Just seeing if a little discussion could be stirred up regarding the relative merits of Delta vs. Tadpole trikes. I've read some articles and reviews, but I wonder if there's anyone who's ridden both and could share some first-hand info. There's a shop not too far from me where I could get a good deal on a Sun EZ-3, and from all I've read it seems that a Delta might suit my needs more than a tadpole would. Any insights?

My needs are simple. I intend to commute whenever I can (12.5 miles each way, some rolling hills, rural roads with hardly any traffic), save money on gas and other automotive expenses, and delay the inevitable descent into old fart-hood as long as I can. Interesting comment abotu the relative speed - I had heard that the deltas were actually faster than the tadpoles, generally speaking.

I have not ridden a Kettwiesel though it would appear they are better and faster than deltas I have ridden, I have an old fart trike, and had a recumbent "Brike" that was lean steer and as far as I can tell the best of that breed. I mainly ride a Catrike pocket.

Getting in and out of a recumbent is an issue for both the brike and tadpole, but a 12 mile each way means that you need whatever you ride to be as technical as possible, which limits you to either the Kettwiesel or any of several tadpole brands. (I don't think the Sun deltas are in that class, though their tadpole is) The fact that it is several tadpole brands is telling.

When going around corners the weight is thrown to the outer front quarter making the tadpole design more stable no matter what the power, but the logical interference of pedals and front wheel in a recumbent IMHO has no elegant solution except the tadpole design.

The delta design is easier to make, and therefore generally cheaper to buy but the last 5 miles of that daily commute will have you willing to pay anything after you have tried to save that money. All that said you have to make sure that the more technical trike stays that way, with tire inflation and toe in carefully maintained. I got my Catrike extra cheap because the previous owner was disgusted with the performance as the toe in was way off.

In absolute relative speed the engine is the ultimate decider but beyond that IMHO while weight in grams is easier to take off the rider than the trike, 40 excess pounds on the trike design will definitely have a bad effect, and 27 speeds are definitely better than 1 or three where you want the maximum speed for the least effort.

"The right trike will pick me"
I got a mental image of me saying to my wife, "It followed me home, can I keep it?"

I've test rode several Deltas, and find myself underwhelmed. I also rode several different models of Tadpoles, and found myself happy enough with some. I settled on the Catrike Road and Expedition models from Big Cat HPV.
With the commute you're talking about, I think you would be well served by one of the Tadpole trikes.

I have only ridden a tadpole (for an afternoon), never a delta. So all I know is what I've been told. That said, I have only two words for the delta: Unstable Turns.

The delta's greater weight helps hold it down somewhat. But just recall when you rode a tricycle as a kid. The thing was inherently unstable in a turn. You pedaled faster and faster and inevitably would do an "Arte." Geometry and physics both conspire again the delta.

Dave