STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS OF VARIOUS CYCLES:
RACERS, TOURERS, MOUNTAIN BIKES, HYBRIDS & TRIKES:

What each does best and what are the limitations of each...
Where recumbent trikes fit in...

RACING BIKE STRENGTHS:

For all out speed on good, paved roads, racing bicycles are a top choice. Top end racers are featherweight and efficient. Add to that package, some aero-bars for added streamlining, and the combination is virtually unbeatable on smooth paved roads. This performance is achieved through close ratio gearing, drop handlebars (or aerobars), ultra light frames and narrow, very high pressure tires.

RACING BIKE LIMITATIONS:

Narrow, high pressure tires and ultra-light frames are not at their best on sand & gravel roads, dirt tracks, offroad etc. The narrow tires will easily bog down on soft, unstable surfaces and may puncture easily especially if not kept up to recommended air pressures. Stability can be drastically effected by sand or gravel on roadways, or by having to "hit the shoulder" in emergency situations. Ultra light frames are not equipped to carry panniers & heavy touring equipment. Costs can be prohibitively high for the technological innovations needed to pare precious ounces from overall weight.

TOURING BIKE STRENGTHS:

Touring bikes are built to carry heavy loads over a variety of road surfaces at a reasonable speeds. They tend to have somewhat lower gearing than road racing bikes so they can haul rider and baggage up large hills that may be encountered during long tours. They have braze ons and frame reinforcement to make them durable enough for the tasks they must perform. They also tend to have wider and sometimes lower pressure tires which perform well over varied road surfaces. They tend to handle paved and gravel roads quite well. They may come with drop handlebars or level, mountain bike type bars.

TOURING BIKE LIMITATIONS:

Touring bikes are definitely not as light or as fast as road racing bikes, but they are more durable and versatile in their specific application - touring over a variety of road surfaces. While they handle hard surfaces and even gravel roads reasonably well, they are not as good as effective mountain bikes on rough or unstable surfaces.

MOUNTAIN BIKES STRENGTHS:

Mountain bikes are at their best - and virtually unbeatable - on dirt tracks, sand and gravel and challenging trails that require low (power) gears and knobby, wide tires.. They tend to be rugged and, in the more expensive models, relatively light. Tires are wide and knobby, for traction in sand, dirt and gravel. Suspensions are common, adding to comfort over rough terrain, as well as increasing stability in downhill plunges.

MOUNTAIN BIKE LIMITATIONS:

The very factors that make mountain bikes so good in off road conditions, act as limitations when riding on on-road. Wide tires, lower gearing, and stronger heavier frames, limit the road speed of mountain bikes compared to road racers or touring bikes.

HYBRIDS STRENGTHS:

Between the mountain bike and the road racer or touring bike is the Hybrid. Many touring bikes are basically hybrids. Hybrids attempt to be the best of both worlds but are a compromise. Tires tend to be narrower than mountain bikes, but wider than pure road bikes, with the intention of improving road speed, but still allowing for reasonable off-road ability. Treads too, are less "aggressive" than on mountain bikes, but more pronounced than road bikes. Gearing may be a compromise between racer & mountain bikes as well, giving perhaps slightly "longer" gears for higher road speeds - possible with lighter weight and less "grabby" tires.

HYBRID LIMITATIONS:

While attempting to be the best of both worlds, Hybrids end up being a compromise. They are slower than road racing bikes but faster than mountain bikes on roadways. Hybrids tend to handle better, off road, than road bikes, but they are not as effective as pure mountain bikes in that application.

RECUMBENT TRIKE STRENGTHS:

Recumbent trikes bring with them a unique set of strengths. Their wide "chaise lounge" type seats spreads body weight over a large area. This, and the reclined position places virtually no stress on the upper body. Wrists, arms, and shoulders are no longer a part of the weight bearing process. Add to that a head rest - such as on most Catrike models - and comfort is excellent.

Having three wheels makes trikes inherently stable. There is virtually no need to fear "falling" on loose or slippery surfaces.... A patch of sand, gravel, or even ice, is of little concern to recumbent trike riders. Pulling off the paved surface of a road onto a gravel or sand shoulder poses no problem for trikes.

Riders can stop at stopsigns or on hills, without having to remove their feet from toe clips. No "wobble room" is required when riding side by side or in traffic.

Riding a trike is a different experience than riding a bike. It is fun, in its own unique way, somewhat like a cross between a traditional sports car and a go-cart. Riding bikes is also fun, but different.

Trikes have a very low profile, (smaller frontal area) compared to bikes. This allows them to be very fast downhill... possibly even faster than a comparable rider on a road racing bike. This same low profile, allows trikes to handle headwinds more effectively than regular bicycles
Trikes form a stable platform for additions such as fairings, touring panniers, even perhaps, power assist. See our links pages for some of these options.

Trikes' unique qualities often allow people with certain physical handicaps to continue to live active, fitness-oriented lifestyles, which may no longer be available to them on conventional bicycles.

. RECUMBENT TRIKES LIMITATIONS:

When climbing long, steep hills trikes are slower than most bicycles (all else being equal). This is due to the different pedalling position, and greater weight. A Catrike weighs about 30 lbs. A few pounds heavier than average bicycles. However the trike's extra streamlining is beneficial in maintaining higher speeds into headwinds or on downhill runs.

Having 3 wheels, trikes are wider than a regular bicycle. This is largely offset by the fact that they can safely pull onto the road shoulder even at high rates of speed - when necessary. They also do not require "wobble room".

Where off-road riding is concerned, trikes can manage it, but not as effectively as mountain bikes. They are wider, making narrow paths between trees, more challenging. Narrow, hardpacked trails tend to be slower for trikes, because it may not be possible to align all three wheels on a narrow hardpacked trail at the same time.

Trikes are very low, making the use of a flag at driver's eye-level (standard on Catrikes) is desireable for riding near parked cars and in traffic congestion. On the other hand, drivers tend to notice trikes and often give them added room - perhaps it's the novelty factor.

Trikes can be somewhat more difficult to carry on cars & vans.
Trike racks are available that will carry 2 trikes on the back of a car or van. Click picture ======>>

Trikes can also be carried on a car or van roof, with the wheels tied to a pair of regular rack crossbars. They will fit inside a van. (We have carried 2 trikes in the back of our Aerostar van, and a third on the roof, prior to having our own 3-trike rack fabricated.)

We hope this comparison is useful in deciding which type of vehicle is most suited to your particular needs.