Many many thanks for the info
The trikes now at the point where i can get her in it for testing... Theres a seldom used road just outside the yard we can use for speed tests and the like and Ive every intention of making this as safe as is possible given its a low slung tricycle...
Im still in two minds (or 3 even) about the steering set up.. when i pedalled it round the yard for the first time the other day it seems ridiculously responsive to even small inputs and was wondering how i could tone that down a bit? maybe the push/pull system with bars on separate pivots at the side of the seat? I just dont know at this stage... I havent even made caliper brackets yet or fitted any levers so its all new at every stage..
Ive just got the chain on and the gears working but those twist grip ones just seem crap, and really stiff to boot so ive ordered some shimano button click sequential jobbies and maybe this weekend I can design the handle bars around her comfort.. shes had a push round in it before i got the chain on and tbh she absolutely loved it
I was also thinking maybe steering dampers would be an idea but ive no idea what kind to fit? Im aware they make them for motorbikes but not sure if they would be suitable for a human powered trike? Also I thought it would be good if i could get the steering to want to return to centre using such a system so even under the harshest circumstances, a kind of instant full lock scenario isnt going to happen?
I already ordered the twin cable lever and it didnt cost too many beans so ill give it a go and see, might as well now ive bought it but ill do it with the warnings ringing in my ears and will definately give it some serious testing myself with a crash helmet on before i let her go screaming down a hill with wild abandon (shes nuts, she would, trust me
)
I also didnt know this forum existed or anything at all about these recumbent trikes before and tbh Im getting right into it although with the easy bit (building the frame) now done, the learning curve is steep... not least the steering, which ive tried to set up as "ackerman" steering (new phrase and info i learned recently) which somehow doesnt seem to work quite right and Im also getting quite a bit of what I understand is known as "wheel flop" which Ive read on here is too much rake so I can see me chopping that front end about quite a bit more before Im happy with it...
Up to now (or very recently) ive not had to buy any specialist gear to get it going but i will be fitting all new cables, levers, bearings, stainless bolts etc when it gets to final build after paint (which Im told by the missus is gonna be bright dayglo orange) and shes a dab hand with a sewing machine so shes taken the cover off the bucket seat to make a new waterproof version.
Im sure ill be popping in regularly with more (probably silly) questions so again many thanks for the advice guys
this is the design i started with btw its supposed to be a 24" front and 26" rear but ive stuck the 20" bmx wheels on the front...