Recumbent - Can a TadPole be steered one handed?

Before I pull the trigger on an "affordable" trike - can I steer a direct steer trike one handed? I expect to have my right arm in a sling for a while after surgery, but will still want to go ride if the Doc signs off on my doing so. Aside from the obvious shifting issues, can I steer one handed?

Thanks in advance,

Keenan

I recently got a Catrike Speed, which is direct-steered. It definitely can be steered one-handed. In fact, it's been interesting learning how conservative one needs to be with steering. Small inputs have big effects. It might be dicey in heavy traffic, and of course, you've got to deal with the whole braking issue separately. But steering? Yes.

Before I pull the trigger on an "affordable" trike - can I steer a direct steer trike one handed?

Yes. I use left hand signals all the time like a car; with a Sun Tad- both front brakes to my right control (came that way). Left side control is back wheel and came with an emergency brake pin if needed when stopped.

Before I pull the trigger on an "affordable" trike - can I steer a direct steer trike one handed? I expect to have my right arm in a sling for a while after surgery, but will still want to go ride if the Doc signs off on my doing so. Aside from the obvious shifting issues, can I steer one handed?

Thanks in advance,

Keenan

Yep- there was a gent on last year's TourBC who rode all of it on a Catrike, IIRC. He couldn't balance due to being paralyzed on one side. Nevertheless, he did 400 miles in a week with no particular issues.

Before I pull the trigger on an "affordable" trike - can I steer a direct steer trike one handed?

With so many human-made gadgets, machines and vehicles that can operated single-handed, I'm curious as to what made you think it might not be possible?

:)ensen.

With so many human-made gadgets, machines and vehicles that can operated single-handed, I'm curious as to what made you think it might not be possible?

:)ensen.

Some people might think direct steer means that each handlebar directly steers the wheel next to it, individually.

If the steering is set up properly, with correct castor angles, the bike should ride straight and self-center on flat ground. That's just good suspension design, all cars have it. The longer the steering levers are, the less force you'll need to steer it, too. If you get one, make sure to post up some pics of you riding it!

With so many human-made gadgets, machines and vehicles that can operated single-handed, I'm curious as to what made you think it might not be possible?

:)ensen.

The required pressure to turn, which equals required strength... I was quite aware that it is possible, no, really - I did know that, amazingly. My concern was strictly whether it would require too much force to do with my non-repaired elbow. Thanks for your concern about my intellect though.

Thanks for all the input; the consensus seems to be that I will be fine. I appreciate the discussions and sharing of testimonials! I will post pics as soon as the newest member of the family arrives - presumably mid-August! Again, thanks and happy pedaling!

k

The required pressure to turn, which equals required strength... I was quite aware that it is possible, no, really - I did know that, amazingly. My concern was strictly whether it would require too much force to do with my non-repaired elbow. Thanks for your concern about my intellect though.

Your posts do not indicate any problems with English as a second language, so I had no choice but to believe your question was perfectly sincere. Since the phrasing of the first post implies a pre-judged opinion that a tadpole trike cannot be steered single-handed, I asked how you came to that. Dchiefransom was kind enough to remind me that newbies and non-mechanically minded people miss the connecting linkage.

Instead, you now say that what you really meant to write was: "How easy is it to steer a tadpole with one hand?"

Since what you intend to learn does not jive with the loaded wording of your question, I suppose I really should be concerned for your intellect... when in fact, I was not before.

:)ensen.

How prissy.

How prissy.

Yeah... at the time I posted I was pretty pi$$ed off.

I really enjoy sharing what I know with recumbents, cargo bikes and bike design in general. And the response I got made me feel like I'm just wasting my time, which isn't true, of course. The trouble is that I never react well when people take me for insincere.

:)ensen.

I really enjoy sharing what I know with recumbents, cargo bikes and bike design in general.
.

Same here. Rather than explain all cables being re-routed to 1 side, dual brakes, types of steering, weight balancing, or whatever; it may confuse more than help sometimes.
Can a trike be steered with 1 hand? Easy answer: Yes. I do. :D

Since what you intend to learn does not jive with the loaded wording of your question, I suppose I really should be concerned for your intellect... when in fact, I was not before.

:)ensen.

Cool, thanks for sharing - always appreciate the input from non-Americans, eh?

The short is answer is "Yes", in fact, with my Trice Micro, I can ride "no handed" on long stretches of roads (and sometimes up hill). This allows me to "eat on the run" so to speak.
It's a cool effect riding uphill with no hands while passing roadies... Sometime I hear "that's not fair" as I pass them.
I'm still getting the feel for the "Q", but one handed steering is very doable.

Doug
http://www.crazytrike.com

Just curious....can delta trikes be steered one-handed too ?

The only thing that would prevent you from riding one-handed is brake steer. That's what happens when you pull hard on just one of the two brake handles on a tadpole trike. I've spun completely around on wet pavement doing that with Hope hydraulic disk brakes. They really have excellent stopping power, enough to lift the rear wheel in an instant. It is an easy fix though, just join the two brakes lines together on one lever. It may require a bike shop mechanic to accomplish it but it is not rocket science. The same can be done with cable brakes.

Your posts do not indicate any problems with English as a second language, so I had no choice but to believe your question was perfectly sincere. Since the phrasing of the first post implies a pre-judged opinion that a tadpole trike cannot be steered single-handed, I asked how you came to that. Dchiefransom was kind enough to remind me that newbies and non-mechanically minded people miss the connecting linkage.

Instead, you now say that what you really meant to write was: "How easy is it to steer a tadpole with one hand?"

Since what you intend to learn does not jive with the loaded wording of your question, I suppose I really should be concerned for your intellect... when in fact, I was not before.

:)ensen.



Are you like this in real life or does the problem occur only when fingers hit the keyboard? My concern, of course, is for your mental stability.

Not only can you ride a tadpole one handed. You can drink your coffee with the other hand while on the move :O)

But this is dangerous so I did not tell you that.

Steve

Ackerman steering along with proprly adjusted toe and camber allow for self centering steering and easy one handed steering. You will learn quickly that steering is most effective with a very light touch. I always like to have both hands on the steering in traffic or going fast though. My Catrikes experience very little brake steer too even of I only use one lever.

Just curious....can delta trikes be steered one-handed too ?

I almost never use two hands on my delta trike, with underseat steering.
It is swaying a little when there is no hand controlling it, but little enough that the occasional bumb with the knee against the handlebar keeps it on track. Or even peddling a little faster or slower can correct it.
This is on our flat Dutch cycle paths, on busy roads I have one hand resting lightly on the top of the bar rather than the more expected grip on the grip.
Or I use one little finger keeping the trike under controll, exerting almost no presure.

Going uphill the front wheel tends to slip sideways, more pronounced as I am a slow rider.
Going downhill I have my hands near both brake levers. One controlls both rear wheels at once, the other front, (with the stand break.) Still not much steering power needed.

If someone is lacking strength in one arm, or has no use of it at all, I can certainly recommend a delta trike, at least when the brakes and gear shifts are on the side that she/he can use easily.