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The Trike Fits the Rider - Not the other way around ! Imagine buying a $200 suit from the "One Size Fits All" rack. Think it will fit? You might get lucky, but not a likely outcome. OK so what if you were buying a $1000 suit; you would expect it to tailored right? Chances are the trike that's right for you is at least that expensive. Tailor it to fit YOU! If you find that after an hour or two of riding leaves any pain or unexpected fatigue chances are you don't have the Trike optimally fitted. Fitting the Trike to the Rider's Dimensions Nearly all trike OEM's will designate a range guidelines of rider sizes that fit their models as equipped. That doesn't translate into everyone within those guidelines will properly fit the trike as equipped, nor does it necessarily exclude some who may be outside the range of the guidelines. Tailoring a trike to fit a rider may require components that aren't necessarily among the "as equipped" condition. While trikes are far more comfortable then any other pedaling machine, any exercise regiman can lead to physical annoyances and discomforts. The objective of this chapter is to address proper fitment for maximum riding enjoyment.
Symptoms of Discomfort or Unexpected Fatigue & Probable Solutions Starting at the working end of the body.... Numb Feet - This can be caused by many things beyond the fitting of the Trike (and shoes) so we'll list most potential causes.
Sore Ankles or Calves - Other then pains from previous injuries usually a sign of misaligned pedals and often accompanied with knee pain.
Calves Going to Sleep - Usually a muscle or nerve problem that's aggravated by a deficiency of lack of physical preparation.
Knee Pain - Lots of potential causes especially for those over 40. Be sure your knees are pumping in a straight line with no wobble to the side as you pedal. Boom alignment and show clevis position will affect the bending of the knees.
Thigh Fatigue - Sometimes your leg muscles are burning or feel limp after strong exertion. That's normal for beginner or infrequent riders. However there are few things that will help.
Recumbutt - Feels like you've been sitting on a stone throne for a week due to a lack of circulation.
Lower Back/Lumbar Support - Sometimes the lack of lumbar support will also contribute to Recumbutt. People have different arch profiles in their Lumbar region. While a Mesh Seat is a little more forgiving then a hardshell with lumbar support its not as easy to correct any Lumbar discomfort. Shorter riders tend to have Lumbar problems with Mesh Seats as the Lumbar Support bulge is one or two vertebrae above where they need it.
Upper Back and/or Shoulder Pain - This usually comes from either an improperly sized seat or shoulder blades riding on the support structure of a Mesh Seat.
Elbow Pain - Most common when the arms are too straight and worse for shorter riders; if the rider feels as though they are reaching, they probably are.
Wrist Pain - Most often a result of Hand Grips angled back too far. Hold a pencil in with your fist and it should be angled forward about 3-5°. That's about angle you want the Hand Grip positioned as you sit in the trike with hands on the Grips. Grips, shifters and brake levers may be sized for larger hands then the rider has which can contribute to wrist pain.
Neck Pain - Usually from either seat that's too reclined or from a lack of neck support in a reclined seat.
Eye Strain - If you have transitional lenses you may be looking through a region of your glasses that were contoured for close up vision depending on your seat angle. Don't feel dumb, its happened to more then a few folks. Another cause is rough surfaces like chip seal.
General Body Fatigue - This is common among riders with hardshell seats, rigid frames, and high pressure tires, particularly on chipseal roads.
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