*** SEIZED CAR AUCTIONS ***

Find Out More About Car Sales Statistics - Hondas, Mercedes & More
Find Your Dream Cars Up To 95% Off Retail Prices!
Drive Off A New Or Used Car For As Low As $200...
Search To Get Your Luxury Car Now!


Thursday, August 13, 2009

Trikes Useful Informations

By Banga Koupit

Why have they become so popular in recent years? One reason has been that they are seen as a more stable alternative to a motorcycle. This makes them perfect for those with stability problems - this form of vehicle provides the thrill of riding a two wheeled machine, with the increased feeling of safety provided by that extra wheel.

There's a whole culture that goes with riding these machines too. That culture places trike owners in the same bracket as motorcycle owners, distinct from those of us who drive cars and other four wheeled vehicles.

Whether such models gain popularity will be interesting. One thing is for certain - trike owners will continue to enjoy the experience of riding these unique vehicles.

Children's trikes are made of steel frames or plastic. One disadvantage of plastic frames is that they be more likely to tip over than a steel frame if a heavier child is riding. On the plus side, plastic frames will not rust like steel frames if the trike is left out in the rain. A good quality trike's wheels will have treads, which provide better traction.

Typical upright trikes for adults have front and rear brakes. The front brakes are usually "pull brakes" or V-brakes, and the rear brakes can be pull brakes or internal drum brakes (which operate like automobile drum brakes).

Trikes' strongest suits are cornering, stability, comfort, rider stamina and terminal velocity. Trikes can be used by adults who have problems riding bicyles. As well, trikes are a good choice for elderly riders who are worried about falls. Trikes can ride and climb at very low speed and a kickstand is never needed.

Trikes are always heavier than bikes of the same quality. In fact, the lightest commercially-made tadpole trikes, at around 30 pounds, are easily twice the weight of an upright bicycle of the same cost and quality. Deltas are even heavier. Shortcomings that potential tadpole trikers should realize center on the low riding position which makes them difficult to mount (grab handles are often available) and makes them hard to see in traffic, so flags and blinking lights are often used. Visibility concerns become minimal on bike trails and off-street riding.

Spidertrike is a recumbent cycle rickshaw that is used in central London and is operated by Eco Chariots. It is a front wheel drive tricycle, articulated behind the driver seat. The passenger is protected from rain and sun with a canopy. These pedicabs have features like double disc, hydraulic disc brakes and internal hub gears.

Makers of recumbent trikes include KMX; Hase (who make the Kettwiesel delta, improbably named after the British children's programme Catweazle); Inspired Cycle Engineering, who make the Trice range of tadpole trikes; AVD, who build the record holding Burrows Windcheetah or Speedy, a design exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); Australia's Greenspeed, one of the oldest manufacturers; Michigan-based WhizWheelz, which makes 10 models, including a sub-US$1000 model tadpole and a tandem; and Big Cat HPV which builds the 6 Catrike models in Florida. - 21392

About the Author:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home