front-wheel-drive recumbent trike search - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

02-17-2004, 01:44 PM

I found a couple fasinating front wheel drive recumbent trkes, but the
computer shut down before I could save info.

now impossable to find agian.

found utility trikes of same, but too large they be!!!

and why cant these people put vidios on thier sites?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

On Feb 17, 2004, at 12:39 PM, John Lindsy wrote:

> Long verses short delta trikes

The popular delta trikes are like the Sun EZ, Hase, Lightfoot and
Penninger (probably in this order). SWB like the Stites and JTB Raven
are low production thus far. I've never seen or ridden either. I did
ride the original Raven several years ago.

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The Raven's drivetrain should work fine. More of a concern, based on my
past experiences with lean/steer type deltas is high speed stability and
steerability. By this I mean that this type of steering needs more
stability at speed and an increased ability to turn sharp at low speed.
Another trike built years ago in BC Canada, had rear wheel steering and
FWD. It had a variable/adjustable steering linkage depending on whether
you needed better high speed or low speed steering ability.

The son of the JTB's owner lives in PT, Jon Meullner of Winds Eye
Design. Sometimes JTB comes down for the Seattle Bike Expo coming in
March. You might be able to see it at the show.

>
> could you please expond the problematical details of the long drive
> chains used by most recumbents,

The main problem is getting a long chain. These days most are spliced
together using quick links. Sometimes mfrs buy chains by the roll, which
is a better idea. Long chains wear better and don't have as much trouble
with deflection angle that plagues 9/27 speed drivetrains. They take
longer to clean and cost more to replace. More of a concern is the
quality of the idler system. We call this chain management. Some are
horrible, and some work great and are nearly silent. I think some 2-
chain systems are problematic. I'd prefer 1 chain unless I'm getting
something for the added complexity and weight of the two chain system,
such as a wider gear range (Lightfoot does this). Some are unnecessary,
especially on commuter type recumbents (what we call compacts or compact
long wheelbase).

> and explicate the front wheel drives of the too few delta trikes that
> use them, with elucation of the

I don't know of any volume production models that have FWD. The new
Stites Design trike has FWD (upcoming RCN 082), but it hasn't really
been in production yet.

Often you don't find new and unusual drivetrains on recumbents because
it could be considered too much new technology. Most builders want to
make as few explanations as possible. For the Stites and JTB, FWD
makes sense.

Bob Bryant

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