How to Choose a Recumbent Trike — Buying Guide

01

Fit Comes First

Inseam, X-seam, hip width, and reach. We measure every customer and match you to the trikes that fit your body — not the other way around.

02

How You'll Ride

Daily neighborhood loops? Long Ladiga Trail tours? Loaded camping? Each calls for a different geometry, gearing, and wheel setup.

03

Test, Compare, Decide

Take three trikes out back-to-back. The right one becomes obvious in the first quarter mile. We've watched it happen hundreds of times.

X-Seam Quick Reference

Find your range first.

Most premium trikes fit a 12-inch range of riders. Locate your X-seam — we'll show you which models match before you visit. How to measure →

34"

38"

42"

46"

48"

Catrike

37–47"

ICE Adv. / Sprint

36–48"

TerraTrike Rambler

37–46"

TerraTrike Traveler

34–48"

Greenspeed Magnum

38–48"

Hase Kettwiesel

35–48"

Ranges are approximate. We confirm fit in the shop and adjust seat angle, boom length, and bottom-bracket position for your exact body.

Step One · Fit

Get the fit right and everything else falls into place.

The single biggest reason people fall out of love with a recumbent is poor fit. Too tight at the knees and you can't push power. Too long and your toes can't reach the pedals. We start every consultation with a proper fitting — and we'll fit you for free.

What we measure

X-seam — heel to lower back, the most important number for recumbent fit
Hip width — drives seat selection
Shoulder width — affects handlebar setup and steering style
Reach & flexibility — informs seat angle and recline

Step Two · Frame Style

Direct, indirect, or above-seat?

Recumbents steer in three main ways, and each has a personality. Try all three on the same afternoon — the right one becomes obvious.

Sport

Direct Steering

Sharp & Sporty

Handlebars connect right to the front wheels. Sharp, sporty, immediate. Most performance trikes go this route.

Catrike 700 · ICE Sprint · Greenspeed Aero

Touring

Indirect Steering

Smooth & Relaxed

Bars run through a linkage. Smoother, more relaxed, easier on the wrists for long days in the saddle.

Azub Six · Touring builds

Adaptive

Above-seat (USS / OSS)

Different Geometry

Bars come up between your knees or above your shoulders. Different trikes for different riders — try both before you decide.

USS · OSS · Adaptive setups

Step Three · Wheels

Wheel size changes everything.

Smaller front wheels (16"–20") accelerate quickly and corner sharply. Bigger rear wheels (26", 700c) roll over potholes and hold speed on long flats. Three-wheel-equal setups split the difference.

We'll let you ride all three on the same afternoon.

Step Four · Gearing

Geared for your roads.

Hilly Alabama backroads need lower granny gears. Rail-trail flats reward a tighter, faster cassette. We tune every new trike to your terrain before you take it home — not before you walk in.

"The biggest mistake first-time buyers make is shopping by spec sheet. The trike that wins on paper rarely wins on the trail."

Step Five · E-Assist

Then there's e-assist.

Maybe you want a lift on the climbs. Maybe you want to keep up with a faster spouse. Maybe your knees are done with hills entirely.

We're Bosch, Shimano, and EBO certified — and we'll tell you honestly when you don't need an assist (it happens more than you'd think).

Read the E-Assist Guide

Considering Used

The truth about used trikes.

We're often asked about the value of a used trike. The honest answer is that it's extremely difficult to tell without inspecting the trike in person. Some "great deals" turn out not to be once you factor in fitting, repair, and getting the trike to actually perform for the rider.

Call us anytime with questions about a used trike you're considering — even if you're not buying it from us.

Five things to check before buying used

01

Recent models only. Older trikes can leave you stranded on parts.

02

Inspect carefully. Frame, shifters, steering, brakes, cables, tires, tubes, overall condition.

03

Fit matters more than price. Don't settle for a poor fit just to save a few dollars.

04

Compare to new. Warranty, advice, support, and service from a quality dealer often beats a private "lightly used" sale.

05

Watch for garage queens. Trikes that have sat for years with no maintenance often need more work than they look.

The Best Deal

The trike that provides years of reliable, safe operation.

Recumbent triking is fun cycling that improves your fitness — and you'll quickly notice the premium quality of the trikes we carry. Your trike is an investment in your quality of life, and a good one will provide many years of fun, fitness, and adventure.

You will not find poor-quality, unreliable, Amazon-type trikes in our shops. The best deal is the trike that lasts. We call that value, and we can help you compare and see the difference.

How to choose your trike.