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Evaluation of Cycles
If you are going to purchase a cycle as your "neighborhood vehicle," you can compare several at a time using detailed criteria below. In each box (below) you can provide a score of 0 to 3, with "0" for unacceptable, "1" for acceptable, "2" for good, and "3" for excellent.

For example, suppose you give a cycle a score of 3 (excellent) for "Folding/Transport." A cycle that can be folded in seconds might get a "3." A cycle that can be disassembled and put in a standard suitcase in less than 15 minutes might get a score of "2." A cycle that can be folded, but the folded size barely fits in an average car trunk, might get a "1." A cycle that cannot be folded or put in an average car trunk might get a score of "0."

The highest score that a cycle can get is "105." (A cycle gets five bonus points for a top score on all criteria.)

Before filling out the complete Cycles Comparison Chart (below), it is best to fill in the first four criteria (cost, speed, weight, and seat position). For example, seat position may be too high, too low, too reclined, or too upright for your needs. All four of the first criteria should be acceptable before filling out any more information on a possible choice. In addition, if any other criteria are essential for a purchase, such as "Folding/Transport" or "Cargo Capacity," make sure that those are acceptable first also. If any of the essential criteria are not met, you do not need to waste time by filling out the rest of the information on the cycle.

You can use the information available under "Purchase Resources" of Recumbent Bicycles or Tricycling to gain information about some of the better known recumbent bikes and trikes. Standard speed scores can be computed with Bicycle Analysis, using the largest front sprocket for the first front gear and the smallest rear sprocket for the first rear gear.

CRITERIA	Example Cycle	Cycle Number 1	Cycle Number 2	Cycle Number 3
COST	$2,950 Score=1	.	.	.
Standard Speed Score	22 mph Score=2	.	.	.
Weight (Important for Hills)	45 lbs. Score=1	.	.	.
Seat Position	Solid Design Score=3	.	.	.
Low Weight Tires (To Reduce Pedaling Effort)	Added Score=3	.	.	.
Aerodynamics of Design	Medium Score=2	.	.	.
Motor (Regenerative Braking, Watts)	Added Birkestrand Score=3	.	.	.
Weight of Batteries (Important for Hills)	Added NiMH Score=3	.	.	.
Windshield	Added Zzipper Score=3	.	.	.
Rear Cover	Added Mueller Score=3	.	.	.
SPEED & POWER Sub-Score	24 (out of 30) Cost & Wt. Probs.	.	.	.
Steering Ease, Comfort, and Safety (No Steering Bump, Centers, Safe Turns)	Unknown Score=1	.	.	.
Roll Bar With Lights (for Visibility/Attaching a Cover)	Added Score=3	.	.	.
Head Height (Visibility to Drivers)	Medium Score=2	.	.	.
Disk Brakes	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
SAFETY Sub-Score	9 (out of 12) Steering Questions	.	.	.
Ease of Exit/Entry	Delta Design Score=3	.	.	.
Fold/Transport	Disassembles Score=2	.	.	.
Rain Cover for Rider	Added Score=3	.	.	.
Width (for Bike Paths)	24 inches Score=3	.	.	.
Clothes Protection (Chainguard, etc.)	Front Drive Score=3	.	.	.
Seat Quickly Removed (for Transportability)	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Gear Shifting System	Internal Hub Score=3	.	.	.
Cargo Capability	Delta Design Score=3	.	.	.
CONVENIENCE Sub-Score	23 (out of 24) Excellent	.	.	.
Suspension Quality (Shocks for Comfort)	None Score=0	.	.	.
Seat Comfort and support (Breathes, Conforms, etc.)	Mesh Score=3	.	.	.
Quietness of Design (Chain, Seat, etc.)	Front Drive Score=3	.	.	.
Seat Adjustability (Angle Adjust. and Leg Length)	18 inches Score=2	.	.	.
COMFORT Sub-Score	8 (out of 12) No Suspension	.	.	.
Quality of Construction	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Wheelbase Length	SWB Score=3	.	.	.
Front Wheel Drive	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Delta Design (Two Front Wheels)	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Tadpole Design (Two Back Wheels)	-	.	.	.
Low Maintenance Design	Front Drive, Delta Score=3	.	.	.
Steering Design (Over the Seat, etc.)	USS Score=3	.	.	.
Fun to Use	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Appearance and Style	Yes Score=3	.	.	.
Other _____________	Delta-Front Drv Combo Score=3	.	.	.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Sub-Score	27 (out of 27) Excellent	.	.	.
TOTAL SCORE	91 (out of 105) Great Design, But Cost & Suspension?	.	.	.

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