The Third Wheel
Hand assembled specialty bikes with motors

For those who enjoy the exercise bicycles offer but are less enthusiastic about pedaling up steep hills, then The Third Wheel in Dunsmuir has what you need, a bike with a motor.

"We're a specialty bike shop that provides motorized options for all types of bikes," said Craig Foster, who owns and operates The Third Wheel. "We sell recumbent adult bikes, which are actually tricycles because they have three wheels, thus the name, The Third Wheel."

Recumbent tricycles provide support to the rider's back, reducing strain on the body, making it easy on the hands, arms, shoulders and tailbone.  "They are ideal for the elderly, physical handicapped, those with health problems, people who have joint diseases and those who have problems with coordination," Craig said. Each bike can be equipped with a motor that provides efficient, environmentally conscious, alternative transportation.

"With a motorized bike, the rider has three options to choose from," Craig said. "You can pedal it without the motor if you want to get a workout. You can use both the pedals and engine, which is ideal for going uphill, or you can use the engine only.

"I started developing this transportation/sport alternative when I had degeneration of my left hip 10 years ago," Craig said. "I found that I could pedal, but not very far. That was when I decided to design a motor driven bicycle with long range and sporting capabilities."

Each bike is hand assembled on-site in The Third Wheel's 2,000 square foot machine shop. Bikes include both standard and made to order models, including single, two, three and even four seat "family" bikes with four wheels. There are also rickshaw bikes. "We can put an engine on any bike frame," Craig said. "And, while you need a driver's license to operate bikes with engines, there are no DMV registration requirements for our bikes which comply with the criteria for registration exemption."

Unlike most two seat tandem bikes with one rider sitting behind the other, The Third Wheel's tandems are built with the seats side by side separated by a heavy duty cargo area which is integral to the framework securing the bikes in this unique side by side tandem configuration.

"This makes bike riding a social event that is conducive for sport, exercise, bike camping, picnics or an activity parents can share with small children (the tandems come with seat belts)." Craig said.

Having an engine on the bike makes it ideal for tours as well. The Third Wheel offers one, two and three day guided excursions along the Klamath River that includes meals, fishing, and camping and motel accommodations.

And, for the rider who wants to "see the world," the motorized bikes get about 90 miles to the gallon.

"All of our bikes average speeds of between 24 and 35 miles per hour, depending on the bike and options," Craig said.

Prices of the bikes vary, depending on individual orders. "Bikes range from $750 for a basic recumbent to $1,900 for our most exotic, racing models," Craig said. "Engine prices range from $650 to $1,100 installed, depending on the type of engine ordered."

The bikes are efficiently designed and built strong, allowing them to carry supplies needed for those long excursions, camping trips, or just shopping around town. "They can carry 500 to 600 pounds so they can carry tents, backpacks and food," Craig said.

In addition to recumbent and custom motorized bike sales, The Third Wheel is a full line bike shop offering repairs, parts and accessories.