Trikke Tech T12 Series 3-Wheeled Carving Scooter (Charcoal) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned an old style T-8, with the polyurethane wheels, for almost a year. Though I liked it, it seemed too much like a "toy", and I wanted something more substantial. Everything that I read (Trikketalk, etc) led me to believe that the T-12 was the "Cadillac" of the Trikke line - smooth, easy, quiet and fast. This is NOT the case - in fact, it is vastly less efficient than my old t-8 ("less efficient" = requiring greater energy expense to cover the same distance). This makes it substantially harder to ride than the t-8. It is just plain exhausting!
I checked to make sure that there wasn't a problem with my particular T-12. I checked that the bushings were not too tight, OK, that the brakes weren't rubbing, OK, that I had the recommended 75psi front and 80psi rear, OK - everything checked out fine, so I posted my concerns on Trikketalk. The general thrust of the replies is that the T-12 really is bigger, slower and harder to get going than any Trikke in the line, and I just need to get used to it. So, it is a Cadillac all right, but instead of driving it, it feels like I am behind it, pushing it. Uphill. With it in Park.
On other subjects, it is very well built - there is no flex or shimmy when I am on it, and I am 6'0 - 200 lbs. Putting it together was straightforward - however, you need to carefully study the instructions on brake adjustments if you are going to set them yourself.
The thing that keeps my rating from falling below a 3 is this: the T-12 IS a good workout. I do intend on sticking with it, however, it will stay just that: "A Workout Device". For fun and riding enjoyment wish I would have bought the T-8 air - which would have been the sweet spot between effort, comfort, ease of use, and speed. Not to mention, less expensive by more than $100.00.
FOLLOW UP -
I have now been riding the T-12 for over a year. I take it out three times a week, 10 miles each ride. I also rotate that same 10 mile path between roller-skates and a bicycle. The T-12 is STILL too big, too bulky, too cumbersome, too arduous, and too hard to move to be anything other than a "Workout Device". (And this is from someone who is (now) 6'0, 185 lb.) As a "Workout Device", it is very good, I still have no complaints about it's build, workmanship or sturdiness. But, because the T-12 is none-the-less limited in it's role, I find that I still use the T-8 Poly for general riding around. Now, more than a year down the road, I still feel that the T-8 would have been a better choice, one that hits the target of being a multipurpose Trikke - nimble enough to kick around town and heavy enough for working out.


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