TheKid
08-03-2008, 08:01 PM
I don't need no stinking deraillers!
I made most of the changes I wanted to make, except the seat, which will have to wait until the Hauler is done, because I plan on using the same cushions for both. I made it up hills in 5th gear, that I always had to climb in first. First gear is 16.6 gear inches, 5th is 31.4. That's with a 24 tooth chainring going to a 19 tooth cog. I'm going to switch the chainring to 34 teeth, which will give me a gear range that's low enough for the worst hills around here, and a high gear that will get me to 17mph @ 80 RPM. I had it up to 15mph, cranking at more than 100 rpm on level ground, at 50.1 gear inches. I haven't been able to do that since last fall, when I had a previous version at 30+ mph, which was before my condition worsened over the winter. I can't safely go that fast on the streets here, but parks are a different story.
I must say, I'm very happy with the Shimano 8 speed internal gear hub. It shifts smoothly and precisely. I also like the clean chain line, with no need for tensioners. I was going to try a pulley with a tensioner, but the trike rides so well with the mid drive, there's no need to experiment any longer.
What you see behind the seat, is a lock wrapped around what will be an expandable rack. It's simply a small piece of 1 1/4" square tube, inserted into the 1 1/2" frame, and welded on. It's notched to accept two pieces of 1" square tube shaped like a T. It acts as a backrest for the seat, as well as a place to weld the neckrest, and will have two round tubes welded to it. One will be to hold my cane, the other for a fishing rod. On the other end of the T, another T made of 3/4" aluminum square tube with vertical extensions will slide in and out for making it larger or smaller. I'll add a couple of lightweight aluminum cross pieces to give support in the center.
I'm planning on installing the fenders tomorrow, after I pick up narrower front tires. The 20x1.95 hookworms are too wide for the fenders, so I'll use them on another future project in the planning stages.
More pics to follow.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z66/edpol_photos/tadpole/000_0426Small.jpg
I made most of the changes I wanted to make, except the seat, which will have to wait until the Hauler is done, because I plan on using the same cushions for both. I made it up hills in 5th gear, that I always had to climb in first. First gear is 16.6 gear inches, 5th is 31.4. That's with a 24 tooth chainring going to a 19 tooth cog. I'm going to switch the chainring to 34 teeth, which will give me a gear range that's low enough for the worst hills around here, and a high gear that will get me to 17mph @ 80 RPM. I had it up to 15mph, cranking at more than 100 rpm on level ground, at 50.1 gear inches. I haven't been able to do that since last fall, when I had a previous version at 30+ mph, which was before my condition worsened over the winter. I can't safely go that fast on the streets here, but parks are a different story.
I must say, I'm very happy with the Shimano 8 speed internal gear hub. It shifts smoothly and precisely. I also like the clean chain line, with no need for tensioners. I was going to try a pulley with a tensioner, but the trike rides so well with the mid drive, there's no need to experiment any longer.
What you see behind the seat, is a lock wrapped around what will be an expandable rack. It's simply a small piece of 1 1/4" square tube, inserted into the 1 1/2" frame, and welded on. It's notched to accept two pieces of 1" square tube shaped like a T. It acts as a backrest for the seat, as well as a place to weld the neckrest, and will have two round tubes welded to it. One will be to hold my cane, the other for a fishing rod. On the other end of the T, another T made of 3/4" aluminum square tube with vertical extensions will slide in and out for making it larger or smaller. I'll add a couple of lightweight aluminum cross pieces to give support in the center.
I'm planning on installing the fenders tomorrow, after I pick up narrower front tires. The 20x1.95 hookworms are too wide for the fenders, so I'll use them on another future project in the planning stages.
More pics to follow.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z66/edpol_photos/tadpole/000_0426Small.jpg