My first ride on my trike!

John,
It's a good looking trike. A couple things to consider; it's sets high so
you will get a lot of wind resistance,maybe a fairing would help.
Also what is the weight ,trikes can be heavy. You also are pushing 3 wheels
instead of 2.
Trikes are just not as fast as 2 wheelers,there,I said it.
Another thing is the recumbent riding position, if you've been riding
upright bikes you will need some miles on a bent to build up the different
muscle groups.
Starting recumbent riding with a trike ,I can see why you're discouraged,but
hang in there do lots of miles and lots and lots of hills and when you done
you'll be not only a recumbent rider but you'll be faster on your uprights.
Ben Fox
Optima Dolphin and soon to be -Catrike Road
"John and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no one
person tell me it would not be an easy job? Its slow-on
the flat. Its hard peddeling. What am I doing wrong? Am I
not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do I get
tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best regards,
John........PS The pictures are showing in the My Bikes
section at..... pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

If the riding position is the same I wouldn't think his
wind resistance would be any better or worse than any lower-
slung trike?

"Ben Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John, It's a good looking trike. A couple things to
consider; it's sets high so you will get a lot of wind
resistance,maybe a fairing would help. Also what is the
weight ,trikes can be heavy. You also are pushing 3

wheels

Quoted message said:

instead of 2. Trikes are just not as fast as 2
wheelers,there,I said it. Another thing is the recumbent
riding position, if you've been riding upright bikes you
will need some miles on a bent to build up the different
muscle groups. Starting recumbent riding with a trike ,I
can see why you're

discouraged,but

Quoted message said:

hang in there do lots of miles and lots and lots of hills
and when you

done

Quoted message said:

you'll be not only a recumbent rider but you'll be
faster on your

uprights.

Quoted message said:

Ben Fox Optima Dolphin and soon to be -Catrike Road "John
and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:JsE9c.369$TL2.310@news-
binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no one
person tell me it would not be

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easy job? Its slow-on the flat. Its hard peddeling. What
am I doing

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am I not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do I
get tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best regards,
John........PS The pictures are showing in the My Bikes
section at..... pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

"Mark Leuck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:QBG9c.118899$_w.1391023@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

If the riding position is the same I wouldn't think his
wind resistance would be any better or worse than any lower-
slung trike?

HUH? His trike has a very upright seating position and sets
high off the ground. 2 things that would cause higher wind
resistance. The "recumbent riding position" I mentioned is
the "legs out front position" that is an unfamiler position
for new Bent riders. Most lower slung trikes have a more
reclined seating position also ,such as the Catrike. Ben fox

Quoted message said:

"Ben Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John, It's a good looking trike. A couple things to
consider; it's sets high

so

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you will get a lot of wind resistance,maybe a fairing
would help. Also what is the weight ,trikes can be
heavy. You also are pushing 3

wheels

Quoted message said:

instead of 2. Trikes are just not as fast as 2
wheelers,there,I said it. Another thing is the recumbent
riding position, if you've been riding upright bikes you
will need some miles on a bent to build up the

different

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

muscle groups. Starting recumbent riding with a trike ,I
can see why you're

discouraged,but

Quoted message said:

hang in there do lots of miles and lots and lots of
hills and when you

done

Quoted message said:

you'll be not only a recumbent rider but you'll be
faster on your

uprights.

Quoted message said:

Ben Fox Optima Dolphin and soon to be -Catrike Road
"John and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]>
wrote in

message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no
one person tell me it would not be

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easy job? Its slow-on the flat. Its hard peddeling.
What am I doing

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am I not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do
I get tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best
regards, John........PS The pictures are showing in
the My Bikes section

at.....

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

"Ben Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mark Leuck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:QBG9c.118899$_w.1391023@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

If the riding position is the same I wouldn't think his
wind resistance would be any better or worse than any
lower-slung trike?

HUH? His trike has a very upright seating position and
sets high off the ground. 2 things that would cause higher
wind resistance. The "recumbent riding position" I
mentioned is the "legs out front position" that is an
unfamiler position for new Bent riders. Most lower slung
trikes have a

more

Quoted message said:

reclined seating position also ,such as the Catrike. Ben
fox

I agree but as I said "IF" the seating position is the same
I would think just the fact it was higher than say a
Wizwheel or Catrike wouldn't make any difference.

It does have a more upright seating position but the reason
he is slower may be several other things besides that.

I've heard it said that the lower to the ground ,the less wind
resistance,don't know if it's true.
ben fox
"Mark Leuck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:OwJ9c.23992$gA5.313572@attbi_s03...

Quoted message said:

"Ben Fox" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mark Leuck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:QBG9c.118899$_w.1391023@attbi_s53...

Quoted message said:

If the riding position is the same I wouldn't think
his wind

resistance

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would be any better or worse than any lower-slung
trike?

HUH? His trike has a very upright seating position and
sets high off the ground. 2 things that would cause
higher wind resistance. The "recumbent riding position"
I mentioned is the "legs out front position" that is

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

unfamiler position for new Bent riders. Most lower slung
trikes have a

more

Quoted message said:

reclined seating position also ,such as the Catrike.
Ben fox

I agree but as I said "IF" the seating position is the
same I would think just the fact it was higher than say a
Wizwheel or Catrike wouldn't make

any

Quoted message said:

difference.

It does have a more upright seating position but the
reason he is slower

may

Quoted message said:

be several other things besides that.

Ben Fox said:

I've heard it said that the lower to the ground ,the less
wind resistance,don't know if it's true.

Having a lower seat will (usually) put more of the wheels in
the rider's "wind shadow" which reduces frontal area.
Otherwise, there is not real aerodynamic advantage or
disadvantage to a lower seat in terms of overall drag.

However, wind speed decreases near the ground due to viscous
drag. This can be a significant advantage to the lower
rider/bike (or trike) combination when riding into a head or
side wind.

--
Tom Sherman - Quad Cities (Illinois Side)

"John and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no one
person tell me it would not be an easy job? Its slow-on
the flat. Its hard peddeling. What am I doing wrong? Am I
not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do I get
tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best regards,
John........PS The pictures are showing in the My Bikes
section at..... pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

John. One thing you might want to recheck is your front
wheel alignment. If they do not have the proper toe in the
bike can be hard to pedal.A friend of mine had this problem
with his cat trike and had no idea what was the matter even
though he quickly wore out two sets of front tires. As soon
as the alignment was fixed he noticed a big increase of
speed and easier pedaling

Well, there is an amusing post in the bentrideronline
forums, where a customer did a complete trike test ride
including a big hill and was amazed by the slowness and
effort required. Turned out the parking brake was still set.

I am guessing that is not the case here though :-)

--
David Luecke Ridin' a RANS Vivo (wahoo!) Merritt Island,
Florida USA community.webshots.comdavid lueckeOpen ↗

"John and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message news:JsE9c.369$TL2.310@news-
binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no one
person tell me it would not be an easy job? Its slow-on
the flat. Its hard peddeling. What am I doing wrong? Am I
not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do I get
tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best regards,
John........PS The pictures are showing in the My Bikes
section at..... pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

Hello,
Thank you for this advice. In reply to all, the handbrake is not on, the
wind resistance did not really come in to it. Simply that the effort to
propel this beast bears no relationship to the distance travelled. I can
honestly say I most probably will end up selling this thing! I looked
forward with enthusiasm to getting this PDQ 3 and so far am very
dissapointed. I was using 1st gear or a nearly flat road for example. What
would I have done when I came to a hill?
No its not looking like staying with me, but I will persevere for a while.
If anyone has a Birdy Blue in very good condition-I will swap with you in
the UK only of course!
Best regards,
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "Ben Fox"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John, It's a good looking trike. A couple things to
consider; it's sets high so you will get a lot of wind
resistance,maybe a fairing would help. Also what is the
weight ,trikes can be heavy. You also are pushing 3

wheels

Quoted message said:

instead of 2. Trikes are just not as fast as 2
wheelers,there,I said it. Another thing is the recumbent
riding position, if you've been riding upright bikes you
will need some miles on a bent to build up the different
muscle groups. Starting recumbent riding with a trike ,I
can see why you're

discouraged,but

Quoted message said:

hang in there do lots of miles and lots and lots of hills
and when you

done

Quoted message said:

you'll be not only a recumbent rider but you'll be
faster on your

uprights.

Quoted message said:

Ben Fox Optima Dolphin and soon to be -Catrike Road "John
and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:JsE9c.369$TL2.310@news-
binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no one
person tell me it would not be

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easy job? Its slow-on the flat. Its hard peddeling. What
am I doing

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am I not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do I
get tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best regards,
John........PS The pictures are showing in the My Bikes
section at..... pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

Hello,
I forgot to say that the steering is like a F1 racer so I assume the toe in
etc is OK. It steers so fast its unbelievable! I just feel really that the
trike is slow and hard work because I cannot ride it correctly.I just think
I need teaching?
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "John and Pauline at
Thornbury" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:k%Q9c.6402$fR2.1057@news-
binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Thank you for this advice. In reply to all, the
handbrake is not on, the wind resistance did not really
come in to it. Simply that the effort to propel this beast
bears no relationship to the distance travelled. I can
honestly say I most probably will end up selling this
thing! I looked forward with enthusiasm to getting this
PDQ 3 and so far am very dissapointed. I was using 1st
gear or a nearly flat road for example. What would I have
done when I came to a hill? No its not looking like
staying with me, but I will persevere for a while. If
anyone has a Birdy Blue in very good condition-I will swap
with you in the UK only of course! Best regards, John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "Ben Fox"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John, It's a good looking trike. A couple things to
consider; it's sets high

so

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you will get a lot of wind resistance,maybe a fairing
would help. Also what is the weight ,trikes can be
heavy. You also are pushing 3

wheels

Quoted message said:

instead of 2. Trikes are just not as fast as 2
wheelers,there,I said it. Another thing is the recumbent
riding position, if you've been riding upright bikes you
will need some miles on a bent to build up the

different

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

muscle groups. Starting recumbent riding with a trike ,I
can see why you're

discouraged,but

Quoted message said:

hang in there do lots of miles and lots and lots of
hills and when you

done

Quoted message said:

you'll be not only a recumbent rider but you'll be
faster on your

uprights.

Quoted message said:

Ben Fox Optima Dolphin and soon to be -Catrike Road
"John and Pauline at Thornbury" <[email hidden]>
wrote in

message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello, Today I had my first ride on my Pashley PDQ 3
recumbent trike. How was it? - Hard work. Why did no
one person tell me it would not be

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easy job? Its slow-on the flat. Its hard peddeling.
What am I doing

wrong?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am I not suited to a recumbent? Does it get easier? Do
I get tougher? Please someone tell me how! Best
regards, John........PS The pictures are showing in
the My Bikes section

at.....

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available.

Hello,
As a matter of interest, do I fit the length from seat to pedal as a normal
upright or do I have the pedals closer to me? If so I may have the pedals
too far from me and am unable to press hard back against the seat.
Clarification on this point would be good.
Best regards,
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "Tom Sherman"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

Ben Fox said:

I've heard it said that the lower to the ground ,the
less wind resistance,don't know if it's true.

Having a lower seat will (usually) put more of the wheels
in the rider's "wind shadow" which reduces frontal area.
Otherwise, there is not real aerodynamic advantage or
disadvantage to a lower seat in terms of overall drag.

However, wind speed decreases near the ground due to
viscous drag. This can be a significant advantage to the
lower rider/bike (or trike) combination when riding into a
head or side wind.

--
Tom Sherman - Quad Cities (Illinois Side)

The PDQ3 is tall, wide and fairly upright, so I am not at
all surprised that you find it hard work. It will get
easier, but it's never going to be very fast. Take care
under heavy braking and brisk cornering, as these machines
have something of a rep for falling over.

--

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

John and Pauline at Thornbury said:

Hello, Thank you for this advice. In reply to all, the
handbrake is not on, the wind resistance did not really
come in to it. Simply that the effort to propel this beast
bears no relationship to the distance travelled. I can
honestly say I most probably will end up selling this
thing! I looked forward with enthusiasm to getting this
PDQ 3 and so far am very dissapointed. I was using 1st
gear or a nearly flat road for example. What would I have
done when I came to a hill? No its not looking like
staying with me, but I will persevere for a while. If
anyone has a Birdy Blue in very good condition-I will swap
with you in the UK only of course! Best regards, John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

Wow, this is really surprising. I know someone else
mentioned it, but are you sure you didn't have the handbrake
on? This happened to my other half when we hired a couple of
'bent trikes. He found it really hard going after we
stopped. Turned out he'd forgotton to release the brake on
the rear wheel (they were tadpoles). Zoomed off after that.

It really doesn't sound right that it's so much hard
work. I'm not fit, I'm not a casual cyclist on my upright
(for example, the first time I've been out on it for 6
months was this weekend just gone) but even I managed a
recumbent trike along a gentle incline without being in
1st gear all the time.

I'd start looking to be sure you really were in the lowest
available gear, then check the wheels for free movement and
make sure they're not binding against anything, etc etc.

I have very wimpy legs, but rode an anthrotec w/out
toestraps/clipless which necessitated having the pedals
closer than I felt I wanted and cut down on the power
output, but was worth the trade-off to avoid leg-suck!

Velvet

John and Pauline at Thornbury said:

Hello, Thank you for this advice. In reply to all, the
handbrake is not on, the wind resistance did not really
come in to it. Simply that the effort to propel this beast
bears no relationship to the distance travelled. I can
honestly say I most probably will end up selling this
thing! I looked forward with enthusiasm to getting this
PDQ 3 and so far am very dissapointed. I was using 1st
gear or a nearly flat road for example. What would I have
done when I came to a hill? No its not looking like
staying with me, but I will persevere for a while. If
anyone has a Birdy Blue in very good condition-I will swap
with you in the UK only of course! Best regards, John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

Oh, and quick PS. Tyre pressures checked? T'other half finds
a big difference in effort required on his folding bike with
smaller fatter wheels if the pressures aren't high enough.

Velvet

Hello,
I do not really think that at the speeds I ride normally (easy tour style)
that there is much chance of the PDQ 3 falling over.
I have however just shortened the distance between seat and pedals, and
'riding' the trike in the workshop this seems an improvement. I have also
swapped the Taiwanese cassette which was a 12-28 for a Shimano 14-34. It is
hoped for some improvement. I have lowered the handlebar height also.
Overall the feel of this setup gives me a little more confidence. I shall
hopefully have a ride out later today to see if there is any difference.
As to the type of trike for my use it was chosen because I am endevouring to
get comfort as I suffer Spinal stenosis and I have a Moulton AM 16, a
Brompton and a Birdy Red all chosen for there suspension. So comfort is the
main item on my adgenda not speed for speeds sake alone. It was a first ride
and I was dissaponted by how hard it was not particularly how slow. I needed
to use 1st gear along a fairly flat road which what got to me. I returned
home as I assumed that the further I rode into the hillier area I would have
no lower gear.
So overall I just hope the changes I have now made will give some
improvement.
I will report back once I have tried again-wish me luck!
By the way this recumbent is brand spanking new bought last week from a shop
display in Oxford. Its never been used at all until yesterday.
Best regards,
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "Dave Larrington"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

The PDQ3 is tall, wide and fairly upright, so I am not at
all surprised

that

Quoted message said:

you find it hard work. It will get easier, but it's never
going to be

very

Quoted message said:

fast. Take care under heavy braking and brisk cornering,
as these

machines

Quoted message said:

have something of a rep for falling over.

--

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

Quoted message said:

Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

Hello everybody,
First of all a big thank you to all who responded with various suggestions
of help. I can now say without any doubt that the trike is setup to
perfection but its no good for me due to my Spinal Stenosis, which is why I
got it in the first place. I am offereing it For Sale or swap now in a
seperate message.
All the best,
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

--
No direct reply option available. "Velvet"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:agT9c.467$xU4.4160661@news-
text.cableinet.net...

Quoted message said:

John and Pauline at Thornbury said:

Hello, Thank you for this advice. In reply to all, the
handbrake is not on, the wind resistance did not really
come in to it. Simply that the effort to propel this
beast bears no relationship to the distance travelled. I
can honestly say I most probably will end up selling
this thing! I looked forward with enthusiasm to getting
this PDQ 3 and so far am very dissapointed. I was using
1st gear or a nearly flat road for example.

What

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would I have done when I came to a hill? No its not
looking like staying with me, but I will persevere for a

while.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If anyone has a Birdy Blue in very good condition-I will
swap with you

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the UK only of course! Best regards, John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

Oh, and quick PS. Tyre pressures checked? T'other half
finds a big difference in effort required on his folding
bike with smaller fatter wheels if the pressures aren't
high enough.

Velvet

John and Pauline at Thornbury said:

Hello, As a matter of interest, do I fit the length from
seat to pedal as a normal upright or do I have the pedals
closer to me?

We usually set the pedals on our trikes by fully extending
one leg and having another person adjust the pedal so that
the heel of that foot rests against it - that way when
pedalling the legs are at slightly less than full extension.

This is assuming you're using "clipless" pedals - if you're
not, I'd heartily recommend that you get some, as they will
greatly reduce the fatigue of holding your legs in position,
and prevent "leg suck" - when the foot slips off the pedal
and you risk running over your own leg (eek!)

Rob has found that even tiny adjustments in boomlength can
make quite large differences to speed and comfort, so it's
worth spending some time to get it exactly right.

Hope this helps.

--
Carol "...it's not normal if you don't like cake..." -
Sean Yates

On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 11:52:20 +0100, "John and Pauline at Thornbury"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I do not really think that at the speeds I ride normally
(easy tour style) that there is much chance of the PDQ 3
falling over.

But recumbent trikes go downhill like a homesick brick!

There is, on the other hand, pretty much no limit to how low
a gear you can fit. I saw a Trice with a triple chainset and
Sram 8x3 on the back, 72 gears from about 11" to about 120"

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 16:05:56 +0100, "John and Pauline at Thornbury"
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

First of all a big thank you to all who responded with
various suggestions of help. I can now say without any
doubt that the trike is setup to perfection but its no good
for me due to my Spinal Stenosis

John, the thing about recumbents is that they are all
different. You really need to try as many as possible before
buying. There are mesh seats and hard shell seats, for a
start; if you have spinal problems a hard shell trike seat
may well be better as it offers better lumbar and some
transverse support. The PDQ3 is also /heavy/. The lighter
Trices and the Windcheetah weigh a lot less. I rode a Trice
Monster and it was significantly faster on the flat than my
recumbent bike, which is in turn faster on the flat than my
audax bike. It also steers like it's on rails.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University