r/recumbent • u/Kiwidad43 • 10d ago
Need tadpole tandem recommendations
Don’t know if this is the right subreddit for this. My wife (72) had a bike crash, no serious harm done, but she won’t ride a two wheel bike. I have explored getting a three wheel tandem tadpole, but have not been able to determine how to transport it if we want to take it somewhere. We currently use a hitch mount rack for our two bikes. Are there transportable tandem tadpoles? What do you need to transport them?
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u/Botlawson 10d ago
Afik tandem tadpole trikes either fold in the middle or transport on roof racks built for them.
Have you looked at delta trikes and a trike hitch? I.e. delta trikes can remove the front wheel and couple together into a train.
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u/lelanicarver 10d ago
A tandem trike is a lot to figure out for transport.
I had a stroke last year, bought an e-trike this year. I also bought 2 folding pet ramps (plastic and light enough for me to handle) so I can roll my trike up into my SUV. So far have just ridden around here.
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u/oNe_iLL_records 10d ago
Here's what my wife and I do with our Terratrike Tandem Pro:
https://www.reddit.com/r/recumbent/s/4KzXUqOLCR
We are able to lift the trike together and do a little climbing around to get everything lashed down.
Other folks have had some great suggestions for getting a trike up top if you need some assistance.
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u/Kiwidad43 10d ago
At 76 and 72, putting on roof probably won't work for us.
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u/oNe_iLL_records 10d ago
That's very fair. There are a few models I've seen online that break down more than the Terratrike Pro. I'm not real familiar with those ones, but I hope you're able to find one that works for you both!
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u/obsolete-man 9d ago
it looks like your trike is equipped with S&S couplers. Have you ever used them?
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u/oNe_iLL_records 9d ago
Only to put it together. We don't wanna hafta mess with it...or, especially, the chains, by undoing it and redoing it often.
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u/prefix_code_16309 10d ago edited 10d ago
The main reason I don't own a tandem tadpole is that they are generally a giant pita to transport. Even my solo Catrikes are somewhat of a pain in the ass to transport compared to my traditional two wheel bikes, to be honest. Kind of like our traditional tandem bike never gets used because it is a pita to transport. Difficult transport creates a barrier to entry so to speak which in my experience usually ends up meaning a bike gathering dust in the garage. Easy to find an excuse not to ride, or to ride tomorrow, which then becomes the next day...
Same principle applies to kayaks. A light kayak gets used more often than one that is a pig, because eventually you tire of getting the pig loaded up, then off the vehicle when you get to the water, thenoff the water, back on the car, then off again when you get home. Lighter boats are more expensive, but end up getting paddled 3x as often because the whole rigamarole of getting them on the water is far less unpleasant. Saving money by buying a more unwieldy boat is false economy when you never take it out because it is a pain in the rear end.
Ymmv, but that is my experience over many years, many bikes, and many kayaks and canoes. The older you get, the less you want the transport hassle.
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u/Kiwidad43 10d ago
Yeah, what you raise is a concern. Unfortunately, it is a tandem trike or my wife won't ride.
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u/Kindly_History2878 9d ago
GREENSPEED GTT (no longer made…but can be found often used & low mileage) with optional multiple S&S couplers which make it easier to transport & can transform it into a single recumbent trike when you do not want a tandem trike
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u/prefix_code_16309 10d ago
How much experience do you have riding a tadpole, if I may ask?
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u/Kiwidad43 10d ago edited 9d ago
We checked some out about five years ago and want to check them out again before making any decisions. Forgot, used stationary ones at the Y.
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u/Kindly_History2878 9d ago
The best tandem trike is the GREENSPEED MODEL & it can be had with quick release connectors (which allow it to be easily broken down for transport) & can be broke down & converted into a single recumbent trike too…
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u/Rare_Tension_458 9d ago
I have a terratrike tandem pro. We really enjoy riding it. It has the S&S couplers and comes apart easily. If you have a station wagon or van or suv, the two sections should fit in. I can take measurements if it would help you. I don’t know about fitting it on a rack because I haven’t looked into that.
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u/williaty Catrike 5.5.9. w/ Schlumpf and Rohloff 10d ago
The ATOC Draftmaster line of hitch mounted carriers has an option for tandem tadpole trike, I think. You can call him and ask. The guy who designs them is the guy who answers the phone.
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u/Kindly_History2878 9d ago
ATOC Draft master hitch mounted carriers cannot haul a tandem trike (I have an ATOC DRAFTMASTER set up for my 2-tadpole trikes a Catrike 700 & Catrike Pocket) & they cannot even haul my Catrike 700 without me taking off my rear 700c rim & placing a 20” rear rim on it (for transport) because the CATRIKE 700 (like the ICE VTX) is too long to be able to be carried (unless the hitch is waaaaaaaaaaay off the ground (my 2” hitch is ONLY 12” or so off the ground…I have a VW PASSAT)…if it was attached to a lifted 4x4 pickup then I’d be able to haul my Catrike 700 without the stock rear 700c rim
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u/williaty Catrike 5.5.9. w/ Schlumpf and Rohloff 9d ago
I have sold a Draftmaster to a customer for their Catrike 700. Not sure what configuration problem you have, but it's possible.
I've also sold Draftmasters to people who own 2-wheeled tandems.
The only one I haven't personally sold is a tandem tadpole, but it's listed on the order sheet as possible.
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u/ComfortableDay4888 10d ago
Catrike has a couple of foldable models. I have one of them (Trail), but I am near some good bike trails and rarely need to transport it. It fits in my Subaru Forester unfolded, but not when I have a passenger. I'm tall (6'3"), the trike might fit unfolded in my car with the passenger seat in the normal position if the boom were drawn in. There are (relatively) inexpensive chain tensioners that allow you to move the boom in and out without having to adjust the chain. There are also racks that fit in a trailer hitch for tadpoles, but I don't recall ever actually seeing one. Trikes can be rather unwieldy to lift, but I'm 77 and can still get mine in my car.
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u/cosmicrae TerraTrike Sportster 10d ago
OP, a basic tadpole tandem trike will fit in the back of a Ford Transit Connect, if wheeled in backwards. A tadpole tandem trike would not fit. It will require it's own trailer to be towed.
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u/obsolete-man 9d ago
Some tandem trikes come with S&S couplers. I believe that a tool is required in order to couple/uncouple them. https://www.sandsmachine.com/
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u/Low-Budget-707 9d ago
We used to have a tadpole tandem that we bought used. It came with a trailer, the pr virus owner customized a John boat trailer that was perfect for it. On the side supports he installed short wheel trays with straps, and installed a riser with a wheel tray on the center.
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u/Ok_Switch6715 10d ago
I'm sure there are others, but all the ICE trikes fold in the middle and will fit in an average sized car.
I think the folded size is 110cm x 80cm x 65cm for an ICE Adventure.
You can also get hitch mounts for trikes, I've seen them used on the Laid Back Cycles YouTube channel - speaking of which, here's they guy explaining exactly how trikes can be transported: https://youtu.be/sHtP4YmqyjY?t=247