Tricycles for adults: types, pros and cons

Adult tricycles are a very useful invention and can solve many problems. A tricycle, unlike its two-wheeled counterpart, does not require special driving skills and is perfect for both mom with a child and a senior citizen.

Tricycles for adults are quite popular in Europe and Asia. In our country, consumers are just beginning to look at these universal models. At the same time, Europeans consider 3-wheeled bikes as walking bikes, and residents of Asian countries carry various loads on them or use them as bicycle taxis.

But perhaps the most important area of ​​application for tricycles is their use as a specialized vehicle for elderly people who have difficulty maintaining balance, as well as for the disabled and people suffering from impaired function of the vestibular apparatus.

The growing popularity of three-wheeled models is due to a number of undeniable advantages, thanks to which more and more people are discovering this convenient and safe mode of transport.

• The presence of a third wheel provides the bike with stability and does not require balance when riding. This is very convenient for the elderly, who can stop and relax at any time, without going down to the ground.
• Most models have a low frame, providing simplicity of landing on the bike.This design makes 3-wheeled bicycles a real find for people with disabilities and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
• Many models have a large carrying capacity and are equipped with spacious baskets. This allows not only to drive them to the store, but also to transport small animals and poultry.
• Daily bike rides provide older people with gentle exercise, prolonging life and beneficially affecting health.
• Most road and truck models have a short frame for direct landing. In this position, the load on the back and arms is minimized, so that a person does not feel tired and can ride for an arbitrarily long time.
• Using 3-wheel bikes as a country transport allows you to save on fuel and lubricants and maintenance, what distinguishes them from scooters. Moreover, the bicycle does not create noise and does not pollute the environment with harmful exhausts.

Despite the large number of advantages, tricycles still have disadvantages. They include bulkiness of the design, which often causes problems with the transportation and storage of such bikes. Models do not fit in passenger elevators and do not enter the passenger compartment. In addition, bikes with a vertical landing have an overestimated center of gravity, which makes it easy to roll to one side on sharp turns.

Bikes with horizontal landing, on the contrary, can accelerate well, but due to the low location of the rider, they are poorly visible to other road users. This requires increased attention and accuracy from the cyclist, as well as seriously restricts the movement of such models on busy roads. And the most significant drawback of 3-wheeled bikes is called their meager assortment or the complete absence in bicycle shops.

However, this trend is characteristic only for Russia, and European and Asian markets are filled with similar models of any design. Our compatriots have to order bikes in online stores and incur additional shipping costs.

3-wheel bikes are classified according to features such as bike configuration, cyclist fit, control type, model assignment, drive type, frame design and number of seats.

According to this feature, models designed on the principle of forward and reverse deltas The first are a classic version of a tricycle, in which there is one wheel in front and two in the back. The second, on the contrary, have 2 front and 1 rear wheel and look somewhat unusual.

According to this criterion, models with vertical and horizontal landing. The former are in many ways similar to ordinary road bikes with the only difference being that equipped with two rear wheels instead of one. The frame has a diamond-shaped or open design, and the seat is equipped with a comfortable backrest that reduces the load on the back of the rider.

They are divided into recumbent and semi-recumbent structures and are intended for people with disabilities, as well as for people who have contraindications for riding in an upright position. A characteristic feature of the design of such bicycles is the front pedals, which provides a more comfortable ride and does not require much physical effort from the rider. Moreover, many recumbent models are equipped with multi-speed transmission, which allows you to make long bike rides and easily overcome long ascents and descents.

The vertical-mounted delta-shaped bikes have a classic type of control consisting of a steering wheel and front wheel forks. Models with a reverse delta are more often controlled by the front wheel axle, less often by the rear wheel drive.

As for bicycles with horizontal landing of the rider, they are controlled either a traditional steering wheel or special handles, located on the side of the chair and connected to the wheels or axle by means of drives. There are models that are controlled by tilting the body in one direction or another, but their operation requires skill and special skills.

By this criterion, bicycles are divided into 3 categories.

• Tales for rest are classic models with a vertical landing and are intended mainly for senior citizens and the disabled. Such bicycles are quite stable and are often used in the process of rehabilitation after injuries and various diseases.

• Cargo bikes designed to carry goods and equipped with a body or trolley. They are characterized by high load capacity and have a reinforced frame. Such models can be seen in Southeast Asia, where they are actively used for transportation of goods and people (rickshaws), and are also used as mobile tents with ice cream, drinks and street food.

• Sports bikes They are horizontal tricycles with a downward center of gravity, which is why they are very stable and have excellent aerodynamic properties. On the basis of such models are designed sports cycling.

By this feature, bikes are distinguished with chain and electric drive. The former are driven by the physical efforts of the legs or arms (models for people with disabilities), while the latter are equipped with an electric motor.

Electric bicycles will be an excellent means of transportation for people with limited mobility, as well as for people with impaired function of the musculoskeletal system.

The frame of tricycles happens folding and integral. Folding models appeared relatively recently and immediately gained popularity. When folded, a three-wheeled bike takes up very little space and can be transported in a passenger car. Folding models are present among all categories of bicycles, including models with vertical and horizontal landing, as well as bikes with electric drive.

Bicycles with a single frame are more rigid and much stronger than folding counterparts. In addition, due to the lack of a movable unit, their weight is slightly less than that of folding models. The disadvantage of such bikes is their large size, because of which they hardly pass through the doors and do not fit in the passenger elevator.

Adult 3-wheel bikes are not only single but also double. The seats on the tandems can be installed next to each other or “train”, and by the type of landing, double models are also horizontal and vertical.

Online stores offer a pretty good selection of tricycles for adults, The most popular models are discussed below.

• Russian three-wheeled model Izh-Bike Farmer ("Farmer") 24 '' available in black, red, silver and blue, equipped with 24-inch wheels, a rear basket with dimensions 54x37x30 cm and a strong steel frame 16 inches in size. The bike is equipped with a 6-speed transmission system, front V-brake and rear drum brakes, Wanda 24 x1.75 tires and a rear gearshift Sunrun RD-04A. The carrying capacity of the bike is 130 kg, weight - 26 kg, cost - 17 500 rubles.

• Cargo model of Russian production Stels Energy III V030 (2018) will become an indispensable assistant in the suburban area.The rear trunk easily holds cargo weighing up to 40 kg, the front basket - up to 10 kg. The bike is equipped with a 3-speed planetary system, 26-inch wheels, rear belt and front rim brakes. The frame size is 16 inches, the weight of the bike is 28 kg.

The bicycle chain is covered with a protective casing, the wheels have deep wings, and the saddle is equipped with a convenient support for the back. The cost of the model is 37,450 rubles.

• VDW Rickshaw Bike made in China will be an ideal option for small businesses in the field of rental or private sightseeing transportation (bicycle taxi). Such models are very popular in places of public rest, have two child seats and are able to provide complete safety for both the "cabman" and passengers. The frame of the bike is made of high-strength carbon steel, the model weighs 30 kg and the load capacity reaches 100 kg. The bike is capable of moving at speeds of up to 20 km / h, is equipped with 20-inch wheels and is available in dimensions of 165x75x100 cm. The cost of a rickshaw is 22,000 rubles.

• Belgian three-wheeled model for the disabled and adolescents with cerebral palsy Vermeiren liberty made in retro style and is one of the best models of the Vermeiren Vintage collection. The wheels, tires, seat and handlebar of the bike are made in brown, which gives the bike a stylish look. The model is available in dimensions of 182x77 cm and weighs 27.8 kg. The bike has a load capacity of 125 kg and a wheel size of 24 inches.

The pedals are equipped with a combined foot lock and a special holding clip. Such a model costs 136,791 rubles.

• Three-wheeled Chinese electric bike Eltreco GM Porter weighs 51 kg, has 22-inch wheels and is equipped with a sturdy steel frame. The electric motor power is 400 W, the maximum speed reaches 25 km / h. The model is equipped with a lead-acid battery with a capacity of 12 A / h, the time of full charge of which does not exceed 6 hours. On a single charge, the bike can travel about 40 km.

The bike is equipped with a wide comfortable chair, has front-wheel drive and rim brakes. Ahead is a powerful headlight that allows you to make trips in the dark. The carrying capacity of the bike is 110 kg, the cost is 62,900 rubles.

When choosing a tricycle, a number of important points must be considered.

• If you plan to ride a bike along the flat alleys of the park, you can buy a one-speed model. If the route runs through terrain with difficult terrain, then it would be wiser to purchase a multi-speed option.
• If the bike is bought for an elderly person or a disabled person, it is better to opt for a model with an understated frame.
• In the presence of a garage, the design of a bicycle is not a determining factor, therefore, you can choose any bike. But if the bicycle is planned to be stored in the apartment, then it is more reasonable to choose a folding model.
• As for landing a cyclist, then most people prefer vertical bikes. However, if the bike is purchased for the soul and will be used for leisurely walks in the park, then it is better to stop on a reclining or recumbent model. These bikes look very solid, and moving on them is a pleasure.
• An equally important criterion for choosing a bicycle is its cost. And if a simple cargo model can be purchased for 15-17 thousand rubles, then for specialized bicycles for the disabled will have to pay several times more. In this case, saving is unacceptable and you need to focus on the convenience and functionality of the bike.

In general, consumers respond well to tricycles. Their stability and high carrying capacity, as well as the possibility of using vertical models as a simulator during the recovery period after serious injuries are noted. Truckers really liked the truckers, who not only drive them to the store, but also use them to transport crops and building materials.

The latter is often complained by rural residents who, due to the lack of normal roads, have to drive through pits and potholes. But, despite the cons, the popularity of three-wheeled models among the people is only growing, moreover, not only pensioners and summer residents change them, but also middle-aged people who purchase them exclusively for pleasure and relaxation.

An overview of the adult tricycle Izh Farmer see below.