Is the TriCruiser Recumbent stable?

[mach3]

Just some of my random thoughts put down here for discussion. I think this has possibly grown on me the more I look at it. I like the idea of stopping without putting your feet down, that is a big plus when riding a recumbent in traffic in my view.

I would like to know if this bike is stable when cornering at speed, and how maneuverable is it? What is the turn radius of a bike this length? How wide are the two front wheels apart, and will they go through my front door?

I would like to shorten it by placing the rider nearly over the back wheel, and put the bottom bracket down lower, giving a more upright riding position (for traffic). I could see that this modification to the design would possibly make it more unstable? The lower BB would also make the chain run to the back wheel a direct connection.

I do like the under seat steering a lot as it cleans up the design giving a sleeker look to it. I also like the two wheels at the front trike idea, as it could be that it is more stable than the two wheels at the back trike, which to my mind would fall over at the slightest corner. That is why I ask, is it stable to ride? Could do with a video to see it in action before I buy the plans though.

:)

[pcorbett]

I would like to know if this bike is stable when cornering at speed

How wide are the two front wheels apart, and will they go through my front door?

Could do with a video to see it in action before I buy the plans though.

:)

Maybe I can shed a little light on these points. I have a Hammer Head Trike that I ride nearly every day with my dog in the front basket. Hammer Heads do not ride like a regular bike, you have to ride them flat something like you would with a side car. I go around a corner at high speed through a crowd of people with weight on the inside crank leaning my body far to the inside screaming " Oh mother of Jesus I have no brakes!!" and then the dog barks and everyone jumps out of my way. Yeah it's not bad. As far as the Tricruiser is concerned, I would think that there would be a little body english during the learning stage. As far as turning radius, it will be enough to ride but you won't be doing tight corners. You could set it on two wheels and ride it like a long wheel base recumbent.

Buy the plans to find out how wide it really is. You could just pick the bike up and rotate it through the door.

We all want to see the video but don't push Brad. It will come on it's own.



Pete

[Radical Brad]

TriCruiser and HammerHead are not high speed vehicles, that's for sure. Cornering at speeds more than jogging speeds will require leaning or a wheel lift.

Both are great all weather machines, but don't expect fast maneuverability at high speeds or in busy traffic.

Brad