I know that a lot of people associate three-wheeled bikes with children, but why would only children have this fun? These types of vehicles are often referred to as adult tricycles and are great vehicles to help you stay balanced better and avoid traffic jams.
Tricycle riding is one of the greatest outdoor activities and exercises. However, not all people consider buying this bike due to its high cost. This accidentally gives you the idea of buying a used adult tricycle.
Quick Answer: You can buy the used adult tricycles on Ebay.com. On the other hand, for brand new adult tricycles, you can check this article.
In What Cases Is It Reasonable To Buy A Used Adult Tricycle?
As I mentioned above, adult tricycles are not a cheap vehicle that anyone can afford. So, besides the cheaper cost than a new one, there are some additional factors making buying a second-hand adult tricycle a worthy decision.
Budget
Suppose you have a budget constraint and don’t want to spend extra on a tricycle. Typically when you use your trike mostly to take a short ride to a shopping mall or local store.
Just want to try
You are a beginning rider and just want to try the feeling of riding an adult tricycle or just want to have it practice on your lawn.
Look for new versions
If you are the kind of person who is always looking for trends, and you have different types of bikes. Now you want to own an adult bike to keep changing models in your “bike collections”, then a second-hand adult three-wheeled bike will be a good option.
Lower prices
Now, there are various new models of adult tricycles. Therefore, getting a used three-wheeled trike will save you a lot because they are usually sold at a lower price.
Where to Buy Used Adult Tricycle?
Online e-commerce websites like eBay not only provide you with new models but also offer various used items. What’s more, these sites offer lots of deals. So, you can even get a well-used adult tricycle at an extremely low price. The only disadvantage of online buying is that you can’t test the bike quality. Hence, you can’t make sure if it is really exactly like the description says. The tip here is to find famous and trusted websites for better quality.
For those who can’t purchase online or just want to test the tricycle directly, you can go to your local bike/trike stores. Here, the salesperson will also advise you on the type of tricycle that fits your budget, needs, and preferences.
Things to Consider When Buying a Used Adult Tricycle
One of the first and most crucial factors to bear in mind when looking for a used adult tricycle is to do thorough research. But, some people, typically beginners, don’t know what to research. So, in this part, you can find several important things to consider before buying a second three-wheeled adult tricycle. Let’s delve into it!
Cost: Getting a used adult tricycle is a great way to save you money while having a favorite vehicle to ride. However, they have a “warning percentage”. This means you should assess the actual condition of the tricycle to better know if it really is worth its price.
Durability or Lifespan: Always remember to check the age and manufacturing date of the tricycle you are about to buy. These factors can greatly affect the whole condition of the adult trike. You might or might know that the older the tricycle is, the better its condition will be because older models tend to be more sturdy.
Dimensions: The next important thing to consider when buying adult three-wheeled bikes is the tricycle size. If you are tall, but the tricycle is too small, it will be extremely hard for you to extend your leg. Some might even touch their knees on the handlebars. Thus, you will feel really uncomfortable to ride and control your tricycle.
On the other hand, you may also be at a double risk of falling if the tricycle is too large. So, the best way is to try it out if possible. In case you can’t test the tricycle directly, you can look at the adult tricycle size chart for the most approximate size to your height.
Material: For those who don’t know, the material used to create tricycles is one of the main factors affecting its price. Moreover, it will decide how much weight the bike can hold, its quality, and its lifespan. Metal has been one of the most popularly used materials for tricycle manufacturing.
Handle: The most vital factor deciding the ability to control your tricycle best is the handles. Different brands will offer different types of handles. But such great handles are considered an extra safety feature. However, sometimes they might not be really convenient to ride; typically, those are not made to give a comfortable and smooth feeling when holding. Several handle types are particularly designed to be removed to fit different riders’ tastes.
Storage ability: You should know that almost all available adult tricycles are equipped with integrated baskets or storage. It is often affixed to the back end of the tricycle for fast and easy loading.
Foldable design: If you don’t have a large storage space or garage for your tricycle, you can consider a foldable design. This type is designed to be quickly collapsed for ease of transport and storage.
Wheels: Since tricycles’ wheels are very hard to fix and expensive to replace, you should carefully check the wheels before buying. If the wheels are made of rubber and are air-inflated, check if there are any scratches or holes or not. In addition, wheels should have some grooves for better protection.
Frame construction: While the body structure will not affect the tricycle’s appearance, it might hinder its functionality. The old or broken dings and nicks can be acceptable in an old tricycle. Nevertheless, any broken or damaged pieces and dents should be kept in mind when purchasing a second-hand adult tricycle.
Give it a test ride if feasible: If possible, try to ride the tricycle you’re about to buy. This is the best way to decide its quality, functionality, and also to know if you really love it and be sure that it is the right item for you.
Before purchasing a second-hand tricycle, visit a local trike store and give it a test ride. If not, try riding it as soon as it arrives. In case it’s not really a great match or doesn’t suit all your requirements, send it back and get another better option.
Check the safety file: Always check out the protective record of the tricycle you are going to buy. You can check customers’ reviews if you buy it from an online store. And make sure you purchase from a reliable brand. This is really an important element when the trike is used.
It is great and essential information to make sure your purchase is worthy because no one wants to spend money to buy a bad model, such as not exactly as described, after thorough research. Besides, make sure that you can return the second-hand trike before buying it.
Other elements: Some additional crucial factors to keep in mind include saddle, handlebars, gear, suspension (if yes). By checking these, you can make sure if the tricycle works properly or not. There is not a standard percentage of acceptable damage. It all depends on your own requirements.
When considering a used adult tricycle, it is important to know the specific features that would suit your needs. A recumbent tricycle, for example, is a great option for a comfortable ride with back support. Check out more tips to consider here: advantages and benefits of adult tricycles.
Advantages of Buying a Used Adult Tricycle
The used adult tricycle you are about to buy can be an upright, semi-recumbent, or recumbent. No matter the type, they all provide you with lots of benefits. And below are some great advantages of getting a second-hand three-wheeled bike.
Price: Price is the first and obvious benefit you will get when purchasing a used adult trike. Even if it is a relatively new one or used for several months, you can save a lot of money to buy other necessary gear for you and your tricycle, such as a helmet, spare tires, etc.
More options: In fact, some older versions of the same new adult tricycles are far better than the newest ones. Besides, old models are made from various materials, and some are equipped with features that the latest versions don’t have. So, you can have wider choices when it comes to purchasing used adult trikes.
Benefit from the sellers: The first advantage you will get from sellers is that you can easily deal price with them. What’s more, they used the tricycle before, so they will even understand the bike more than the suppliers or salesperson. They will give you some practical tips on control or fix the damage and maintenance techniques. This way, you even don’t need an extra warranty and after-sale services from the manufacturer.
Disadvantages of Buying a Used Adult Tricycle
As you know, everything has two sides. This is typically true to used items like second-hand adult tricycles. Below are some cons you might face when looking for a used trike. They will help you better understand the problems you may encounter when using the used tricycle.
Higher research time: The time it takes to locate your ideal adult tricycle can be very long and boring, even if it is just a second hand,It could be several months until you notice a suitable tricycle. Nevertheless, even when you find the right one, your chance of owning it is not too high because someone might also love that model and are ready to place the order before you.
Extra maintenance fee: Upkeeping a used adult tricycle is necessary because there might be some parts that are old and needed maintenance or even repairs for proper function. So, make sure you have a budget and make a plan for those unexpected but necessary recurrent expenditures.
Have the knowledge to deal with sellers: If you are dealing with the owner of a second-hand tricycle, they can easily notice if you have knowledge or understanding about this type of bike or not. In some situations, but not all, they will try to look for a way to get rid of the old tricycle instead of recommending you buy the right model that will suit all your requirements.
Conclusion
Tricycles are really a great vehicle for people of all ages. They are not only safe for relaxing riding, workouts, play, but also a good way to make you feel more loved, more energized, and have a youthful outlook, no matter what your age is.
Buying a used adult tricycle is a great way to give you or your loved ones such benefits while saving lots of money. Just make sure to consider all things I mentioned above to get the most appropriate model.
