Adult Tricycle

[jdavis1784]

They are different makes, that's all. Sachs were originally German and SA originally British and for much of the 20th century they churned out hub gears. Sachs tended to make more stuff for continental style utility bikes with things like coaster brakes (where you back pedal to apply the brake). Sachs are now owned by SRAM and the SA name is still trading but I don't know who owns them or where they are made.


A picture would be interesting.

Heres a few pictures of the Sturmey Archer in all of its glory. I was so surprised when I wiped it off it looks like the day it was new!

 

[raleighnut]

How difficult is the handling of a trike in general? I imagine that being relatively light weight the rear will be somewhat skittish.

Forget everything you know about riding a bike, you just steer them. The other trick is don't fight em, you need to let them move around under you especially on sloping ground when you need to keep yourself vertical and not the trike.
I wouldn't say the back end is skittish although it's easy to lift a wheel and on most* only one rear wheel drives/brakes so they can pull to one side a bit and the back wheel can 'lock' under braking pretty easy.

 

[raleighnut]

View: https://youtu.be/PCd9F1pa--M

 

[classic33]

I'm not looking to sell but just curious what these bike are worth? Are they at all rare?

Found a restored one, elsewhere, that sold for $40.

An idea of what the hub should look like
http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/index.php?page=history-detail&id=110

 

[C R]

Forget everything you know about riding a bike, you just steer them. The other trick is don't fight em, you need to let them move around under you especially on sloping ground when you need to keep yourself vertical and not the trike.
I wouldn't say the back end is skittish although it's easy to lift a wheel and on most* only one rear wheel drives/brakes so they can pull to one side a bit and the back wheel can 'lock' under braking pretty easy.

You don't make it sound very attractive to a nervous rider. I imagine if the two wheels were in front it might handle a bit more like a bike.

 

[raleighnut]

You don't make it sound very attractive to a nervous rider. I imagine if the two wheels were in front it might handle a bit more like a bike.

Things only get 'hairy' at speed, if you take your time they're easy to ride. i know someone who has a reverse cargo trike (2 front wheels) and that is lethal at over 10 miles an hour as it shimmies like it has a hinge in the middle which it does in fact have cos the whole front end turns, very disconcerting when I had a go at the 'Ride Leicester' event but it will carry over 100kg in the box (the guy works for Spokes and had half a dozen or so Gazebos that he put up at various locations around the route all of which fitted in the box at the front)

 

[pawl]

I was out last Friday Saw trike coming towards me.Haven't seen one since last year We used to call them barrows.

 

[classic33]

Things only get 'hairy' at speed, if you take your time they're easy to ride. i know someone who has a reverse cargo trike (2 front wheels) and that is lethal at over 10 miles an hour as it shimmies like it has a hinge in the middle which it does in fact have cos the whole front end turns, very disconcerting when I had a go at the 'Ride Leicester' event but it will carry over 100kg in the box (the guy works for Spokes and had half a dozen or so Gazebos that he put up at various locations around the route all of which fitted in the box at the front)

Turned one of those turtle at a little over 12mph.

 

[C R]

Things only get 'hairy' at speed, if you take your time they're easy to ride. i know someone who has a reverse cargo trike (2 front wheels) and that is lethal at over 10 miles an hour as it shimmies like it has a hinge in the middle which it does in fact have cos the whole front end turns, very disconcerting when I had a go at the 'Ride Leicester' event but it will carry over 100kg in the box (the guy works for Spokes and had half a dozen or so Gazebos that he put up at various locations around the route all of which fitted in the box at the front)

I can see how those would also be problematic, but I was thinking more of something with a rigid body, steered by the back wheel.

 

[raleighnut]

I can see how those would also be problematic, but I was thinking more of something with a rigid body, steered by the back wheel.

One with 'Ackerman' steering like a Tadpole would be better but then the box on the front would need to be smaller to allow the wheels to turn.

Turned one of those turtle at a little over 12mph.

The one I had a go on had a 500w rear hub motor luckily he hadn't disconnected the speed limiter sensor. Spokes used it instead of a van when they did events in the city and the box was quite big, 4 foot long and about 3 foot across by 3 foot deep, even had a tonneau with little hooks on the box that it attached to

 

[jdavis1784]

Found a restored one, elsewhere, that sold for $40.

An idea of what the hub should look like
http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/index.php?page=history-detail&id=110

I would say they got a good deal there! But as I said I'm just in it for the fun. Thanks for the info and the research.

 

[classic33]

I would say they got a good deal there! But as I said I'm just in it for the fun. Thanks for the info and the research.

They're often worth more to the person in non-monetary means though.

Hub dates it to 1970.

 

[classic33]

On second thoughts, if it is a coaster brake it would have to be a combined 3 speed and coaster because the OP says "cylindrical gear box with a short chain and a threaded piece coming out of it that you can pull on " which pretty exactly describes a hub gear. So I guess the question is - does it also have an arm sticking out of the other side of the hub.

Your guess was correct, it's a three speed hub withe coaster brake.

 

[jdavis1784]

They're often worth more to the person in non-monetary means though.

Hub dates it to 1970.

I agree with that the person I bought it from had ,any good memories and was happy that I wanted to restore it to working order.

 

[jdavis1784]

Update!
I have replaced all the tires and tubes. The front tire arrived and to. Y surprise it's grey. Apparently the same size is used on wheel chairs who would have thought? It is real a whole new experience to riding. You feel yourself leaning to turn but not with 3 wheels! You real have to go slow to turn that bike goes up on 2 wheels very easily. I have also been working on the shifter and cable for the 3 speed. Its a simple design but takes time to get adjusted. Thankfully there are many YouTube videos to reference. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.