Tricycle for Commuting???
11-25-08 | 04:39 AM
#51
ol' Icebeard
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Bikes: Mercier Kilo WT-5
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lightfoot Cycles...
Lightfoot offers designs that can drive both rear wheels and also accomodate motor assist (either gas or electric.)
Browse their website for more goodies.
Lightfoot offers designs that can drive both rear wheels and also accomodate motor assist (either gas or electric.)
Browse their website for more goodies.
11-25-08 | 06:45 PM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: 2007 ICE Trice T; 2008 Brompton M6L; 2009 Surly LHT; 2010 Surly Cross Check
Just a note on the "everyone will hate you and try to kill you if you take up the lane" theory. My 500 miles touring on a recumbent trike did not bear this out. If anything, it was nice how I was never crowded over--not once. That included riding down a major highway (went down the whole Salinas valley because Hwy 1 was busy being on fire) for a big chunk of the ride, lots of in-city riding, etc. I felt much safer because I never feared falling over.
As for visibility, I put some orange reflective tape on my front fenders--big visual cue about my vehicle's width. Also got an extra flag so I was running one out of each pipe of my seat frame. I got compliments on my visibility. I also got a lot of "where'd you get that?"
I agree that being a curiosity seems to enhance safety. Others experience may be different of course, but my experience on the trike was that it was at least as safe as a regular bike, if not safer.
But yeah. Slow (though not by that much), heavy, and most of all, freakin' huge. It's broken down in parts in my storage room, waiting for another tour--in the city, for my commute, I use a couple of different diamond-frames.
As for visibility, I put some orange reflective tape on my front fenders--big visual cue about my vehicle's width. Also got an extra flag so I was running one out of each pipe of my seat frame. I got compliments on my visibility. I also got a lot of "where'd you get that?"
I agree that being a curiosity seems to enhance safety. Others experience may be different of course, but my experience on the trike was that it was at least as safe as a regular bike, if not safer.
But yeah. Slow (though not by that much), heavy, and most of all, freakin' huge. It's broken down in parts in my storage room, waiting for another tour--in the city, for my commute, I use a couple of different diamond-frames.
11-25-08 | 06:51 PM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: the Georgia Strait
Bikes: Devinci Caribou, Kona Dew Plus, Raleigh Twenty
A friend of mine uses a cargo trike, it is a homemade recumbent, and he uses electric assist to haul a considerable amount of weight.
https://drumbent.com/trike.html
Pros with something like this are you are quite visible, you can set up turn signals and brake lights etc. Very stable of course. The major con with it is its width - you cannot filter through congested traffic. So you get a bit more respect riding with traffic, but on the other hand, you have to ride with traffic. Depends on where you live whether that's a major slowdown issue or not.
https://drumbent.com/trike.html
Pros with something like this are you are quite visible, you can set up turn signals and brake lights etc. Very stable of course. The major con with it is its width - you cannot filter through congested traffic. So you get a bit more respect riding with traffic, but on the other hand, you have to ride with traffic. Depends on where you live whether that's a major slowdown issue or not.
11-25-08 | 10:47 PM
#54
Velocommuter Commando
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 38
From: Houston, Texas
Bikes: '88 Specialized Sirrus, '89 Alpine Monitor Pass, two '70 Raligh Twenties, '07 Schwinn Town & Country Trike, '07 Specialized Sirrus Hybrid
1. The same law applies to tricycles, as it does to bicycles.
2. A tricycle will not do good for commuting. It will make the motorists(who don't like cyclists) even angrier. Because they will be shouting things like, 'GET OFF THE ROAD!!!!' and, 'THE ROAD IS FOR CARS, NOT BICYCLES(even though yours would be a tricycle)!!!!!'.
3. Three wheels would stay on the ice better than two, but not in traffic. While three wheels will keep you from crashing on the ice, the MUCH SLOWER speed will make you a bigger annoyance to motorists, especially the ones' that don't like cyclists being on the road.
4. Recumbent bikes are also not good in traffic. I bet, an angry motorist, that doesn't like cyclists, would want to run you over, as if, you were a squirrel, bird, snake(depending on what region of the U.S. you live in) or, dog.
Please don't continue to entertain the thought? I imagine you becoming 'road-kill', on your first day of riding in traffic.
2. A tricycle will not do good for commuting. It will make the motorists(who don't like cyclists) even angrier. Because they will be shouting things like, 'GET OFF THE ROAD!!!!' and, 'THE ROAD IS FOR CARS, NOT BICYCLES(even though yours would be a tricycle)!!!!!'.
3. Three wheels would stay on the ice better than two, but not in traffic. While three wheels will keep you from crashing on the ice, the MUCH SLOWER speed will make you a bigger annoyance to motorists, especially the ones' that don't like cyclists being on the road.
4. Recumbent bikes are also not good in traffic. I bet, an angry motorist, that doesn't like cyclists, would want to run you over, as if, you were a squirrel, bird, snake(depending on what region of the U.S. you live in) or, dog.
Please don't continue to entertain the thought? I imagine you becoming 'road-kill', on your first day of riding in traffic.
11-26-08 | 12:22 AM
#55
My oldest bike is a non-suspension mountain bike of mid-90s vintage. With the handlebars all the way up and seat in proper height, bars and seat are about even. If find this bike very difficult and uncomfortable to ride. I fitted it with a comfort saddle and changed out the knobbies for smooth road tires and it still sucks. The Electrec and my "comfort" bike (K2 Easy Street) are adjusted so the handlebars are higher than the seat and I find them both very comfortable. They also have suspension, which helps of course.
Maybe you just haven't given it enough of a chance. Maybe you have a touch of acrophobia (fear of heights or fear of falling). Most likely, you're just one of millions of people who doesn't like traditional bikes.
Of all the suggestions I've seen here, I think you should first try one of the Electra bikes with "flatfoot" or crank-forward design.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
11-26-08 | 12:32 AM
#56
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 59
From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
I have some questions about the viability of a tricycle for commuting. I’m not committed to the idea – just thinking about it and looking for ideas.
Let me explain my circumstances. I started bike commuting about 6 months ago and I've logged maybe 1000 miles both commuting and recreational riding since then. Prior to this year, I hadn't used a bike regularly since high school (I'm 42). My current commuter is an Electrec ebike with the usual accessories (lights, fenders, rack, etc.). I practice vehicular cycling and mix right in with traffic on some narrow, shoulderless, busy roads (this is really my best, safest route given the alternatives). My average speed is about 15 MPH and I don’t need to go faster.
Although I've never fallen off a bike as an adult, I'm very afraid that if anything should happen and I go down on my commute, I'd be instantly squashed by a vehicle. I'd also like to be able to carry more cargo, safely commute in winter with occasional ice and snow, and avoid low speed balance issues in stop-and-go traffic. Hence, my consideration of a tricycle. Now, my questions:
1. What are the legal issues? NJ laws and regs strictly define bicycles as two-wheeled and rear-drive in the context of motor vehicle code. Has anyone been told by law enforcement that a tricycle is not a bicycle and can’t be used on-road as such?
2. How well does a tricycle lend itself to commuting in general and with busy traffic on narrow roads in particular?
3. Assuming careful and slow biking, I would think three wheels stay up on ice better than two – right, wrong?
4. I know there are lots of recumbent trike fans, but being that low in heavy traffic would seem to make it hard to see and be seen. I’d prefer an upright tricycle design. Pros, cons?
A bit off topic – maybe you can see what I really want is an all season, street-legal, human-electric hybrid vehicle. Such things are produced (e.g., Twike), albeit at ridiculously expensive prices and in my state would require motorcycle classification and would lose the flexibility of being a “bicycle.”
Let me explain my circumstances. I started bike commuting about 6 months ago and I've logged maybe 1000 miles both commuting and recreational riding since then. Prior to this year, I hadn't used a bike regularly since high school (I'm 42). My current commuter is an Electrec ebike with the usual accessories (lights, fenders, rack, etc.). I practice vehicular cycling and mix right in with traffic on some narrow, shoulderless, busy roads (this is really my best, safest route given the alternatives). My average speed is about 15 MPH and I don’t need to go faster.
Although I've never fallen off a bike as an adult, I'm very afraid that if anything should happen and I go down on my commute, I'd be instantly squashed by a vehicle. I'd also like to be able to carry more cargo, safely commute in winter with occasional ice and snow, and avoid low speed balance issues in stop-and-go traffic. Hence, my consideration of a tricycle. Now, my questions:
1. What are the legal issues? NJ laws and regs strictly define bicycles as two-wheeled and rear-drive in the context of motor vehicle code. Has anyone been told by law enforcement that a tricycle is not a bicycle and can’t be used on-road as such?
2. How well does a tricycle lend itself to commuting in general and with busy traffic on narrow roads in particular?
3. Assuming careful and slow biking, I would think three wheels stay up on ice better than two – right, wrong?
4. I know there are lots of recumbent trike fans, but being that low in heavy traffic would seem to make it hard to see and be seen. I’d prefer an upright tricycle design. Pros, cons?
A bit off topic – maybe you can see what I really want is an all season, street-legal, human-electric hybrid vehicle. Such things are produced (e.g., Twike), albeit at ridiculously expensive prices and in my state would require motorcycle classification and would lose the flexibility of being a “bicycle.”
if your "bike" has an engine (gas or electric) your riding a motorized vehicle! Your a moped/motorcyclist! You didnt log any hours, your moped/motorcycle did sorry, but its true I was all about telling you that you should go for it! Even though adult trikes are heavy, and kinda awkward in traffic, I figured heck! If you can do it go for it! but then I found out it was a motorized trike.....Oh well, if it works for you.
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 11-26-08 at 12:36 AM.
