I had a crazy idea.
I want to build a rickshaw this summer so I can bring my dog out with me more often. I`m more or less car free except when it comes to hauling my pooch. He`s a Saint Bernard so conventional bikes are kinda out of the question and I think building/riding a rickshaw would be a lot of fun.
My buddy is a welder with access to all the equipment, and I want to do it out of recycled parts.
Here`s my question; should I build it in a classic rickshaw style or should I try to go recumbent?
I`ve never ridden or built a recumbent but from what I understand they are really good when it comes to power transfer.
once I figure that out and start making some plans, I`m sure I`ll be asking about gearing, tire size, and pretty much any and everything else but for right now I need to figure that first bit out.
By the way, I`ve cross posted this, but I figure you custom builders might have some good ideas.
Go to it!
StephenH
03-25-08, 08:11 PM
Another option you might consider is that you can build a rickshaw onto a conventional bicycle sidecar-style. Kind of hard to imagine, but somewhere on the site here are some pictures of one. The advantage being that you don't necessarily have to tear up a bike to do it.
If you intend to go fast and long on it, probably go with the recumbent, otherwise go for the upright. The upright definitely looks cooler.
When searching for these things, they are more often called pedicabs. I've found that the Indian manufacturers call them rickshaws, and they're pedicabs in most other places. They do show up on Craigslist and ebay on occasion. The modern high-quality ones are expensive. Old imported ones are moderately priced and of unknown quality, likely to be single speed. There are some cheap ones on Ebay as well, of unknown quality.
Update: Found that other thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=328958&highlight=sidecar
darkfinger
03-25-08, 10:04 PM
Another option you might consider is that you can build a rickshaw onto a conventional bicycle sidecar-style. Kind of hard to imagine, but somewhere on the site here are some pictures of one. The advantage being that you don't necessarily have to tear up a bike to do it.
If you intend to go fast and long on it, probably go with the recumbent, otherwise go for the upright. The upright definitely looks cooler.
When searching for these things, they are more often called pedicabs. I've found that the Indian manufacturers call them rickshaws, and they're pedicabs in most other places. They do show up on Craigslist and ebay on occasion. The modern high-quality ones are expensive. Old imported ones are moderately priced and of unknown quality, likely to be single speed. There are some cheap ones on Ebay as well, of unknown quality.
Update: Found that other thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=328958&highlight=sidecar
thanks for the info!
I will definately check it out....
Artkansas
03-26-08, 10:21 AM
Well, the rickshaw idea sounds very cool. Good if you need to take him to the vet. Adding sides to a Bikes to Work trailer might work as well.
But in most cases, the vet excepted, I bet that St. Bernard might be cool with pulling the rickshaw. :)
los buenos
03-26-08, 11:33 AM
would you instead consider a chariot approach? like a trailer to pull you dog in on your normal bike?
travesties
03-27-08, 05:12 AM
Just my opinions here:
A bike w/ trailer is basically the easiest route to Big puppy transport. Easier to ride/store/aquire, but not a particularly exciting welding project :)
A sidecar is a manageable and good first project. I have seen a removable one here in Chicago. But they, and a lot of trikes have special issues (short version, they are "tippy" based on wheel base width and center of gravity variables). Try to minimize weight in the frame design and consider what doors it needs to get through and where to store the thing (garage, backyard, etc) Leaving it in the elements means rust so get lots of good photos before that!
here is a recumbent design I've seen a lot of people emulate
Organic Engines
http://organicengines.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/NoWayEtAl.jpg
Drumbent.com
http://drumbent.com/kyoto.jpg
There is also this recent thread
Something you don't often see on a bicycle (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=401284)
This is a much more practical project than building a trike pedicab I think. Unless you actually to want to charge folks to ride, then perhaps these other ideas will make a better fit to your needs/desires.
Two wheels is so much faster/safer/better in my mind! But it could be a challenging build for a first project.
This is all just my opinion. I wish you the best with whatever design you settle on!
hotbike
03-30-08, 05:13 PM
Recumbent looks like this:
http://www.velotaxi.com
dervish
04-28-08, 09:40 PM
dont do recumbents on the sole reason that i dont like them
i say go for the side car and get ur dog some goggles and a cape
los buenos
04-30-08, 06:35 AM
i never much liked recumbents either but then i realized i owned one and loved it
it looks alot better with a new paintjob and a padded seat but i dont have pics
Johnny Payphone
05-08-08, 05:43 PM
I believe the actual question was if anyone had ever built a rickshaw. Let the folks with experience offer you some informed advice.
Per Hanson of the BLBC is a longtime master of the "cyclo" or tadpole-style bike hack. Over a decade he found, for example, that no bike wheels will handle two fat guys getting a ride back from the game, so he goes with cart-style wheels for a little more strength. He uses a snowmobile front end, flipped, for suspension and two flipped and interlaced girl's frames for the back end. The seat is a bus bench. This one is converted for grill use:
Note how he gracefully bends the four fork blades outward to form a four-point attachment that acts as a suspension as well.
These are good for making a quick buck in the park. For your needs in particular, you have to carry around a big giant and clumsy dog. You have several options but if you're willing to have a bike just for this purpose then you'll have an easier time with three wheels.
For a dog you can keep it simple. Here are some basic bikes I've built, much quicker to make and less elegant than Per's. Any of them could haul your dog:
http://www.chicagofreakbike.org/bikes/kegbike2.jpg
My Organic Engine style recumbent trike:
http://www.johnnypayphone.net/ghana/millionaire05.jpg
http://www.johnnypayphone.net/ghana/babyenwa1.jpg
http://www.johnnypayphone.net/ghana/trike1.jpg
East Hill
05-11-08, 07:09 AM
The meatwagon is indeed a most elegant machine.
I like your keg sidecar bike as well.
East Hill
StephenH
06-07-08, 03:55 PM
I didn't know they made these:
http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/711158288.html
My sidecar from a Xtracycle + Burly Flat-bed. I carried my Labrador around in it comfortably.
Sianelle
06-09-08, 05:35 PM
That is a beautiful sidecar outfit Allen :thumb:
Then all your bikes are well worth seeing - thanks for sharing :D
There are lots more folk around town riding bicycles now that fuel is getting $$$$$$. I find too that more folk are showing an interest in my tricycle and are asking me where I obtained it. Much amazement all round when I tell them that I built it up myself (....'Ooooo she built it herself.....' :rolleyes:).
Yesterday I mentioned to the staff at the medical centre I go to for my regular appointments that I had a rickshaw as well as my trike and I was immediately told to get myself moving, get its repairs finished and put it back on the road ASAP.
Essentially it's in sound shape, but negelected after years of storage and needs a decent repaint and minor repairs attending to. It's big value to me is the fact it's a vehicle that I could use to take my elderly Mum out shopping, to the doctors & etc should the price of running a car become even more stupid than it is at the moment.