Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

DIscuss anything relating to non-standard cycles and their equipment.
ONETAL
Posts: 105
Joined: 3 Oct 2018, 10:51am

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by ONETAL »

I came across this German contraption From Bambuk.
https://www.youtube.com/@BamBukETrikesQ ... seK/videos
Pete Cuthbert
Posts: 26
Joined: 8 Aug 2021, 9:26pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by Pete Cuthbert »

Hi Folks

A belated thanks for all your suggestions. We know of DTek and spent some time testing the Pino and Ketweisel and others. Sadly recumbent pedalling is not possible for Kath. The French company looks interesting and might be worth the time spent emailing them.

For the time being we have rather given up on the Tadpole project. Circe Cycles have apparently been tempted but have not got around to doing anything about it.

Thus the elderly Longstaff continues to clock up the miles.

Regards

Pete
Psamathe
Posts: 18962
Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by Psamathe »

Pete Cuthbert wrote: 26 Aug 2024, 1:02pm ... Sadly recumbent pedalling is not possible for Kath. ...
Not asking for details but do appreciate that cycling a recumbent uses (some) different muscles from an upright. Generally people say 1000 miles to get "bent legs" (although with muscles it's a change over time and different people adapt differently).

Last year on tour in France I was chatting to a couple on a tandem 2-wheel semi-recumbent and whilst the boyfriend loved cycling, the girlfriend was not enjoying it and when I mentioned "bent legs" (and that it takes 1500 Km) she was somewhat relieved at her new understanding and that it would get easier. Although they were on a Hase Pino https://www.hasebikesusa.com/pino-tour-tandem-bike.html and she was stoker (front/recumbent).

That said, even if adapting muscles might be possible a recumbent trike would likely be expensive and thus a big risk.

(Just a thought, not querying reasons which I assume are private anyway)

Ian
Pete Cuthbert
Posts: 26
Joined: 8 Aug 2021, 9:26pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by Pete Cuthbert »

Hi Ian

Thanks for your observations. In our case the 'issue' of the recumbent position is down to Kath's MS. Her legs just stopped working in that position after a while and required a rest before she could walk again. She is no quitter but recognised that the recumbent was just not suited. We have done CAD sketched variants of the Pino that would allow her to cycle in an upright position, but given my age and strength the balance issue makes two wheels far too risky. That is why I started the 'Tadpole' thread.

Regards

Pete
Psamathe
Posts: 18962
Joined: 10 Jan 2014, 8:56pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by Psamathe »

@Pete Cuthbert Another thought but I have no idea about how practical (mechanically or cost wise) but you were originally looking for a builder presumably to have something custom built.

Having turned out the Hase Pino (2-wheel semi-recumbent) is there any reason why you can't follow the same'ish idea with the rear as an upright but front as recumbent but with the front (recumbent) with steering and as a trike.

In that sort of arrangement I have no idea if tadpole or delta trike format would be beat (given the rear has weight higher) but frame builder or others here might know it the thought is madness or worth investigating.

You'd get the stability and Kath would still be on an upright. I was impressed when I saw the Hase Pino as struck me as for a tandem the rear rider got a good view of all round rather than just the back of the front rider.

Hase Pino:
Image

Ian
D.TEK HPVS
Posts: 98
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:24pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by D.TEK HPVS »

If this idea for a rear pedal upwrong saddle position on a tandem with a recumbent seating up front that mimics a Hase Pino is still live 😉 I know of a unit with the opposed layout as outlined . So in summary the captain is up front with all the steering controls whilst seated in a recumbent seat and the stoker has a saddle 😁
Pete Cuthbert
Posts: 26
Joined: 8 Aug 2021, 9:26pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by Pete Cuthbert »

Thanks for the observarions folks.

I did quite a few drawings based on the Pino and we came to the conclusion that the simplest solution to converting it would be to get the front wheel replaced by a cross strut onto which the new front wheels would fit. That would require a scrap trike of the ICE or similar design and a good frame builder to make the join up.

The recumbent seating can, I think, be made more upright and the bottom bracket brought back to give the more upright pedalling position. If my memory serves me right, the bottom bracket is on a slider bar so that bit would be easy. However, I notice that the photo that Psamathe posted is of the current version of the Pino. The older design was, I think, somewhat easier to convert.

Kath Pedalling Profile Tadpole.jpg

This drawing is based on the German made Strada tadpole rather than the Pino. To get the bottom bracket down to the right poition it would require a vertical shaft below the 'usual ' bottom bracket spar. I cannot find the Pino drawings at the moment.

We are currently not pushing hard for a Tadpole as Kath is still coping well with the Delta trike but I do like to have a clear Plan B in case the MS decides to change all that.

Regards

Pete
DTEK
Posts: 2
Joined: 1 Sep 2023, 6:36pm

Re: Tadpole Tandem Trike Builder

Post by DTEK »

From time to time I break or repurpose recumbents including trikes . If you have a project let me know and I will try to assist .
But please note its purely parts and assemblies supply only
Not frame building .
Example ..."breaking news 😁" new arrivals ...to consider .
An original ICE custom built Explorer with 20" x 3 wheels .
Another thought specifically aimed at Peter C's latest line drawing"idea" . I will be breaking an ANTHROTECH tadpole trike made in Germany and still in production . It uses a square section main Cruciform but the bottom bracket is a separate assembly that clamps and slides fore and aft for leg length adjustment.
Hope that helps ....Regards Kevin D.TEK recumbents uk
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