TerraTrike is coming out with a new model they call Spyder. Using their own words to describe it .. “designed for performance, the Spyder is stiffer and aerodynamic where it needs to be for acceleration and sustained speed, and yet compliant for comfort. All elements of the trike converge to deliver a performance machine which will satisfy your inner speed freak.” It will be interesting to see how this model measures up. I see it has a 19 foot turning diameter.
This model costs almost $4000. For that amount of investment one could get a much higher quality better engineered trike such as a Catrike. It says it is designed for sustained speed.
Here is Larry Varney’s review of the TT Spyder …
KEEP ON TRIKIN’
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I’ve never owned a TerraTrike so can’t speak to quality issues. What caught my attention in Larry Varney’s review was the seat angle of the Spyder at 49 degrees, and the Spyder ATC at 36 degrees. I have a Catrike 700 (seat angle 25 degrees), and Greenspeed Aero (20 degrees). The 700 is sporty but still burly enough like a hybrid bike for throwing bags over the seat and touring, while still being a blast coming down a mountain at 45mph. The Aero is best on tracks with tight fast turns. It can surprise road bikes who think you aren’t going to keep up. I’ve had, or ridden, trikes with seat angles above 40 and they never felt very sporty nor aerodynamic. TerraTrike also says the Spyder has tank steering, but the photos look like regular direct steering. If you say tank steering I think of the Aero which is amazingly maneuverable. I know WizWheelz now owns both TerraTrike and Greenspeed so was expecting Aero tank steering on the Spyder. The 700’s direct steering is excellent but still not on the same level as the tank steering on the Aero for zipping around tight corners fast. The low seat on the Aero also make it less “tippy.”
I only recently found your site, and as a TerraTrike Rover owner, I CAN NOT DISAGREE MORE with your assessment of Terratrike and their products.
I have had my Rover since 2018 and have ridden more than 9000 miles through every season; winter snows and summer heat, and have NEVER had ANY reason to have ANYTHING other than POSITIVE experiences.
Maybe, if you would be more OBJECTIVE and less SUBJECTIVE in your assessment, deal with the product you’re discussing, and not attack the company, I would not be more informed by your article and about the trike.
There are SO MANY people who HATE ANY product made by their “pet peeve” manufacture, you know the type;
the letters F-O-R-D stand for “Found On Road Dead.”
Sorry, you lost me as a follower of this site.
Too bad….
What I said about TerraTrikes is based on my experience with them compared to my experience with other brands. I am talking about performing work on them as well as observing them. It is also based on conversations I have had with dealers and mechanics. One dealer I know of won’t even work on them even though they sell them. I am sorry to know you are no longer a follower of this website. It comes down to what Jack Nickleson said … “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH”.
Hi Steve,
Not long ago, an industry source informed me that Ian Sims, the founder and owner of world renown Greenspeed trikes from Australia died. He further told me that Ian’s wife sold Greenspeed to TerraTrike, which I found interesting. I have not looked into this yet, but will see if the Greenspeed website offers any further information as to any potential changes in their trikes.
My sister bought a TerraTrike Rover in 2011, which I helped her set up for her needs. In the process, I had a lot of time riding that trike, and I found that if I turned the steering either full right or full left, for a sharp low speed turn in a constricted area, the steering did not return to straight without a lot of conscious thought and effort on my part. The wheels wanted to remain in the full lock position. On my Catrike 700, I never noticed such a bizarre, and potentially dangerous, issue. I have no idea if TerraTrike ever corrected and modified their Rover steering problem in subsequent years and models, but it was totally unacceptable the way it was. I have written about this in detail on my Trike Asylum website years ago.
Anyway, if this information about Greenspeed being purchased by TerraTrike is accurate, inquiring minds want to know more!
Steve Greene
Trike Hobo
“the human powered cycle guy”
https://www.youtube.com/c/TrikeHobo/videos
I totally agree on your Terratrike assessments. When I first got into triking I did a lot of research and due diligence and have been a Catrike customer . The design and construction of their trikes is so inferior to Catrike and Ice that it seems foolish to spend that much money on such an inferior product. They are heavier, poorly assembled and just seem Low quality. It is a false economy to spend that much money on such products. I currently ride a Catrike 559 and 700 and they are incredibly well made and from Florida with super customer support.
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I agree. I have Dumont now and I do not miss the steering problems I had, on every ride, with my old Traveler.
Wow..you may be right in everything you say ..but I have two Rovers and love them..especially the internal hub..I Don’t like the sprockets and shifting the stupid things along with the maintenance on them.. the best thing they could do is make a bullet proof hub… go ahead and spend big money on your Cadillac trike..and let me enjoy my “Walmart” trike..!!..dd