's a beautiful city and there are so many beautiful places to ride, but the lawless anarchy and rage from the motorists make it extremely dangerous to ride anything here. when I want a long relaxed ride I leave the city. I'm very jealous of all the trike/recumbent bike videos on UA-cam, I've wanted one for years. maybe when i move to Oregon. 😔
I guess I'm just middle of the road. My new Terra Trike has a 24" rear wheel. It's all up to gearing as far as top speed is concerned. If you put a larger chain wheel on the front you'll get more rpm out of the rear wheel. Try this......front chain wheel tooth count divided by the rear sprocket count times the rear wheel size. This gives you the wheel size in inches if it were a big front wheel as found on the old penny farthing bikes of the 1800s. With the right combinations each wheel size 20 24 or 26 could deliver the same top speed. A 52 tooth front and 13 tooth rear with a 26" wheel gives a 104" wheel size. On my Terra Trike a 50 front and 11 rear with a 24" tire gives a 109" wheel size. So in theory my Terra Trike could be faster. If I went to a 52 tooth front and 11 rear I'd have a 113" drive tire size. The power of the rider will determine top speed any way. Hope this clears it up a little.
Thanks much for the explanation, R. Michael! I think you're absolutely correct about the power of the rider (plus the aerodynamics of the trike/bike) determining the true top speed.
When two trikes are side by side, with no difference between them but that one has a larger rear wheel and the other, a smaller, then you pedal each for a given no. of revolutions, without letting them coast, doesn’t the larger rear wheel go farther? Same idea as with dragsters.
Hmm, good question. I suppose this would be true if one rotation of the cranks equated to one rotation of the rear wheel on both trikes. When you throw in variable gearing, who knows what's going on. All things being equal, it should take more energy to rotate a larger wheel once around than a smaller wheel, so then you have to figure out how much the energy (wattage) figures into the equation. You're gonna need a better physicist than me to sort this out. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Done. I actually have an engineer friend who worked it out, already, no power output to the equation, just the greater distance gained by the larger rear wheel.
When I put a Goblin fairing on my 700, I dropped the wheel size to a 28 in. to increase the clearance. It didn't seem to make any difference in performance, according to my ass dyno. The fairing sure did though. With a 73t chainring, I could hit 54 mph, on flat ground. Not for long but, I could do it. My 05 Road with its 20 in. wheel would out climb it easily. Just wish he made the fairing for the Expedition.
Good non bias video information. However, as the Ol saying goes... You can please some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time. Point is, don't try to be so pleasing to everyone that you end up loosing facts to the point. As far as each wheel size, I think you did a good job for the most part. I will add some points to each size of wheel. 20" wheel pro's: has a lower center of gravity for the trike being a smaller size. It's revolution is smaller, thus lower g.i. (gear inch) is available in the cog gears ⚙ for climbing steeper hills. Cons: the revolution is smaller so thus rotation is smaller thereby top speed is reduced somewhat than bigger wheels. Lastly, the Derailleur is lower and closer to the ground, thus possible damage can occur if riding on rough surfaces, roads, gravel and dirt roads. 26" wheel pro's: nothing really to add to everything you mentioned. A good all around size. Many tire options, keeps Derailleur up off the ground surfaces higher, and top speed is a bit more do to bigger rotation of wheel. Cons: None really, maybe loosing a very small lower g.i. ability, but there are options to get around this. 700 wheel pro's: top speed is best achieved with the bigger rotation. Along with a bit smoother ride, but probably minimal. Cons: rear wheel does cause flexing more in the rear hub axle. Lower g.i. gearing suffers quite a bit more if riding up steeper hills. I personally like the 26" wheel, do to It's in the middle of the pack, and accomplishes an overall result. I really don't like the Derailleur that close to the ground that the 20" wheel causes. G.I. gearing can still be very low for climbing steeper hills. Smooth ride and top speed is better than the 20" wheel, yet can climb better than the 700 wheel do to lowering the g.i. easily and inexpensively. I have a Catrike Expedition with a upgraded rear 42 tooth cog along with a front small chain ring 24 tooth. I can climb up any grade of hill. Yet still have a good top speed. Summary: 20" wheels are for slower easy riding and climbing riders. 700" wheel riders are for the speed guys and gals who have the need for speed! 26" wheel riders are right in the middle of being able to do both of the others not being restricted.
I have 20 inch wheels and bought another trike so my Fiance can ride with me but the gearing was so high she couldn't climb hills with me , I know this will drive some people nuts and I know I changed the geometry but I put a 20 inch wheel where her 700c was and now she can ride with me , I did fear it would screw up the Ackerman steering but so far no issues and it doesn't really look to bad either . I wanted a 700 c wheel so bad before because of gearing being higher but I like hi use getting bigger chain rings , currently pushing 56×11 for top gear
Looking at some of your older videos for wisdom , I have an old Catrike Road , pre-suspension Era. It weighs about 31 pounds maybe a bit less with , Conti tires on it . I like to ride fast but really can't afford another trike, here's the question, I see a trispoke carbon fiber wheel for about 350 bucks for the rear wheel , it's light about 800 grams and indeed Aero but it's a 20 inch 451 wheel . I have had home made wheel covers on the fronts and it did make a difference about 2 or 3 Miles per hour or more in a head wind . Would you buy this wheel ? I'm kind of obsessed with Areo and have been since I was a Roady. The 451 wheel is actually 22 inches. I happen to have some tires for it making a bad buy on Amazon and not realizing till it was too late to return. Do you think it will fit ? Is it worth it for the lighter weight and aero d ? 🤔
Hi Janson! 31 pounds is pretty light for a trike. The VTX and Aero are also both around 30 pounds. The weight loss from a lighter wheel and less drag from the aero design would help with speed, but if you're putting a larger wheel on, it will lift the back of your trike a bit and cause more drag as it puts you into the wind a bit more. Sorry, I don't know if the wheel would fit your trike. Don't know if you're aware of "Bentrider Online", but if you pose this question to them on the trike forum, I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions!
Hey, Sunny! I think it's just do to a larger wheel making a trike longer. It's like the difference between a tiny Smart Car making a tight turn and a semi-truck making a tight turn (although that's an obvious exaggeration). In real life, the turning radius of your trike is very rarely something that may impact your ride. I only notice it when I'm on a tight trail that's maybe the width of the trike itself, that then makes a tight ninety degree turn. Almost never happens. Even when it does, it's no big deal to unclip, push yourself back a few steps and then roll on. Just a little annoying when you're used to riding a trike that doesn't require you to do that- But again, it almost never happens.
If any given trike can be fitted with a bigger rear wheel without lengthening the rear "swingarm", the turning circle won't change. Most trikes that come with larger rears however are a longer wheelbase to fit them, and the longer the wheelbase, the bigger turning circle- but this also usually gives more stability at speed. Bigger wheels flex more so can make the trike fishtail while pedalling fast too. A lot of trade-offs to deal with, so test ride many versions before you buy your first.
Hi brothers, I don't know, maybe I'm too conservative, but this unit reminds me of a wheelchair,)) just don't throw rotten eggs, guys, I'm glad to see you again, the ending of the video is just a masterpiece, sincerely!
Hey, Oleg! Yep, it is a wheelchair...with pedals. That's why the drivers give you so much room on the road- They don't want to run over someone who's already in a wheelchair. :)
I'll take Mary-Ann over Ginger, she's too Hollyweird. Good analogy of the different sizes, quick and to the point, Btw anyone who's concerned about looks on a trike must be from Hollyweird!🤣👃
That might be a good compromise, but I don't know of any current production trikes that are using a 24" rear wheel. Sure would be interesting to try it!
@@bikestrikesrazors I got mine from a charity last year because I got a TBI on a regular bike in 2004. It is really nice 2020 model with a single continuous shifter that I can adjust sitting still for pulling a load or whatever starting on an incline etc.
I dont know everything but I know is....I have never found some one touring with anything else than a 20" wheel.I have done about 30 000km of touring on bicycles.....there must be a good reason for that.
I think that a smaller wheel is stronger so it’s likely better suited to weighted touring. Plus, you can just carry one size replacement tube and tire.
Hi Dong! You can buy recumbent trikes here in the U.S. starting at around two-thousand dollars, but you can sometimes find them much cheaper on the used market. Thanks for watching!
Hmm...good question, Peter! I would guess that in Formula One, they’re trying to keep the cars as low to the ground as possible to avoid any air current that might “lift” the cars. I wonder if the same theory would apply to trikes?
@@bikestrikesrazors No, I think the “ lifting” of the cars because of wind under them is probably more to do with the shape of the underneath of the car and the “wing in ground effect” it creates at speed. ( consequently the foil, or similar at the rear to counteract it). The point I was making was that engineer put 16” wheels on the because they don’t “reduce” speed. Surely if they could achieve greater speed with larger wheels they would. But larger wheels make for more frontal area which would be bad for speed. I would have thought that in the case of a trike, with a large back wheel you’ve got the combination of both the frontal area (admittedly little because the seat and rider cover most it, but those two things also create and direct turbulence onto to, added to the greater turbulence created by the spokes of the “large” wheel. ( in comparison to the turbulence created by the spokes of a small wheel) I’m a believer in “less is best” and that “bigger is not better”. The best would be got out of a trike with small wheels all round, and disks over the spokes. Think it’s all marketing. Wheel manufacturers and sellers have an interest in maintaining the status quo. End of Speech.
@@peterhale1349 Yep, I think you're right, Peter. While I've heard some folks say that they think it's easier to maintain higher speeds with a large rear wheel, my guess it that this is most probably in their heads. The large rear wheel may support higher gearing more easily, but the same gear ratios are achievable with smaller wheels. My guess is that most folks that go with large rear wheels do so because they think they look better. :)
I think it's in the DNA of recumbent riders to continually tinker with their bikes, always looking for some way to improve some aspect of the ride. And if it doesn't improve the ride, at least it stops things from getting boring. :)
I'm intending to get a GS Magnum big wheel for touring because with the bigger rear frame, there's room for 4" fats all round to handle corrugated dirt roads and rough tracks. Considering no suspension, fats are the go in the outback. 26" rear wheels only have one redeeming feature when it comes to speed- rough road surfaces are smoother with them. Given reasonable roads, small wheels outperform them in every way. More rotational weight, the bike is higher in the wind, bigger wheels churn more air and flex more on corners and raising the centre of gravity of the rear making fast corners unnerving.
I watched this when you first posted and then today. It's the best UA-cam introduction ever! Love your videos, and always makes me want a trike!
Thanks for the kind words! Still having fun with the trikes (when it's not raining out). :)
Finally someone covers trikes, not just scenery. Love your videos on trike equipment. Please do a comparison on direct or indirect steering.
Thanks! That’s a great idea. I don’t have a trike with direct steering in the stable right now, but I have owned two in the past. I’ll see what we can work up!
If you want to see a video of direct vs indirect steering checkout Utah Trikes
I hadn't thought about the change in turning radius before. Interesting!
Thanks, James! Yeah, I was a little surprised the first time I couldn't navigate a turn on the Q-26. Guess there's always a trade-off.
I like your attitude. Lots of folks with different strokes. They all get where they're goin'.
Haha. Great video. Guys like you and me have solved the problem. One of each! My first trike was a Catrike Trail( 20” on all three). Smaller, nimble, compact, easy to turn and transport.stepped up to the Catrike 559 with 26”..... faster in high gears, more comfortable for longer rides , super neat looking. Just spoke with my dealer and ordering a new Catrike 700 to round out the inventory ....super lightweight buildout, best gearing available and going to run it fast. The 559 and 700 won’t turn as nimbly as the Trail, but put the 700 in high gear and I will be ripping throughout New England.....assuming Catrike can even build one with the parts shortage. Speaking of tires and parts......I ordered three new Schwalbe Marathon plus last November before driving from Cape Cod to Palm Beach/Boca Raton....wanted to have spares as I was approaching 5000 miles on the originals. The tires just arrived at my shop on the Cape..4 1/2 months later. I am driving back this weekend and have my service visit scheduled for Tuesday. Thanks for, your great videos. My next purchase when I get home is a great new GoPro latest model so I can ditch the iPhone camera. Then a drone ...then whatever comes next. We love our toys!
Hey, Mark! Yep, you found the secret. Just buy one of each. :) 5000 miles is great mileage on those Marathons! I tried going for speed with the Pro One's, but I've worn some down to the casing with only 800 miles on them. Yikes! That gets expensive and it's like, "Didn't I just change this tire?" Yes, I did. :) Good luck with getting that 700 ASAP (and the GoPro)!
Dude, are you still married? Most wives would be furious with all that spending.
Haha….btw I am a69 year old retired doctor and had simultaneous venture capital career while running my practice. Fortunately money is not the issue and myself, wife, kids and grandkids are all taken care of. Buying a few bikes/toys is a helluva lot cheaper than even a single divorce! I actually live conservatively, drive a modest car and buy golf clubs and bikes as needed and desired. Funny event today…..I sold my original Catrike Trail with Bionx e assist that I bought used for $1500 five years ago to an a older guy looking for a hub drive e assist trike to help him in his stroke recovery. He had done all,of his research and he stopped me on Cape Cod canal right where he lived and wrote me a check on the spot for $2500. Used trikes at a premium now. Had this 5 years and rode it almost 12,000 miles and made a grand. Some guys just know how to cash in!
For me the rear wheel size is the most important factor in how good a trike looks. The larger the rear wheel, the less it looks like a grannymobile and the more it looks like a badass race car.
Ha! I have the feeling that’s why most folks that opt for a bigger wheel opt for a bigger wheel, Tobi. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors How do you like the Greenspeed Aero? In my eyes it's the only cool looking trike with even wheel size that I've seen.
@@tobisteffen I've never had a chance to try an Aero. The local dealer had one for a short time but it sold and he never got another one. I saw a rider on my local trail with one and he looked REALLY low and reclined. Love to get a chance to try one but with Greenspeed in limbo and the problems they've had with frame cracking, I'm not sure you're going tp be seeing anymore for the foreseeable future.
I agree. The larger the rear wheel the better it looks. That being said, I find having a trike is an ego dropper. I ride for the experience and maximum time on the trike. So I have leaned more into function over form. The convenience and stiffness of 3 x 20" wheels is ideal for me needs. Cheers!
I have a Catrike 559 and a Catrike Pocket. Love them both but for me the Pocket is my favorite. We live in a hilly region and it climbs much better for me than the 559. I am also 5’4 and the fit is perfect. I have no problem keeping up with the 559 either. Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching, Dannaboo8! You have some nice trikes there!
If I had the money and the storage, I’d have multiple trikes with a variety of tire sizes including a few with fat tires. Thanks for another great video!
Sounds like a plan to me, Dan! Now we just have to figure out a way to get the money and the storage. :)
Jay Lennos garage of trikes would be cool 😎
@@Numar87by3wheels It would! We'll have to see if we can get Jay on a trike :) Might have to put a motor on it first!
Thank You! I am studying recumbents to purchase- this is a big help,😊
Best of luck on your recumbent journey, Jeb! Glad we could be of some help!
Great video. I have had 3 trikes with a 26” rear. Your video made me reconsider my most recent Azub Ti-FLY purchase and changed it from a 26” rear to the 20”. I ride in the city of Portland and gravel. Can’t wait to try it out when it arrives. I will report back.
Have fun with the new trike! Those Azub Ti-Fly trikes are a marvel!
How's your Ti-FLY? I live in Portland too and it is one of my dream trikes.
For touring it's better to have the same tire size all around so you can carry only one spare. But let's be honest, a bigger rear tire simply looks awesome!
I think they look better, too, Alex. But you're right, it's much nicer just carrying one size of tube, and if touring, you could even carry an extra 20" folding tire.
Man, your roads are like glass down there. No argument about wheel size here; mostly trails, so fat 26 is the way to go. Your style of cruising and high-speed stuff looks like fun!
Oh yeah, we're pretty lucky with the roads here. That fat 26 sounds like fun!
Great topic as usual , really enjoy your content . I have two trikes one with 20 inch wheels and another with 700c and both have radical differences in turning radius and general handling . I enjoy the 20 inch wheel for threading bike trails and city street riding , the 700 though has higher speeds but pedaling my 700 through busy city traffic is like driving a rail dragster through a parking lot and just as low ...
Thanks, WB! Yeah, the lower they get, the spookier they are in traffic. :)
Also have 2 trikes, Greenspeed GT3 and Magnum big wheel. The GT3 is a nimble, sharp turner with no wheel flex and a great riding position (minus the slowly sliding forward in the seat) but has frame flex and twitchy steering at speed. The big wheel has improved steering and ease of getting in/out plus a stiffer frame, but the 26" wheel flexes noticably at speed pedalling. I'm considering a fat 20 with road tyre on the Magnum, and doing a cut n shut to increase caster angle on the GT3 to make it hold straighter at speed like the magnum.
@@rossbrumby1957 Great choice Ross , i like Greenspeed for their quality and price . I do prefer the 20 inch wheels for its nimbleness like you mention with no wheel flex unlike the 700 . Funny you mention caster on bikes , i do alignments on vehicles for GM here in Canada and its even important on trikes for directional stability . You cant adjust caster as routine maintenance but you can adjust toe which makes a huge difference in tire wear and stability also , especially going down a hill at high speeds . Anyways Ross enjoy your ride and be safe ..
Campag Record Mk1.
Another plus of 20" wheels is the lower gearing for hilly terrain, it's also a minus as you tend to spinout at lower speeds.
Oh yeah 😎. So? What happened to 24 inch? Most of the delta trikes come with 24 inch on all 3 wheels. Front wheel and the 2 hollowhub rear wheels. Bought red, Kent Monterey aluminum folding delta trike with 26 inch wheels. Replaced Front Steel fork with bright 🌞 yellow 💛 Carbon fiber fork and 700c wheel with dual Sturmey-Archer hub with a internal drum brake. Nice. Looks good. 👍
Bought an older "Organic Engine" steel framed, SWB (short wheel base ),OSS (over seat steering) recumbent from Tallahassee, Florida. Came with 24 inch drive wheel and 9 speed. Converted using a $25 used Chinese 7spd trike rear-end with SunTrike 24 inch Hollowhub wheels. Used one of the 2 Bolts 🔩 (total of 4, 2x Bolts left side and 2x Bolts right side) on each side of trike-frame the axle drop outs. Re-enforced with 2x hose clamps on both sides infront of the rear axle to firmly hold the trike setup to the recumbent frame. 👌 😀 The Organic Engine came with a "60" Tooth large chain ⛓ ring triple. Was wondering 🤔 where the young lads 👦 were getting these huge 60 Tooth chain ⛓ rings they're putting on their single speed/fixey 🤔 bikes. Well they're young and dumb. Bought aluminum frame for a LWB (long wheel base) with USS (under seat steering) Recumbent (Atlanta frame builder) for Trike conversion. FYI: the Sun 🌞 Trike 14.8mm (5/8"?) Axle will fit into the Chinese trikes rear trike bearings. All the SunTrike wheels have 3x pin holes on both sides of their hollowhubs which match up with the 3x drive pins on the right, driveside of the SunTrike axle.
Sounds like some cool bikes and trikes! I haven't had any experience with Deltas yet, but looking forward to it!
2012 Terratrike Tour II - rode for one summer, then converted to their 26" rear wheel kit. Enjoyed the slightly higher top end gearing, better ride, but notice more frame flex. Extended dropout kit lengthened the wheelbase 3", but it wasn't that tight turning in the first place so that wasn't an issue. I'd do it again.
Wheelbase is axle to axle, by the way, not end to end of the total package, when you're talking about storage and transportation sized.
Thanks for relating your experience and thanks for watching!
What do you like best for tire?. My Spyder will come with stock slicks. I wondered about switching to Marathon Plus.
I’d use up the stock tires before changing to something else unless you’re looking for the fastest tire you can get, in which case I’d look at the Schwalbe Pro One. It’s not that long lasting but it’s fast rolling. The Marathon Plus will be durable and long lasting but it’s a heavier, slower rolling tire.
Great video thanks, I just bought a youth KMX KOMPACT trike 7sp, I am 5'4" tall and it suit me fine but I want to switch out the rear 16" wheel to 20" and seeing your video I am more convinced a 20" rear tire is recommended
Thanks, Tommy! If you do switch out the rear wheel for a 20", let me know how it works out!
Hi Tommy! Sounds like a nice trike! I had 16" front wheels on my GT3 and it was pretty zippy. The 20" will give you more tire selection and lift the back of the trike a little more. Can't hurt to try it and see if you like it.
Putting a bigger rear wheel on will change your kingpin angle in relation to the ground, in a negative effect. Giving a twitchier steering at speed.
Thanks a very informative and practical comparison
Glad it was helpful, Pierre!
I obsessed over big wheels for a while. Grew out of it. My Terratrike 3.2 with the right tires and gearing is as quick as anything I tried. Big rear wheels may just be marketing hype for most. I have a bunch of foldies with 12-16-20"wheels. Its the frame size, cg, tire choice and geometry that more affects handling, there. Small wheels in general don't like rough roads. They are just stiffer.
I believe you are correct on all counts, Sir!
Speed seems to be more about weight and tires. I have a cushy '04 ICE XL Sclumpf/Rollie with 2.5 wide tires for the bad roads. Even with the tech on the Terratrike which just screams Detroit 1970, its weight, race tires and close ration 105 switch gear make it sufficiently sporty. It's more aero than I am.
I'm considering a trike. I'm a beginner! Im 65 yrs / OA in knees. What's best and to start with? What seat position is best for workin the glutes more.
Is an assist good to have?
Hey, Klynn! Do you have a dealer near you? The absolute best thing to do is to find a local trike dealer and try out a few different types to see what’s most comfortable and which type or brand most “floats your boat”. That way you’d also be able to try something with and without E-assist to see what you think of it. Assist adds quite a bit of cost, but lots of folks love it (I haven’t had a chance to try it yet). If you’re thinking about buying used, you can’t go too wrong with any of the big brands (I’d recommend either ICE or Catrike) and if you buy used on the cheap and don’t like it, you’ll likely be able to resell and get your money back. Which seat position works the glutes more? Hmm...good question. I’d speculate a more reclined position, but I’m not an expert in biomechanics, and a very reclined position brings along other issues. You might want to visit the forum over on Bentrider Online. I’d be willing to bet that there are several folks over there that have made a study of which positions work which muscles most effectively. Thanks for watching and best of luck on your trike journey!
Interesting video...im still in the research, test riding and learning phase. I ride 650c on a road bike with lower air pressures and gravel and mountain bikes tubeless. I think you are right and about tire choices and bike/trike design more than wheel size. The debate will continue....👍👏
Thanks very much, Debbie! I'm sure that whatever trike you're eventually riding, you'll love it! :)
@@bikestrikesrazors So far its FS Ice Sprint X and Azub ti-fly.....expensive taste 😋 I would like to test Steintrike
All three of those are beautiful trikes (and expensive)! I'd hate to have to decide between them. Then again, most of my buying decisions are made based on what I can find for half price on Craigslist, Bentrider Online, ... :)
@@bikestrikesrazors yes I do watch the classifieds. Occasionally those trikes do appear. I know I want fs and indirect steering for certain
You'll find it! :)
I have a Catrike Expedition that came with a 26" rear wheel. I purchased extenders to use a 700c wheel and can definitely confirm that the 700 wheel is faster. Early in the year when I don't have the legs I use the 26" wheel as it is easier to peddle and accelerates quicker. The 700 would just tire you out and ache the knees if you don't have good peddling legs The 700 wheel configuration does take up more room in the car.
Thanks very much for giving us the benefit of your experience, Glenn! Do you know if your 26" wheel is heavier than your 700?
@@bikestrikesrazors Both wheels weigh the same at 4 lbs (weighed with tire, skewer and 13-30 gear cluster). Tires are Schwalbe Durano 700x28c and Schwalbe Kojak 26x1.35, both psi at 110 with Kojak 20x1.35 on the front at 80 psi. When I first bought the trike I would ride in the middle 39t chainring. I ride on mostly flat trails. Now my chainrings are 32-38-42 and mainly peddle in the 32 but I'm thinking of going to a 34. Best average is 16 but mostly I do 15 with the 700, about 1 mph less with the 26 in. for 22 or 27 mile loops with very small hills. I prefer a bike over a trike but my arthritic hands, shoulder, and back can't take the bike as much so I actually get more of a workout on the trike. I miss riding all over the roads like I used to do on the bike. About half the bike/trikes i see on trails now are electric.
@@sattvic11 A 16 average is pretty impressive. My regular road bike rides are all shorter than my trike rides. The drivers these days are so distracted and sketchy that I feel much safer when I'm on a local trail.
That's odd, conventional wisdom says a smaller tire will accelerate quicker but not hold speed as well.
I love my catrike trail I’m 5’4 so these 20 inch wheel is perfect 😎
Love the Catrike Trail! I used to have one of the original Catrike Pockets, but I'm about 5'11" and it was way too small for me. Still had a lot of fun with it!
I get to answer this question definitively for myself. I'm modifying a Trident Titan to fit a 26 rear just for kicks, to see what changes. I'll be dropping the smallest chainring to a smaller size to keep my lowest gearing though. And it's a bolt on process, reversible.
Sounds like a fun experiment! Let us know how it goes!
Thank you, very interesting video. Actually, I have been wondering if a bigger rear wheel would provide me higher speed (I ride a 20" Steintrike Wild One), but after seeing your video I understand that it's not that simple, and there are other aspects to consider as well.
Thanks much for watching!
Now I want a burger with mustard and ketchup.
I still love my Challenge Trike. It has a 26" rear wheel. Most of the time, though, I use it with a training stand. My current car is too small to carry it. I use my Bacchetta Bella recumbent bike outdoors.
Those are both beautiful bikes/trikes!
@@bikestrikesrazors Good engineering can also be art.
Helpful videos. I'm also just researching where to start. I like the ICE Adventure HD (not far from where I live in UK too). Am I right it can take a 20" too. Looks better for loading up more touring gear
Hey, Rod! Yes, you are correct! The Adventure HD gives you the choice of a 26” or 20” rear wheel. You can’t go wrong with either, which, I suppose, just makes your decision more difficult. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks, 20" will do!
I had a Catrike Road for 7 years and could climb hills so much more effortlessly than the Catrike Expedition that replaced it. Way less inertia to overcome with the 20" wheel. However, there is definitely a difference between cruising speeds. I could cruise around 17-18 on the Road, where I can cruise 20-21 on the Dumont that I now have. So, I do believe the 26" wheel does have a mechanical advantage in the flats over a 20" wheel (especially with the same gearing).
Hi Dean,
Yep, there always seems to be a trade off somewhere along the line.
Any thoughts on wheel size and the effects on climbing hills? Any advice on that?
Hey, Garry! It's my impression that when climbing, gearing has a lot more to do with things than the size of the rear wheel. Given low enough gearing, I don't think a trike with a 700c on the back would be any more difficult to climb with than a 20". But- I really don't know if anyone would be putting a cassette on a trike with anything larger than a 32 tooth low gear in the back, so if you had a trike with a 32 tooth low gear cassette and a 20" rear wheel, that would have an easier go of climbing than a trike with the same cassette on a 700c wheel. Still, with a triple chain ring up front, like most trikes have, you should have plenty of low gearing to climb anything.
@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks for your reply. I watch/read lots of confusing stuff about wheel sizes that climb better than others. Your explanation seems more sound. If you haven’t already, it will be cool if you did a video about that (“Recumbent Trike Climbing - Does Rear Wheel Size Matter”). I do enjoy your videos, they are very informative and Entertaining. I’m a newbie Triker. Been wanting one for several years. Now that I’m retired, just 66 yo :o), I have more time to ride, ride, ride !!! I’m considering a Catrike 559, I Soooo Cannot Wait !!!
@@garryfavor7614 All the Catrikes are great trikes, Garry. See if you can't find a dealer that has all the models in stock so you can give some different types a try. That is a great idea for a video- I'm just trying to figure out how I can measure the wattage to determine if one wheel size does climb better. Sounds like a good excuse to buy some watt measuring pedals. :)
thanks for the info.i retire from the military a few years ago and i love to cycle. due to some back and neck injuries it has prevented me from enjoying riding. since i came across your page iam transitioning to recumbent trikes. so many choices to choose from. any advice will help to narrow my decision. thanks God Bless..
Hey, Pitmaster! You can't go too far wrong with any of the major name brands these days, and you're right, there are lots of choices. Don't know where you are, but if you have the option of searching something like a local Craigslist or even the Bentrider Online classifieds, you may be able to find something used at a big discount. This way, if you decide later it's not a style you like, you could always sell it, get your money back and try another. If buying used, I'd try and stick with a brand that's still in business so you don't run into any part supply problems. ALSO, the absolute best thing to do is to try and find a local dealer so you can try out some different trikes. That way you can decide what you like and what best suits you, without having to spend ANY money first. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors much appreciated , I'm in Colorado. I mostly ride flats lol. I'm looking towards new preferably the trikeky the three wheel I wanted be able to adjust the back seat also seat up a higher from the ground. Your videos have been very helpful in selecting the right one.
@@pitmastertoby2598 Toby, you might want to take a trip over to Colorado Trikes and take some test rides. They look like a pretty good dealership:
www.coloradotrikes.co/
Ha! Just remembered, you never said where in Colorado you were, so this might be quite a drive. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors awesome sauce thank you
Good info. Thanks for the video.
Glad it was helpful!
One 20" advantage you showed but didn't talk about is the greater room it gives for luggage over the larger wheels.
Loved your intro/outro but didn't get the ginger reference?
That's true! Didn't think of more room for luggage! Oh, Ginger and Mary Ann- Two characters from the 1960's TV show Gilligan's Island. Both beautiful, but one a glamorous movie star and the other a country girl. Which would you choose is one of those eternal questions. :)
The 406 fronts wear at least twice as rapidly as the 700 rear. Also in my case using tubeless the 406 are crazy expensive. Still I’m trying to convince the world that tubeless tires for road is as good an idea as it is for MTB. I’ve not had a flat in at least 3000 miles. I encounter frequent thorns on my routine routes ...(Satanic goat heads) more than once multiple thorns in three of three tires on a single ride. Thorns fall or i pull them out, sealant stops the leak almost instantly. I hit a small metal shard on one ride which did not self repair but a “plug” repaired it. Two down sides. One is they’re not easy to set up. I’m convinced it’s an inexact science. Perfect tape, perfectly clean surface, presta adapter on a good air compressor, and messy sealant. Once they’re on, life is grand. The other is cost. I’m running 60 psi as Schwalbe told me it may extend life. Alignment is obviously a big factor in front tire wear.
Thanks for the info, Mark! I didn't think tubeless and sealant would work on goat head thorns (nice to know something will)!
"Ginger or Mary Ann?" OK, I know we are about the same age.
What do you think about the Tannus Airless 700C x23? I am going to try it on my VTX.
They look interesting but I haven’t had a chance to try them. Let me know what you think of them!
I bought a Catrike Dumont and right off the bat had to get rid of the slick rear tire for an aggressive tire because on my first trip on doing a bike/walking trail I had to go off into the grass to do something and when I tried to get back on the pathway I just sat and spun, had to get out of the Trike to pull it back onto the pathway.
Yep, those slicks can spin out, especially when wet!
As a long-time two-wheeled recumbent rider I prefer larger rear wheels. But it's purely aesthetics. I think they look better.
I've got a two-wheel Reynolds T-Bone with a 20" front and a 700 rear. Looks very cool. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Mine's a 1995 ATP Vision R40 short wheelbase.
@@Deinonuchus Nice!
interesting channel, i have a somewhat recumbent from 1985 with 16" wheels single speed :)
Hi Tom and thanks for watching! One of the best recumbents I ever had was a small two wheeler from the late 70's. It was a speed demon! "16 inch wheels can be very "zippy". I had a Greenspeed GT3 trike that used 16" wheels.
@@bikestrikesrazors the tiny wheels make it turn on a dime and its shorter than my normal 28" bike.
personally i love the big rear wheel, but i’m only a two-wheel rider and i don’t know if my opinion counts. too scary to ride a trike/recumbent here in san francisco. really wish i could!
You’re braver than I am! I’d be afraid to ride an upright bike in the city there. I’m even freaked out driving a car in there. :)
yeah I have a road bike, TT bike, and a more gravel oriented ebike I ride in sf. I've been hit by cars 3 times. it's a beautiful city and there are so many beautiful places to ride, but the lawless anarchy and rage from the motorists make it extremely dangerous to ride anything here. when I want a long relaxed ride I leave the city. I'm very jealous of all the trike/recumbent bike videos on UA-cam, I've wanted one for years. maybe when i move to Oregon. 😔
@@janemf I done the ride from Sausalito to Tiburon and up Paradise drive on my road bike, but still too much traffic for a trike. :)
Maryann all the way brother!
you can fit a carbon disc wheel and tubular tyre if your trike has a 700c wheel. which is pure awesomeness on a racing trike like a catrike 700
Sounds like a plan, Andy!
Thanks your brows is great
I like a 26 rear wheel, suits me fine
*Great for my son*
It’s Maryann and 24” wheels. And all burgers are taboo! 😉
I guess I'm just middle of the road. My new Terra Trike has a 24" rear wheel. It's all up to gearing as far as top speed is concerned. If you put a larger chain wheel on the front you'll get more rpm out of the rear wheel. Try this......front chain wheel tooth count divided by the rear sprocket count times the rear wheel size. This gives you the wheel size in inches if it were a big front wheel as found on the old penny farthing bikes of the 1800s. With the right combinations each wheel size 20 24 or 26 could deliver the same top speed.
A 52 tooth front and 13 tooth rear with a 26" wheel gives a 104" wheel size. On my Terra Trike a 50 front and 11 rear with a 24" tire gives a 109" wheel size. So in theory my Terra Trike could be faster. If I went to a 52 tooth front and 11 rear I'd have a 113" drive tire size. The power of the rider will determine top speed any way. Hope this clears it up a little.
Thanks much for the explanation, R. Michael! I think you're absolutely correct about the power of the rider (plus the aerodynamics of the trike/bike) determining the true top speed.
When two trikes are side by side, with no difference between them but that one has a larger rear wheel and the other, a smaller, then you pedal each for a given no. of revolutions, without letting them coast, doesn’t the larger rear wheel go farther? Same idea as with dragsters.
Hmm, good question. I suppose this would be true if one rotation of the cranks equated to one rotation of the rear wheel on both trikes. When you throw in variable gearing, who knows what's going on. All things being equal, it should take more energy to rotate a larger wheel once around than a smaller wheel, so then you have to figure out how much the energy (wattage) figures into the equation. You're gonna need a better physicist than me to sort this out. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Done. I actually have an engineer friend who worked it out, already, no power output to the equation, just the greater distance gained by the larger rear wheel.
When I put a Goblin fairing on my 700, I dropped the wheel size to a 28 in. to increase the clearance. It didn't seem to make any difference in performance, according to my ass dyno. The fairing sure did though. With a 73t chainring, I could hit 54 mph, on flat ground. Not for long but, I could do it. My 05 Road with its 20 in. wheel would out climb it easily. Just wish he made the fairing for the Expedition.
I remember those Goblin fairings, Kirk! It's a shame he's not making them anymore. 54mph on flat ground! Wow!
Good non bias video information.
However, as the Ol saying goes...
You can please some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.
Point is, don't try to be so pleasing to everyone that you end up loosing facts to the point.
As far as each wheel size, I think you did a good job for the most part. I will add some points to each size of wheel.
20" wheel pro's: has a lower center of gravity for the trike being a smaller size. It's revolution is smaller, thus lower g.i. (gear inch) is available in the cog gears ⚙ for climbing steeper hills.
Cons: the revolution is smaller so thus rotation is smaller thereby top speed is reduced somewhat than bigger wheels. Lastly, the Derailleur is lower and closer to the ground, thus possible damage can occur if riding on rough surfaces, roads, gravel and dirt roads.
26" wheel pro's: nothing really to add to everything you mentioned. A good all around size. Many tire options, keeps Derailleur up off the ground surfaces higher, and top speed is a bit more do to bigger rotation of wheel.
Cons: None really, maybe loosing a very small lower g.i. ability, but there are options to get around this.
700 wheel pro's: top speed is best achieved with the bigger rotation. Along with a bit smoother ride, but probably minimal.
Cons: rear wheel does cause flexing more in the rear hub axle.
Lower g.i. gearing suffers quite a bit more if riding up steeper hills.
I personally like the 26" wheel, do to It's in the middle of the pack, and accomplishes an overall result. I really don't like the Derailleur that close to the ground that the 20" wheel causes.
G.I. gearing can still be very low for climbing steeper hills.
Smooth ride and top speed is better than the 20" wheel, yet can climb better than the 700 wheel do to lowering the g.i. easily and inexpensively.
I have a Catrike Expedition with a upgraded rear 42 tooth cog along with a front small chain ring 24 tooth. I can climb up any grade of hill. Yet still have a good top speed.
Summary: 20" wheels are for slower easy riding and climbing riders.
700" wheel riders are for the speed guys and gals who have the need for speed!
26" wheel riders are right in the middle of being able to do both of the others not being restricted.
Thanks very much for a highly informative comment, Race!
I have 20 inch wheels and bought another trike so my Fiance can ride with me but the gearing was so high she couldn't climb hills with me , I know this will drive some people nuts and I know I changed the geometry but I put a 20 inch wheel where her 700c was and now she can ride with me , I did fear it would screw up the Ackerman steering but so far no issues and it doesn't really look to bad either . I wanted a 700 c wheel so bad before because of gearing being higher but I like hi use getting bigger chain rings , currently pushing 56×11 for top gear
Whatever works, Jason! There's a long tradition with recumbent cyclists of modifying our rides. :)
With the hub gears available now, is the argument that larger wheels give great gearing option relevant?
Good point! The only problem is the expense of most internally geared hubs. :(
26 inch wheel on the back for me, that my preference
Good choice, River! I love the 26" wheel on my Q-26!
Looking at some of your older videos for wisdom , I have an old Catrike Road , pre-suspension Era.
It weighs about 31 pounds maybe a bit less with , Conti tires on it . I like to ride fast but really can't afford another trike, here's the question, I see a trispoke carbon fiber wheel for about 350 bucks for the rear wheel , it's light about 800 grams and indeed Aero but it's a 20 inch 451 wheel .
I have had home made wheel covers on the fronts and it did make a difference about 2 or 3 Miles per hour or more in a head wind . Would you buy this wheel ?
I'm kind of obsessed with Areo and have been since I was a Roady. The 451 wheel is actually 22 inches. I happen to have some tires for it making a bad buy on Amazon and not realizing till it was too late to return.
Do you think it will fit ? Is it worth it for the lighter weight and aero d ? 🤔
Hi Janson!
31 pounds is pretty light for a trike. The VTX and Aero are also both around 30 pounds. The weight loss from a lighter wheel and less drag from the aero design would help with speed, but if you're putting a larger wheel on, it will lift the back of your trike a bit and cause more drag as it puts you into the wind a bit more. Sorry, I don't know if the wheel would fit your trike. Don't know if you're aware of "Bentrider Online", but if you pose this question to them on the trike forum, I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions!
Having never ridden a trike yet I don't understand how the rear wheel affects turning radius.
Hey, Sunny! I think it's just do to a larger wheel making a trike longer. It's like the difference between a tiny Smart Car making a tight turn and a semi-truck making a tight turn (although that's an obvious exaggeration). In real life, the turning radius of your trike is very rarely something that may impact your ride. I only notice it when I'm on a tight trail that's maybe the width of the trike itself, that then makes a tight ninety degree turn. Almost never happens. Even when it does, it's no big deal to unclip, push yourself back a few steps and then roll on. Just a little annoying when you're used to riding a trike that doesn't require you to do that- But again, it almost never happens.
@@bikestrikesrazors Eh, just roll it like the wheelchair it is. Works even with fenders. Some go lock to lock with more angling up front ,too.
If any given trike can be fitted with a bigger rear wheel without lengthening the rear "swingarm", the turning circle won't change. Most trikes that come with larger rears however are a longer wheelbase to fit them, and the longer the wheelbase, the bigger turning circle- but this also usually gives more stability at speed. Bigger wheels flex more so can make the trike fishtail while pedalling fast too. A lot of trade-offs to deal with, so test ride many versions before you buy your first.
All Trikes are cool but you have to admit there are some really bad ass looking ones that stand apart 😁🍺🍺🍺
Ha! Thanks for watching, P Mag!
Hi brothers, I don't know, maybe I'm too conservative, but this unit reminds me of a wheelchair,)) just don't throw rotten eggs, guys, I'm glad to see you again, the ending of the video is just a masterpiece, sincerely!
Hey, Oleg! Yep, it is a wheelchair...with pedals. That's why the drivers give you so much room on the road- They don't want to run over someone who's already in a wheelchair. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Joe Okay, I'll buy myself a stroller like this when I turn 90)))
@@bikestrikesrazors Guys don't take offense, just wanted to laugh a little)) have a good day, for it is already night...
@@toshaveornottoshave-4804 Sounds like a plan! When we both turn 90 we can have stroller races :)
@@bikestrikesrazors Joe, we say this: if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans...
I'll take Mary-Ann over Ginger, she's too Hollyweird. Good analogy of the different sizes, quick and to the point, Btw anyone who's concerned about looks on a trike must be from Hollyweird!🤣👃
LOL!
I have 24s in front and a 28 in the rear.
Hey, August! Very interesting! Sounds like a nice setup!
Mary Ann was age 14 to 17 on Gilligan's Island.
Really?! I had no idea Dawn Wells was that young while the series ran!
What about 24 inch
That might be a good compromise, but I don't know of any current production trikes that are using a 24" rear wheel. Sure would be interesting to try it!
@@bikestrikesrazors terra trike use 24 all round, I'm building a tilting version with 24 wheels
Someday someone will come up with a 36er rear wheel recumbent trike. But until then, we are stuck with 20", 26" and 700c rear wheels...
That would be very interesting!
And as on the GT3, 16's
Nobody ever includes Mrs Howell it is always Mary Ann and Ginger
True and a tragic oversight! :)
I have a rogue with 20 on all 3
That's what my GTO has. One of the zippiest trikes I ever had was the Greenspeed GT3. 20's all around.
@@bikestrikesrazors I got mine from a charity last year because I got a TBI on a regular bike in 2004. It is really nice 2020 model with a single continuous shifter that I can adjust sitting still for pulling a load or whatever starting on an incline etc.
@@cuchuloholic Excellent!
I dont know everything but I know is....I have never found some one touring with anything else than a 20" wheel.I have done about 30 000km of touring on bicycles.....there must be a good reason for that.
I think that a smaller wheel is stronger so it’s likely better suited to weighted touring. Plus, you can just carry one size replacement tube and tire.
Beautiful trike. Fine finish. Take a look at my "quadricycles" on UA-cam.
Thanks, MultiChaga! I'll take a look!
xe lày bán bao nhiêu đô la
Hi Dong! You can buy recumbent trikes here in the U.S. starting at around two-thousand dollars, but you can sometimes find them much cheaper on the used market. Thanks for watching!
👍💯
I have never riden a 3 wheel recumbent.
If you get a chance, try one- I think you'll like it!
Since you asked: Marianne.
She seems to be the favorite in most polls I've seen!
I haven't ridden a trike or a marianne......yet. gotta watch those angry gingers though.
@@rossbrumby1957 LOL! ('m not going to touch that with a 10 foot pole ! :)
And she's Mary Ann!!!
Bigger rear wheel looks better. The VTX looks fast
It looks even faster without the rear fender, but I found out the hard way that it was necessary. :)
SunTour, SRAM.
Wow, one person disliked this. I guess we can't all be friends.
LOL! Yeah, there's always one (or two, or three) in a bunch. :)
He prefers mrs Howell.
@@rossbrumby1957 Ha!
Ginger AND Marijhuana? NO way!
Sounds like a Tik Tok Challenge. :)
Why don’t Formula 1 racing cars run on any “large” size wheels?
Hmm...good question, Peter! I would guess that in Formula One, they’re trying to keep the cars as low to the ground as possible to avoid any air current that might “lift” the cars. I wonder if the same theory would apply to trikes?
@@bikestrikesrazors
No, I think the “ lifting” of the cars because of wind under them is probably more to do with the shape of the underneath of the car and the “wing in ground effect” it creates at speed. ( consequently the foil, or similar at the rear to counteract it). The point I was making was that engineer put 16” wheels on the because they don’t “reduce” speed. Surely if they could achieve greater speed with larger wheels they would. But larger wheels make for more frontal area which would be bad for speed. I would have thought that in the case of a trike, with a large back wheel you’ve got the combination of both the frontal area (admittedly little because the seat and rider cover most it, but those two things also create and direct turbulence onto to, added to the greater turbulence created by the spokes of the “large” wheel. ( in comparison to the turbulence created by the spokes of a small wheel) I’m a believer in “less is best” and that “bigger is not better”. The best would be got out of a trike with small wheels all round, and disks over the spokes. Think it’s all marketing. Wheel manufacturers and sellers have an interest in maintaining the status quo. End of Speech.
@@peterhale1349 Yep, I think you're right, Peter. While I've heard some folks say that they think it's easier to maintain higher speeds with a large rear wheel, my guess it that this is most probably in their heads. The large rear wheel may support higher gearing more easily, but the same gear ratios are achievable with smaller wheels. My guess is that most folks that go with large rear wheels do so because they think they look better. :)
I never understood why people go out and buy a touring trike, then try to turn it into a speeder trike by trying to put a 26 inch wheel on the back.
I think it's in the DNA of recumbent riders to continually tinker with their bikes, always looking for some way to improve some aspect of the ride. And if it doesn't improve the ride, at least it stops things from getting boring. :)
I'm intending to get a GS Magnum big wheel for touring because with the bigger rear frame, there's room for 4" fats all round to handle corrugated dirt roads and rough tracks. Considering no suspension, fats are the go in the outback. 26" rear wheels only have one redeeming feature when it comes to speed- rough road surfaces are smoother with them. Given reasonable roads, small wheels outperform them in every way. More rotational weight, the bike is higher in the wind, bigger wheels churn more air and flex more on corners and raising the centre of gravity of the rear making fast corners unnerving.
Ginger...