EZ3 recumbent trike

[betheny]

I went and tried the EZ3 trike by Sun bicycles today. It's the first decent one not priced sky-high. High enough, though-$650.00. It is so cool, feels like a recliner, 21 gears, hand brakes, balance not an issue. I'll have to ace bandage my left foot onto it (or something). I want to check and make sure I can get a car rack to tote it with. Maybe I'll be able to ride with my husband and son some. Not sure this is the right forum. If you have some leg action you might want to check this out.


You'd better get a big gun 'cause I'm not dead yet."
---The Bad Examples

[Curt Leatherbee]

Looks like a good deal for the money


http://www.easyracers.com/BROL_EZ3.htm
Just be careful not to tip it over, looks like a fairly high center of gravity.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[SueB]

Bethany, there are apparently at least 2 of us that have an EZ3 trike -- riding bicycle vs walking (http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=47273)-- It's working out great for me. I made some straps from webbing and velcro that wrap around the pedals to keep my feet on. I don't use a rack on my car - my husband pops the rear wheels off, folds down the seat back and handles, and puts it in my trunk. Takes about a minute.

[antiquity]

Hi Betheny, I'm moving this to the Exercise forum. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Curt Leatherbee]

Beth, a friend of mine got a platform bicycle rack from Harbor Freight Tools for $30.00 and modified it to carry a trike. He put a large wooden platform over it and bolted it down and then used inverted Rake holders to hold the tires in place in conjunction with tie down straps. It works great. You will need a large square hitch for this though.

Glad to see you getting a bike and getting out there and getting more active. So when are you going to do your first Century Ride?

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[betheny]

Curtis-
Is a century ride 100 yds? If so, I'm thinking this weekend! lol


You'd better get a big gun 'cause I'm not dead yet."
---The Bad Examples

[Camping Hoosiers]

Bethany,

I have one of these trikes and really love this thing. I have tried several different ways to keep my feet on the pedals. The best thing for me was to simply tie a string from one side of the pedal to the other leaving a loop hanging down. I just set my heel in the loop and am good to go. Good luck to you!

See ya, Jeff'

Memphis, Indiana USA

[Kenward42]

I, too, ride a Miami Sun EZ-3 Recumbent tricycle, which I have had and have ridden for four years. I had to quit riding a two-wheel bike because of balance problems, and left arm paralysis, after a stroke. At first I had trouble with my feet sliding off the pedals and the pedal coming around and gouging my shin. I solved this by installing clipless pedals an buying the shoes with the clips that clip on the pedals. this has worked great for me, and a twst of the foot releases the clip. I know this works because I have tipped over a few times and my feet have released. I haven't rigged up a car carrier yet, but that is on the top of my agenda.
This is a great exercise machine. I have installed a large basket on the rear and haul our 17lb Shih Tzu/Maltese dog with me on my rides.

[cre8tivestyler]

Bethany, I LOVE my EZ3 trike. I rode this year in the MS150 in my area --OK, so I didn't ride the 150 miles, but I did ride 11 the first day and 7 the second and raised over $1200 for the cause. I also use the clipless pedals. Not only does it keep my foot on the pedal, it helps keep it properly aligned as well. Without the pedals, my ankles turn in and my heel hits the crank arm. I load mine in my mini-van, or should I say someone helps me load it. I go to the local part of the bike path and someone is always around to say, "can I help you with that?" I have learned to say, "yes, thank you, that would be wonderful!"

Recently, my partner who is NOT a cyclist, went with me and rented one so we could ride together. It was fun and she really enjoyed it, too. I'll have to look into the car rack if we're going to want to transport two of them, though. Or maybe a small trailer.

[Broknwing]

Beth-
I have one too...but I've been a REAL slacker with riding it...I got clipless pedals and bicycle shoes for it....I've only ridden it a couple times, but it really is an awesome bike. :D The clipless pedals are great b/c they hold my feet on w/out having to worry about slipping off(BIG ISSUE otherwise) If ya want, I'll get ya the info on my pedals and shoes....

[BigBrad]

Thank for all for your information. I have a cheap trike from WalMart that I ride frequently (with my two dogs on leashes) and just got the EZ trike and am thinking how I can transport it with my car. I do have a old pick up flat carrier thing that is a little too narrow for the trike but I think I can have the shop people make it a little bigger when they install a receiver on my car. Then I can use that carrier with some tie down straps and am good to go. I had problems with my right foot coming off before but I just sucked it up and it dont happen to much now.

I plan on riding 70 miles a day latter this summer on it for a week so I will know what problems I have. That is an organized bike riding event so the cars wont run me over I hope. But I do need a way to transport my new trike to the start and finish of that.

[graybeard]

Where can one get these clip-on pedals and shoes?

[betheny]

Mountain bikers use them, so probably anyplace that sells high-end bicycling accessories.

About them: http://www.answers.com/topic/bicycle-pedal

A place to start:

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=clip+bicycle+pedals&btnG=Google+Search

[metronycguy]

even better then shoes, they can be had for about $40 on sale at performance or nashbar. Notice the raised toe guard .
http://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/acc/shoe/lake.gif

[betheny]

Do they hook onto the pedals somehow? I require that, or my leg falls off (and gets run over by the back wheel ack!)

[metronycguy]

yes they take the spd cleats without modification.
another possible way is using power grips ,which can be used with your every day footwear. they com In sizes i would think the largest they make would work with boots
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/catalog/powergrips_438_detail.jpg

[betheny]

I don't know if my legs are ever gonna be strong enough again, but I would sure like to try those sandals. Thnx, Mike.

[JustinB]

I've seen a strap around the calf clipped to the shoe or pedal to compensate for lack of dorsal flexion, but how do you guys keep your ankle from flopping around due to lack of plantar flexion?

[BigBrad]

I have a question, how can one adjust the front derailer the high gear, gear 3 is wanting to back to 2nd.