Recumbent trikes have an instant appeal for both disabled and elderly riders as they provide stability and support that are lacking in cycles of the two-wheeled variety. However, a trike isn’t just a matter of having three wheels. They come in all shapes and sizes, not all of which suit every rider.

One common comment made when people see a standard tadpole trike is that it is far too low to the ground to be entered and exited comfortably. For anyone with back problems, body strength issues, or reasonable fears of being far too low to be visible, tadpole trikes seem like a very cool but very unpractical solution. Delta trikes, with their higher center of gravity and chair level seat, often become the ride of choice for that audience.

Cycle Genius is of the opinion that tadpoles don’t have to be low riders, and they’ve proven it with the introduction of their Phoenix tricycle.

Dubbed the “Mobility Extender”, the Phoenix was meant to bridge the gap between the height of a delta and the lateral stability of a tadpole. It does this admirably though at a cost.

The sheer size of the Phoenix gives it some real heft, so keep that in mind if you need to load, transport, and unload the trike yourself for travel. With that heft comes a very smooth ride – you’ll have none of the jarring ride of tadpoles like the Catrike and WizWheelz models. For those seeking a sense of thrill, the Phoenix is not your bird. If, however, you’re seeking what might be called a “cruiser” trike that gives up fast handling and high speeds for a softer, slower ride, then the Phoenix is right up your alley.

Upon first seeing the Phoenix, my thoughts instantly went to trail use. The Phoenix seems an ideal trike for casual rides away from busy streets. That is until I measured its width. Most trails, whether multi-use paths or rail trails, feature gate posts to prohibit motorized traffic. Those posts are typically 36″ inches apart from one another. Fine for most bikes and trikes, and enough width for wheelchairs and scooters, but guess what? The Phoenix measures 42″ across at its widest point. If rail trail use is your plan, you may need to look to a slimmer trike.

Fortunately, that’s the only real negative to the Phoenix. Unlike many trikes, the Phoenix adjusts for rider height via an adjustable seat. There is no boom to adjust. This means that everybody from a height of 4’1″ to 6’8″ will be able to use the Phoenix easily. The seat angle is also adjustable to suit those who wish for a greater or lesser degree of recline.

The pedals will take platforms for foot restraints, but a word of caution: if you need to use restraints, try them on the Phoenix at a dealer before purchase if at all possible. While riding the Phoenix myself, I noticed that the heel of my size 11 shoe was striking the steering linkage during tight turns. You’ll want to make sure that any pedal platforms you need to use are going to clear the linkage. Note, however, that I was pedaling using the balls of my feet. If you tend towards the middle or heel of the foot as your point of contact with the pedal, you’ll probably have room to spare. Most casual riders will place the foot further forward, and some platforms are designed to hold the foot at the middle position.

Of interest to those who lack the use of both arms – the Phoenix by default links both front disc brakes to a single brake lever. This lever can be placed on the same side as the rear shifter for one handed operation. There is a second brake lever for the rear tire, but that is used mostly as a parking brake. Also, the shifter is an SRAM Dual Drive, giving you access to all 24 gears from a single grip.

All in all, the Cycle Genius Phoenix isn’t a bad trike. If you are performance oriented or are looking for something sleek, the Phoenix is not for you. If you are looking for an adaptable trike that lets you pedal around with ease, the Phoenix is worth a test ride.

At print time, Cycle Genius was offering the Phoenix for $1,600, minus shipping and assembly. For complete specifications, please see the Cycle Genius site.