Trikes
People on the trikes mailing list have been asking for a place to put articles vaguely related to trikes. So here it is! Have at it... - Brian
Sommaire |
Human Powered Tricycles
Definition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricycle
History ( would advocate a chronologiclly progressing discussion)
Timeline image?
Basic configurations:
- Delta recumbent: two wheels in back. Example: Sun EZ-3
- Tadpole recumbent: two wheels in front. Example: Greenspeed
- Upright: traditional trikes, usually two wheels in back.
This is a recumbent delta sociable tandem.
(You can upload images directly into this wiki)
Types of Human Powered Trikes
Working Trikes - Trikes designed to haul loads, passengers, etc.
Pleasure Trikes - Trikes ridden as a leisure activity or for fitness.
Touring Trikes - Trikes used for overnight travel.
Racing Trikes - Trikes designed for competition (including faired trikes).
Enclosed Trikes - Trikes with streamlining and weather protection (not strictly for racing).
Upright Trikes - Trikes based on the diamond frame bicycle model.
Suspended Trikes - Trikes with compliant members added comfort.
Lean Steer Trikes - Trikes that lean and articulate like bicyles
Power Assisted Trikes - Trikes with pedal AND engines or motors.
Tandem (+) Trikes - Trikes in the "normal" multi driver mold. In line seating as opposed to conference trikes, sociables, and so on.
Special Purpose Trikes - Hand powered cycles, conference cycles, sociables, etc.
Recumbent Tricycle Technology
Short Cranks - A peculiarity of trikes is that very short cranks, as short as 100mm, seem to be useful.
The prevailing development for over a century of cycling has been on bicycles. Most tricycle designs mature with an accommodation to bicycle specific parts. There are some important dynamic differences between bicycles and tricycles. There is work that can be done to develop parts for tricycles that are optimized for that use rather than for bicycle use.
In this section we could examine the dynamic differences between bikes and trikes.
We could look at parts that have matured for trike use and examine how that has happened. What was learned. What are the limitations of the developments.
I would like to see a coherent discussion of trike geometry. Bikes have benefited from constant and minute refinement so that the range of choices for head tube angle, trail, offset, relative body position etc. are not widely disputed. But tricycle design is wide open.
Trikes can use more sophisticated suspension systems than bicycles. We should discuss this in detail.
There is a lot of interesting work done to apply HPV trikes to do work. Hauling large loads, as transport for passengers.
Helpful Hints, DIY Stuff.
Mounting trikes for transport.
Homemade oversize chainring sprockets.
