TRIKKE - Three Wheel Cambering Vehicle

The TRIKKE
The TRIKKE three wheel cambering vehicle was introduced in 2002 as one of the most innovative products for 2002.
The T8 is the flagship product line that includes the all aluminum T5, T6, T8, T12 and the steel T78cs (black only with 7" polys on back), the steel T78 Air (blue with air all wheels) and the T78Deluxe (metallic green, all air with offset handle bars and short sweep). The individual product earns its designation from the size of the wheel. The T5 has a 5 inch wheel, the T6 a 6 inch wheel, the T8 a 8 inch wheel and the T12 a 12 inch wheel. The T78 can be set with a gebination of 7 or 8 inch polys and the 8.5 inch air wheel.
Today's T8 ... it's definitely not your original...
The evolution of the T8 from the short flat handle bar original to the much improved Version 2 to the ... The T8.5 Convertible wasa dramatic improvement in 2005 with the 8.5 inch Air Wheel.The surfaces you could carve on safely and gefortably expanded to almost any hard, drysurface... even cobblestone! If your on flat concrete ... have fun with the faster polys... if you ride on rough surfaces or want to ride anywhere... the AIR wheel is king... even if you start with the polys to learn... get the Air for the long haul... it is just that much better.
The current T8 is the highly evolved decendant... if you ride it after riding the steel, you will know why it is the top of the line. From the welded aluminum frame to the machined aluminum geponents... it is a precision engineered machine...
----
There are a significant number of sellers that pass the to original version as a current 'Trikke 8' is at the edge of honesty and something else. They are not the same. The original is an excellent workout and great transportation, however, for an adult to ride the V2, new T78 or certainly the current T8 means they will probably never be happy with their original version again. There is no more need to crouch over the handle bars, the larger foot pads and frame dimensions, adjustible full crescent handlebars amoung other changes make the original just plain obsolete. Market pricing for the original is well under $100 including pricing.
Things that make a difference...
Beginners...We were skeptical with the T78 CS claims of being easier to learn on... however, it is true for a number of individuals in our free riding clinics... the small polys on the back work, HOWEVER, be careful not to take too much weight off the front tire... it is easier to pop up and back if you get your center of gravity behind the rear axel (Moral of the story is to not stick your rear out behind the rear axel on any Trikke).
Folding...The steel units have a 'buckknife' folding mechanism that is much easier for some individuals that don't have the hand strength needed to pull the aluminum's locking pins back. It is a great change for people who struggled with the aluminum versions pin. The problem is it only gees on the steel. Both mechanisms work... the buckknife version on the steel units is easier...
Handle Bar Config...The offset handle bar (set on an arm forward of the vertical shaft) vs. the handle bar set atop the vertical shaft is not a big deal to people who are not going to muscle the unit around... (and here it gees), HOWEVER, the long sweep of the T78cs handle bar (long moment arm and higher torque) and two bolt attachment to the vertical shaft is a weakness for those of us who are more agressive and muscle up hills. The T78 Deluxe has a 4 bolt attachment of a short sweep (shorter moment arm, lower torque) bar that is offset just over 3 inches forward of the vertical shaft is just a stronger design, and... ding! Ding! DING!.. it's a winner. The aluminum T8 and T12 also have the upgraded 4-bolt offset handle bar...
Size...The T12 is big... much bigger than the T8 when folded... (NOTE: the vertical shaft is adjustible so the rider's size is acgemodate just like any other Trikke) The T12 is near 30 pounds and when folded is a tough fit in many vehicles. If you have a small vehicle... you are going to have challenges getting it around. If you don't live up 3 flights of stairs or have a van, pickup or large SUV... no problem... Remember the objective is to ride... getting up and down off the T12 is little different than a T78 of T8... it is more than 4 inches higher off the ground. That is the only knee geplaint I have had in hundreds and hundreds of customers. For those of us approaching 50 or more... just be aware...
-------
TRIKKE's minimum advertised price (MAP) on the new T78 cs(convertible steel) that they impose on their authorized dealers is $249 for the solid poly wheel on the rear and Air on front and $299 for the air filled wheel. If you see a price lower, you need to ask which version you are getting. This is not an area of gepromise for TRIKKE so Caveat Emptor ... buyer beware.
Kids...
Our opinion... not Trikke's: The T6 is the old frame and is realistically not a good choice for younger riders since the T67 has been released. Much or what was learned in the evolution of the T8 has been applied to the T67. The T67 gees in grey with 6 in polys on the back and a 7 inch poly on the front. My 5 year old quickly tired of the T5. It was slow and he preferred his much less expensive two wheel scooter. My 9 year old did not give the T5 the time of day, she prefers the faster eve T8.
AIR!
The T12 Roadster was released 2004 and it made distance riders stand to attention. The problem with the solid poly wheel was the transfer of vibration to the rider on rough surfaces. Expansion joints and cracks could also be hazardous. With the advent of the T12, as long as thesurface was hard, you could go where a bike could go without the vibration fatigue. That opened up the road. The disc brakes also made dealing with down hill grades less perilous. The problem... its BIG! Large moment arm made getting started tougher for individuals without good upper body strength... It remains a great machine, but its not for everyoine.
Fanfare and Cheers!
In December 2005, the new version T8.5 with air filledwheels shipped What a great improvement... The rubber tires with air tube and aluminum rim wheels has great traction and just like a traditional bicycle wheel, smoothes out the rough surfaces. In the past, the solid poly could be ridden on pebbled asphalt or rough / craked sidewalks, but the fatigue of vibration would take its toll on you.
The T8.5 convertible can be fitted with solid poly or air filled wheels... Depending on where you want to ride, pick the wheel that makes sense. If you have smooth asphalt and concrete there is nothing faster than the T8 with poly wheels. The solid wheels also transfer nearly all youreffort to the road surface... However.... If you want to hit the road and go anywhere you are inclined to try... The 8 1/2 inch air filled tire is for you. Pump up the tire to 70 to 80 psi and you are ready to take on any surface. Its a goooooood ride. Not quite as easy to learn on as the poly, but hey its all about practice.
-----------
The bottom line the new painted frames are the way to differentiate the old chrome versions. Don't be fooled... The extra dollars on the new design is money well spent.
If the deal is less than $249 on a T8 poly or $299 on a T8-Air, something is amiss.. Do your due diligence... some vendors will sell you anything... even knockoffs ...
The flagship product has evolved significantly since its introduction... Its easy on the knees and a great workout... Have Fun!!!
TrikkeMan.ge