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A couple of comments....
The ST is designed as a muck around trike, fine for parks and stunts and generally doing what the kids do on their KMX's, hence the lack of front derailleur and hence the lack of gears. The X is the standard model shall we say, and the RT is the touring model. The only differences between X and Xt are the wheels, the X having smaller diameter rims and the fat tyres, the RT being larger diameter and having skinny lighter weight tyres.
I've got one of the pre-production X-classes and I'm very happy with it, it's possibly slightly heavier than the newer ones, and the seat design has I think changed a tiny bit. The longest ride on it so far is just over 100 miles in a day - I should say it absolutely killed me, but that wasn't the trike's fault, more the poorly-tuned engine with the slight aero-belly.
I have changed my Maxxis Hookworm fat tyres for some Schwalbe Big Apple fat tyres, they're about the same size but the Maxxis tyres are designed to be bomb-proof (no bad thing) but they are consequently a fair weight, the Schwables are lighter and di make the trike feel lighter too. Rolling resistance o both is good, don't be lulled into the trap that fat-tyres = high rolling resistance, the Maxxis tyres can be pumped up to 100psi at the front and 60+ psi at the back and at those pressures you're down into equal rolling resistance with a skinny tyre. The Big Apples run at lower pressures but were designed to give a very low rolling resistance.
Now, that leaves you with a choice, and I guess you're lucky in that you can actually have a decent ride on all three. I think if I were in the market for a KMX now, In your position I might be tempted by the ST, anf fit it with Big Apples. Then if you find you do want the extra range of gears you could always ask your brother what he's got lying round the shop to upgrade the gearset (you can't tell me he hasn't got a "spares" box) no doubt you'll be able to get trade price at the minimum. The one downside to this is the magwheels of course. If you buy spoked wheels and then decide you want to run different size rims, I would have thought the brother in the trade could have built you up wheels as you want them on your X-Class hubs. If you buy the ST, you'll have to buy hubs, spokes, rims and everything should you wish to upgrade.
So the summing up of all that. It's your choice really. I'd ask your brother about the various spec options and also ask him about speccing a KMX to suit you. It might well be that the base is the ST and he can build you up something really special. Then again if he's in thr trade who knows perhaps he could even order a bare frame and steering assembly and really, really build you something unique and special.
Hope that helps
Alex
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 2:06 PMSubject: [KMXKartsowners] Digest Number 32Messages In This Digest (1 Message)
- 1.
- General questions about the KMX Adult trikes From: dracllib
Message
- 1.
General questions about the KMX Adult trikes
Posted by: "dracllib" billc@... dracllib
Sat Oct 7, 2006 5:20 pm (PST)
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 UTSPONSORED LINKSNeed to Reply?Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest.
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