Possibly--I tried one that an ES member brought down this way (sorry I'm braindead and can't remember his name ATM) and while it was interesting, I ended up preferring the SB Cruiser Delta once I got it set up right. (though the tadpole was way better than the Delta Tripper!).
I still plan to build the BarkFiet as a leaning tadpole, but it won't be a lowracer by any means, nor short wheelbase, and the main reason for two front wheels is to spread the load up there and to ket it remain upright without a kickstand/etc. for loading stuff up andn stopping at lights/etc. with wiggly giant dogs on board.
LI-ghtcycle said:
one major difference with 'bents too if you are going to be doing a lot of off-road, there is a lot more limited "body english" options compared to your typical DF bike, you cannot "stand" on the pedals when you go over a bump, as you are pretty much fixed in your reclined position, BUT!
Depends on the design of your 'bent. For ones like mine, I could pull on hte bars and "stand" on the pedals if I had to, though that's harder with the SB Cruiser than CrazyBike2, becaucse SBC has tiller steering, and CB2 uses remote steering.
If you have USS it's probably not possible as they are probably too far below the seat to give leverage to lift you off of it.
If you have high-up pedals, out in frontn of you or above the seat, it's definitely not happening.
A suspended-mesh seat will be a lot more comfortable than a solid / padded seat, and wil conform to your body better most likely. It'll absorb the little vibrations and such on regular roads, and even soak up a fair bit of slightly larger bumps, though it own't do anything much for potholes and the like.
On the trike I use Shinko SR241 moped/mc tires on the rear 20" wheels, mostly for the durability but found also they soak up bumps WAYbetter than any of hte bicycle tires I have been able to try that didn't just disintegrate from the loads/roads.
ON the bike I'm still using a Maxxis Ringworm, but only because I couldn't get three of the Shinkos at the time (using smae rims on all the rear wheels of both). it's ok, but I'm pretty sure the SHinko would feel alot better on it.
Neither one has rear suspension because it complicated the cargo areas more than I wanted to deal with (though I have thought of several schemes for each one).
If I were to redo the trike I'd use 26" wheels (or bigger) on it and just sling the deck below the axles like I deid on the big trailer for Yogi (see the Raine Trike thread for this concept, too). That would probably give me the same or better ride over bumps/etc that the Shinkos do, and then even better if I find some of those that will fit the larger wheels, too.
Main reason I went with smaller wheels originally was better t orque in the motors at startup from a stop under the heavy loads theses are meant to move. If I used a middrive I might not need that, or just higher current controllers and possibly some cooling mods on the motors, since I have to start f rom stop many times on typical rides/commutes, dependiong on the route I have to take. (at least a dozen t imes in 2.5 miles for work commute).
Second reason was to keep the trike's deck low, but that was before I thought of slinging the deck under the axle, instead of sitting above it like "normal".
Just uisng regular dCST City on the front of both bike and trike, it's knobby on edges and slick in center, sticky but durable. 26" wheels on front, for better ride over bumps, curbs/driveways/etc.
