How to ride a recumbent trike?
Riding a three-wheeler bike may seem self-explanatory. After all, with three wheels, you don’t have to worry about balancing the bike. You simply hop in the saddle and start pedaling.
And for many riders it really may be that simple. But not for everyone.
Lock the brakes
The first thing you confront when trying a recumbent trike, is how the heck to get seated without tripping over its various parts, or landing on your butt as the trike rolls backwards.
To prevent this from happening, before you begin, make sure the brakes are locked to keep the trike from rolling while you’re trying to sit. The brake levers are equipped with a locking button or lever.
Getting Down & Getting Up
Whether it’s a delta trike or a tadpole trike, stand on one side close to the trike, slightly in front of the seat, facing in the same direction as the trike. Put one foot over the frame of the trike, so that you are straddling it.
Now, gently lower yourself into the seat trying to keep your torso leaning slightly forward. If you need support getting down:
On direct-steering trikes or delta trikes, use the handlebars for support.
On linkage-steering tadpole trikes, use the front wheels for support
Consider installing taller handholds if you need additional support getting up and down.
When you want to get back up, simply reverse these steps, making sure you lock the brakes before you begin.
Foot Retention
Because of the unique rider positioning on a recumbent, you must use some kind of foot retention or support to keep your feet firmly on the pedals. Having your foot inadvertently slip off the pedals while riding can lead to injury. There are various foot retention devices we recommend, including clipless shoes and pedals, Power Grip pedal straps and heel slings. They all require some getting used to, but they’re a must keeping your feet securely on the pedals.
The good thing about using these devices on a trike is that you can practice taking your feet in and out of the devices without fear of tipping over.
Pedaling & Using Gears
Once seated with your feet in place, spin the crank back so that one of your feet is in the topmost position, and push to start rolling.
Here, we must make a note about gears. If you find it hard to get the trike rolling, chances are it was left in too high a gear last time it was ridden. As you ride, you will gradually develop the habit of “down-shifting” as you slow down, so that the bike is in a gear that is easier to pedal when you start rolling again.
This is less of a problem with:
Internally geared hubs, since you can switch gears while the bike is at a dead stop. Simply shift to an easy gear, and try pedaling again.
E-assist trikes, especially ones equipped with a throttle on demand that you can use to help you get moving.
Steering & Taking Turns
Although recumbent trikes vastly minimize the risk of falling as compared to regular bikes, you have to be a bit cautious when going into turns, as the handling can take a bit of getting used to.
Start slowly to get accustomed to riding the trike and understand how it responds to your steering.
Practice cornering at low speed, lean your body into the turn, and apply both brakes as evenly as possible to avoid locking out one wheel. The goal is to keep all wheels on the ground at all times. Be especially careful when going into turns at the end of a descent, where the trike might have picked up some speed.
It is worth noting some differences in cornering between tadpole and delta trikes. Tadpole trikes usually have a lower center of gravity and are better at cornering at higher speeds, but actually have a wider turning radius than deltas.
Somewhat surprisingly, delta trikes are actually more maneuverable, since the front wheel can turn almost 90 degrees. This gives them a very tight turning radius. The higher seating position makes them easier to get on and off, but also raises the center of gravity. Therefore, deltas are an excellent choice for maneuverability, versatility and ease of use over all out speed.
Of course, the best way to dip your toe in the water and experience the comfort of pain-free cycling on a recumbent is to try one out!