What would you do different?

[GregLWB]

Okay guys,

I have a couple of weeks of yard/housework to make up to SWMBO before I can start the next project - A Delta Runner for my almost 18 year old daughter.

I have been reading the threads on this and the DW and have some ideas. My question is this - those of you who have built a DR - what would you have done different/improved on your DR.

My daughter will be riding this to college (about a mile each way) and I am planning on giving her plenty of low gearing to make it easy to pedal and she's more the <15 mph type of rider.

This will be my 3rd Zombie build. I have built an HR and a motor-assisted TM.

Thanks, Greg

[TheKid]

For what it's worth, I have a 34t ring going to a 5 speed cluster (34-28-22-18-14)
The lowest gear (26 gear inches) was low enough for small hills, and the one 10° hill in my area, the steepest I've encountered, was fairly easy to climb, even though it's about a half mile long. My disabilities have since worsened a bit, so a 28t ring would help a lot. Because of my weight, I would have made it a few inches wider. It's now about 30" wide. I'm in the process of installing a 450w motor, and with the freewheel I have available, it will go over 20mph with 26" wheels. I'm going to replace them with 20" wheels, which will give a top speed of 17 mph.
With the ring and cluster on it now, without the motor, I average between 13 and 15 mph in high gear on level ground. (63 gear inches) That's cranking at 70-85 RPM. Hope this helps.