Tricycle

General information

Construction must be neat to avoid a shift in the direction during the use of the brakes and the pédalage. The geometry must be studied well.

Dimensions and weight

Dimensions of usually laid down tricycles oscillate between 160 and 200 cm length for 70 to 85 cm broad. Their weight ranges between 12 and 20 kg. A weight of 16 kg is a weight " normal" or usual for a tricycle.

Advantages

Comfort on the level of the back and the buttocks
aerodynamic Position (valid with the top of 15 km/h) or vis-a-vis the well-sure wind
panoramic Vision (there is not the head in the handlebar but rather in the clouds)
Like the bicycle lying 2 wheels, the best position aerodynamic of the tricycle lying cools less. A layer of clothes of less thus.
Freinage on the nose gear wheels very effective and 100% safety if the trike is equipped with a braking without incidence on the piloting (No brake-steer)
Respiration and blood circulation
Très adapted for many handicaps. Possibility of controlling with a hand inter alia.
Capacity of loading and stability of the whole to the stop
Turn while pedalling without risk of touching the ground with the pedal
Possibility of pedalling at low speed without risk of imbalance, even to stop and set out again in coast

and downtown not need for déclipser the automatic holds

In excursion, you can read the chart of a hand or change the piece of your MP3 or to leave your camera and take a photograph even without you to stop!
Sensations of slips near to Karting sympathetic nerve
high Speed of descent 50-60 even 90 km/h for some
the turns at high-speed can be taken while leaving the bust the seat as the motorcycle combinations of race (guaranteed feelings)
the falls are on the side in slips. They involve less lesions. The nose gear wheels protect the knees from the side shocks
the attractive character because of scarcity, increases its visibility in the traffic
the cars leave approximately 70 cm of more than space at the time of goings beyond. Rolling much less stressing that in the right bicycle.
One often rolls with the spirit relaxed in waves alpha, if… (typical of the phases of creativity and solutions to problem!)
Sociabilise (it is what this bicycle? One can test?)
Chair of beach: rest with the chart: -)
For more the players: possibility of making of Freestyle: to roll on 2 wheels on short distances, turns with right angle in skid… jumps of pavements…

Disadvantages

Lack of visibility by the other means of transports (strongly essential chasuble and flag)
Intempéries (obligatory mudguards)
the 3 wheels which pass to 3 different places requires a training to avoid the Potholes.
Assembled collars: 7-10 km/h, 1/4 to 1/3 slower than a right bicycle according to the selected model.
Poids 13-18 kg
Freinage on the nose gear wheels can off-set the pilot if the tricycle is not equipped with a braking without incidence on the trajectory. The expertise of the pilot can partially compensate for this problem if braking is not completely neutral
High price due to the weak production and artisanal construction and the supplement of parts (3rd wheel) and labor necessary. 1090 - 3500 €. Average costs around 2000.
rather long Delivery periods… it are necessary to know to wait. Except if you know the good recent addresses.
Few sales outlets, it is often necessary to move at the end of France.
Not possible to circulate with foot with the trike at side as with a bicycle
Storage more cumbersome than a right bicycle, more difficult transport (there is not enough place envisaged in transport in commun runs, and everyone cannot inverstir in a trailer for car).
the teeth of the dogs which run after the bicycles also run after the tricycles.
the too stiff models or the too inflated wheels can become uncomfortable on the roads in bad condition (except tricycle with broad suspension or tires)

Comparison with a bicycle lying 2 wheels

+ the stability of the 3 wheels gives to the tricycle of many advantages (see heading advantages). In particular in urban environment makes it be in the automatic holds allows fulgurating accelerations.

+ One can easily push somebody lower speed in the tricycle because there is not balance to manage and to control with only one hand is easy in the tricycle lying. Still better: a tricycle (stable) which pushes a tricycle (stable). Excessively easy and there are not the arm which tires.

+ a tricycle is easier to handle to make him make half-turn on the ground: - The tricycle has more friction on the ground and is less aerodynamic thus slower than the 2 wheels. To same weight the phenomenon is reduced in the coasts because speed decreases.

- the tricycle (except the folding stools) are more cumbersome to store and transport in a vehicle because broader.

- 2 tricycles side by side are legally prohibited on the roadway but the tricycle can borrow the cycle tracks

Various types

Two nose gear wheels directors and propulsion

Better stability
a brake on each nose gear wheel: sometimes two discs!
Feeling of protection because one sat between the 3 wheels
On grounds very slipping, risk of skid of the aft wheel in the event of stiff rise (the shoes with holds are a good compensation)

Two Aft wheels, a nose gear wheel directive

Propulsion postpones more complicated, requires a differential to involve the two wheels.
more reduced Diameter of rotation
In the event of strong rise, risks loss of adherence on the nose gear wheel
One of the rare models of the market which can be parked with the vertical

Details

Tally

All the manufacturers give their trikes for a peak load.

Aluminum

6061 T6 or 7005 T6 with heat treatment.

Légers
Risque of breakage by bend if the heat treatment is not the first quality. Some traversed tens of thousands of km without any breakage. They are often given for a maximum weight. Their advantage: the weight. Their disadvantage: less comfort except the models suspended obviously

Steel

Durable and more comfortable, steel absorbs the shocks best.
Counterpart: the higher weight from 3 to 4 kg. What is almost neutral on the dish but plays a little in the coasts.

Dimensions

Width more important than a bicycle: more place on the road. The cars are obliged to slow down because they cannot double but in general more respect on behalf of the cars (they think you handicapped) This is compensated by any tacking and wavering of the cyclist.

Length

Because of their position lying: + - 2 m

Possibility of reducing the length for transport while leaving or returning the bôme to shortest.
There exist rare models practical folding stools to transport the bicycle in your car

Width to pass the doors

60 - 80 cm

As opposed to what one could think, that threads rather well between the cars. And the width of the way used to move is constant. One does not waver.

Height

According to the slope of base.

Adjustment with its size

According to your size the bôme called also between leg, is conceived for standard sizes. In the trike one speaks about x-seam. It corresponds to measurement sitted (moved back against a wall) with the heels tended foot.

The small ones will have to cross and reduce. The lower limit is given by the heels which will touch the framework. The large ones beyond 1,90 m will have to order a size of larger pole/balsam.

The change of adjustment length changes the tension of the shifting track.

In short a trike once rule, that always does not lend itself.

Base, the seat

The angle of inclination varies adjustable or fixed 20-45°. In lower part of 25 °, quasi obligatory head-rest? Attention, the head-rests often restore the vibrations and shocks. A bicycle very lying on an uncomfortable road, it is not the signal of comfort.

Hulls: sit standard bucket

Favors

Better lumbar maintenance
Better support in the rises
Aérodynamisme

Disadvantage

less Aération
One very often has a clean camber and nonstandard => discomfort for those which do not have the necessary form

sit at tended fabric

Favors

Very good ventilation
Very comfortable, adapts to all backs

Shock absorber

One withdraws the seat of mesh
One poses sheaths of insulation on the tubes…
And one rests over the seat of mesh…

Unbeatable result for a reduced price

Careenage

Careened the tricycle becomes a Vélomobile. Some add a Coque on a three-wheeled framework. Other carosseries are self-supporting.

Coil

dimensions vary from 16 to 26 inches
most frequent: 20 inches
more operating: 16 inches on the nose gear wheels
Better speeds and better comfort in the 26 inches
Better outputs in coasts with small wheels (not of deformation)
Sometimes two dimensions different of nose gear wheels/back
the small wheels (16") lose speed on the very granulous roads
a shock absorber can be a solution on the small wheels

Brake

Except exception: the tricycles lying are braked on the nose gear wheels. The braked aft wheel makes skid the trike. It very dangerous is once launched in a descent. For the models freestyle, that can be a required effect to make instantaneous 180°. If not the brakes postpones are in general parking brakes.
With discs generally.
According to the design an imbalance can be involved. " Brake steering" who can be translated by effect of piloting due to braking.
With hydraulic disc: require less maintenance than a disc brake cables (not adjustment, purges approximately 1 fois/an)
With drum has advantages: no maintenance and more progressive

It is advised to slow down end of the fingers without holding the " guidon" ! That slows down thus very very well! Not to remain too near behind a trike!!! ATTENTION, with this technique, the aft wheel can rise. Go ahead gently with this technique, if not you are likely to break the pedals!

Stability

Variable according to the ground clearance and the footing

Turning radius

Vary from a diameter of 3,30 m to 7 m

Direct

Favors

Profit of weight

Disadvantage

Effect of brake steering (change of management due to braking) more or less important according to the models.

Indirect

Favors

a right direction under the seat can go from completely neutral ( neutral brake steering ) to quasi neutral.

Pédalage

Steering of pedal: on certain models a tacking can be noted. In English one speaks about " pedal steering"

This tacking can be attenuated by a neutral position in the seat and a progressive effort in the pédalage. In particular by using shoes with holds. It is also necessary to forget to clutch itself on the handlebar as on a right bicycle, it is a reflex against productive.

It is strongly advised to crush rather than to force to avoid the problems of knees. The short cranks (150 to 160 mm) seem to be a good solution for those which suffer from the knees.

How to choose its crank according to its size

Standard and modifiable speed

Often more than 24

Recommended automatic pedals: - a better performance - Safety (foot which touches the road can be dangerous) - Complete Rest at the time of a descent - Without automatic pedal: At the time of a horizontal pédalage, against force is realized to maintain the foot on the pedal which does not support. - " pedals of marches" vtt type are practical. - The pedals allowing an adjustment to adapt to your morphology will be one more.

Pedals: 30-42-52 to see 30-44-55

Cassette: 11-26 to see 11-32 or sometimes 9 to xx teeth on the aft wheels of 16 inches. To calculate with how much one advances

It is advised to pedal quickly, 90 tr/min for a good output and to save its knees.

See too

Webography

Forums

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/forumdisplay.php?f=13 In English, but THE forum

photo Laurent of tourist French in trike
Photo Jacky of tourist French in trike
Site on the producers of trikes
Chart where followers are registered.

Motor bike

At the beginnings of the motor bike, one built many motor bikes with three wheels. One of the specialists was Monet-Goyon (vehicles for handicapped).

In the modern time, one speaks about Trike S.

External bond

French site of association for the development of the vélomobiles

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