Directions For Riding A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


With the summer approaching it's important to get out and get some exercise in order to stay fit and healthy. Being able to ride a bicycle or tricycle is an excellent way to exercise without doing damage to your knees or spinal column. A popular way to exercise is by riding a recumbent tricycle or bicycle. Recumbent trikes are a new trend that has increased in popularity because of the way it rides for people who don't especially like riding bicycles while leaning over the front wheel.

Some may question why using a trike with three wheels. In the past, the tricycle actually came before bicycle. People had trouble balancing the bike and often reverted back to the more stable trike. It's an easy way to ride and be able to view the scenery without worrying about toppling over.

Others ask what the advantages of the recumbent type have over the traditional bike. The biggest advantage is that you do not have to lean forward over the handlebars. You can see the scenery and not be in an awkward position. Sitting back in a relaxing pose also lets you go farther distances without tiring while traveling.

One issue some people are concerned about is how difficult it is to get in and out of the vehicle. It doesn't have to be difficult because you can start by making sure the brakes are locked. This keeps the vehicle from rolling away while you prepare to enter the vehicle. The initial step is to be sure to straddle the front section of the trike and leaned back into the seat as you sit down. Since the brakes will be locked you can sit down without worrying about the vehicle rolling when you do. Do not use the handlebars as they may become damaged because they're not designed to hold your weight but rather just to steer the vehicle. Exiting the vehicle is the reverse. Simply begin by locking the brakes and as you stand up you'll lean forward and then step to the side of the vehicle.

Pedaling the trike can be difficult at first. One of the recommendations is that you use pedals that have some sort of strap or device to keep your foot from slipping off. If your foot does slip off it could easily hit the ground and be pulled underneath the bike which can cause a lot of pain. Since you're riding a trike you don't have to worry about the bike tipping over when you stop so it is not a problem to have your feet clipped in.

There are two different types of steering configurations. The linkage steering is like power steering for a bike. This type uses a sway bar under the trike and can easily be controlled with one hand. The direct steer seems more like a sports car with two handles.

Changing gears is also a problem that some people wonder about. An advantage of this type of trike that you don't have to worry about the gear you are in. Simply switch the gears as you wish as you are climbing the hill or speeding downhill. The top steering assembly is very closely related to the 10-speed bike which has two sets that can be adjusted to engage the right gears.

There's no reason to avoid getting out in the sun and having fun in the summertime. Being able to ride a bike is not something that everyone can do so using something like recumbent trikes helps those who may have difficulty bending over the handlebars of a regular 10-speed bike. With these options, anyone can ride by choosing the type of trike or bike that will best fit their needs.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment