Stand up HPV's FAQ

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What is a Kicking bike, Scooter or Trikke?

A kicking bike is a cross between a scooter and a bicycle. It's got handbrakes, and pneumatic tires like a bicycle but you kick it like a scooter. A razor scooter is like a skateboard with a handle. It's also a lot of fun although not for long trips! A Trikke is a three wheeled vehicle that you propel by using your upper body and weight shifts (called a cambering vehicle). A Trikke 8 has 8 inch wheels which roll easily. Trikke 8's DO fold up small and yet are good for going around town.  And now there is .... the trikke 12!  Which is the ultimate for traveling comfort (has 12" pneumatic tires!)  (see Photo!) They even have a power assisted Trikke 12 and a Trikke-ski!

Why get a kicking bike or scooter - I've got a fine recumbent already!

Why? Because it's a combination of the freedom of running without the jarring to your knees and the smooth ride of a bicycle!  Because it's addictive.  Because it's a new dimension in biking not quite like anything else. Because it works a lot of leg and back muscles in a fun way.   Because it's THERE!
 

Why get a Trikke?

It offers all the advantages of a scooting, skating and more yet is no impact on the joints. Being a three wheeler with 8 inch wheels, it's very very stable and rocks and less than great road does not bother it.  But the wheels which are like roller blade wheels, go very fast.  You use the clever design of the vehicle to convert the kinetic energy shifting weight from side to side and/or turning the tiller back and forth to forward motion.  You can go very fast and it feels like inline skating, or skiing or flying or a combination. Works the entire body and is a great calorie burn but doesn't feel like so much work because the work load is divided between so many muscles. Because you can easily fold it up and take it on the bus!  Because it's INCREDIBLE FUN! Because it's there! :)

Differences between Trikke and TriKing Kobra (another cambering vehicle):

  • All trikkes except the trikke 8 v.1 have a 250 lbs rider limit. The Kobra rider weight limit used to be 350 lbs but now it's 250 lbs like Trikkes.  The trikke 8 v.1 has a weight rating of 300 lbs and they can be found all over including on Ebay.

  • Trikke-8 appears to have a bit more flexible front end which means it might be easier to operate.

  • The consensus of everyone I have talked to who has ridden both trikkes and kobras in our online community is that the Trikke may easier and more enjoyable to ride than the Kobra

  • Trikke-8 has 8 inch wheels, Kobra - 7 inch wheels. Larger wheels may be an advantage in taking bumps in terrain

  • As I understand, the inventor of the cambering vehicle founded the TrikkeTech company which may mean if you buy a Trikke-8, you might be getting the original product

  • Kobra is more economically priced than are trikkes

  • Trikke has more models available including the Trikke 12 roadster, the Pone-E, the trikke 8 convertible and the trikke-skki.

Caution: these vehicles are HIGHLY addictive!!!!  :)

Advantages of a kicking bike, scooter and Trikke

  • Awesome calorie burn - similar to running or inline skating depending on your weight and fitness level!

  • Great for those short hauls which are too short to use a bicycle but too long to walk. (Great for longer hauls if you are an animal and looking for more challenge!)  NOTE: You can take the trikke on longer hauls very nicely.

  • If you get a folding kicking bike, you can easily do longer rides by combining kicking with taking the bus.

  • Works the same muscles which running does... and then some, yet has no impact like running. Your legs love it! NOTE: the trikke works the upper body and side abs as well.

  • You can go as fast as an average inline skater, burn the same calories and not have to worry about falling - it's really hard to fall on a scooter or kicking bike and then you don't fall very far. (that's a big issue for us er...more mature types - falling HURTS more when you are over 40!) :)

  • Can wear regular clothing on a kicking bike.

  • No one minds when you take a kicking bike into the store with you, even if you don't fold it.

  • Accommodates people of many sizes (see the Xootr link below)

  • A kicking bike ride is invigorating and refreshing! (Even a razor scooter is fun - kind of like safer roller blading!)

Fringe Benefits of kicking bikes, scooters and Trikkes

  • Can go riding with the grandkids (related disadvantage - they will soon decide you should replace their scooters with kicking bikes - this can get expensive if you have more than one grandkid!)

  • Skateboarders smile and say "HI" to you (don't take this lightly because skateboarders seldom smile at anyone over 18 years old!)

  • Can ride the speed of a bicycle (slow) yet are welcome on the sidewalks so don't have to deal with cars!

  • Great conversation starter!

  • If they see you on a Trikke, they always say "Hey, that's cool!"  Sometimes cars stop on look at you on your Trikke!

Caveats about kicking, trikke and scooting

  • It's not a chance to go bareheaded... wear a safety helmet!

  • kicking bikes are awesome on downhills - and just as horrible on uphills as they are awesome on downhills. Related caveat - you can always get off the kicking bike and walk up the hill (just take a drink of water, like you meant to stop there anyway).

  • Trikkes can offer some challenges going uphill but you can develop a technique for some pretty good inclines using the upper body.  In San Francisco, you might want to walk up the hills though.

  • On a scooter - Use both legs! Best to get into a routine - I do 2 sets of 3 kicks on one leg and then, switch to the other and do same. When you kick, kick forwards first, sweep your leg backwards, touching only the ball of your foot to the ground and end with your leg backwards. If this is confusing, watch any skateboarder kick - they use the same technique. Related tip - if you don't know how to change legs without stopping, watch the kids on their razor scooters - they are quite expert at it! Further related tip - if the kid method doesn't work for you, you can always stop and change legs!

  • For Trikke-ers riders, go to the website for more hints and tips about riding it. www.trikke.com    Also watching the infomercials on TV is quite informative as well as watching the tape which came with your trikke.  Also visit Sue's trikke-ing site

  • Learning how to ride a kicking bike? Just DO it! Or have your children or grandkids show you how - they'll love being the teacher for a change and do a good job of giving you the 'ins' and 'outs' of scootering/kicking.