Thread: Adult Tricycle
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Old 06-18-08, 04:37 PM
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stokell
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere

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I built up an electric trike from a similar frame once. They call those 'deltas'. The ones with two wheels on the front are 'tadpoles'.

Deltas have a problem with cornering. You must go slow because of the high centre of gravity. I used to 'hike' like in a sailboat to move the centre of gravity, but that seat wouldn't work. You need a large bike seat or a bench to slide from side to side.

The bikes are wide, so travelling slowly on the road means that you will take much of the lane. That takes a lot of nerve if the traffic is heavy and lanes are narrow. Also roads are crowned (higher in the centre) until you get used to that you seem to be riding on an angle, and you have to steer to adjust for that.

They are heavy, difficult to store inside because of the size and are theft magnets.

So, bottom line:
  • Trikes are great for people with balance or weight problems
  • They are not very fast
  • They're wide as a door, so you must take your lane

Once you know all this, trikes are grear
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