trike attachment?

[supabonbon]

I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
she's too scared to crash.
So I want to set her up with a trike, something like one of these:

http://www.waltscycle.com/trikes.htm

However, I've already got the Schwinn cruiser. The trikes I've seen
appear to be a regular frame with a two-wheel unit bolted into the
rear frame dropouts. Can anybody point me in a direction to buy just
the unit and not the whole bike?

Thanks.

/s

[Monique Y. Mudama]

["Followup-To:" header set to alt.mountain-bike.] On 2004-07-22,
supabonbon penned:
> I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
> never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
> at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
> she's too scared to crash. So I want to set her up with a trike,
> something like one of these:
>
> http://www.waltscycle.com/trikes.htm
>
> However, I've already got the Schwinn cruiser. The trikes I've seen
> appear to be a regular frame with a two-wheel unit bolted into the
> rear frame dropouts. Can anybody point me in a direction to buy just
> the unit and not the whole bike?
>

I have no idea, but I just have to ask -- what's up with the pics of the
guy using the trike? His knees are bent for the whole pedal stroke, it
looks like. Ouch!

--
monique

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
-- Mark Twain

[Jeff Wills]

(supabonbon) wrote in message >...
> I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
> never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
> at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
> she's too scared to crash.
> So I want to set her up with a trike, something like one of these:
>
> http://www.waltscycle.com/trikes.htm
>
> However, I've already got the Schwinn cruiser. The trikes I've seen
> appear to be a regular frame with a two-wheel unit bolted into the
> rear frame dropouts. Can anybody point me in a direction to buy just
> the unit and not the whole bike?
>
> Thanks.
>
> /s

Sheesh- some people can't even answer a simple question without going
off on an irrelevant tangent.

Anyway- Steve, trike conversions are sold by a few bike shops here and
there. Since you don't say where you are, I can't refer you to a
specific shop.
I plugged "bike trike conversion" into Google and found these:
http://www.web.net/freedex/Trike%20Conversion.htm
http://www.megalowrider.com/Item/F9901.htm
http://www.masterlowrider.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/422441/135896.htm

The conversion housing and associated parts are also available from
J&B Importers- but there doesn't appear to be a complete kit listed.
You'll have to talk to a knowledgable dealer to get all the parts.

Jeff

[JD]

(supabonbon) wrote in message >...
> I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
> never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
> at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
> she's too scared to crash.
> So I want to set her up with a trike, something like one of these:
>
> http://www.waltscycle.com/trikes.htm
>
> However, I've already got the Schwinn cruiser. The trikes I've seen
> appear to be a regular frame with a two-wheel unit bolted into the
> rear frame dropouts. Can anybody point me in a direction to buy just
> the unit and not the whole bike?
>
> Thanks.
>
> /s

Try these dudes: http://www.lovelylowrider.com

Last time I checked their website out, they had a
trike conversion for a 20" that you could probably
convert to use 26" wheels on.

If not, let me know and I'll ask a local shop here who
does custom conversions for handicapped people. He'll
give me a quote that will be reasonable for something
like that.

JD

[Werehatrack]

On 22 Jul 2004 21:29:34 -0700, (Jeff Wills) wrote:

>Anyway- Steve, trike conversions are sold by a few bike shops here and
>there. Since you don't say where you are, I can't refer you to a
>specific shop.
>I plugged "bike trike conversion" into Google and found these:
>http://www.web.net/freedex/Trike%20Conversion.htm
>http://www.megalowrider.com/Item/F9901.htm
>http://www.masterlowrider.shoppingcartsplus.com/catalog/item/422441/135896.htm
>
>The conversion housing and associated parts are also available from
>J&B Importers- but there doesn't appear to be a complete kit listed.
>You'll have to talk to a knowledgable dealer to get all the parts.

One consideration to keep in mind; the cheaper kits generally are set
up to drive only one of the rear wheels, and while that works, it's
not necessarily as good as using an axle with a differential that
drives both wheels. One-wheel-drive is, however, vastly preferred
over a straight axle that drives both wheels; this is not a safe setup
for a trike, as it makes steering very dodgy...and downright
impossible at times.

I'd ask about the type of system used before buying any kit.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

[Luigi de Guzman]

I seem to recall that the UK Cycling mag "Cycling Plus" reviewed just
such an animal last year, sometime around their Giro d'Italia issue.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

-Luigi

[Tom Sherman]

Werehatrack wrote:

> One consideration to keep in mind; the cheaper kits generally are set
> up to drive only one of the rear wheels, and while that works, it's
> not necessarily as good as using an axle with a differential that
> drives both wheels. One-wheel-drive is, however, vastly preferred
> over a straight axle that drives both wheels; this is not a safe setup
> for a trike, as it makes steering very dodgy...and downright
> impossible at times....

Most purpose built delta trikes drive only one rear wheel. A
differential adds significant cost and complexity.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[Werehatrack]

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 00:20:16 -0500, Tom Sherman
> wrote:

>Werehatrack wrote:
>
>> One consideration to keep in mind; the cheaper kits generally are set
>> up to drive only one of the rear wheels, and while that works, it's
>> not necessarily as good as using an axle with a differential that
>> drives both wheels. One-wheel-drive is, however, vastly preferred
>> over a straight axle that drives both wheels; this is not a safe setup
>> for a trike, as it makes steering very dodgy...and downright
>> impossible at times....
>
>Most purpose built delta trikes drive only one rear wheel. A
>differential adds significant cost and complexity.

It also adds another drawback; unless the diff is equipped with a slip
brake (in automotive apps, this is called "posi-traction") the
effectiveness of the drive will be completely lost when *either* rear
wheel lifts off the road. With one-side-drive, you only lose drive
effectiveness when the driving wheel lifts. There are reasons to
prefer each of these, but when cost is taken into account, the
one-siders tend to win. I had a one-sider as a delivery vehicle back
in the early '70s; I don't miss it.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:26:36 GMT, Werehatrack
> wrote in message
>:

>in automotive apps, this is called "posi-traction"

And there was I thinking it was called a limited slip differential :-)

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

[Chalo]

(supabonbon) wrote:
>
> I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
> never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
> at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
> she's too scared to crash.
> So I want to set her up with a trike,

What you and she may not know is that a trike is WAY more crash-prone
than a bike, and that's especially true of trikes that are adapted
from bikes. They tip to the outside of turns, jacknife, barrel-roll,
and do all sorts of other unruly things of which a bicycle is
generally incapable. To my way of thinking, that is one of a trike's
advantages over a bike. You have lots more ways to crash without ever
even going fast.

For your mom, though, it is apt to be a scary experience that "proves"
to her what a deathtrap a bicycle must be. She'll give up the trike
and become even more determined never to try a bike.

If she must go on all threes, she had better use a recumbent trike,
which places the C of G low enough to ride without undue peril.

http://www.wagondepot.com/joyrider.html
http://www.wagondepot.com/fun-cycle.html
http://www.sunbicycles.com/03/html_04/recumbents/ez3_sx.html

Such machines are not a lot of bike for the money, though. She'll
have a better time if she relinquishes her weenitude and learns to
ride on two wheels.

Chalo Colina

[Werehatrack]

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 22:57:26 +0100, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> wrote:

>On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:26:36 GMT, Werehatrack
> wrote in message
>:
>
>>in automotive apps, this is called "posi-traction"
>
>And there was I thinking it was called a limited slip differential :-)

It is, if you have the time, but if you're really in a hurry it's just
"posi". (Car racing fanatics are in a hurry a lot.)
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

[supabonbon]

(JD) wrote in message >...
> (supabonbon) wrote in message >...
> > I purchased a Schwinn cruiser for my mom a couple years ago. She's
> > never owned a bicycle and never learned to ride one. I've prodded, but
> > at this point it ain't gonna happen with a regular two wheeler --
> > she's too scared to crash.
> > So I want to set her up with a trike, something like one of these:
> >
> > http://www.waltscycle.com/trikes.htm
> >
> > However, I've already got the Schwinn cruiser. The trikes I've seen
> > appear to be a regular frame with a two-wheel unit bolted into the
> > rear frame dropouts. Can anybody point me in a direction to buy just
> > the unit and not the whole bike?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > /s
>
> Try these dudes: http://www.lovelylowrider.com
>
> Last time I checked their website out, they had a
> trike conversion for a 20" that you could probably
> convert to use 26" wheels on.
>
> If not, let me know and I'll ask a local shop here who
> does custom conversions for handicapped people. He'll
> give me a quote that will be reasonable for something
> like that.
>
> JD

Dizzamn! Those things are insane. New plan: sell the Schwinn, buy mom
Chopper Trike B with a furry purple hat.

/s

[BB]

On 26 Jul 2004 19:17:33 -0700, Chalo wrote:

> To my way of thinking, that is one of a trike's
> advantages over a bike. You have lots more ways to crash without ever
> even going fast.

How is that an advantage?

BTW, I agree with you on the trike thing. I used to have a three-wheeled
go-cart (not one of those Honda things with three giant tires, but one
where you sit ~6 inches off the ground); it had a much lower center of
gravity than the bike-trikes and it took very little to cause it to tip to
the outside. It wouldn't likely happen at a few mph, but a downhill
followed by a turn could easily have her eating pavement.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

[Werehatrack]

On 27 Jul 2004 07:45:46 -0700, (supabonbon)
wrote:

>...New plan: sell the Schwinn, buy mom
>Chopper Trike B with a furry purple hat.

Unless she wears red hats anyway, in which case it's best not to mess
with the chapeau.

Hmmm. Furry purple helmet? Elasticized purple fake-fur cover for
cool-weather stylish comfort? (Yes, I know, "purple fake fur" does
not belong in the same sentence as "stylish" for the most part, but
there's stylin' and then there's stylin'...)
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

[Werehatrack]

On 26 Jul 2004 19:17:33 -0700, (Chalo) wrote:

>If she must go on all threes, she had better use a recumbent trike,
>which places the C of G low enough to ride without undue peril.
>
>http://www.wagondepot.com/joyrider.html
>http://www.wagondepot.com/fun-cycle.html
>http://www.sunbicycles.com/03/html_04/recumbents/ez3_sx.html
>
>Such machines are not a lot of bike for the money, though. She'll
>have a better time if she relinquishes her weenitude and learns to
>ride on two wheels.

I have to agree with this on all counts, having had a conversion trike
long ago and having ridden a 'bent trike a couple of times more
recently. Of the three, if she *won't* ride a two-wheeler, then the
'bent is the better choice by far; conversion trikes topple with very
little warning and at alarmingly low speeds, and they're much less
bump-stable as well. I won't even go into their proclivities for
traversing an inclined drive or street.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

[Tom Sherman]

Werehatrack wrote:

> On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 00:20:16 -0500, Tom Sherman
> > wrote:
>
>
>>Werehatrack wrote:
>>
>>
>>>One consideration to keep in mind; the cheaper kits generally are set
>>>up to drive only one of the rear wheels, and while that works, it's
>>>not necessarily as good as using an axle with a differential that
>>>drives both wheels. One-wheel-drive is, however, vastly preferred
>>>over a straight axle that drives both wheels; this is not a safe setup
>>>for a trike, as it makes steering very dodgy...and downright
>>>impossible at times....
>>
>>Most purpose built delta trikes drive only one rear wheel. A
>>differential adds significant cost and complexity.
>
>
> It also adds another drawback; unless the diff is equipped with a slip
> brake (in automotive apps, this is called "posi-traction") the
> effectiveness of the drive will be completely lost when *either* rear
> wheel lifts off the road. With one-side-drive, you only lose drive
> effectiveness when the driving wheel lifts. There are reasons to
> prefer each of these, but when cost is taken into account, the
> one-siders tend to win. I had a one-sider as a delivery vehicle back
> in the early '70s; I don't miss it.

Another approach is to use an axle with no differential to drive both
wheels, but to use freewheeling hubs. This allows the inner wheel to
coast while turning, but delivers power to both wheels in slippery
conditions. I know of one homebuilt delta trike using this arrangement.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

[MattB]

Werehatrack wrote:
> On 27 Jul 2004 07:45:46 -0700, (supabonbon)
> wrote:
>
>> ...New plan: sell the Schwinn, buy mom
>> Chopper Trike B with a furry purple hat.
>
> Unless she wears red hats anyway, in which case it's best not to mess
> with the chapeau.
>
> Hmmm. Furry purple helmet? Elasticized purple fake-fur cover for
> cool-weather stylish comfort? (Yes, I know, "purple fake fur" does
> not belong in the same sentence as "stylish" for the most part, but
> there's stylin' and then there's stylin'...)

Environmentalists are getting upset that the Barney population is dwindling
due to purple fur demand.
I bet you have to use a big harpoon to land yourself an adult Barney too.

Matt