Adult non recumbent tadpole trikes

[PAB855]

Is there any business other than Roman conversions in Wales, who can supply or convert tadpole adult non recumbent trikes?

[tatanab]

There are several manufacturers of small wheeled utility trikes in that configuration. I'd have to scratch my head to recall names, although a very expensive leaning version (mentioned on this forum) is stocked by SPA. If I assume you are talking about big wheeled "sporting" machines, then I cannot think of any other current UK builder. Historically of course there is Kendrick and Higgins (K type), but they will be collectors items.

To whet your appetite - here is what is probably a one off from the USA http://www.bikerumor.com/2016/03/04/nah ... ick-bikes/

You could try asking on the upright tricyclists' forum http://on3wheels.myfastforum.org/index.php although I suspect the answer will be "none that we know of".

[PAB855]

Many thanks Tatanab. There's some interesting stuff there and that specialist forum could be useful. I assume It's a UK forum? I couldn't trace the SPA entry. Is it in this category? Currently we have a Pashley Tri1 with a retrofitted electric motor which has proved very satisfactory on cycle paths and quiet roads, but a recent scare due to an adverse camber and a poor road surface on Arran, made us think that a 'tadpole' configuration might be safer. I know of plenty examples of the delta design, but tadpoles are far less common, unless as you say they are museum pieces!

[tatanab]

I assume It's a UK forum?

Yes, because lightweight sporting trikes are almost unique to the UK. We are keen that the forum is open to users of utility/mobility trikes as well. Note that it is a forum uniquely for upright users.

I couldn't trace the SPA entry.

Kiffy http://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b266s19p3385/KIFFY-Flash if you search this forum for Kiffy you should find some comments.

Currently we have a Pashley Tri1

So you are in the small wheeled market. There's the Kiffy, mentioned above, and I know there are a few others but I just cannot recall the manufacturers for the moment.

[Brucey]

also worth a mention is the 'butchers and bicycles' machine

https://issuu.com/butchersandbicycles/docs/butchers___bicycles_2016_folder_iss/1?e=19502007/36308976

although it may not be suitable for your intended use, it has some interesting features.

It is worth mentioning that -apart from those which lean appreciably when cornering, and/or have an enormous width perhaps- any upright trike will, to some extent, be vulnerable to tipping over.

Four wheelers with a high CoG can be made 'safer' by reducing the front axle grip, i.e. so that the front axle understeers when pushed. Typically this is achieved by having different tyres/pressures, and/or a stiffer anti-roll bar on the front axle (which reduces front axle grip when cornering). Car manufacturers don't always get this right first time (Mercedes A-class springs to mind, but there are others...). Many of these things cannot be made to work on a three-wheeler in the same way. Even if you do get it to work, you won't be able to take the line you want round some corners and should you hit a pothole when cornering hard, you can still have an upset.

I would say that every (non-leaning) tadpole configuration trike I have tried (where the CoG was about as high or higher off the ground vs the front track width, which includes some recumbent machines) could easily be tipped over using rather modest steering inputs. I think they can be better than delta configuration uprights, especially when cornering downhill, but they are still vulnerable to tipping over.

I try and avoid riding such machines on the whole. Rather than be caught out by it later on, if I do have to ride one, I will deliberately try to tip it at low speeds so that I know what will provoke it to tip over. Many upright trikes can be ridden on two wheels if you know what you are doing, but this state is (bearing in mind that they are often ridden by folk who don't want to lean or tip in any way) IMHO rather too easily achieved in most cases.

I think that the Kiffy is an interesting machine too, but in its standard form it look as if it will

a) lack versatility (a two speed coaster hub isn't exactly ideal for touring) and
b) the short wheelbase may prove problematic; I'd imagine that a vigorous application of the front brakes (esp downhill) could see you over the bars pretty easily. Loaded rear panniers may improve this aspect.

cheers

[PAB855]

Brucey and tatanab, thanks, you have given me a useful wealth of information, which I have looked over briefly. It is going to take me quite a while to look at all these leads, there is so much to think about and your first hand experience is invaluable.

Many thanks

[Elizabethsdad]

You want to sit upright and have two wheels ate the front? Maybe The Cargo Bike Company, based in Derby, could sort you out as they make trikes to order.

[PAB855]

Thanks Elizabethsdad for that. I had a look at his website and it's very interesting. I was surprised that there wasn't even one example of a trike without a utility or commercial purpose. I think he is worth further investigation.

Thanks again