Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined slightly and not a traditional bike seat?

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Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined slightly and not a traditional bike seat?

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Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined slig... - 1/10/2009 8:02:21 PM

YourhandMyAss

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I was asking for a recumbent trike, There's a lady who has a 3 wheeled adult trike, and she's willing to give it to me, but I didn't realize they had a bike seat like normal bikes, and the seat is why I can't ride a normal bike.

I have back injuries and my back problems just do not allow me to be able to sit up right on a traditional seat That and the fact you kind of have to hunch down to reach the handles. In the past when I've rode traditional bikes they have severely aggravated my back injuries.

If I get the bike I will be wanting to put a diffrent seat on it, one that lets you recline a bit and not be perched right on top of your crotch.

< Message edited by YourhandMyAss -- 1/10/2009 8:03:14 PM >

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/10/2009 9:20:12 PM

slaveboyforyou

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Googling the manufacturer's name would probably give you all the info you need. It would certainly give you more info than anyone here could, especially since you didn't tell us what the make and model of the trike is.

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/10/2009 9:22:32 PM

YourhandMyAss

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I don't know any of that info, I asked her but she's apparently offline for the night:)

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/10/2009 9:47:10 PM

igor2003

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You can find out the manufacturor's name and check with them, but I really don't think you will be happy with a modified adult trike if I correctly understand what you are wanting to do. It sounds like you need to recline somewhat and need some back support for comfort. I think that using a seat like you want would change the configuraation of sitting angle to peddals in such a way that it would not be comfortable or effecient. I really do think you would be happier with a recumbant 3-wheeler. They might cost a little more, but I'm about 90% sure that you would be much happier with it.

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/10/2009 9:50:36 PM

Cage03

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I am not sure if I completely understand your question... But I do know a lot about bicycles. (I am one of those lycra clad people you see out on the roads early on weekend mornings.) So I will give it my best shot and if that is not sufficient I may be able to give you further advice.

You say that you are looking for a recumbent, and I think that is the best way to go for you.
But then you start to talk about a saddle to fit a standard bike, which is very different from a recumbent.

I think you need to check out the following site:
http://www.bicycleseats.org/
and then do a search for the following:
Hornless Bicycle Seat
Easyseat Deluxe
Moon Seat
Bench Seat
Horse Shoe Seat

A friend of mine uses the one with two pads and he just loves it. If you choose one of these you may want to look around for someone who makes a living out of fitting people to their bikes. They cost, but they are real geniuses (heroes) within the roadcycling community.

Hope this helps.

Cage

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 11:26:55 AM

YourhandMyAss

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Igor I have a bike in mind that I'd really like to try out but it's 900 dollars and I can't afford it and won't be able to for a year or more while I pay down my almost 8 thouhsand dollar credit card debt I'm barely breaking even now as it is, with regular bills and CC bills from two or three years ago.

Yes I need to recline a bit, or have a seat where you're sitting down, more like in a chair than perching on your crotch over a seat and stooping to reach the handle bars.

This is the one I am looking at http://www.islandsportshop.com/Worksman_Personal_Activity_Vehicle.htm

quote:

ORIGINAL: igor2003

You can find out the manufacturor's name and check with them, but I really don't think you will be happy with a modified adult trike if I correctly understand what you are wanting to do. It sounds like you need to recline somewhat and need some back support for comfort. I think that using a seat like you want would change the configuraation of sitting angle to peddals in such a way that it would not be comfortable or effecient. I really do think you would be happier with a recumbant 3-wheeler. They might cost a little more, but I'm about 90% sure that you would be much happier with it.

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 11:29:17 AM

YourhandMyAss

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Yes, it's very different, She does say the seat is bigger than a normal seat, so it might not cause me problems, but in the past the issue with riding a bike, that caused the back injury flare ups, was perching on a small seat with all your weight pressing onto your crotch bone, and stooping a bit to reach the handle bars.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cage03

I am not sure if I completely understand your question... But I do know a lot about bicycles. (I am one of those lycra clad people you see out on the roads early on weekend mornings.) So I will give it my best shot and if that is not sufficient I may be able to give you further advice.

You say that you are looking for a recumbent, and I think that is the best way to go for you.
But then you start to talk about a saddle to fit a standard bike, which is very different from a recumbent.

I think you need to check out the following site:
http://www.bicycleseats.org/
and then do a search for the following:
Hornless Bicycle Seat
Easyseat Deluxe
Moon Seat
Bench Seat
Horse Shoe Seat

A friend of mine uses the one with two pads and he just loves it. If you choose one of these you may want to look around for someone who makes a living out of fitting people to their bikes. They cost, but they are real geniuses (heroes) within the roadcycling community.

Hope this helps.

Cage

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 1:48:35 PM

amativedame

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I'm with igor2003 on this one... if I understand correctly I'd think you'd be messing with the angle too much. Could you do it? Sure, but I don't think it would be comfortable to ride.

If you want a recumbent bike, have you looked through the classifieds here?

http://www.recumbents.com/forsale.asp

Not sure what your price point is though... good recumbent bikes aren't cheap so even the used ones tend to be pricey. Have you thought to contact any/all of the bike shops within traveling distance? Some offer used bikes through consignment.

Have you tried riding some of the other styles of bikes? Gone to a bike shop and talked to them about what they would suggest and would let you try out? IMO, the seat doesn't make as much of a difference as the fit. My father was like cage, a very serious cyclist. He used to try to get me to ride all the time. Seat pain is one thing (I've always been heavy, and a better seat can fix a lot of your problems) but back pain is usually caused by an improper fit or posture and sometimes by a lack of muscle strength in the back (as biking does use the lower back.)

Have you ever tried what some call a cruiser bike? http://www.abikestore.com/beach-cruisers.htm

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 1:58:17 PM

YourhandMyAss

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amativedame, I can't afford one at all, unless it only cost like 50 bucks lol. And I'm not so foolish as to hope or believe someone would give away a perfectly good bike for 50 bucks.

I had one given to me for free once,it was a two wheeler under seat handle bars set,, so you had to reach under your seat to steer, and then your legs were out in front, so I couldn't ride it, since I couldn't balance on it and always fell over any time I tried to ride it. I admit I didn't try very hard since I felt the bike was kind of dangerous. Your bare skin was exposed to the ball chain bearings, if you rode in shorts, and if you rode in pants your pants got caught in the chain.

All my money is sunk into bills and getting out of debt, I'm lucky if I am not flat out broke by time I pay on my debt, and Debt's so massive it''ll take more than a year for me to even be done with one card.

I haven't talked to other bike shopps no, It never occured to me. There's a bike shop right by Daddies work I might go in and talk to them if they'd be willing to talk shop, with a person who won't be buying a bike, just needs to know about bikes.

the only kind of bike I've ever rode, was mountain bike 10 speeds.
But like I said every time I rode that particular type of bike it agrivated my back injuries. Plus when I would get down my crotch would hurt really bad from all my weight basically balancing on that stupid seat. My moms old fashioned Schwin had those really big seats that were wide on the ends and narrowd down a bit for the crotch area.

My back can not handle the stress of sitting on the bike and then stooping over to reach the handle bars.

I sit all day long with no problem in a chair, so it's not the act of sitting, it's what you're sitting on and the fact you have to stoop over in most cases to get to the handles.

quote:

ORIGINAL: amativedame

I'm with igor2003 on this one... if I understand correctly I'd think you'd be messing with the angle too much. Could you do it? Sure, but I don't think it would be comfortable to ride.

If you want a recumbent bike, have you looked through the classifieds here?

http://www.recumbents.com/forsale.asp

Not sure what your price point is though... good recumbent bikes aren't cheap so even the used ones tend to be pricey. Have you thought to contact any/all of the bike shops within traveling distance? Some offer used bikes through consignment.

Have you tried riding some of the other styles of bikes? Gone to a bike shop and talked to them about what they would suggest and would let you try out? IMO, the seat doesn't make as much of a difference as the fit. My father was like cage, a very serious cyclist. He used to try to get me to ride all the time. Seat pain is one thing (I've always been heavy, and a better seat can fix a lot of your problems) but back pain is usually caused by an improper fit or posture and sometimes by a lack of muscle strength in the back (as biking does use the lower back.)

Have you ever tried what some call a cruiser bike? http://www.abikestore.com/beach-cruisers.htm

< Message edited by YourhandMyAss -- 1/11/2009 1:59:36 PM >

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 3:25:00 PM

YourhandMyAss

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This bike is even cheaper still at 300 to 400 and it looks like it might be something I can ride, I think as long as I do not have to perch on a seat with my crotch taking the weight and I do not have to stoop to reach the peddles, thse kinds of bikes may be ok.

http://www.industrialbicycles.com/desoto%20classic.htm

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/11/2009 10:32:11 PM

amativedame

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quote:

ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss

I haven't talked to other bike shopps no, It never occured to me. There's a bike shop right by Daddies work I might go in and talk to them if they'd be willing to talk shop, with a person who won't be buying a bike, just needs to know about bikes.

I would say that you are definitely not going to the first person that comes in the first time and doesn't buy a bike, so really don't feel awkward about it. Many years ago... I swear I must have been in our local bike shop about 10 times before we decided on one to actually buy because I couldn't make up my mind.

quote:

My back can not handle the stress of sitting on the bike and then stooping over to reach the handle bars.

I sit all day long with no problem in a chair, so it's not the act of sitting, it's what you're sitting on and the fact you have to stoop over in most cases to get to the handles.

This is partly why I mentioned a "cruiser" because depending on your proportions you should in theory not have the issues with stooping over if the handlebars are at the right height. Finding a cruiser used at a decent price is pretty do-able if it would work for you and you can easily put a larger non-traditional seat on it such as this one.

Edited to add: I rode a mountain bike for years before we bought a style similar to the one I'm suggesting to you. They are built for two different things, and the latter is a whole lot more comfortable.

< Message edited by amativedame -- 1/11/2009 10:34:37 PM >

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RE: Can you change an adult trikes seat to be reclined ... - 1/12/2009 7:01:40 PM

YourhandMyAss

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They certainly do seem more comfy. I've been researching all different kinds of bikes too, and I see ones like this one, and it gives me hope that not all bikes will be difficult to be comfy on.

http://www.springcreekrecumbents.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/day6dream21.jpg

quote:

ORIGINAL: amativedame

quote:

ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss

I haven't talked to other bike shopps no, It never occured to me. There's a bike shop right by Daddies work I might go in and talk to them if they'd be willing to talk shop, with a person who won't be buying a bike, just needs to know about bikes.

I would say that you are definitely not going to the first person that comes in the first time and doesn't buy a bike, so really don't feel awkward about it. Many years ago... I swear I must have been in our local bike shop about 10 times before we decided on one to actually buy because I couldn't make up my mind.

quote:

My back can not handle the stress of sitting on the bike and then stooping over to reach the handle bars.

I sit all day long with no problem in a chair, so it's not the act of sitting, it's what you're sitting on and the fact you have to stoop over in most cases to get to the handles.

This is partly why I mentioned a "cruiser" because depending on your proportions you should in theory not have the issues with stooping over if the handlebars are at the right height. Finding a cruiser used at a decent price is pretty do-able if it would work for you and you can easily put a larger non-traditional seat on it such as this one.

Edited to add: I rode a mountain bike for years before we bought a style similar to the one I'm suggesting to you. They are built for two different things, and the latter is a whole lot more comfortable.