adlai

Curious if anyone here has used an electrical tricycle for wheelbarrow duties. I think it should be possible. There are standalone wheelbarrows that are electric but I think a multi use tricycle could be a better use of the tool.

cat0020

Well, depends on how much weight you're trying to haul with your wheelbarrow..
Electric trike are still expensive these days, less expensive electric trikes are usually designated for folks that have balancing challenge or mobility challenge for riding 2-wheel ebikes.
Though prices for electric trikes are coming down, I'm waiting to get one for my in-laws (in their mid-80's).

veganbikes

The problem with trikes is they are less stable. They are quite easy to get on two wheels and they typically don't hold a bunch of weight. I would rather have a wheelbarrow personally it is a tool designed for the job.

cat0020

Less stable than what, a wheelbarrow?

How many trikes have you ridden (and for how far) to give decent comparison that allowed you to make that determination?
Not all are capable of riding a two-wheel bike.
Just because you find a trike to be unstable for your type of cycling; doesn't mean others can't enjoy riding a trike.

veganbikes

I don't have exact numbers but I have ridden quite a few different ones and while not really long distances most of them I could get on two wheels often in shorter distances. Also have had co-workers and customers of different ages who have had issues so it is not just me. If you look at all the 3 wheel cars you generally have the same issues.

If you make a really wide and long wheelbase you could be more stable or possibly with fat tires that could help but yes they are less stable and I am surprised you haven't experienced that or not surprised you don't want to admit it.

I also never said that others can't enjoy a trike.

linberl

Just fyi there is a big difference in stability between trikes with 2 rear wheels and tadpole trikes with 2 front wheels. My tadpole is rock solid stable; I would have to do something incredibly stupid to tip it. My top speed is 20mph, and even taking corners downhill at that speed, I have never felt unstable (and I'm an old fart, not an adventurous type). Sure you could probably tip it if you intentionally tried, but normal usage, it's stable.

cat0020

Have you ever explained to your customer (or yourself) that (delta) trikes in general are not meant for performance type cycling?
Limitations that you describe occurs when you try to take corners at speed beyond its designated performance.
Similar to attempt of performance cycling with training wheels mounted on a bike; they are not meant for it.

I never said I never experienced the instability on a trike, I have when I intentionally try to tilt the trike onto two wheels; but not so when operating a trike within its designated purpose.
Not everyone looking to buy a trike is looking to take corners like a crit racer; just because it can't take corners at speed doesn't mean that it is not stable for its designated purpose.

Trakhak

Are trikes even legal for wheelbarrow racing?

veganbikes

I never said anything about "performance cycling" I have had customers who are in their 80s and 90s who aren't "performance cycling" and have had instability issues. Nobody is talking crit racing here just you...keep that in mind. I know you want to blame the instability on some thing that isn't happening to give it more credibility but the fact is an upright trike in the typical configuration is not as stable. A recumbent trike is more stable due to the weight being lower to the ground.

cat0020

So did you ask those customers in their 80-90's who experienced instability issues what speeds they were attempting when instability occurred?
Can you specify which trike they experienced instability at what speed?
Did you make other recommendations to those same customers (in their 80-90's)?

veganbikes

They were not going fast but I didn't ask them exact speeds however one of them I watched in the parking lot and they were slow enough.

One of the trikes was a Raleigh Tristar IE but have seen others and heard from others. Upright trikes are generally similar wheelbases so that isn't super relevant but I get the question.

Yes I did make recommendations it is what I do.

cat0020

What recommendation did you make?
Did you tell them about techniques in riding to avoid the instability?
Did you suggest other trike models?

veganbikes

I generally steer them towards a recumbent trike like Catrike or Ice Trike or have them try something with a wider tire that has two wheels.

cat0020

No suggestions to riding technique to avoid instability?
Do you think an 80-90 y-o can get in & out of a low to the ground tadpole trike easily?
As a bike shop employee, I try to teach folks about riding techniques and not just trying to sell people on more expensive equipment.
As a hospital worker, I try to look for ways to make sure older folks to participate in activities that don't aggravate their older bodies.
Bending down low to the ground is not ideal for older bodies, neither is trying to get up from a low to the ground riding position.

veganbikes

I am not saying they can all easily get out of a tadpole but I also don't think that an unstable upright trike they could get hurt on is the idea either.

The main technique is going extra slow and trying not to move at all in order to stay more stable which is not practical for normal riding. Yes you can also try leaning in the opposite direction but I find most people wouldn't want to do that.

That is why I try to get them out on a bicycle with wider tires, with a good electric motor it is easy to get up and down hills and with a nice step through it is easy on and off and I have quite a few older folks on them riding just fine. If the Rhodes Car still existed and they were using a good motor, I would probably say yeah try a 4 wheeler much more stable.

cat0020

I consider the priorities of a customer before I make suggestions to what kind of bike, trike they might need.
Just a blanket statement that claims (delta) trike are "less stable", seem regardless of a customer's needs or priorities.

Setting expectation for customers while they are shopping for bikes, trikes or anything else is a responsibility of any knowledgeable sales person.

If a 80-90 y-o is looking for a trike, I would ask if they have mobility issues, whether they can get in & out of their cars easily,
or whether they have enough strength themselves to maneuver the trike when it's not being ridden.
Determine the parameters of their needs & priorities before suggesting which trike (or quad) they should get.

Majority of 80-90 y-o that I encounter, are not so concern about speed or taking corners at speed while cycling.
They want something that's easy for them to get in & out of, don't have to crouch down low to get into the seat.

Bicycles require balancing, not many 80-90 y-o are going to be able to ride a bicycle regardless how much they think they can or how fat the tires they have on their bike.
I would forewarn the customer of instability issues that may occur during cornering,
explain & remind multiple times that body lean while cornering is key to remain stable on the trike; before they even get onto the trike.

veganbikes

Yes I know that come on. It feels as if you are getting desperate here. You keep going after this "performance cycling" bent for some reason, not sure where it is coming from but yes upright trikes are not for performance cycling. I know that and probably most other people riding them know that I hope you figure that out, it might help.

cat0020

Whatever you say.

I'm not the one who thinks trike are less stable and fail to provide any specifics when asked about speed of instability.
Any bike or trike can be unstable, what might help is to specify a parameter of instability.

A blanket statement of "The problem with trikes is they are less stable." doesn't help anyone without the parameter.
Your statement only serves to deter people who might be interested in trikes from learning about the possibilities of trike might serve their needs.

Whatever you think you know about "most other people riding them" seem limited, when you can't provide the specifics.

Going back to topic of thread, a trike is far more stable than a wheelbarrow, likely serves well for similar functions with or without a electric motor.

veganbikes

I haven't gathered scientific info but myself, co-workers and customers have ridden them and had instability issues and this is a large enough sample over many years that I am confident in what I have said. Yes maybe there are some folks where a trike is the best way to go but there is no way you cannot say they aren't stable at least some of the time.

I guess the main question is do you work for a company that sells trikes or have some vested interest in trikes?

cat0020

My interest is help people get what they need; not to turn people away from trikes by saying they are less stable.
When you don't even know the OP's needs for a trike, simply making that blanket statement is irresponsible and inconsiderate of people's needs.

You keep talking about customer telling you about the instability, but did you even ask about their needs for a trike and anything else before you put your customer on a trike before hand?

veganbikes

So assuming that they need a trike is getting them help you think they need?

Some of the customers came to me to try the trike and some of them already had a trike none of that really matters what matters is safety and instability is not safe.

cat0020

I didn't deal with your customers, I didn't assume anything of them.

Title of thread is about using trikes for wheelbarrow duties; do you have anything to contribute to that topic? .

veganbikes

Like I said in the first post I would rather have a wheelbarrow for the job. I still stick by that. If I was doing trail work I would probably use a R+M Load which would be easy to haul tools in though I would probably make a rack for it for holding stuff as a customer did (he uses it for his tree work business)

cat0020

Have you ever tried walking behind a loaded wheelbarrow over a good distance?
How stable is a wheelbarrow (loaded or unloaded) at walking speed (under 10 mph, when compared to a trike)? loaded wheelbarrow is likely even slower than 6 mph.
In my experience of riding upright trikes, they are plenty stable at walking speed, even making a u-turn at 6 mph shouldn't be too much trouble.

veganbikes

Yes I have used wheelbarrows. The OP did mention an electric wheelbarrow which I admittedly hadn't used yet but have done regular wheelbarrows and various different carts and such.