Here Is Information On Recumbent Trikes

By Michelle Hughes


A vehicle that is either powered by human labor or gravity and has three wheels is referred to as a tricycle. Trike is usually used as the short form for the name tricycle. Trikes are of different kinds, including cycle rickshaws and freight. Different functions such as recreation, transportation, exercise, and shopping among others are achieved using trikes. Transporting goods using tricycles is very common in developing countries of Asia and Africa. This is what recumbent trikes are all about.

According to history, tricycles came to existence either in 1655 or 1680. It is also noted in history that a disabled German known as Stephan Farffler invented these kinds of vehicles. The aim of the invention was to enable him to remain mobile even with his disability. Hand cranks were used to power the tricycle that Farffler invented. Farffler got the idea of hand cranks from his career of making watches.

As years passed, different kinds of tricycles were made by different people from different parts of the world. Most popular tricycles came from Britain and France. The original design of making tricycles was patented by a British inventor known as Dennis Johnson. A common feature across the inventions is that they were either powered using hands or legs.

The elderly and kids are the people who mostly use tricycles in western countries. Trikes are most preferred by these people because they are more stable as compared to bicycles. Tricycles have poor dynamic lateral stability although they might be more stable when they are rode in a straight line. Therefore, for one not to fall off, they have to be very careful when negotiating corners.

There are various associations in countries where people love tricycles like the UK where one can register. Activities such as day rides, tours and time trials are usually organized by these associations. Regulations in the tricycle industry and safety standards for consumers are usually set by the associations. Other responsibilities of the associations are to maintain statistics about tricycles and so on.

Various tricycles vary in the way their wheels are configured. Tadpole and delta are some of the most common configuration for wheels in tricycles. There is one wheel at the front and two rear wheels for the case of delta configuration. On the contrary, two wheels are at the front while one wheel is at the rear for the case of tadpole wheel configuration. Other kinds of wheel configurations have been in use over the years but do not exist anymore.

Trikes that are used currently are also of different kinds with recumbent and upright tricycles being the most common. Upright tricycles have an open or a diamond-shaped frame just like a bicycle. They can either have tadpole or delta wheel configuration and are steered using a handlebar. One should be very careful when riding non-tilting upright tricycles since they are less stable.

For the recumbent tricycles, the low center of gravity gives them more stability. The aerodynamic drag is also low. However, they are quite expensive, heavier and wider as well. It might be difficult for other traffic to see them as they are set very low to the ground.




About the Author:



What's on Your Mind...