so... tell me about tricycles. for grown-ups

[fingerwoman]

i am (possibly stupidly) in love with these tricycles. nihola
I am now considering selling my car and getting a great big bike with room for 2 kids

am i very stupid? would I get knackered after 2 minutes and have to come home thus renmdering me house-bound forEVER?

Jennifersofia, I would love to try it but whereabouts are you? Am in oxford.

Also spoke to the people who import them and they can change the gear system and include more gears but again that is at an extra cost.

When I bought my current bike I wasnt sure if I could justify the costs but it has paid itself back easily over the years. No buss fares, parking fees plus it is so much quicker especially around the schoolrun times. Really gutted DD is so long as weightwise she would still fit in the Mini but just too tall and is getting dangerous

Also they are cheaper in Holland (a lot) but the transport costs are hideous so if you have a van ....

I'll tune in next week Ladybird; please do a few lines on your first impressions on using the Nihola for real! It will be so interesting.

You tube vids - more Nihola weird (but lovely) tricycles

in a shop

just images

We-ell, I got it. And OMG I am so in love with it, however, such gush isn't very useful in terms of telling you what it's like. I have ridden it only for a very short space of time, so here are just some initial, random thoughts.

I had a good look at a Trio during the week, it's beautiful but really not good for me (if anyone is interested though, I know a lady who is selling an ex promo model for £1,800). It's huge and (I thought) quite cumbersome. Also I didn't like the riding position (quite forward). But the woman who had it loved it.

So, my Nihola. Well my husband was dreading it thinking it was going to be this huge hulking thing and he was in when it came and texted me to say he loved it! So that was a plus...

I can tell it's going to be hard work in places. The parking brake is crap so I'm going to improvise with some Velcro straps to hold the parking levers in place (the other bikes have this set up, very rudimentary but actually more effective than the Nihola parking brake). The turning circle is quite large, so you need to be aware of that. But it's suprisingly manoeuvreable (sp), whereas with the Trio I'd feel a bit out of control if I had to get off and push it, really this doesn't feel that different from a sit up and beg bike with a big basket on the front.

I love the stability of it, not having to worry about keeping my balance when going slowly, so I can concentrate on the road (I'll have to comment on this with more authority when I've done a few more journeys, if anyone is interested..). The Kangaroo has a back brake, be aware that this sounds good but in fact (I think) will be an almighty pain in the arse because one of the good things about going up a steep bit with the Nihola is you can back pedal to make it easier to push down with your feet in places (hard to describe properly..) but with the Kangaroo it would be impossible.

Lights: you need to be careful because with the hood up on the Nihola, you wouldn't be able to see a light on the handlebars, however with the perspex front you can fix a light to the front. This does mean you can't close the cover completely at the front, but you're visible. Nihola does some lights that sit on the mud guard (which I've got on order), these are great to show how wide the bike is, but I do think the more illumination the better.

Jeez I'm turning into a bike geek. DLeeds, sorry I know you asked for just a few lines...

Ooo, just come across this thread. Have been lusting after a Triobike for months, and wasn't even aware of the Nihola & Kangaroo alternatives

Have you used it much since Feb? Any more words of wisdom?

Words of wisdom, well....try them out. What works for one person doesn't for another. Really think about when you'll use it.

I use it almost every day. I take my LO to nursery in it and go shopping.

Cons:

It's not great for wheeling through the street (if you ever have to do that). I really struggled getting it to the post office today and couldn't get it up the kerb (no dipped kerb). But that's cos I didn't ride on the pavement like everyone else would have.

The parking brake is really crap on the Nihola.

You do need somewhere to store it.

It's hard work/a good fitness work out up hill.

But otherwise, we totally love it. But as I I said before, do test ride as I was going to buy a Kangaroo but am so glad I didn't as the Nihola was much better (for me) to ride and also gets through our country-walk gates whereas the Kangaroo wouldn't have.

Anything else I can help with just shout. Where do you live?

Pickie - sorry - just saw this thread again. We are in East London (15 min walk from Lpool St station). Again, very happy for you to come and test drive if you like..

Just seen this thread. and wondered LadybirdLorax how you find the Nihola still, are you still thrilled with it? We are hoping to possibly buy one!

LadybirdLorax you about?

Selee I am still thrilled with the Nihola. The parking brake is crap though (not sure if I said that before). But really, love it. Be warned though not sure where you live but I get stopped all the time with people asking about it.

LadybirdLorax,

You're probably getting fed up with this - but are you still about? I have a few questions I would love answering about the Nihola.

Thanks
Jenny

Hi everyone, does anyone have a Nihola and live in Central London? Really wanted to try it, but Dulwich is soooooo difficult to get to with a little child. Thanks a lot in advance.