Bicycles

Ruder Trike lets you pedal and row at the same time

Ruder Trike lets you pedal and row at the same time
The Ruder Trike S at Eurobike 2015
The Ruder Trike S at Eurobike 2015
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Instead of the circular arm-cranking motion used on the Varibike, the Ruder Trike has its user "rowing" the handlebar column in and out
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Instead of the circular arm-cranking motion used on the Varibike, the Ruder Trike has its user "rowing" the handlebar column in and out
The Ruder Trike S is equipped with components such as Shimano Tiagra and Deore front and rear derailleurs (respectively), a 3 x 9 drivetrain, Tekro disc brakes, and Schwalbe tires
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The Ruder Trike S is equipped with components such as Shimano Tiagra and Deore front and rear derailleurs (respectively), a 3 x 9 drivetrain, Tekro disc brakes, and Schwalbe tires
The Ruder Trike S has a custom-designed seat
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The Ruder Trike S has a custom-designed seat
The Ruder Trike S at Eurobike 2015
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The Ruder Trike S at Eurobike 2015
View gallery - 4 images

We've already seen a few bicycles – such as the Varibike and Raxibo Hand-Tret-Velo – that are intended to provide riders with more exercise and more power output by having them pedal with their legs and arms. Germany's Ruder-Rad, however, believes that a two-wheeler is too unstable a platform for that kind of four-limbed locomotion. That's why it's introducing the recumbent Ruder Trike.

Instead of the circular arm-cranking motion used on the Varibike, the Ruder Trike has its user "rowing" the handlebar column in and out. They can pedal with their legs at the same time, or do either method on its own.

The base S version is equipped with components such as Shimano Tiagra and Deore front and rear derailleurs (respectively), a 3 x 9 drivetrain, Tekro disc brakes, and Schwalbe tires. It weighs in at a not-insignificant 23 kg (50.7 lb), and sells for €3,990 (about US$4,486).

The GT model is basically the same as the S, although it has a 28-inch rear wheel instead of a 26 incher. It's also a little taller, and tips the scales at 25.2 kg (55.6 lb). It's priced at €4,250 ($4,779).

Both versions should be available starting this winter (Northern Hemisphere).

Source: Ruder-Rad

View gallery - 4 images
3 comments
3 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really neat. The price is more than I want to pay. I am more for a regular recumbent trike.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
A recumbant would benefit more from lighter materials than a two-wheeler and could also use a smaller safety factor because of the low profile.
kurtjens
Rowing trikes have been around for many decades, so this is hardly new, though it may well be the latest iteration. Also, two-wheeled row bikes exist and are relatively easily mastered, though not as easily as a trike. The maybe-now-defunt Rowbike is one of these and the Thys Revolver is a sophisticated European two-wheeled bike using a reciprocal rowing motion.