NEW Rover
Owners Manual
Reviewed By Adulttricyclereview.com
TerraTrike Rover Posted on November 8, 2015
The TerraTrike Rover is simply the number one selling recumbent trike
in the world. TerraTrike has achieve greatness, simply by listening to
what customers are asking for and giving them exactly that. The team of
people that TerraTrike has assembled is just fantastic, which is in part
what has got them to where they are today. The Rover is TerraTrike’s
entry level trike. TerraTrike offers the Rover in an eight speed
external drivetrain, eight speed internal drivetrain and an infinitely
variable rear hub call the NuVinci N-360. So many people are attracted
to the Rover for a variety of reasons. The number one reason is simple,
they can get in and out of the trike easily. The Rover has one of the
highest seat heights in the industry. These same people can also use the
Rover handlebars to help them get in and out of the trike. Second, is
that new entry level riders love the ability to have the seat adjusted
to a very upright seat angle. I am still not sure why so many people are
so adamant on siting so straight up. It is interesting though, if you
tell that same person they can be more efficient and faster if they lean
the seat back a bit, they will have some excuse why that is not right
for them. I think if you poll these same people a year later, 20% have
reclined the seat farther back. Another 20% now feel the seat angle is
not such a big deal any more and 60% have never moved their seat to try a
different position. Third, is the entry level pricing and fourth is the
handlebars shape and positioning. There are many other great features
that the Rover offers like being able to convert it to a tandem.
Frame: The frame on the Rover is a simple three piece
design that is easily assembled and adjusted to the rider. The frame is
steel, TIG welded together and come with a 400 lbs capacity. The beauty
of the Rover frame is it’s simplicity and well thought through design.
The frame can easily be adjusted to different height riders with four
simple Allen wrenches. The welding on the frame was precise and
consistent with no gaps or inconsistency.
Paint: The paint was nice. The paint was applied evenly
and consistently with no thin spots or runs. The paint looked to be
very generously applied. TerraTrike chose a silver color which is
acceptable to both men and women. Now If you choose a Rover with the new
Nuvinci N-360 your trike will be in blue with a new graphic package.
Overall, the paint is as good as you would want, nothing to brag about
but good enough to protect the trikes frame from rusting.
Drive Train: One of the Rover unique advantages is no
mater which Rover you buy you can easily convert your Rover to a
different model. Just change the rear wheel and a few parts and you are
good to go. TerraTrike currently offers the Rover with three different
drive trains. First, an eight speed external where you have a derailleur
that shifts the chain to a different cog on the freewheel. Second, an
eight speed internal hub where all the gears are inside the hub of the
rear wheel. Third, the Nuvinci N-360 where you have variable hub in the
rear wheel that you can change to any ratio you would like within the
hubs range.
Brakes: The brakes are ProMax mechanical disc brakes,
which do a fine job stopping the trike. The Promax brakes have a solid
feel and stop the trike reasonably well. The brake levers have a parking
lock where there is a button on the brake lever that you can push and
lock the brake in the on position.
Seat: The seat is a simple nylon with straps that hold
it securely to the seat frame. The seat was comfortable enough but the
seat fabric is not very breathable. Terratrike has a solution, you can
upgrade to the Rambler seat fabric which is more breathable or better
yet, upgrade to the Rambler trike. The Rover seat height is 16 ½ inches
which make it one of the highest seats on the market and it can be
adjusted from 35 to 70 degrees.
Ride: The Rover is an entry level trike so you can not
expect the ultimate ride at a low price. Like the old saying goes you
can not get champagne taste, on a beer budget. So one of the things we
liked about the Rover was the small turning circle. We also felt the
Rover was very nimble and agile. We also like the upright seating
position, if that is what your are looking for. So what did we not like?
The steering took a bit more muscle to steer than we liked. There is no
bearing in the front of the trike and there is a noticeable amount of
friction to turn the handlebars. What was interesting though, was when
you were riding the Rover, that extra resistance to turn the handlebars
was not noticeable. The ride is stiff, if you live in Florida where the
roads and paths are smooth, then no problem, but if you live in the
Midwest, prepare to get some filling replaced after those big bumps.
Switching the tires out to say, the Schwalbe Big Apple, should smooth
the ride out a bit.
Accessories: Terratrike is one of the best companies,
when it comes to accessories. Terratrike will be including their new
Heal Sling on all trikes moving forward in 2016. One of the worst things
that can happen while riding your trike, is to have your foot slip off
the pedal which can cause an accident. In our opinion, just about
everyone should be riding with clipless pedals and cycling shoes.
Clipless pedals and shoes are safer and simply more comfortable than
wearing your standard street shoes. For the people who can not be talked
into the clipless pedals and shoes, there is the new Heal Sling.
Terratrike also had a long list of well made accessories like racks,
neck rest, mudguards, seat pads and mounts for lights and computers.
In Conclusions: If you are looking for a solid built entry level trike
on a budget, or a trike that is easy to get on and off of, the Rover
would be a good choice.
Pros: Easy to get on and off of and the Rover low price and high weight capacity.
Cons: Stiff ride and the ability to really make the trike go fast because of the limited range of gearing.
Heal clearance for smaller rides to the frame.
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