Don't Shoot the Messenger

[3WHELZ]

Okay, I realize this may be blasphemy and could touch off some flaming responses, but does anyone know of a trike kit that may accommodate the Quest?

As background, let me first explain. My wife saw the Quest and immediately said it was exactly what she was looking for, but in a trike version. As a child, she never rode a bike (don’t ask my why; I have no idea). As a result, she has never been comfortable on a two-wheeler. We have purchased many trikes over the years, but none has given her the upright position she desires. Converting the Quest into a delta is an interesting solution.

From my perspective, I have little to lose. If is does not work out for her, I have a slightly used Quest.

Thanks

 

[Doug Burton]

Nah, no flaming...

I see two issues.

1. The trike conversion kits for the rear wheels I've seen assume the rear dropout spacing is wider than 100mm (the Quest uses a front wheel in the rear swingarm).

2. I'm a bit concerned about stability. High seat plus forward weight distribution (for a delta) leads me to think there would be a tendency to tip at anything above walking speed during cornering.

YMMV.


Best,

Doug

 

[3WHELZ]

Doug - you make some excellent points. Well, I guess the "quest" continues -- pun intended. The adventure of finding the perfect trike has been like "goldie-locks and the three bears" story. Thank you!!

 

[JonB]

i think you need to mount the 2 rear wheels with independent suspension. That would probably increase stability since it can lean in corners.

 

[Doug Burton]

JonB wrote: i think you need to mount the 2 rear wheels with independent suspension. That would probably increase stability since it can lean in corners.

Jon, you bring up an interesting line of thought.

Does a leaning trike require the same balancing skills as a 2-wheel cycle?

As facinated as I am by leaning trikes, I always thought them a bit redundant to 2-wheelers, having similar dynamics but having to drag a third wheel around (33% more rolling drag). If there is an advantage for people with balance challenges to having the two rear wheels, even though the entire system leans, there may be something to this.

Best,

Doug

 

[JonB]

Doug Burton wrote:

JonB wrote: i think you need to mount the 2 rear wheels with independent suspension. That would probably increase stability since it can lean in corners.

Jon, you bring up an interesting line of thought.

It is not the first time i mention this idea.

Doug Burton wrote: Does a leaning trike require the same balancing skills as a 2-wheel cycle?

As facinated as I am by leaning trikes, I always thought them a bit redundant to 2-wheelers, having similar dynamics but having to drag a third wheel around (33% more rolling drag). If there is an advantage for people with balance challenges to having the two rear wheels, even though the entire system leans, there may be something to this.

You definately want to lean or tilt somehow. See these videos for why http://www.recumbentblog.com/2010/01/16/the-tilter-trike-totally-triumphs/

You might want to do the leaning like this http://www.recumbentblog.com/2010/01/19/like-to-go-to-tilting-trike-school/ but i like the apax.ca approach myself. Because it has suspension.

I dont think it is easier to drive a tilting trike unless you can lock the tilting. I have seen something similar to the links above that uses a diskbrake to block tilting, but again i like the apax.ca approach, which is 2 air suspension chambers which are linked and when you want to have a stable trike you block the link between the 2 air chambers.

Either way weight will increase too, but you can carry more cargo. As for balance, i think that it is easier the wider the trike is, but that brings other problems.