If you are uncomfortable riding a bike or cannot ride a bike due to balance issues, a bad back, sore neck or the fact that a traditional bike seat hurts too much, a recumbent trike bicycle may be your answer. There is little doubt that a recumbent bike is more comfortable than an upright bike. However, if balance is an issue for you, a recumbent bike is not the answer, because maintaining your balance on a recumbent bike can be more difficult than on a traditional upright bike.
By contrast, there ARE no balance issues with a recumbent trike, however, because the trike allows you to stay fit while having fun and enjoying the freedom of cycling. Say goodbye to your sore back, sore bottom, sore neck and sore wrists. A recumbent trike comes in one of two configurations.
For those just getting back into cycling, a delta recumbent is often the best place to begin. A delta trike has two rear wheels and one front wheel whereas a tadpole recumbent has two front wheels and one rear wheel. Delta recumbents place the rider higher off the ground and typically in a more upright position. They are very maneuverable, because the single front wheel allows the trike to pivot in turns. In addition, because delta recumbent trikes have two rear wheels, they can be stored in an upright position on the rear wheels, thereby consuming less storage space. Because the cyclist's position is higher off the ground and more upright, if you have bad knees, you will find it easier to get on and off a delta trike. There is a small penalty paid for this comfort - performance. Because delta trikes have higher and more vertical seating positions, just like on an upright bike or recumbent bike, the wind can really slow you down.
Wind is not, however, much of a factor when riding a tadpole recumbent trike bicycle. Such a trike generally places the rider lower to the ground and in a more reclined (or recumbent) position. When you ride a tadpole trike, you are typically seated low, just aft of the two front wheels which is exactly why it performs better on straight and/or curvy roads or paths. So, if speed is your thing, and you have the dexterity to get on and off of a tadpole recumbent, that is the way to go.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding what kind of recumbent trike bicycle to buy. First and foremost, although delta recumbents may be slower, they are easier to get on and off of and easier to store. Though you will find riding a tadpole recumbent will provide greater performance, getting on and off one requires greater balance. Storage can also be an issue, unless your tadpole recumbent trike folds. Nonetheless, the single most important thing to keep in mind when considering a delta or tadpole trike is that both are far more comfortable and better for your back, bottom, neck and wrists than the best upright bike. Moreover, when you begin riding a recumbent trike, you will become addicted to it, because it allows you to stay fit, have fun and enjoy cycling freedom just like when you were a kid.
