llile
1 kW
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2010
- Messages
- 457
Welcome to the saga of my Tadpole recumbent Trike build, aka Frankenbike 8.0.
I've forked this off of a really excellent thread about 2WD bikes. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33429
Most are focused on standard diamond frame bikes, which us 'Bent (recumbent) folks affentionately call Buttbusters, since your butt and your nether parts will invariably hurt after a long time no matter how cushy the seat is and how many springs you have in the forks. Maybe that's just me, call me Tenderbutt.
I've got a really successful SWB 'Bent (Short Wheelbase recumbent, for those of you not steeped in the lingo) that I have been using for almost a year - I ride more, farther and faster than I ever did on a standard 'Bent and I am in better shape than a year ago. I am addicted. So how could I change things so that I use my E-Bike more often?
Weather is a big factor. Sure, I ride in the rain and in the cold, I have ridden in rain that would fill your shoes after a minute, and ridden in cold that would have frozen Sam McGee. But those aren't conditions I want to endure every day, and not both at the same time. Speed is a factor. I live 15-20 miles from town on good roads, sometimes I don't have an hour to get there and an hour to get back. In the winter, darkness hems in both ends of the ride. I have lights, ride at night in town where traffic is slow and streetlights are common, however I'd rather be a more visible target at night on these lonely backroads. I have a 50 mile round trip - a formidable distance. I'd like to have a 40 MPH capable vehicle, a formidable speed.
I am fixated on building a tadpole trike with two front motors. A challenge, no doubt. I'd like it to have a faring, for better wind resistance and to keep some of the wind and rain (not all - I'll still have my balding helmeted head poking out the top) off of me. Whether or not this is a good idea remains to be seen, but I am convinced it will be.
Missouri, being a liberal state (NOT) allows motorized bikes up to 30 MPH and 3 HP (2200 watts!). Such a bike is allowed on ANY road, even the interstate shoulder, as long as it is on the shoulder where a minimum speed is posted. I actually ride a four lane road a lot - you have your own 8 foot lane with a rumble strip between you and the big trucks! Call me insane, I am not alone.
Playing with the wonderful calculator is the next step.
I've forked this off of a really excellent thread about 2WD bikes. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33429
Most are focused on standard diamond frame bikes, which us 'Bent (recumbent) folks affentionately call Buttbusters, since your butt and your nether parts will invariably hurt after a long time no matter how cushy the seat is and how many springs you have in the forks. Maybe that's just me, call me Tenderbutt.
I've got a really successful SWB 'Bent (Short Wheelbase recumbent, for those of you not steeped in the lingo) that I have been using for almost a year - I ride more, farther and faster than I ever did on a standard 'Bent and I am in better shape than a year ago. I am addicted. So how could I change things so that I use my E-Bike more often?
Weather is a big factor. Sure, I ride in the rain and in the cold, I have ridden in rain that would fill your shoes after a minute, and ridden in cold that would have frozen Sam McGee. But those aren't conditions I want to endure every day, and not both at the same time. Speed is a factor. I live 15-20 miles from town on good roads, sometimes I don't have an hour to get there and an hour to get back. In the winter, darkness hems in both ends of the ride. I have lights, ride at night in town where traffic is slow and streetlights are common, however I'd rather be a more visible target at night on these lonely backroads. I have a 50 mile round trip - a formidable distance. I'd like to have a 40 MPH capable vehicle, a formidable speed.
I am fixated on building a tadpole trike with two front motors. A challenge, no doubt. I'd like it to have a faring, for better wind resistance and to keep some of the wind and rain (not all - I'll still have my balding helmeted head poking out the top) off of me. Whether or not this is a good idea remains to be seen, but I am convinced it will be.
Missouri, being a liberal state (NOT) allows motorized bikes up to 30 MPH and 3 HP (2200 watts!). Such a bike is allowed on ANY road, even the interstate shoulder, as long as it is on the shoulder where a minimum speed is posted. I actually ride a four lane road a lot - you have your own 8 foot lane with a rumble strip between you and the big trucks! Call me insane, I am not alone.
Playing with the wonderful calculator is the next step.