Canuck1

Have any of you ever seen or heard of a front wheel drive bent? It seems to me that I heard of a guy who built a SWB that articulated in the middle so the drive was on the front part driving the front wheel. I think he could stear with his legs. Is this true or just a bad dream.

bentrox!

Read this for reasons why there aren't more front-wheel drive bents:
https://www.ihpva.org/pipermail/trike...er/027635.html
Note the website for Zoxbikes.

Also, I think this "divisible low racer" front-wheel drive design is elegant:
https://www.fastfwd.nl/eng/index.php
Check out his kid trikes - also front drive.

lowracer1

I can't believe you haven't seen the carbon fiber cobra.........

I rode this bike around the track at Northbrook....... very fast and I was able to get used to it pretty quick........ nothing wrong with front wheel drive that I could feel....... just different. Edd Ginn pilots this bike to 32mph very easily and holds it there.

https://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisi...dGinCobra1.jpg

Canuck1

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking of building one but I want something that is practical for the street. I don't think the Cobra would have much turning ability the way the chain is run.

lowracer1

It actually turns pretty sharp. You can turn it around on your own side of the street.

meb

Cobra steers in front not middle.
Python is fwd with middle articulated steering: https://www.python.tieflieger.net/

The objections you raised to fwd lowracer appear more characteristic of lowracer than fwd.

Fwd rear steer: https://www.rowvelo.com/

Rear steer bike page: https://www.wannee.nl/hpv/abt/e-index.htm

Fwd construction links: https://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/frame/links/links.htm

Tom Traylorfrd sells fwd recumbent plans:
https://traylorf wd.home.mindspring.com

fwd with gear hub https://web.uct.ac.za/depts/psychology/bok/fwd.html



https://www.stitesdesign.com/wrap_hpv.html


https://www.eng.uwaterloo.ca/~bkwillia/fwd.html

Canuck1

So, with the Cobra, there is enough flex in the chain to allow the front wheel to be turned quite a bit? It looks line the wheel would hit the chain on right handers. Does the chain every jump gears on sharp turns?

I see on some designs where the chain has been routed down the axis of the fork and then relies on the twisting flexibility of the chain. This seems to be the simplest and most practical approach.

Thanks for all the info!

lowracer1

If I remember right, the cobra uses a special chain which flexes more than normal chains.

meb

Many lowracer’s have two chain configurations- lower race trim and a higher street configuration which provides less interference with a turning wheel.

I don’t know if the Cobra has only one configuration or if this might be a street or a race configuration. Ed Gin uses his Cobra for both, so it’s hard to be sure from this photo what configuration may be at shown if the cobra has multiple configurations.

I don’t know why in a street configuration you wouldn’t route the low tension chain up the fork with a second return side idler to give more chain-wheel clearance. Losses with the drive side idler shown would be several times any loss due an idler on the low tension chain return.

lowracer1

If interested more in this stuff...... check out https://www.recumbents.com/monkeyisland/

This site is dedicated to lowracers and obtaining more speed plus just general bashing and bs mixed in.

cycletourist

Front wheel drive recumbent? Isn't that a BigWheel? They have those at K-mart.

lowracer1

hmm........just wait till you get passed by one of those so called big wheels.......
You may change your mind about them being distributed at K-mart.

bentrox!

Don't let cycletourist yank your chain. Nice enough guy I'm sure, but he will never get it.

cycletourist

I was trying to be funny but you guys missed it. You do know what a BigWheel is? Surely you had one as a kid.

lowracer1

yup..... I remember......had one....... I got the joke. just had to post back something. Have fun!

Barry

Barcroft cycles in Church Falls Virginia has a new Oregon that costs about 3000 and weighs about 29-30 LBs. Bill Cook is the owner and he has a website: www.barcroftcycles.com

bentrider

I have a friend who recently built his SWB, FWD and it has an articulated frame. The design is based on a flevobike racer that we saw when touring Holland in 2000. It has two small wheels (20" I think) and the stays are single front and back with a rubber bung that sort of acts as a shock.It also is under seat steering. I've tried riding it myself but am totally inept. When we saw the Dutch cyclist ride it he could steer without his hands just by leaning one way or the other.One can get the plans off the web somewhere which is where my friend got his but he ordered all the components from Flevobike in Droten Holland.

He lives in Nova Scotia and can be reached at scooter.baker@ns.sympatico.ca

lowracer1

https://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForum...o&PhotoID=5544

Another carbon wonder. This bike reportably weighs in at only 16.5 lbs.

Canuck1

That is very cool. The FWD really simplifies the design allowing the lower weight. Looks like a second bottom bracket right above the fork for the drive chain and an idler for the low-tension return chain. This would not be that hard to build.

dchristensen

Try the president of the Minnesota HPVA he knows the guy who built one of the most kick ass bents you will ever want to ride.

meb

Here is an unusual and very simply lwb fwd bent:

home.mho.net/rohorn/pics/...er/08.html

Canuck1

Meb, I couldn't get that link to work.

meb

https://home.mho.net/rohorn/pics/flowroller/08.html

Canuck1

Meb, now that is an interesting design. I can't even image what it would be like to ride. Is it a 3 speed? Do you know any more about it?

meb

36 lbs, 69" WHEELBASE. HE SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF WHEEL FLOP, BUT ONE EVENTUALLY GETS USED TO IT.

CERTAINLY A VERY NICE LOOKING FWD BIKE. IT HAS ME RECONSIDERING THE SWB FWD HIGHRACER I WAS INTENTED TO BUILD.