Echo Gypsy

I am thinking of buying a tadpole for indefinite world touring. I am planning on getting rear panniers and a trailer but I am wondering if there is a such thing as front racks for a tadpole. So far I haven't seen any but hey, that doesn't mean someone couldn't build one!

vik 

Where would you fit the front panniers on a tadpole??? I can't see any way for that to work. If you really need more cargo capacity than rear panniers and a trailer I'd start culling your gear list heavily.

I guess you could carry a duffel bag in your lap..., but I think that would get old fast...

Echo Gypsy

No bag in the lap, seeing as how there may be times my dog will want to be there when she gets tired of running.... and when I want to go faster. I'm not very familiar with Recumbents and their mechanisms but it appears that a front rack could go on each wheel (one pannier per rack on the outside), but it may be that the steering mechanism would catch..... not sure. With the under mount steering I'm assuming the wheels turn ( like a car) into the corner. It appears that the tadpole has an axle very similar to a car. I did see one picture somewhere (loaded touring) where there were two smaller panniers directly behind the seat (on an angle) but I haven't seen any racks that would make that happen so I imagine it was something that came with that Bent.
Everything I own must fit on my bicycle.... I do not have a home base like most everyone else.

Echo Gypsy

Looking a bit closer I can see how the hub on the outside would cause a problem....since there's no non moving part on the outside...just the hub. Well, maybe I can find something to work on the frame behind the seat...just has to allow movement of the chain (and guard).

CraftGeek

No joy on the front bags but there are larger rear panniers than you may be aware of.

https://www.ice.hpv.co.uk/trikes/acce...ical_side_pods
in the above link, check out the Radical Allfa Side Panniers US.

A bit of googleing and I found the source company at
https://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/produ...e_panniers.php

The largest of these bags are supported by the seat and the rear rack and can hold 55 to 70 liters of gear depending on the hight of your seat. Combine that with a top of the rack bag like the Backbone or the Universal L one this page
https://www.radicaldesign.nl/en/produ...a_top_bags.php and you could add an additional 30 to 40 liters of cargo space!

Echo Gypsy

Thanks for the links (I love the Trice, wish I could afford one..LOL).
The "Radical Allfa Side Panniers" on the Ice website are awesome 56L is as much as a weekend backpack (Darn, the price list is in PDF and my PC won't allow any PDF files). I wonder how waterproof they are....
I wonder if I can get them in the US without having to pay for UK prices and shipping

Echo Gypsy

Just saw that Ortlieb is going to be making Radical panniers starting in January (09).

CraftGeek

in the US..
https://www.calhouncycle.com/ProductC...7&idproduct=28
Though it does suffer from the wrong side of the exchange rate stick.

Echo Gypsy

$230 isn't too bad even though I can get an awesome backpack for $150. Of course I need one of those too seeing as how I do want to hit the trails along the way.

Echo Gypsy

That gives me an idea..... I wonder if I could convert two daypacks into something similar**********??

Echo Gypsy

In fact, after looking at a few packs....I think it's a great idea and very simple too. Looks like I could do it for around $125 and guaranteed waterproof.

GeorgeBaby

Also note that the Greenspeed GTE is designed with racks for two sets of of panniers.

Trike showing racks
Trike with bags mounted

Echo Gypsy

Thanx, but I can't afford a Greenspeed (even used). Not to mention two sets of Ortliebs would be $330. Unless of course someone's willing to GIVE me a Trike! Ha ha ha