I: [CR]Racing Trikes

Greg Wrote:
> Back in the days when I was working in the bike industry, I came across
> racing trikes at trade shows. I absolutely fell in love with them, but
> being of limited means, never owned or even rode one. Are they on topic
> here? Do they ever show up at the shows, such as the one coming up in
> Pasadena? Any websites? And has anyone ever seen one on E-Bay?

There was recently a tandem trike for sale that I highlighted in a previous post. I would guess that they are on topic if the period of construction is correct. There is a tricycling association in Britain, which seems to be the only place where they are made professionally. Take a look at their web-site: http://www.tricycle-association.org.uk/photo_album.htm I have owned two trikes and used them extensively for winter riding in the snow. They were however all home-made contraptions using kits that were available. I believe the kits were made by Roger's. Some of the British list members can undoubtedly add more. Riding a trike is a great experience, especially on a light-weight. Back in Ottawa in the winter of 1982-83, we held what we called the unofficial world championships of ice-tricycle racing on Dow's Lake. If I recall correctly, somebody even wrote to the UCI to see if they would certify the race. On the day of the race, the temperature with wind-chill factor was -40°C (-40°F). The ice was absolutely sheer.

There are a number of problems with tricycles. The main one is their transportation. It is expensive to have them shipped over from Britain because of the bulk. Other problems are braking, rear wheel building and the fact that most kits and trikes are designed for left hand drive. The left hand drive part is more important than you might expect as you generally only have one drive wheel which means a bike designed for North America would function better with the drive to the other wheel. Handling of a trike is completely different from a single as you must use your body to shift the centre of gravity around corners. Nothing is more satisfying than to smoothly three-wheel drift a trike around a corner.

Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ

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