2 at the back, or 2 at the front

[allen-uk]

There was an article in the Guardian earlier in the week about the Christiana trike, which has two wheels at the front. Didn't really say why they'd opted for that layout, and as a total trike virgin thought I'd ask your opinion.

Mrs allen-uk has for some time hankered after a trike on the basis that she'd feel less exposed on our lunatic London roads; I think the reality might be different.

So a) wheel layout: are 2-1 layouts available in the UK (apart from the seriously expensive Danish one); and
what sort of money should we expect to pay for a decent second-hand trike, of whatever wheel configuration?

Thanks.


A.

 

[Auntie Helen]

I assume you're talking about upright trikes rather than recumbents, most of which seem to have two wheels at the front?

 

[allen-uk]

The thing in the paper was a trike, upright, yes.

 

[mickle]

It depends.

 

[spiro]

For that sort of trike I would search the net but I suspect a good source would be Holland (quick boat trip) as that sort of bike is still used for deliveries, carrying kids etc.

 

[TimP]

For upright trikes you can get two at the front as well as two at the back. The easiest way to get one is probably keep an eye out on eBay.

The tricycle association in the UK is probably your best source of knowledge.

Very few are manufactured, most are conversions from two wheelers, and you can get the conversion kits to apply to a bike you already own.

----------------------------

Update looks like you can get:
Rear axle conversions from: http://www.trykit.com/

And front axle conversions from: http://www.roman-road.co.uk/

 

[peanut]

when I were lad we used to hire some 4x wheel bench seat tricycles on holiday . I've got some really fond memories of my sister and I cycling up and down the seafront but I can't for the life of me remember where we were although it would have been on the South East coast somewhere like Seaford or camber sands ?
Anyone remember them ?

 

[TimP]

This thread has lead to something I need:
a flatbed fixed trike which carries 500kg of mobile coffee shop.

 

[Arch]

There is the Pashley Picador:

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/picador.html

You might well find something second hand, since things like the Picador have been produced for years, albeit in smaller numbers than bikes.

Mission also do adult trikes:

http://www.missioncycles.co.uk/AdultTrikes.asp

Does Mrs Allen-UK ride a bike? If so, she may find an upright trike very odd at first, and take some time to get used to it. If you can possibly find somewhere to try one out, for more than minute or two, do so. Since they don't lean like a bike, you have to get used to steering in a different way, and it can feel very odd - you have to unlearn to ride a bike. You are also more affected by road camber, until you are used to it. (If she's not a very regular cyclist, she may find it easier than someone who is).

I don't know where you stand in the reproductive cycle, so to speak, but this is due to launch soon in the Uk - very cute!

http://www.velovision.co.uk/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=1003