16
votes
What are the (dis)advantages of a tadpole vs. a delta trike?
Having two wheels in the front is intrinsically more stable: there is a rollover risk when turning at speed when the two wheels are at the back. The cornering forces (that are in opposite direction of ...
- 17.6k
12
votes
Bicycle to tricycle conversion kits
It might be more practical to invest in a trike that is a trike by design through and through. I am not sure what your budget is like, but this sounds like what you need. It's still a Pedal powered ...
- 1,490
10
votes
What are the (dis)advantages of a tadpole vs. a delta trike?
I generally agree with the article that Renaud links to, but I'll add a few comments.
There's a rollover risk with either tadpole or delta trikes.
The article mentions that deltas have a tighter ...
- 29.2k
9
votes
Accepted
How can a recumbent tadpole trike brake three wheels with only two levers?
Most are set up with one lever that works two brakes at the same time. There are lots of different styles, such as this one for example.
You can see that it has 2 ferrules instead of 1, most commonly ...
- 9,189
9
votes
Is a recumbent trike faster than a non-recumbent bicycle?
Commercial recumbent trikes are not like light weight upright diamond frame road bikes.
I've been riding high end light weight road bikes for 35 years and have ridden well over 60,000 miles during ...
9
votes
Pain in back and back of thigh
Your position on the trike looks mostly fine. You said the saddle digs the back of your thighs, that may be the saddle is too far forward, or it could be too wide for your bone structure, or it could ...
- 121k
8
votes
Accepted
What can I do to pedals to help kids or smaller riders use the bike
There are always options.
From OP's link, showing boom and bolts.
Shorten the boom, if you can. There are two pinch bolts in the main frame, under the boom Back them both off and see how much can ...
- 121k
7
votes
Bicycle to tricycle conversion kits
What you're looking for is a tall order. Most of the trike conversion kits you'll find in the USA are for lowrider bikes, and would be inappropriate. Most of the conversion kits for adult bikes come ...
- 29.2k
6
votes
Adding gears to a childs trike pickle pashley
Normally I would say "you wouldn't start from there", but since you have...
Since you've managed to add a cassette, I assume you're reasonably confident with tools. You're going to have to make a ...
- 23.3k
6
votes
How can I stop an Adult trike when both front brakes fail?
Answering for completeness:
Don't get in this situation and Prevention is better than cure
You should have picked up that the brakes were not as good as they were by feel (poor braking) or on visual ...
- 121k
6
votes
I weight about 40 lbs (18 kg) more than the weight limit for the trike I can afford
Answer: Maybe - speed isn't the problem.
While most "limits" have generous tolerances, your manufacturer's warranty could be unusable if there was a structural problem.
Your brakes would have to ...
- 121k
6
votes
Bicycle to tricycle conversion kits
I'm new to this forum, so am not entirely sure about posting. I saw this post and had to contribute some of my experiences with the two trikes I have owned.
I have owned both a conversion style and ...
6
votes
Does this trike have a spoiler for downforce?
According to this post from an owner the wing is for looks:
Earlier models came with an aluminum ‘wing” over the front axle, probably more for looks than anything, and a bullet-shaped, sports car-...
- 20.7k
6
votes
Accepted
How to remove and replace wire pins from axle?
As per comment, these pins are referred to as split pins or cotter pins (depending where in the world you live). While some people do reuse them, they should be replaced with new ones whenever they ...
- 49.1k
4
votes
How can a recumbent tadpole trike brake three wheels with only two levers?
I have a three wheel recumbent with a dual front brake lever which controls both brakes at the same time with equal force, then the left lever is for the rear brake that uses a cantilever brake system....
4
votes
Dynamic stability of a tricycle
The bicycle is a deceptively simple machine. The physics behind bicycles is actually quite complex, with multiple forces interacting to produce self-stabilizing behaviour (i.e., ghost ride a regular ...
- 30.5k
4
votes
Sun 24" Traditional Trike Help
The 24" Traditional trikes use the 19" support bar. The 23" versions are for aftermarket longer seat posts. So if that is the original seat post, and your mother is not extremely tall, then you need ...
- 9,189
4
votes
Rickshaw physics
To accelerate, the peddler is accelerating the weight of three people plus the bicycle. Once moving, the rolling resistance generally scales with the weight of the total vehicle. the rear wheels and ...
- 2,708
4
votes
Terminology: Is there a technical term for the paired wheels on tricycles?
I have been in the recumbent business for over 10 years and have not ever heard a technical term to distinguish the pair of wheels versus the single wheel. As there is so little standardization it ...
- 181
4
votes
How can I stop an Adult trike when both front brakes fail?
As everyone has said, it's true that basic maintenance should keep this situation from ever occurring. So just to be clear, the practical answer is probably have a shop get the front brakes set up ...
- 81.9k
4
votes
4
votes
Can I use fiberglass cloth and resin to fix tiny holes in fenders?
Since it is no load carrying part and if you keep enough clearance between the repaired spot and the tyre there should be no problem. Take care to sand away any rust beforehand and treat the rusted ...
- 8,269
4
votes
Why aren’t there more tricycles with rear disk brakes (between the two rear wheels)
Check out the Atomic Zombie plans for "deltawolf" These are do-it-yourself plans, they don't sell completed bikes.
Here's someone's bike from the rear
There's nothing to stop you putting the ...
- 121k
4
votes
Tire selection for winter trike riding?
For bicycles the so called "snow tires" are essentially mountain bike tires with large gaps between the lugs so snow will come out.
Studded tires are intended for ice and do little good in loose snow....
- 1,359
4
votes
Does this trike have a spoiler for downforce?
I found another source of images of a similar brochure with more detail.
It states that the trike has an:
"aerodynamically-designed polished chrome steel front spoiler"
So it was clearly ...
- 691
3
votes
Adding gears to a childs trike pickle pashley
Alternatives to adding a (possibly very low) rear derailleur:
add a hub gear instead
I'm not sure you can do this in-line with the rear axle (it would have to be joined to the hub shell), so it ...
- 2,997
3
votes
Schwinn Meridian trike not pedaling
I'd guess the single-speed freewheel/freehub on the jackshaft has something wrong with its pawls.
That's the bit that lets you coast along without pedalling, and the rear chain will keep moving with ...
- 121k
3
votes
Need help identifying adult tricycle
HC start to the serial number is for Huffy Corp. . The front sprocket styling is common Huffy style . Likely mid/late 60's or early 70's production . Are the tires 24 x 1 3/8 ? these should be ...
- 266
3
votes
How can a recumbent tadpole trike brake three wheels with only two levers?
Typically, you do not brake all three wheels of a recumbent tadpole trike, but only the front wheels, at least when the trike is in motion.
Most high end tadpole recumbents use two brake levers which ...
- 1,243
3
votes
Lube substitutes for Phil Wood lubricant
Vegetable oils such as "olive oil, castor oil, or peach kernel oil" are entirely inappropriate for lubricating anything except your salad and steak (or in the case of castor oil, your digestive system)...
- 29.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible