What Is The Best Recumbent Trike? Your Complete Guide

A comfortable and fun way to stay active, get outdoors, and enjoy cycling is with a recumbent tricycle. Recumbent trikes are perfect for riders looking to cycle without all the stress on the body that an upright bike rider experiences. Whether you are a seasoned recumbent rider or are looking to find your gateway trike into the sport, there are a wide variety of trikes to fit any need. The best recumbent trike comes from determining your needs and pairing down from there. Keep reading to learn more about the best recumbent trike, determining your needs, and how to get started by making an appointment with us today.

Determining Your Recumbent Trike Needs

Before figuring out which recumbent trike is best for you, make a list of your needs and how you plan to use your trike. If you are unsure of what your needs are, the professionals at Bent Up Cycles can answer any and all questions through a quick phone consultation, text or shop visit.

Some questions we might ask you to help determine the perfect trike for you include:

• What is your budget?
• Are you looking to race your trike for speed?
• Do you want to ride recreationally around town, at the beach, or on bike paths?
• Are you looking to go on adventures with your trike and ride long distances?

Best Recumbent Trikes for Speed and Sport

Catrike 700 -

The 700 is designed to be fast and efficient. A low, aerodynamic body position and lightweight vertebrae-spaceframe put the rider in the perfect position to generate power and speed. The 700c Thru-Axle rear wheel offers excellent power transfer, and high gearing gives you the shifting options needed to reach your personal best. Simple and thoughtfully designed, the 700 is engineered to move and is one of the best recumbent trike options for speed.

Catrike Expedition -

The sense of freedom that comes with taking the path less traveled can be yours with just a pedal stroke. Exploring hidden roads and seeing nature sliding past in near silence is an experience only rolling through the country on a Catrike can provide. The Expedition offers a beautiful and sleek machine combined with a long, comfortable body position for all-day riding. To be prepared for any adventure, the Expedition comes equipped with a space frame for heavy packs. The 26-inch rear wheel provides a broad range of gears for a variety of terrain. There are so many roads to explore that you may never see them all, but it won’t be for lack of trying.

Best Recumbent Trikes for Recreation Around Town

Catrike Villager -

The Villager brings together engineering and innovation into one easy-to-use machine. A high seat and stable platform mated to an adjustable frame provide a comfortable and confident ride. Avid disc brakes offer best-in-class stopping power and Ackermann steering geometry – a standard design feature on all Catrike models – keep course corrections smooth and stable. The Villager is the best recumbent trike for adventures in your neighborhood and beyond.

Terratrike Maverick -

Experience cycling freedom on the new Maverick, an entry-level trike that packs a lot of features. The new wide seat with a fixed seat mount provides riders with a firm and comfortable riding position. The versatile Maverick makes it easy to upgrade to the TerraTrike hybrid steering stack and the boom stub tube allows one to easily add a front derailleur. It provides easy access for getting on and off of the trike and produces a very predictable riding experience. Like its predecessors, the Maverick is the best recumbent trike for leisure riding.

Terratrike Rambler -

This second-generation Rambler is destined to become a TerraTrike best seller. It responds beautifully through corners and the lightweight chro-moly steel frame ensures a smooth ride. And, the Rambler is as versatile as it is stylish. The seat mesh is breathable and is fitted across a durable wide steel seat frame. Along with standard disc brakes and full seat adjustability, the Rambler is a quality machine for casual and serious riders alike.

Terratrike Gran Tourismo -

The Gran Tourismo is the culmination of over 20 years of continuous innovation and customer feedback, resulting in the most comfortable and best-handling TerraTrike to date!

The Y-frame design adds strength while allowing for additional heel clearance and ease in getting in and out. The new triangulated rear end adds pedaling efficiency, better aerodynamics, reduced pedal steer, and lower center of gravity so that you “stick” to the road even at higher speeds. The GT also comes standard with a 24” rear wheel for higher top-end speeds, smoother rolling over bumps, and retaining momentum. The Gran Tourismo also features an extended seat frame with an upgraded seat mesh, contoured to give additional support and comfort and padded in “all the right places!” This is by far the most comfortable seat TerraTrike has ever produced!

Best Recumbent Trikes for Touring (With or Without Carrying Supplies)

Catrike Dumont -

Catrike’s 16 years of engineering and experience have come together to create the Dumont. The rear suspension features a highly progressive travel path combined with a custom spring rate and sophisticated damping for a perfect balance of performance and comfort. The shock is actuated via a CNC machined swingarm pivoting on precision cartridge bearings to allow the suspension system to operate with seamless efficiency.

Up front, the Dumont employs Catrike’s anti-dive patent-pending front suspension spindle to take the edge off while allowing all wheels to move independently. The result is that the Dumont stays firmly planted on the ground with the active suspension. The long and low rider position and fully adjustable boom provide stable weight distribution needed for maximum performance while the ergonomic backrest is fully adjustable for the perfect fit. A 26-inch rear wheel and folding feature round out the Dumont to provide the ultimate ride.

Catrike 5.5.9. -

Classic comfort combined with long-distance performance, the 5.5.9 is the best of both worlds. Combining the adjustable backrest and padded seat mesh of the Villager and Trail models with the long-distance capability of the Expedition, Catrike has created one of the most capable and comfortable trikes available. The ingenious design of the Catrike’s folding frame with roller wheels allows you to load it in just about any vehicle. Find enjoyment in the journey with the 5.5.9.

HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS26 -

With the Scorpion FS 26, you have the best equipment for exhilarating trike tours ready to go. The advanced steering geometry (ASG) system enables you to control the trike smoothly and precisely. You benefit from a small turning circle even though the big rear wheel demands for more space in the chassis. The Scorpion fs 26’s long wheelbase also offers a notably smoother ride, more safety, and supreme ride pleasure.

The Special Edition model includes all of the accessories you will need to thoroughly enjoy your ride: SRAM/30 drivetrain, Avid BB7 disk brakes, Eyro light system, rear rack, headrest, Rock Shox air shock, parking brake, Marathon Plus tires, mudguards, mirror, hand rests, flag, rain cover, water bottle set and a frame lock.

About Bent Up Cycles

Bent Up Cycles is the premier recumbent trike and bike shop servicing Southern California and beyond. Our appointment-only shop ensures you get the individualized attention required for choosing the best recumbent trike for you. Not in Southern California? We offer phone consultations and an online shop to get you what you need.

Make an appointment with us today and check out more at bentupcycles.com.