New to riding a tricycle

[Antuny]

I'm a disabled cyclist (right leg amputee) but with the aid of a simple modification (bracket on offside for foot and crank removed) I have been cycling happily for many years including cycle touring with my wife. However, advancing years and reduced agility means I have become prone to fall over when starting and stopping - not good. Over the years I have heard horror stories about tricycles but thought I would give it a try so purchased a used single speed traditional 24" wheel delta style tricycle and also made and fitted a 'contraption' to my Brompton which turns it into a trike. I've been through four stages of adaption: my first ride was alarming . My second (after watching videos on you tube) I practiced figures of eight and developed some confidence. My third ride helped me to change my mind set and on my fourth attempt I actually enjoyed the ride. The fact that I don't have to put my feet down when I stop and start is fantastic. Of course I have had to sacrifice speed and the occasional sudden change in camber still alarms me. I'm definitely going to have to add an electric motor to my traditional trike if I'm going to be able to tackle hills and enjoy longer rides. I would appreciate any advice or guidance and in particular has any one tried and got a view of 'tilting trikes'. In theory they are supposed to replicate the way your ride a two wheeler - do they or is it just a novelty? or if you're going to go trike should you stick to the ridged frame? Antuny

 

[Sharky]

That's an ingenious design. Have a tandem trike myself for the benefit of our daughter. Steering is a real challenge and when I first got it, couldn't ride in a straight line!

Enjoy

 

[Oldhippy]

You are a legend for proving that cycling is possible for so many that use words like impossible, too hard.

 

[a.twiddler]

I am highly impressed with your perseverance. I have had a a recumbent delta trike for about a year and have not have any issues with weird steering response, but have heard from others about their issues with upright trikes and the unexpected steering effects from leaning and camber. It's a trade off too, between width of track of the rear wheels and stability. Wide track is better for stability and a feeling of security when cornering, but narrower track gives advantages when getting through gaps, barriers, etc. I would imagine a wider track gives more of a tilting sensation on cambers too, which I still find unsettling though mine is quite narrow. I am fortunate enough to still be able to enjoy upright and recumbent bicycles too.

The only horror story I can tell about my trike is that it is much slower than a two wheeler going uphill (which is not really all that horrible) but you just get into a frame of mind where you accept that that's the way it is and enjoy the scenery. It's OK on the flat and really flies downhill. As people who ride trikes will probably endlessly tell you, trikes are different. It's a long process of acceptance and adaptation. It felt quite alien to me for a long time but recently while out riding it something changed in my mind, and the pluses outweighed the minuses and I thought, "Hey! I'm a tricyclist".

Tricycles are rare enough, and getting a test ride, as you probably found, is not so easy. I have no experience of tilting trikes which are rarer still but I suspect may not be as intuitive to ride as a bicycle. I can imagine that there must be some kind of frame locking mechanism for use at low speed , on slippery surfaces or when parking it, which can be unlocked at higher speeds so it can lean like a bicycle. There are motor scooters produced by Piaggio and Peugeot with twin wheels at the front which use this type of system so it's not impossible to imagine this idea working on a human powered vehicle, to get the best of both worlds. Finding one would be the hardest part. It's possible that Kevin Dunsheath of D-Tek might be able to give you a lead, though he specialises in recumbents. He posts on this forum sometimes as @Mr Magoo.

 

[Antuny]

I am highly impressed with your perseverance. I have had a a recumbent delta trike for about a year and have not have any issues with weird steering response, but have heard from others about their issues with upright trikes and the unexpected steering effects from leaning and camber. It's a trade off too, between width of track of the rear wheels and stability. Wide track is better for stability and a feeling of security when cornering, but narrower track gives advantages when getting through gaps, barriers, etc. I would imagine a wider track gives more of a tilting sensation on cambers too, which I still find unsettling though mine is quite narrow. I am fortunate enough to still be able to enjoy upright and recumbent bicycles too.

The only horror story I can tell about my trike is that it is much slower than a two wheeler going uphill (which is not really all that horrible) but you just get into a frame of mind where you accept that that's the way it is and enjoy the scenery. It's OK on the flat and really flies downhill. As people who ride trikes will probably endlessly tell you, trikes are different. It's a long process of acceptance and adaptation. It felt quite alien to me for a long time but recently while out riding it something changed in my mind, and the pluses outweighed the minuses and I thought, "Hey! I'm a tricyclist".

Tricycles are rare enough, and getting a test ride, as you probably found, is not so easy. I have no experience of tilting trikes which are rarer still but I suspect may not be as intuitive to ride as a bicycle. I can imagine that there must be some kind of frame locking mechanism for use at low speed , on slippery surfaces or when parking it, which can be unlocked at higher speeds so it can lean like a bicycle. There are motor scooters produced by Piaggio and Peugeot with twin wheels at the front which use this type of system so it's not impossible to imagine this idea working on a human powered vehicle, to get the best of both worlds. Finding one would be the hardest part. It's possible that Kevin Dunsheath of D-Tek might be able to give you a lead, though he specialises in recumbents. He posts on this forum sometimes as @Mr Magoo.

Thanks a.twiddler. Your comments are very encouraging - I definitely want to get into using my trike and forget about the two wheeler.

 

[404 Not Found Anywhere]

My foray into the more eccentric end of cycling started with the purchase of a Ken Rogers Clubman trike then a Pashley Picador. The Ken Rogers has a diff and I found it a lot easier to ride than the Pashley which was one wheel drive. It’s a lovely machine to ride, and in fact significantly lighter than some of my two wheelers. It took me a good few miles to develop trike reflexes but they came. Every so often particularly if I was tired at the end of a ride I would forget and it would try to chuck me into the nearest ditch! It’s been rather overshadowed by my recumbent trikes since but I do pull it out every so often either for fun or to scare myself silly 😆. There are a few blogs out there that make inspiring reading, including one traditional trike ride in Denmark (https://pedal-trikes.blogspot.com/) and it’s worth browsing the Tricycle Association Website. I thought I was the only trike rider around here until on one ride I encountered another - he was riding an even rarer beast, a modern Kendrick style (2 wheels at the front).

 

[grldtnr]

Riding trikes or upwrong ones at the least is a learning experience, you need to forget everything you know about 2 wheels and start all over.
Recumbents offer a better experience, but you do need good access to store one.
I am biased, I prefer 'tadpole' designs over & 'delta' ones, for the sole reason I haven't ridden one !
I am not speaking from experience here , but if you want a tilting trike, the 'delta' design might be best, but I think to benefit from a tilting design , you need to have speed to maintain equilibrium, otherwise your getting back to the balancing thing again.
Totally understand unrelated , I row for pleasure, the slim narrow hulls seen in competitive rowing also need to be balanced, it's the same principal , forward motion makes them stable.
I think for you, a Delta trike might be best, the Hase and Kettwiesel companies are popular for the continent, , and are perhaps easier to get a ride of one over here.
Kevin Dunsheath of D.tek comes to mind, or Mr.Magoo on this parish, or you might try London Recumbents in Dulwich, South London, there are others, but THE place to try is the Netherlands, many companies over there , plus a wonderful cycle environment.

 

[ianrauk]

That's an amazing Brommie

 

[Antuny]

My foray into the more eccentric end of cycling started with the purchase of a Ken Rogers Clubman trike then a Pashley Picador. The Ken Rogers has a diff and I found it a lot easier to ride than the Pashley which was one wheel drive. It’s a lovely machine to ride, and in fact significantly lighter than some of my two wheelers. It took me a good few miles to develop trike reflexes but they came. Every so often particularly if I was tired at the end of a ride I would forget and it would try to chuck me into the nearest ditch! It’s been rather overshadowed by my recumbent trikes since but I do pull it out every so often either for fun or to scare myself silly 😆. There are a few blogs out there that make inspiring reading, including one traditional trike ride in Denmark (https://pedal-trikes.blogspot.com/) and it’s worth browsing the Tricycle Association Website. I thought I was the only trike rider around here until on one ride I encountered another - he was riding an even rarer beast, a modern Kendrick style (2 wheels at the front).

Thanks for your reply 404 - I found it interesting and helpful. I'll see how I go but the lager wheeled more traditional trike with a diff peaks my interest but the high cross bar might be a problem. Cheers Antuny

 

[Antuny]

Riding trikes or upwrong ones at the least is a learning experience, you need to forget everything you know about 2 wheels and start all over.
Recumbents offer a better experience, but you do need good access to store one.
I am biased, I prefer 'tadpole' designs over & 'delta' ones, for the sole reason I haven't ridden one !
I am not speaking from experience here , but if you want a tilting trike, the 'delta' design might be best, but I think to benefit from a tilting design , you need to have speed to maintain equilibrium, otherwise your getting back to the balancing thing again.
Totally understand unrelated , I row for pleasure, the slim narrow hulls seen in competitive rowing also need to be balanced, it's the same principal , forward motion makes them stable.
I think for you, a Delta trike might be best, the Hase and Kettwiesel companies are popular for the continent, , and are perhaps easier to get a ride of one over here.
Kevin Dunsheath of D.tek comes to mind, or Mr.Magoo on this parish, or you might try London Recumbents in Dulwich, South London, there are others, but THE place to try is the Netherlands, many companies over there , plus a wonderful cycle environment.

Thanks gridtnr: Your advice and experience appreciated. I've seen you tube videos of the top range trikes from the Netherlands, Van Raam for example but they're top dollar and I'm on a budget but if I win on the premium bonds.....................

 

[Antuny]

That's an amazing Brommie

Thank you - its quite scary to ride - not quite as stable as a standard delta trike but it packs away nicely in the car.

 

[Antuny]

You are a legend for proving that cycling is possible for so many that use words like impossible, too hard.

Thank you

 

[Antuny]

That's an ingenious design. Have a tandem trike myself for the benefit of our daughter. Steering is a real challenge and when I first got it, couldn't ride in a straight line!

Enjoy

Tell me about it! I'm still at the stage where I have to concentrate and focus to ensure I don't stray into the curb but I'm hoping that in time it will become second nature - thats what people tell me happens.

 

[Sharky]

It helps when cornering to put as much of your body weight into the side that you're turning to.

Example below of one of the best uk riders ever, showing how to corner on a trike.

 

[Antuny]

Thank you. Assume this is when you're cornering at speed. I've read some contradictory advice about cornering and turning. I have read and seen on some videos advice that says you should try not to lean but stay upright taking a turn or corner at low to moderate speed. This sort of advice relates to the 20/24"type delta tricycles such as Scout, Jorvik or Pashley. I can see that you would need to lean if your doing what the racer in the photo you provided is doing - looks very exciting but in my dreams I think! Antuny