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Choosing the right WizWheelz TerraTrike
 Frame Type The five classes of WizWheelz trikes are basically determined by the frame construction. The frames within the trike class are identical, with the difference between the models being determined by the different level of drivetrain components. The Path/Cruiser/Tour trike class has a Chromoly steel frame. This frame gives these trikes a very smooth ride, as the steel has a small amount of flex built into it. The use of steel, instead of aluminum, makes these trikes a little heavier than the other single-rider model trikes, but also gives them the greatest weight capacity (300+lbs). These trikes are an excellent choice for heavier riders, casual cruisers, or even tourers who will be carrying a good-sized load. These trikes are also the widest at 34 inches, which makes them incredibly stable, but they may not roll through your door. The Zoomer/Zoomer Elite class has an aluminum frame. The frame design of the Zoomer model trikes is totally different than the other TerraTrikes. Unlike the other models, the seat pan is part of the frame, and adjustments for x-seam measurement are made solely by sliding the adjustable boom. This quick-release adjustable boom makes the Zoomers the easiest trikes to share or give test rides. While the weight capacity of the Zoomer and Zoomer Elite is 275lbs, these trikes have the lowest overall width making it a tight fit for larger riders. The Access/Sport/Race/Commuter class of trikes has an aluminum frame available in Deep Pewter, Cosmic Orange, and Electric Green. You can choose any of these colors for any model within the class. The design of this frame appears very similar to that of the Cruiser/Tour, but is made from aluminum instead. The aluminum makes this frame about 3lbs lighter than the steel frame. Aluminum is also much stiffer which gives these trikes a high-performance feel. The track width is just wide enough to fit most riders and yet can still roll through a door. This frame has a weight capacity of 250lbs. The Edge class is comprised of two trikes that share the same frame design, but use different materials. The Edge CF uses a carbon fiber frame built with carbon fiber tubing and joined together with machined aluminum blocks. This frame is “bonded” instead of welded, which is a fancy way of saying glued. The Edge AL uses a similar fabrication but with aluminum tubing instead of carbon fiber and weighs 1lb more. The Edge trikes are the lightest TerraTrikes and are designed to go fast. The biggest limiting factor of the Edge trike is their lower total weight capacity of 225lbs. You may not want to use these trikes for daily commuters, but they are great for racing and endurance events. The Tandem is a single model class. With a Chromoly Steel frame similar in construction to the Cruiser/Tour trikes, the Tandem has a total weight capacity of 450lbs. That is the combined weight for the driver, stoker, and gear. Steering Type There are two types of steering methods offered on the TerraTrikes, and which one is considered best is really a personal preference. Ultimately, you will really need to test out both steering types to truly understand the difference. Linkage Steering – The Path/Cruiser/Tour/Access/Sport/Race/Commuter/Tandem trikes all have linkage steering. Linkage steering separates the input of your hands from the wheels. The steering is set up so that the steering bar uses leverage to turn the wheels. This approach provides for very smooth steering and makes it easy to make subtle corrections and turn the wheels at slow speed. Linkage steering is sometimes compared to that of a luxury car like a Lexus or Cadillac. Direct Steering – The Zoomer/Zoomer Elite/Edge trikes all have direct steering. With direct steering the steering handles are connected directly to the kingpin. Alignment is maintained with a single tie rod connected between the two wheels. Very little rider input is needed to turn the wheels which can make steering a little harder to get the hang of at high speeds. Direct steering is sometimes compared to that of a sports car like a Ferrari or Porsche. Weight Capacity While mentioned in the frame section, the weight capacity of each trike is something that should be given careful consideration. The listed capacities given by WizWheelz are the total weight supported by the trike including rider(s), accessories, and any cargo. It’s easy to add 10lbs with a rack, bags and some water. I’m sure that WizWheelz has built a cushion into their figures for liability reasons, but I recommend sticking to their guidelines. 450lb capacity – The Tandem trike has the highest weight capacity of all the trikes, but that weight limit includes the captain, stoker and any cargo. If you are near the weight limit combined, then you may want to consider getting two trikes for touring. 300lb capacity – The Path, Cruiser and Tour trikes can handle large loads, making these trikes great for heavier riders. These trikes are also great for self-supported tours when you need a lot of carrying capacity. 275lb capacity – The Zoomer and Zoomer Elite gain a little extra weight capacity from their use of a thicker frame tube and the integrated seat pan. 250lb capacity – The Access, Sport, Race, and Commuter TerraTrikes are primarily designed for riders up to about 225lbs with some room for cargo. 225lb capacity – The Edge trikes are designed to be lean and mean. Keeping these trikes as light as possible will ensure fast riding speeds. Component Levels There are four different levels of standard derailleur components offered on our stock TerraTrike models. A nice feature of the TerraTrikes is that you can always start with the entry-level components and upgrade as needed down the road. This is a great approach if you want something custom like a Schlumpf drive or internal hub. Any of our TerraTrikes can have the drivetrain customized to fit the individual riders needs. Entry Level – The Cruiser/Zoomer/Access trikes come stock with what I would call entry-level components. The front derailleur is the Shimano Sora controlled by an SRAM MRX gripshift. This hardware works well enough, but is limited to a 52T chainring. The rear gearing is an 8-speed MegaRange cassette giving these trikes the lowest gearing for hill climbing due to the 34T sprocket. The rear derailleur is a Shimano Altus. The Altus works well, but is more fragile than other models. Should you bend the derailleur it’s time to upgrade. Also, the Altus is a short cage derailleur so it doesn’t take up as much chain as the other models, making these trikes more prone to cross chaining. All the entry-level trikes include Unique front brakes which work well, but they do require more time to adjust properly. The entry-level trikes are a great way to get into triking, as you can always upgrade components later. High Level – The Tour/Zoomer Elite/Sport trikes come with some great components that are markedly improved over their entry-level counterparts. The front derailleur is the Shimano Tiagra, which has a stiffer cage than the Sora. The Tiagra will support up to a 56T chainring, in case you ever want to make an easy speed upgrade. At the rear, these trikes sport a 9-speed 11-30 cassette. While it doesn’t give you quite the low end of the MegaRange cassette, you get some closer gear ratios for better cadence control. The rear derailleur is the Shimano Altus long cage model. The long cage takes up more chain and eliminates cross chaining. This derailleur is a much more durable model than the Sora and is better suited for touring or everyday commuting. The Tour and Zoomer Elite trikes come with Shimano Dura Ace bar-end shifters, while the Sport comes with grip shifters as an option (standard for Utah Trikes). Which type of shifters you like will be a personal preference, but I prefer the grip shifters. These trikes also come with Avid BB5 brakes. The Avid brakes are easily adjustable with your fingers and are also lighter weight including the brake levers. Top Level – The Race and Edge trikes all come with the highest level of components offered by WizWheelz. Starting at the front end, these trikes come standard with an FSA Gossamer MegaExo crankset and BB bearings. The front derailleur is a Shimano Ultegra, which performs splendidly, providing crisp shifts and works well with 56T chainring upgrades. The rear cassette is a 9-speed 11-32 and uses an Sram X.9 derailleur. This derailleur is super crisp and extremely well built. These trikes also include the Avid BB5 brakes and levers. An extra feature of the Top-level trikes is the significant upgrade of Velocity Aeroheat wheels and Schwalbe Marathon tires. These tires are much faster than the standard 40-psi CST tires found on the other models. These trikes are built for speed and durability. These trikes are for the triker that wants the best–light weight and top-notch components for high speed. Internal Hubs - The TerraTrike Commuter features our highest gear range and combines the Schlumpf High Speed Drive with the Shimano Nexus8 Premium Hub. Internal hubs are able to be shifted at any time whether coasting, stopped, or moving. The gearing also gives The Commuter the highest level of ground cearance and provides a more weather-proof drivetrain. Our new TerraTrike Path series of trikes all feature internal hubs. We have a 3-speed, 8-speed, 14-speed, and CVP version of the Path. View our Path Specification Page to see the different models.  Intended Use People ride trikes for different reasons. To make sure you are happy with your trike you’ll want to make sure you choose one that fits your riding habits. You may choose to go with a lower-priced model with the plan to upgrade components, wheels, or tires later. You can add a rack and bags and turn almost any trike into a daily commuter, just make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit with extra cargo. I won’t say that any specific model should not be used for any individual need. Different riders might have different ideas about what is best for touring, commuting, or just zipping down the trails. Again, I really suggest that you test ride as many models as possible so you can make an educated decision. In addition to the specific names given to each model, The TerraTrike marketing slogans give an indication of what each model’s target use might be: Path – Simple, comfortable, affordable day riding Cruiser – Affordable comfort, great for cruising around Tour – Find your own road, Rock-solid, strong touring platform Zoomer – For sporty day riding, you’ll zoom down the path on this trike Zoomer Elite – They’ll never know what passed them Access – Performance you can afford, entry-level performance value Sport – Lightweight runabout, great for the day tripper Race – Comfortable speed, perfect sport touring platform The Commuter – Made for the Road Edge AL – Triking excellence, this is rideable art Edge CF – For those who demand the best Tandem – Ride in comfort with a friend Click any of the links above to view the specific details about each trike model. Get the trike you want One of the main reason to get a trike from Utah Trikes is that we know TerraTrikes. We are an authorized TerraTrike Custom partner, which means we can create custom trike solutions. We usually always have all the upgrades in stock, so we can build the trike way you want it, or customize it later. Stop by the shop, or give us a call so we can build your next trike. Check out our TerraTrike Customizers to create your own configuration.
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