darkfinger

Hey everyone,

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.

barba

Do you mean a pedicab?

darkfinger

maybe...
I thought they were called rickshaws....
like this:
https://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Dee...C12427340.jpeg
I also like the idea of having a passenger occasionally.

barba

You pull a rickshaw.

This is a pedicab:

Butterthebean

[QUOTE=darkfinger;6404180]Hey everyone,



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.

QUOTE]

I'm not sure what you mean by "power transfer", but a recumbent is the last thing I'd want if I were pulling a load...like a saint bernard. Recumbents can be comfortable and aerodynamic, but they are not the best bikes for climbing because you can't "stand" on the pedals as well as you can with a diamond frame. That makes pulling a heavy load more difficult.

Build it, but make it an upright.

Then again, if I had a saint bernard, I'd build a wagon and let him pull me.

darkfinger

yeah,
I kind of figured...
when I said power transfer I was referring more to economy of motion...but yeah I can totally see how you couldn`t get the oomph of upright.

The only problem with getting a St. Bernard to pull you is that they are quite possibly the laziest dog known to man. My dog gets burned out going to 7-11 and back...hence the rickshaw.

kevbo

A trailer works for our two dogs (~65 lbs total). I've also stuck about 20 lbs of stuff in there with them, which is probably still a bit short of St.Bernard weight, but I can see a bit stouter trailer getting the job done nicely. Our trailer is an old Burley kid hauler with the seat taken out.

darkfinger

keybo,
I was thinking about picking up a trailer and reinforcing it...but I really like the idea of a passenger trike...a rickshaw to some, a pedicab to others.
I may have to look into a trailer until I can build my wacky rickshaw pup taxi!
any ideas as to how to properly reinforce a trailer but still keeping it light?

sumguy

you might get some inspiration in the utility cycling forum

LWaB

I call them rickshaws, not pedicabs, as do others https://savvytraveler.publicradio.org.../wheeler.shtml

Trekbikedude

I remember on seinfeld, the homeless guy stole the rickshaw. That was funny.

BCRider

A recumbent long wheelbase trike may be a nice way to go.

You can't stand on the pedals but you CAN push against the seat back. And done right it could look pretty racy.

The long wheelbase needed for the two seats means it will need to be pretty heavy material.

Another option would be a delta trike ("delta" meaning two wheels in back and one in front) with side by side seating and two pedal sets. Your dog would then just "sit" in the seat beside you. But when you take out some nice attractive traveling companion at least you'll be sitting next to each other instead of her looking at your backside for the whole trip.... unless you think that's your BEST side of course.....