What was your concern with this review?
Everything positive has already been said in earlier reviews, so I'll concentrate on my experiences here on Coastal Lancashire, with its paths through sand dunes and pine forests.
About me: I'm 84 and had a very active, not to say athletic, lifestyle, so it was a bitter pill to swallow when I developed a balance problem and lost a lot of muscle strength.
Nevertheless, I am determined to continue being as active as possible! So I bought a Trionic Veloped Trek with the 14-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres.
After a cautious initial practise on local urban pavements and navigating the interiors of shops large and small, my next test was to get on and off our MerseyRail trains (still operating very old rolling stock on this line, with a high step up or down). I found a technique: brakes on, pull back to lift front wheel off ground, brakes off and roll in.
I was ready for the pine forest trails; no problems here though long uphill slopes were of course hard work. Going downhill I found tricky as the Veloped tended to yaw as it's not possible to apply both brakes evenly. (Same problem in the city on extended station and department store ramps – a light touch is needed).
I decided to test 'The Beast' by going off-trail, into the pine woods. This offered an altogether tougher challenge; the slopes I could manage with care (not to tip over sideways!) But narrow paths filled with pine cones were hard, even for the 24” wheels, probably because the cones are loose.
The biggest challenge by far is to get through loose sand. Long stretches of loose sand (sand traps!) were very hard indeed for me on one walk but another day I managed a short section to get onto the firm sand of the beach and was rewarded with long stretches of easy walking and glorious views!
I wish I could take some photos of this trip!
On public transport: I've had no problems storing the Trek on our local bus routes but would hesitate to take it on busier city routes.
One note of caution: When putting small items into the pocket at the back of the basket, it's very easy to miss and not realise it's dropped on the floor. Also, the 'rain cover' gets tangled with small items like keys. I haven't worked out how this rain cover is to be firmly fastened at the front when in use.
And so far, I haven't found a use for the extra storage bags provided with the Trek, so I probably should have bought the Tour version, which is a Trek without the extra bags. (I was put off by the illustration, yet they are both the same; the Trek photo just looked more like me).
George Averill…
I would recommend the Veloped to anyone who wants to stay active in the outdoors. It is very well built and operates exactly as I expected.
I suffer from ALS which has affected my back muscles. The Veloped allows me to walk upright with no pai…
Great confidence builder…
My husband had a stroke 3 years ago which affected everything - especailly mobility and speech. He has been dogged about exercise and getting out to walk in all weathers and in just 2 months the Veloped has made a huge difference to his confidence an…
Walker 9er…
Bought for my Dad
Very well made, easy to use.
Add on weights on the rear maybe a good idea, sometimes too easy to move with brakes on.…
My new Trionic walking partner…
I had read positive reviews on the Trionic Sports Veloped after research on a suitable walking aid. I have been using Norwegian walking poles but my osteoporosis and arthritis were limiting my walking. I ordered one through Mobility Smart in Preston …
Great…
After transverse myelitis, among other things, my foot lift is disturbed, walking is now a conscious process and no longer an automatic one.
With this Veloped, I can finally walk again more safely. Great!…
Mrs Vivienne Williams…
My 12er Walker is great and has made such a difference in helping me walk much longer distances.
I have back and left leg long-standing painful issues so trying to keep mobile is vitally important and this Walker is really helping me.
I’m very…
The Veloped in south-west Germany (Black Forest)…
I am very enthusiastic about my Veloped. As I am almost 87 years old and unfortunately can no longer walk in the woods with Nordic walking poles, my daughter was looking for a real alternative to the ‘normal’ walker and she found it very quickly, she…
Aircraft Engineering Quality…
With increasing years and ending up with one leg shorter than the other after a hip replacement, (This was the result of a breakage after a fall.) I felt I needed help with my stability when walking. I went through the natural progress of Zimmer fram…
