Alt Bike Culture - Hybred Cruiser (Trike)

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and I am looking for a little help.

I have a friend who has lost much of his sense of balance. So he doesn't get out much anymore. His wife and I are trying to find things to do that can coax him out of the house more. I recently discovered 'adult' tricycles and thought this might be a good idea.

We found a model at KMart and it had an interesting rear configuration. The rear wheels were bolted onto the frame in place of a normal rear tire. The drive mechanism used what looked similar to a normal rear axel (without the rest of the wheel) and a 'transfer sprocket' and short chain leading to two rear wheels.

Although he wouldn't say it, I could tell my friend did not like the trike. I think it was because it had no 'cool factor' at all. It looked like something an old lady would ride.

So, my thought is that maybe I can find a trike conversion kit like the one I described that can be mated to a normal mountain or hybrid bicycle. The advantage of this is that it would look way cooler, but could also take advantage of the 21,24,27 speed gearing of the bike, transmitted to the conversion rear. This should allow him to get a little speed, while still offering three wheel stability, with a relatively lightweight.

When I search this site and the www in general looking for a conversion system, all I find is a unit that can handle a 3 or 5 speed hub. I think these are the internal geared hubs and not modern derailers.

If anyone knows of a manufacturer who has a conversion kit for a bike with a high number of gears, I would appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks.

If he wants cool then an upright adult type of tricycle is not the way to go. Such three wheelers are also know as Geriatric trikes, decidedly uncool. If you mean some kind of conversion that would be like a two-wheeler with a training wheel same thing, uncool. Maybe I just can not visualize what you are trying.

Have you considered a recumbent trike? Some are extremely cool. Just that his wife may freak when she sees him going 60+ MPH down hills. rotatorrecumbents.com is one place. Also catrike.

http://www.aztlanbicycle.com/lowrider-trikes.html

+1 on the lowrider trikes. The possibilities are endless ground effects sound systems and hydraulics just to name a few, There is also the hammerhead which an Atomic Zombie creation http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery/bradgraham/hammerhead.htm
He has plans for it in his book, it certainly is less geriatric looking. Also swimming is a good way to be active, I know it is not bike related but it can be helpful to have other options.

My wife on her recumbent trike. It's not as fast as the Tadpoles, but it is comfortable!
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Cardinal%20Greenway%20and%20other%20rides/CardinalGreenway005-1.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Cardinal%20Greenway%20and%20other%20rides/CardinalGreenway015-1.jpg

Thanks,

But the lowrider trike conversion will not work on a bike with a high number of gears.

Unless you live somewhere that's really hilly, I don't think you'll need all those gears.
Check here for trike builds: http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery-trike.htm

Go for a tadpole trike.

I was hoping, as i scrolled down the messages, that someone would mention a recumbent trike... not sure how much pricey but definately on the c o o l side.........peace

I am so sorry, but I could envisoon thi ngs to do with an adult trike to trick it out. There isn't a thing you could do to a recumbent to make it look cool.

Admittedly, bents have a lot of other positive attributes, but cool looking will never be one of them. Anything that requires more chain than a tandem is just a clunky looking design to me.

Another option, though probably not cheap (if you can find one)...

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/taylor/images/racing_trike.jpg

It seems I have seen these mentioned in the Classic & Vintage forum, so someone there may know more about them.

However, one other word of caution, if looking for a relatively fast ride, trikes are NOT known for stability other than in a straight line... I understand that they can be harder to handle on a turn than a bicycle... For example, three wheel ATVs are known for rolling over.

You can get a trike and put a geared hub on the drive wheel (I think).

http://www.roman-road.co.uk/
That's the coolest conversion offered
Also you might want to check out
http://www.velomobiling.net/modules.php?name=Web_Links&l_op=MostPopular
Who said trikes were for "old Women"!!!
sam

I am so sorry, but I could envisoon thi ngs to do with an adult trike to trick it out. There isn't a thing you could do to a recumbent to make it look cool.

Admittedly, bents have a lot of other positive attributes, but cool looking will never be one of them. Anything that requires more chain than a tandem is just a clunky looking design to me.

I duuno, this looks cool as hell to me! :D

http://www.actionbent.com/Images/Trike/NewMeshSeatFullonBetter794x405.jpg

Someone made a pretty cool looking one here. (http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=753)
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/62/img0210resized0ej.jpg

The biggest problem with the upright trikes is their total lack of cornering stability, a Recumbent trike is just the opposite with body english they will out corner a car.
My view on making an upright cool is that it is not possible, the lowriders are getting there but would still handle poorly so you will be noodling around corners like a kid on training wheels.
There is a company that advertises on ebay a trike rear end that is a multi speed one, do a search for trike or recumbent trike I think it was called an overdrive.
Alternatively there are several plans available for recumbent tadpole trikes or go to http://www.lightfootcycles.com and borrow their delta design, should be easy to do out of a few old bikes.
And finally the simplest way to make a fast, stable trike, see picture and use imagination for a finished painted version, total cost $105 au.
http://gbonney.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/Build-pics/dadmtx_161a.jpg

cornering.....no..no..no

fast.........no

aerodynamic..........like my house

stopping fast.....no

comfortable...kinda

carrying capacity....incredible

cool............the absolute coolest thing ever pedaled on the planet.

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2165/baileytrikerearviewcropea3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks all, look thike this may not be a good idea after all.

Thanks all, look thike this may not be a good idea after all.

NO! Do it!

That's what makes "alt bikes" cool --- that fact that they simply are "not a good idea"!

Cant the wheels in for better stability, throw on a loooong chopper fork, put up a flag pole with your favorite bike gang colors.... it will be a fun ride and he'll love all the looks and attention it gets! Also the fact that they can carry a load make them perfect for a portable sound system....