Single/ joy stick steering

[nineball]

Is there any info on single / between legs/ joy stick type steering? On a tadpole, to replace USS like the Warrior.

[Odd Man Out]

Not so much (yet) here. The T-Bolt III trike plans offered by Ricky Horwitz includes plans for an arrangement you are hunting for. The problem with the plans are they are quite complex -- so much so that very few people ever complete a T-Bolt.

The single over seat tiller system looks sexy but it is highly overrated. Common comments are that it is "twitchy" and feels unstable at higher speeds. Brad's designs are simpler, provide a mucher stabler feel and can be ridden hands off. Try that with a tiller system.

[nineball]

Thanks,
Common comments are that it is "twitchy" and feels unstable at higher speeds

I quess that would some what depend on design.

[Odd Man Out]

Thanks,


I quess that would some what depend on design.

I agree. Since the control surfaces are by design so close together, there is no way to easily change this sensation unless you widen them, and then you have a handlebar thereby negating the reason for the design...

Sooo joystick steering = twitchy steering. But hey some like twitchy. I say go for it but be sure to report back on your impressions fairly when done.

[darwin-t]

I am COMPLETELY new to bents and I came up with an idea for my LWB - I'm sure it isn't new -

Remote steering set up like USS - steering rod - except on top of the frame. A single "handlebar" coming straight back from the steering head and then vertical at the rear. It's be a tiller. It seems to me that it would be easy to keep is a straight line - just pull back on it. Sensitivity could be adjusted by moving the pivot points for the steering rod in or out from the center. Then maybe a solidly mounted bar somewhere to steady yourself if necessary and to have somewhere to put the second brake lever.



Has something like this been tried? Did it work?

[trikeman]

I am COMPLETELY new to bents and I came up with an idea for my LWB - I'm sure it isn't new -

Remote steering set up like USS - steering rod - except on top of the frame. A single "handlebar" coming straight back from the steering head and then vertical at the rear. It's be a tiller. It seems to me that it would be easy to keep is a straight line - just pull back on it. Sensitivity could be adjusted by moving the pivot points for the steering rod in or out from the center. Then maybe a solidly mounted bar somewhere to steady yourself if necessary and to have somewhere to put the second brake lever.



Has something like this been tried? Did it work?

Yes. It has been tried, and very successfully on a high-end commercial trike. The trike is called the Windcheetah. One of my dream trikes, but too many $$ for my budget.

http://ecoagile.com/images/WindCheetahHyperSport.jpg

Here is a much larger and cooler picture, but its too large so here is the link:

http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/HIGHREZ/permormance.jpg

Here is an interesting page with links to lots of commercial bikes with various types of steering.

http://www.ihpva.org/Projects/tstrike/steering.htm

[Radical Brad]

Single joystick steering always made me wonder...

How do you hang on when carving a tight corner? Since you are holding on to the very thing that steers your vehicle, it would seem logical that dangerous oscillations would occur as your body shifted in the turn, causing a dangerous feedback effect. Imagine standing up in a fishing boat with your hands on the outboard motor joystick and then cranking it to one side.

Knowing how hard I often had to hold on when carving onto corners on the DeltaWolf and Warrior, I just can't imagine only having a single stick to hang on to compounded with the fact that any body movement will translate into even more steering motion.

Can anyone give personal experiences with this type of steering?

Brad

[trikeman]

Can't give any personal experience with it, but here is a better shot of the Windcheetah joystick.

http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/09/12/gallery-duanes-windcheetah-clubsport/#

http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/09/12/gallery-duanes-windcheetah-clubsport/#

Look at the 2nd or 3rd picture. It looks like a universal joint with a steering lever on the lower shaft.

[darwin-t]

Here's what I was thinking of - and please excuse the crappy drawing and photograph.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/darwin-t/steering.jpg

The top one is a simple tiller. The bottom one is a two piece handlebar. The left piece is below the right piece and fixed. The right piece steers. You would have to cross your arms a bit when making right turns though.

I know, it probably wouldn't work, but I thought I'd throw it out there any way.

[TheKid]

It looks like a universal joint with a steering lever on the lower shaft.

Yes, it's a U-joint. Just like Ricky Horwitz has on the TBolt plans. On the Windcheetah, I noticed there is no caster angle, or maybe even reverse caster angle on the kingpins. Also, the axle is located behind the kingpin. Looks more like a shopping cart wheel geometry to keep the wheels going straight. In comparison, bike forks, and kingpin setups on other tadpoles, are like reverse shopping cart wheels.

Here's what I was thinking of

Kinda sorta looks like the first Ford steering.

[trikeman]

The Windcheetah also appears to have tabs on the sides of the seat as Locutus used to keep you from sliding out of the seat on hard turns. The cross arms also appear to be just stuck into some very large fittings (the same ones that hold the steering stick) perhaps obviating the need for welding. Interesting design.