I was looking at low end reverse trikes as a chassis for my velomobile. I will likely use an electric hub motor in the rear for assistance. This Terratrike Rover costs about $700 plus shipping. It is single speed and only internal shifter hubs are an option on it. The price jumps to $1200 (gag) with an internal 8 speed Nexus hub. The backbone of this Terratrike is a straight beam. How simple. Got me thinking DIY.
I ran across a site where this guy combines wooden beams with salvaged bicycle parts to build two wheeled recumbents. Bearing retainers like the headset and bottom bracket are tightly secured by precisely drilling into the wood backbone and squeezing them in. I can drill holes, so that looked like a good plan for my recumbent trike. Maybe I can build an inexpensive rev trike that doesn't look hideous.
Adding actual reverse trike hubs, axles and spindles would be too expensive for me. Even converting bicycle wheels to rev trike front wheels can add up. I considered using big heavy door hinges for front steering but it would be stiff and prone to rattles and squeaks. I ran across this site that provides parts for building a qudracycle with PVC pipe. The americanspeedster steering components look like they could be adopted to my rev trike project and they require only bicycle hubs and axles. The disadvantage is that this steering hardware accepts only 16 inch wheels, limiting my tire choices. Anybody got any steering ideas that do not require welding or machine work?
I am still deciding if I want to use a wooden back bone, PVC backbone or combine the two in my trike. I also haven't decided if I want a short wheelbase, like a typical velomobile or long wheelbase for something similar to a Morgan trike.
I ran across a site where this guy combines wooden beams with salvaged bicycle parts to build two wheeled recumbents. Bearing retainers like the headset and bottom bracket are tightly secured by precisely drilling into the wood backbone and squeezing them in. I can drill holes, so that looked like a good plan for my recumbent trike. Maybe I can build an inexpensive rev trike that doesn't look hideous.
Adding actual reverse trike hubs, axles and spindles would be too expensive for me. Even converting bicycle wheels to rev trike front wheels can add up. I considered using big heavy door hinges for front steering but it would be stiff and prone to rattles and squeaks. I ran across this site that provides parts for building a qudracycle with PVC pipe. The americanspeedster steering components look like they could be adopted to my rev trike project and they require only bicycle hubs and axles. The disadvantage is that this steering hardware accepts only 16 inch wheels, limiting my tire choices. Anybody got any steering ideas that do not require welding or machine work?
I am still deciding if I want to use a wooden back bone, PVC backbone or combine the two in my trike. I also haven't decided if I want a short wheelbase, like a typical velomobile or long wheelbase for something similar to a Morgan trike.
