Hi.

Normally, I skulk about a forum for a time before posting but I'm
about to purchase one of the KMC adult trikes and need to get some
experienced advice. I sincerely hope no one minds my barging in.

My brother, who's been enjoying and selling adult trikes for some
time now, just picked up the KMX line. I've tried standard bicycles,
recumbents (owned two at one time), and have avoided the trikes even
after two brothers and a sister-in-law bought in and have been riding
them for some time now, raving about how great they are.

As a motorcyclist for over 40 years and having raced and crashed my
share of bikes, having been a scuba diver, mountain climber, etc., I
really don't consider myself a wimp but riding on streets less than
18" off the ground with traffic coming up behind me where I can't see
them that well and drivers who seldom practice common courtesy
anymore, I've been unwilling to join the triking movement in my
extended family.

Today I rode up a nearby canyon with my two brothers: both of them on
trikes (not KMX). I was on a Kick Bike that I just bought, believing
that an adult scooter would alleviate the pain in my neck, wrists,
and bum that were typical of cross-bar bikes yet still allow me to
stay up with my brothers on thier trikes. At least on the downhill
ride.

I was wrong. And it wasn't even fun.

I switched with one brother and rode his trike for several miles.

So I am now sold on trikes (I'll just stay on bike trails <grin>).
But I'm not impressed with the prices. So my dealer brother tells me
he's just got a dealership with KMX and has purchased the three
standard models and they should arrive on Monday. I look at the X and
ST and they're both VERY nice looking and obviously thoughtfully and
well designed so I'm impressed.

Then he tells me the price on the ST and I about drop my jaw.

I'm wondering about the thicker tires and increased rolling
resistance but perhaps the trike design and gearing nullifies the
increased drag, do you know?

I like the thicker tires for the sake of tire safety as I believe
they'll last longer.

I particularly dislike wire spokes so the "mag" affair on the ST
appeals to me. But that's not sufficient for a decision about which
trike to buy.

On the other hand, the ST is clearly designed for hours in the seat
and long-distance riding and that's really what I'm in to (meaning
dozens of miles at a time but not cross-country <smile>).

I really like the price on the ST but it has half the gears the X has
and that concerns me. My brothers and I are into distance riding and
we live in the Rocky Mountains so having twice as many gears might be
valuable enough to warrant the doubled price.

On the other hand, I've owned a number of many-geared machines and
have seldom used anything but the middle gear sprocket. If the ST
will meet my cruising needs (distance...need not be fast), then why
pay twice the money?

So, you experienced KMX riders, you...mind answering some questions?

1. Which is better for distance riding, the ST or the X, and why?

2. Is the X really worth twice the cost of the ST?

3. Do the thicker tires cause significant drag?

4. Having purchased your machine and ridden it for some time, do you
now feel that your purchase of the KMX was a wise decision? Yes, I do
know what forum this is but that doesn't mean that everyone here is
still in love with their machine <smile>).

Again, I hope you don't mind my barging in and, especially, since I
cannot write a short message. But I'd sure like to get your opinions
before I make a purchasing decision, which I'll be doing next
Saturday.

Thanks!

bc

Bill Card
Orem UT