The Trike is Here!

I received my trike via a DHL cargo truck on Friday. The family was home and active, so I waited as long as I could before I started assembling the trike. In all, I lasted about an hour! Then I got to started with the unboxing process.

Trident Trikes claims that they ship the trike 95% assembled. I am honestly not sure it was 95% assembled, but they at least got me a good starting point. After unboxing everything, you get a good experience in cutting off cardboard protective wrapping! If you don't think investing in a trike company is a good idea, consider investing in a cardboard

company. There was that much protecting this trike. On the plus side, I haven't found a scratch on the trike.

I got the trike unfolded and all the shipping protection removed. Then you have to mount the rear derailleur, mount the rear tire, inflate all the tires, attach the pedals, mount the seat, adjust the handlebar position, adjust the crank boom length (since the pedals move, not the seat like on a traditional bike), adust the chain length (I think it was cut for maximum boom length), attach the rear fender, attach the rear rack, attach the mirror, attach the rear light, and

attach the flag. Sounds easy, right! Admittedly, after about an hour, I only had half the tasks done, but I did get to ride my trike around my driveway and to the mailbox and back. In fact, I still haven't finished the list of to-do items, but I will get to it some time soon!

My intial impressions were almost all positive. The seat is comfortable, even with only my initial position attempt. The steering is easy and intuitive, not too mention very responsive (maybe a little too much so). The trike rolls really well. Most amazingly, the derailleurs and shifters were adjusted properly

right out of the box. I have rarely had a bike shop get the shifting adjusted in one shot as accurately as this is. This accuracy of adjustment is very impressive for a trike that was assembled, boxed, and shipped!

My only negative observation at this point is that the paint protection system for where the chain tubes cross the front wheel arm and where the frame touches when folded appears to be gaffer tape. It is cleanly cut and neatly applied, but seems a little cheap and low-tech. My last bike, which was not a high-dollar vehicle, used a clear film.

I have also seen bikes with die-cut appliques. What look likes squares of gaffer tape seem pretty low-end for a nearly $2000 trike. But in reality, that is also a pretty nit-picky complaint!

I hope to get all the accessories mounted soon and get a real test ride this coming weekend. So of course it is supposed to rain this weekend, too. I also need to get some final accessories ordered (tubes, tool bag, etc.).

Watch out world, I am coming!