Where to buy an adult trike in Mass.

[Fishbike]

Last night I was talking to my 71 year old cousin. She is very short and overweight and has had a number of joint and other physical issues over the years. But now that she is retired she wants to start riding to help with her weight and health. Forty-something years ago she used to ride a fair amount. In fact her Raleigh Grand Prix was my first bike crush. My mother bought me a similar Grand Prix without knowing that I lusted after hers (the same sentimental bike I spent 600 bucks on for a repaint a few years ago but I digress).

Given that she is unsteady, she mentioned getting a trike which I thought was a great idea. I told her I would help shop and am excited to learn about the things. Where in Massachseutts can you buy them? I have not started searching yet but I assume businesses that provide products to folks with disabilities might be a place to start. Any bike shops order them? Does anyone have any experience with 3-wheelers?

[Gummee]

Any shop that has a J&B account can get you one

M

[CampyorBust]

I would seriously look at a recubent trike, given her age and physical condition. Very stable, very cool, very safe compared to a traditional trike.
A few up on CL right now....

http://worcester.craigslist.org/bik/5747688045.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/bik/5677963756.html

These Sun trikes are actually pretty nice nice supple steel frame ride, so a bit heavy.

https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bik/5727026209.html

These things are a blast on roads rail trails and crushed gravel trails.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/bik/5693646593.html
good for short people but they might hit their heels on the cross bar

Maybe a tricumbent...
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/5748051732.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/5746167744.html - Kidding!

Also I would recomend these guys up in NH, just an hour away...

http://www.maverickssquare.com/adaptbike.htm

[Buzz Killington]

I'm on the cape for vacation and have seen a few of these on the rail trail. I believe Idle Times rents these. She can rent 1st to see if she likes. I'm sure they sell as well.

[superbowlpats]

After my mother had a stroke we looked into trikes for her. Ended up with a conventional one because the issue with the recumbent type, at least for her, was that she wasn't strong enough to get up out of it. They were just too low for her. I'd think any reputable bike shop can get you something. We got ours at Yesteryear in New Bedford, MA. Not sure they still sell them - they mostly sell BMX and skate boards nowadays.

[shamsixnine]

Definitely check out:

http://www.terratrike.com/rover.php

[Ralph]

With our many miles of wide smooth 12-14' wide paved trails.....and thousands of old folks still healthy enough to ride a fairly good distance.....but perhaps have some butt or balance issues.....I see a lot of hi end Terratrike's and Catrike's out on the trails. They have clubs for them.....a hundred or so at a time will come whizzing by you.....and all the folks seem to have $50,000 mini vans or Ford F150's to haul them around. It's a big market. They also seem to be having a lot of FUN. Even see some custom (Ti....couplers) tandem trike's. Some even with E assist.

Go over to Inverness, Fl....to the 46 mile Withlacoochee (sp) trail.....and you may see more trike's than road bikes. Even a couple places to rent them for a few hours or the day.

[AngryScientist]

she sounds like a good candidate for an e-bike. let's face it, a trike is going to be heavy, and might be discouraging especially in the northeast where there are a fair number of hills everywhere. i would look into an electric assist wheel for the trike too to keep her motivated to stay pedaling and know that there is always a little help to get back home if she needs it.

one downside to the trike is the portability issue. while it's relatively easy to throw a regular 2-wheel bike on a hitch or trunk rack and take it to the local MUP to pedal around for exercise, moving a trike around could be a real hassle.

also consider where she will store it. if it's anything other than a garage that she can roll the trike right into, it may be difficult for her to get it to a storage location if there are steps or even a curb involved.

just some thoughts.

[jh_on_the_cape]

please have her put a orange flag on it. for her sake and everyone else's. otherwise rock on. I see them around. i secretly want one.

[bicycletricycle]

I have a bob Jackson trike,step through frame, any idea what kind of seat tube length your looking for?

[pdmtong]

I would go with an e-bike that she can flat foot if she feels the need. safer.

a trike would be a PITA to pedal any distance; at least with battery assist she can plod at a speed slow enough to not freak her but fast enough to be upright.

basically the ebikes are either crank motor (bosch) or flywheel rear and then pedal assist or full throttle (meaning push a button and you go)

you can dial down the amount of pedal assist which would be great for her; that way she can never really go much faster than what she can pedal BUT she gets some help to make up for her strength gap at age 71.

on a side note, there are folks I know who do a birthday ride every year - they ride distance and elevation of their age. this year el heffe is 74, so 74 miles, 7400'.

age - it's just a number. do whatever you can and live longer for sure.

[MaraudingWalrus]

We do a ton of business in recumbent trikes. I'd strongly encourage trying one of those over a traditional adult trike. The recumbent, tadpole style (two wheels in front) are way more stable than the delta style (two wheels in back), especially when compared to an upright trike.


They're also significantly more comfortable to ride, and a lot more fun if you're doing anything more than a few minutes.

The TerraTrike rover is kind of the entry level that we deal with. price of admission on these is a lot higher than traditional trike, however.



and there's something I never thought I'd be talking about on the paceline...