The Kyoto Cruiser Trike is designed to be a real alternative to the automobile for many short trips, errands and leisure rides. The trike has a very sturdy frame and wheels, and since seats are placed side-by-side rather than inline, you can enjoy a sociable cycling experience with a partner. The Kyoto Cruiser is very comfortable thanks to its recumbent seat design, but it also has a seat height typical to many small cars to aid visibility and navigation in traffic.

The Kyoto Cruiser Trike is loaded with unique features, including a full range of gears and 20 inch wheels for extreme hill climbing capabilities, and independent front and rear shifting systems so that each rider can pedal at his or her own pace and comfort level. Handling is very smooth with the ability to turn tight circles and stop efficiently using dual rear disc brakes. The unique sliding bottom bracket system can be easily adjusted to suit any rider size so that youngsters and adults alike can enjoy the experience. With gas prices shrinking our wallets and our hectic lives leaving us with limited time to prevent expanding waistlines, the Kyoto Cruiser may be the answer to many of our daily problems!

With a few days of hard work you will end up with a very sturdy and sporty looking trike that not only performs as good as it looks, but is a true joy to ride on short and long hauls. Most of the parts can be easily found at  bicycle shops, thrift stores, hardware stores, or from scrap bicycle parts. Like all of my Atomic Zombie designs, I aim to keep things as simple and effective as possible, requiring only common parts and basic tools. Of course, there is always room for experimentation and alternative designs based on your own style or needs.

Electric vehicle capabilities! You can also add an electric power assist motor, a grocery trailer, a full fairing, dog hauler, hand cycle attachment, and many other additional features. The possibilities are truly endless! The completed Kyoto Cruiser Trike is like a new sport utility vehicle, waiting to be accessorized. 

There are over 160 high resolution photos and over 90 pages of clear and concise text detailing every single step of the building process. This project also includes alternate parts sources, and some suggestions for making  modifications based on your building style or available materials.

There are no hard-to-find parts used in this project, and the only parts that need to be machined are the small threaded  hub adapters that allow a standard freehubs to connect to each of the rear axels.  The total cost of building the Kyoto Cruiser including the machined part will be approximately $300, which might actually be much less depending on the size of your existing scrap parts pile! The frame is made from mild steel square tubing, and can be put together in a few evenings or during a weekend.

This is the perfect trike for those of us who prefer to leave the car at home for short trips, errands, or even as your main transportation vehicle. It is one of the only tandem cycles that allows you to socialize with your riding partner while out for leisurely ventures. The Kyoto Cruiser Trike looks sleek and professionally-built, and it's attracting a lot of attention on streets and roads everywhere as an environmentally-friendly, comfortable, fun, practical and reliable human powered vehicle. Build yours today!