WizWheelz TerraTrike Rover Tadpole Recumbent Trikes
- Tricycles

The 2011 Terratrike Rover 8 speed.
Terratrike introduced their Rover trike in 2010. It is a comfy, rugged,
trike, and the most economical Terratrike has ever offered. This trike
is made to fit anybody with a 400 LB rider weight limit, an extremely
adjustable frame and the highest tadpole seat I know of. The Rover's
high seat makes it easy for most any one to get on and off, even riders
with some disability. The 400 lb warranty weight makes a great first
trike for folks who want to use it as a fun way to get out and lose some
weight. The Rover is available in 1; 3 and 8 speed versions. Both the 3
and 8 speed Rovers have quite low gears, making it fairly easy for
beginners to climb hills. The internal hubs are easy to shift too. The
high gearing on these trikes is pretty limited, particularly on the one
and three speed models. The Rover is also one of the most maneuverable
trike on the market, with an extremely small turning circle. What it
gains in small turning circle it gives up in high speed stability; if
you are interested in going over ~20 mph on downhills you might consider
a different trike. But if you are timid on descents or live where it is
flat this won’t be as much of a problem for you. Though not sporty the
Rover is a great first trike and an excellent trike for around town
errands, beginning exercise, rehab or mobility use. It is a bit heavy
and slow for longer distances or bigger hills. The Stock Rover seat mesh
is waterproof so it will likely make you sweaty when you Ride indoors on
a trainer, work hard, like a hill climb or on warmer days. I recommend
spending the few extra dollars for the upgraded breathable mesh seat.
The Rover’s high seat makes its panic stopping poor. I would not
recommend the Rover to a rider who wants to zoom down hills; its high
speed handling and braking are subpar. Incautious panic stops can stand
it on end, potentially causing loss of control. At 5 or 10 mph this may
not be dangerous; at 20+ MPH it could cause you to crash. Any tadpole
with a high seat has this problem and as the Rover has the highest seat
it may be the most noticeable. The Rover won't go very fast on flat
ground because it is heavy, has low pressure tires and the high gear is
pretty low, especially on the 3 speed version. The Rover is relatively
easy to disassemble with a few wrenches. You remove the seat,
disassemble the frame, and on the 3 and 8 speed versions unhook the gear
cable from the rear hub. I would not call it foldable.

The Terra Trike Rover with a tandem kit installed
One unique option available for the Rover is a kit to make it a tandem
trike. The Rover tandem is excellent for getting out together for
moderate riding at a moderate price. It is especially good when one
rider is partially disabled but still wants to get out. This kit can be
purchased separately and is retrofit-able to any Terratrike Rover. The
tandem Rover’s long wheelbase greatly improves the high speed handling
and virtually eliminates the possibility of lifting the rear wheel in a
panic stop.
The Rover is a very good first trike. If you get very serious about
riding it probably won’t be the last trike you own.
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