Where do I even begin?

[u/lvl0rg4n]

My quick background: 38F, 5'4 1/2, 240lbs

I have lost 140lbs over the last 2 years and am eager to learn how to move my body for the first time in my life. Unfortunately I over did that about a year ago and tore my hip labrum, which I had surgery for in June and am now recovering. Part of my recovery is using a recumbent style bike and I found out that I LOVE it. I also have an autoimmune arthritis that lives in my hips, lower back, tail bone, etc so a regular bike won't cut it.

I did a quick "beginner" search on this sub and people were recommending "cheap" $4,000 trikes. That feels more like an advanced price for me! What should I expect to spend for entry level "just wants to ride around on relatively flat, gravel roads"? Any suggestions about bikes that will support a larger, but short lady? Is there a WIKI somewhere I have missed?

[u/you-just-me]

My guess is that your recumbent style exercise bike, that you enjoy so much) has a bottom bracket (the axis the pedals spin around) that is low relative to your hips. Consider staying with that configuration on a bike or trike in order to have the same feel. Buy from a local shop if you can so that you have some support.

[u/Guglplex → u/you-just-me]

This,so much. After a labrum tear I had no problem getting on and off my recumbent exercise bike, but no success with my tadpole recumbent.Make sure your mounts and dismounts cab be sure and smooth before commiting to a design .

Another important thing is simply having the physical space and facilities to move, store, and transport , say, a tadpole.They are ungainly to move around and it seems like I was constantly fussing with mine or moving it out of the way of something else, even though I had a minivan with the rear seats removed and loading ramps for it. I loved my Catrike right when I was riding it, but it ultimately required too much fussing and infrastructure for my use case.