Thanks for the demonstration of turning radius and how much it would factor into deciding which trike to buy. Based on your tips and those of other experienced trike riders my decision will undoubtedly be....which one just FEELS right. Thanks again. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).
Great demo video. My original Catrike was Trail with 20” wheel and I now have a 559 and a700 and my experience clearly reflects your findings. The 559 turns much tighter than the 559 but the 700 is so much fun. I am a dedicated trail rider so I have really no concerns about turning radius. When going out for rides that can include a lot of potential road work and sidewalk negotiation I choose the 559 for that reason and it is a smoother ride when running on Sidewalks etc. hitting bumps in a 700 with Schwalbe Duranos at 110 psi can shake you up pretty good.
In practical street terms Seat Height means a lot too, because these things Roll Over. If I have a tight turn , I just go all wheel chair , and turn where I need to, Just real slow. I worry about side force on the wheels , too, as trikes use bike tires where that is mostly minimal. Again a turn at speed issue, but you like to push fast road turns on the channel. Turning radius gets noted , but really never affects my rides. On bike type delta trikes, their height, narrow WB, and length are part of what gives them such delightful handling.
@@bikestrikesrazors I have a short parking lot track where I practice turns, after some near rolls. I am impressed by how quick they lift the outer wheel and how much brake steering matters. Steering radius speeds that process.
@@whazzat8015 the trikes with decent front end geometry don't brake steer or bump steer, that's why I sold my Greenspeed GT3 and bought a Magnum big wheel. I can brake hard with one side and it stays straight- just with less stopping power.
@@rossbrumby1957 It may be discs are mo grabby, but on my Spike,ICEXL and TerraTrike all brake steer bigly, and need sensitive modulation as pace quickens. Magnum looks to have more camber. Raises the issue on weight distribution and how to predict effect, more so since so many trikes get bought online, without test riding. Tire selection may have a big effect as well and there are few opportunities to test before swapping out for most. Makes test like this one valuble.
@@bikestrikesrazors Many thanks for your reply. We are trying to create a table where you can look up the available turning angle for a inner wheel and knowing the w/b come up with a ball park turning radius. It would be useful to know when you are building something [ and it is easier to alter ] than when you take it out and find it turns like a super tanker ! Although personally I am a delta man , I hope to dabble in quads time permitting.
Frame geometry affects tight turns on my trike - a TerraTrike GT. When peddling through a tight turn, either the right or left front tire (depending on which way I am turning) hits my foot on part of the pedel stroke. Not a big problem - just a thing.
This happens to me on one of my road bikes, Bruce. No big deal on a trike, but I've almost gone down a couple of times when my foot touched and stopped the front wheel. :)
Hey, Matt! Yep, it varies widely based on the trike and is often based on when the steering bar reaches a limit or touches the trike's seat. Realistically, it's very rarely a concern, and even on something with a very long wheelbase like the VTX, steering limitations rarely cause and issue. Thanks for watching!
NICE demo - although is not a BIG deal., because of a neurological disorder I have I use my trike as more of a 'mobile' device sometimes. And because I have rode a GreenSpeed GT5 for many years and 'K's' of miles, Ive got kinda use to it. I went to an X7 and it was even better I think, BUT I needed \ hydraulic disc (coordination issues) so I'm currently riding a Sprint RS 20 and ... the turning is much wider . Im thinks that swapping a GS seat (its 15" wide and the ICE is 16") will help some
I think you're correct, David. I almost never notice the different turning radius' on my trikes. It takes a special situation for it to create any kind of issue. I would think that if the narrower seat increases the throw on your steering assembly, it should make for a tighter steering radius (if you're having an issue with turning radius). Thanks very much for watching!
@@bikestrikesrazors It takes a special situation for it to create any kind of issue. Yepper, Im kinda a special situation!!! Because the ICE has an adjustable rear section I have made as short as I can. It's about the same as the X7 now, turns better but still needs more - Ive not fond a GS seat frame that I can modify to the Sprint frame , that will Help as well(know of any for sale? . It doesn't seem that its all wheelbase , the width I thinks plays a roll some how, but I can't change that (plus I need the stability ( the extra camber seems of set the X7 the seat hight in stability)
@@davidhenry4356 Yes, a combination of things. Don't know of any seat frames for sale. Parts for trikes don't seem to show up much on the used market. :(
Thanks for the demonstration of turning radius and how much it would factor into deciding which trike to buy. Based on your tips and those of other experienced trike riders my decision will undoubtedly be....which one just FEELS right. Thanks again. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).
That's always the best way to go! Trust your gut! I'm still looking for a Wright Flyer at the local flea markets. :)
Great demo video. My original Catrike was Trail with 20” wheel and I now have a 559 and a700 and my experience clearly reflects your findings. The 559 turns much tighter than the 559 but the 700 is so much fun. I am a dedicated trail rider so I have really no concerns about turning radius. When going out for rides that can include a lot of potential road work and sidewalk negotiation I choose the 559 for that reason and it is a smoother ride when running on Sidewalks etc. hitting bumps in a 700 with Schwalbe Duranos at 110 psi can shake you up pretty good.
Once again, an excellent excuse for owning more than one trike, Mark! :)
Would love to see the same demo done with a few of the larger front wheel (24", 26", 27.5") and fat front tire (20x4", 26x4") tadpole trikes.
Good idea, Jon!
In practical street terms Seat Height means a lot too, because these things Roll Over.
If I have a tight turn , I just go all wheel chair , and turn where I need to, Just real slow.
I worry about side force on the wheels , too, as trikes use bike tires where that is mostly minimal.
Again a turn at speed issue, but you like to push fast road turns on the channel.
Turning radius gets noted , but really never affects my rides.
On bike type delta trikes, their height, narrow WB, and length are part of what gives them such delightful handling.
Some good points! I never really try and push tight turns while going fast. No fun tipping over. :)
@@bikestrikesrazors I have a short parking lot track where I practice turns, after some near rolls. I am impressed by how quick they lift the outer wheel and how much brake steering matters. Steering radius speeds that process.
@@whazzat8015 That wheel goes up fast on tight turns if you're going fast enough! It always surprises me and reminds me to slow down. :)
@@whazzat8015 the trikes with decent front end geometry don't brake steer or bump steer, that's why I sold my Greenspeed GT3 and bought a Magnum big wheel. I can brake hard with one side and it stays straight- just with less stopping power.
@@rossbrumby1957 It may be discs are mo grabby, but on my Spike,ICEXL and TerraTrike all brake steer bigly, and need sensitive modulation as pace quickens.
Magnum looks to have more camber. Raises the issue on weight distribution and how to predict effect, more so since so many trikes get bought online, without test riding. Tire selection may have a big effect as well and there are few opportunities to test before swapping out for most. Makes test like this one valuble.
This was a great video. I am looking at the ice vtx and the ice sprint x.
I haven't decided on which one to get.
Thanks for watching, Jim! The VTX is a little lighter and the Sprint X is a little easier to get out of. :) Can't go wrong with either!
I have a delta recumbent trike that is 6'feet long and I can do a 90° turn with no problem my Hase Trigo do a good job
Yep, the tadpole's are restricted by the seat and design. Deltas have some definite turning advantages with that front wheel all by itself up there!.
Some deltas can turn tightly with inside rear tire not rolling forward.
Very interesting and useful , did you measure any of the circles to add some dimensions to the visuals ?
Wow, I didn't and that would've been a great idea!
@@bikestrikesrazors Many thanks for your reply. We are trying to create a table where you can look up the available turning angle for a inner wheel and knowing the w/b come up with a ball park turning radius. It would be useful to know when you are building something [ and it is easier to alter ] than when you take it out and find it turns like a super tanker ! Although personally I am a delta man , I hope to dabble in quads time permitting.
Frame geometry affects tight turns on my trike - a TerraTrike GT. When peddling through a tight turn, either the right or left front tire (depending on which way I am turning) hits my foot on part of the pedel stroke. Not a big problem - just a thing.
This happens to me on one of my road bikes, Bruce. No big deal on a trike, but I've almost gone down a couple of times when my foot touched and stopped the front wheel. :)
What is the steering angle these recumbents have? It looks like the front wheels can steer more there is plenty of clearance on some.
Hey, Matt! Yep, it varies widely based on the trike and is often based on when the steering bar reaches a limit or touches the trike's seat. Realistically, it's very rarely a concern, and even on something with a very long wheelbase like the VTX, steering limitations rarely cause and issue. Thanks for watching!
NICE demo - although is not a BIG deal., because of a neurological disorder I have I use my trike as more of a 'mobile' device sometimes. And because I have rode a GreenSpeed GT5 for many years and 'K's' of miles, Ive got kinda use to it. I went to an X7 and it was even better I think, BUT I needed \ hydraulic disc (coordination issues) so I'm currently riding a Sprint RS 20 and ... the turning is much wider . Im thinks that swapping a GS seat (its 15" wide and the ICE is 16") will help some
I think you're correct, David. I almost never notice the different turning radius' on my trikes. It takes a special situation for it to create any kind of issue. I would think that if the narrower seat increases the throw on your steering assembly, it should make for a tighter steering radius (if you're having an issue with turning radius). Thanks very much for watching!
@@bikestrikesrazors It takes a special situation for it to create any kind of issue. Yepper, Im kinda a special situation!!! Because the ICE has an adjustable rear section I have made as short as I can. It's about the same as the X7 now, turns better but still needs more - Ive not fond a GS seat frame that I can modify to the Sprint frame , that will Help as well(know of any for sale? . It doesn't seem that its all wheelbase , the width I thinks plays a roll some how, but I can't change that (plus I need the stability ( the extra camber seems of set the X7 the seat hight in stability)
@@davidhenry4356 Yes, a combination of things. Don't know of any seat frames for sale. Parts for trikes don't seem to show up much on the used market. :(