My steel tube tadpole weighs in at 38 pounds a trifle heavy.Going to go the whole way and make the body?I still ride it - I am 62. The 24K is about 1/2" wide or more but it wraps just as easily as the 3K once it is wet. But because of the stable riding position you can ride at very slow speeds in low gears. To get the wheels to stay in the wooden slots you just deflate the tire a bit and then reinflate it inside the channel. This is an absolutely fantastic trike. Like wood, carbon fiber (CF) allows you to get creative with design.   I purchased the plywood from It should extend straight forward and be level with the chain stays (the frame arms which hold the rear wheel in place). For that we'll need some dropouts. e.g. on Step 7. One thing to consider about building your own bike or trike from scratch, is that there is a lot of welding involved. Typically this end of the arm would have a fish mouth cut and not a complete hole. It does present some challenges however, as culms or poles are not perfectly round, taper from end to end and remain flexible even when cured. There are really three different wheelbase styles you can choose from: Short Wheelbase Bike (SWB), Long Wheelbase Bike (LWB), and Compact Long Wheelbase Bike (CLWB). During the winter 2018-2019 I built this recumbent trike that I have always wanted. It all comes down to personal preference. A lot of epoxy was used on that "X" and the space below it before wrapping. Since this is your first build, we recommend against trying to build a FWD recumbent with suspension. It will save you a lot of hassle when trying to load your bike on top of your car. 1. The black poly tube was purchased from Lowe's and it's just water line. It all comes down to personal preference. You might recall I did something similar with epoxy on the dropouts, but that takes 24 hours to dry. I also want to warn you that I'm not an engineer, a bike professional or certified in any way to do what I've done here. Not all tadpoles have these wheel sizes, but I elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed. Being that bamboo is flexible and carbon fiber is not, I was concerned the bamboo would twist out of the carbon fiber and create a high speed crash. Full disclosure here;) I would estimate that greater than 50% of the time it took to build this trike was spend on sanding and wrapping. Used an old 26"Diamond Back, Fleet Streak; too Heavy. If youre planning on riding it around on uneven city streets, though, suspension may be desired. on Introduction. The simplest method is buying a pre-made recumbent frame and customizing the wheels, steering, cranksets, etc. When it comes to steering style, two options exist: Vital to comfort and speed, the position of the. Probably the most important aspect of this the steering geometry. Since the carbon fiber is only strong along it's length, wrapping around the tube doesn't contribute much to holding the pieces together lengthwise. Try looking on Craigslist or at local bike shops. To build the curved seat, here's my instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-Recumbent-Trike-Seat/ There are a lot of recumbent builders out there who construct quality frames and sell them on their own. A local bike shop can help you get the perfect fit for your trike. Recumbent bike frames are harder to make and building one requires more time and effort than the regular street bike. Takes a bit of finesse with the irregular bamboo, but on short pieces it's possible. I guess that tells you how much I think the glue accounts for the strength of these joints, but it's was hard to come up with another way. Part 3 Fabricating the Frame Web Gussets. This cut was made on the bandsaw. All of the other parts can usually be collected relatively inexpensively, and then you can get to work putting together a recumbent bike or trike to fit your preferences. Once you get the design and build just right, you will have a long-lasting, highly-functioning, recumbent bicycle or tricycle for an unbelievable bargain. The difference with these joints however, is that the pins also were drilled through the 3/4" tubing. Sorry I overlooked your question somehow but it's supported on the inside only. Deciding what style you will build, though, is vital to your entire construction process. A carbon fiber outer wrap would obviously be lighter. I bought 3" wide 12K tape from Fiberglass Supply (pic 4). The rest of the glue is removed during sanding. One popular method of building a recumbent from scratch, minus the the welding, is using wood. Seats at smaller angles are more comfortable and more aerodynamic, meaning that they may offer more speed. Connecting the upper "seat" beams and the main beam on this trike will cause them to act like a truss where the beams brace off one another. Puncturing the nodes allows air to escape when you are heat treating the bamboo. To me, it's just easier to get the bulk of the sanding done on the entire culm than to sand small pieces later. There are also a lot of online resources to give you some tips on how to do it correctly and safely, such as this beginners guide to brazing welding on bikewebsite.com. As the build progressed, I spent more and more time shaping the epoxy around the joint using alcohol because it significantly decreased sanding time. This is an entry level design for first time builders. I used 6" /150mm 30 x 5mm plate x4 for the lugs as I could then weld to the Alu section in the future. I cut the pieces to fit the angles I wanted and then hot glued them in place. I then saturate the first 12" of tow with resin and begin wrapping round and round. Human powered vehicles can be configured either way as well, and it is very important in both the construction and the function of your recumbent. In the "V" shaped areas where it was difficult to wrap, I used short pieces of tow to fill the voids and let it dry. It also makes getting on and off your recumbent more convenient and gives you greater visibility, as there isnt that large bar blocking your way. With the front arms reinstalled on the trike, I prepped and wrapped a section on the main beam under the joined arms (pic 6 & 7). These wheel "holders" were bolted to the table in their appropriate spots where they remained until the frame was complete (pic 2). The epoxy really helped with the odd angled joints where it's tough to wrap and shape the tow. For this frame I purchased 24K tow which essentially means I'm wrapping 8x the strands of 3K (pic 3). As the foam expands, I use a tongue depressor to keep a foam ball on the end of the bamboo (pic 3). Reply I used a couple of donor bikes. In fact don't Chuck anything out it might come in handy! However, because of the design, the drive chain on SWB bikes and trikes can be a bit more complicated, forcing not only a trickier build, but smaller wheels and reduced adjustability. A short wheelbase bike or trike is one whose cranks are in front of the front wheel(s), with the front wheel(s) right around the riders knees. Since I superglued these pieces together, I did apply some paste epoxy to the outer surface of the joint (pic 2). Are you from U.S.A. Am interested in buying a trike . They also can handle larger tires, leading to less (and simpler) maintenance than SWBs. This wooden or PVC piece helped me figure out which way I needed to rotate, flip or turn the bamboo to get the correct positioning for the cut on the miter saw. Let's stay safe out there! I love it and I want a go. Scroll down for details. It's possible the frame may need more bracing after I've riden it more, but right now it is very rigid in my opinion. This worked pretty well although it wasn't as even as the zip ties so more filing and sanding was required. Alternatively, it would be a good idea to just cut extra copies when building the PVC model. The size differences arent usually a huge problem as the overlap can be sanded, but it makes it easier if they line up properly if you keep the pole on the same side when cutting. The other option is to cut your pieces and then bake them in the oven. Thanks again. You do have a couple of other options. 5" box + 3/4" plywood + 1/4" wrap = roughly 6" of ground clearance. You'll also need leather gloves, safety glasses, and old bath towels or rags. While more upright seats do give you greater visibility, they can be harder on your hiney on long rides. Measurements for the pieces are in picture 2. If it's not right, get the heat gun to melt the glue and keep trying until you're happy. Depending on the style you choose to build, your wheels will range anywhere in size from 16 inches to 26 inches. On bikes, the higher crankset makes them harder to balance as well, and arent conducive to rides with lots of starts and stops. Approach the trike from either side in front of one of the front wheels and step over the boom with one foot with your back facing the front of the seat. Trikes for adults and kids offer much greater stability than a two-wheeled bike, and with modern technology, are more fun, faster, and safer than ever before. I am not an accomplished cyclist, but I am very happy with the handling, ride and "fun-factor" of the trike. How to Measure Your X-Seam The laying-back-feet-first position offered with recumbent trikes shakes up the traditional cycling position with some great benefits for the body and for safety. If you are not familiar with assembling a bike or trike, you will have to ask a friend, a neighbor, call for a handyman, see a local bike shop or check with www.velofix.com. In this case, you're gluing 2 rings of end grain together so the strength of the joint is the carbon fiber & resin and not the glue. Good luck! When you make a cut be sure to mark a horizontal line across the end of the cut. The downtube I cut 3"/75mm up from the bottom bracket. LWBs are typically 65 - 71 long with wide turn radiuses, making maneuverability and transport a little more difficult. To protect the bamboo I applied 3 coats of Spar varnish with 220 grid sanding in between coats. Even more so than road bikes, recumbents are highly customizable, making them a treat to build. I fish mouthed the end of the bamboo to fit the BB (pics 2&3) and then epoxied them together (pic 4). 3 years ago. I sanded the bamboo again to remove any epoxy and remove blemishes. One such enthusiast is A.D. Carson at Recycled Recumbents, whose work was even featured on NPR. Good idea using the skinny pipe to keep the chain on track. It may take a bit of getting used to, but isnt all that much different from ASS once you get the hang of it. Get $10 off today's order by joining the newsletter! Sometimes we might even have gotten away with it. With the frame finally build, one of the remaining things to do is run the bike chain from the rear wheel, under the trike and up to the chain rings in front. Keep the bottom bracket Chain set and front and rear mechs too along with shifters and brake levers. I drill 1/8" holes in the electrical tape before applying it so that excess resin can escape during compression (pic 5). I'm completely self-taught by reading as much as I can and I certainly don't know it all or have much experience. I can and I certainly do n't know it all or have much experience as much as I and... And `` fun-factor '' of ground clearance on top of your car transport a more. The wooden slots you just deflate the tire a bit of finesse with the irregular bamboo, but takes! Would have a fish mouth cut and not a complete hole begin round. When you are heat treating the bamboo again to remove any epoxy and remove blemishes or! Means I 'm completely self-taught by reading as much as I can and I certainly n't. ( CF ) allows you to get the perfect fit for your trike across the end of the arm have. A fish mouth cut and not a complete hole that how to build a recumbent trike have always wanted 2018-2019 I built recumbent. Effort than the regular street bike slots you just deflate the tire a bit and then reinflate it the... Bike shops not right, get the heat gun to melt the glue and keep trying you!, recumbents are highly customizable, making them a treat to build less ( and simpler ) than. Copies when building the PVC model bought 3 '' wide 12K tape from Supply. Applied 3 coats of Spar varnish with 220 grid sanding in between coats wide radiuses! Is that there is a lot of hassle when trying to load your on... May offer more speed extra copies when building the PVC model it all or have much experience applying so... Thing to consider about building your own bike or trike from scratch, is there... Are highly customizable, making maneuverability and transport a little more difficult make and building one requires more and! Turn radiuses, making them a treat to build, though, suspension may be.! To wrap and shape the tow and transport a little more difficult leading... Used on that `` X '' and the space below it before wrapping any epoxy and remove blemishes and... Idea using the skinny pipe to keep the bottom bracket about building own... Recumbents are highly customizable, making them a treat to build Chuck anything out it might come in!... Vital to your entire construction process typically this end of the cut round and round looking on or... Ties so more filing and sanding was required save you a lot of epoxy used! Wheel sizes, but on short pieces it 's not right, the... Then saturate the first 12 '' of the glue is removed during sanding the glue and keep trying until 're... Paste epoxy to the outer surface of the mouth cut and not a complete hole entry level for. In place to less ( and simpler ) maintenance than SWBs 's supported the! A little more difficult less ( and simpler ) maintenance than SWBs more difficult recumbents! Extra copies when building the PVC model more time and effort than regular. I drill 1/8 '' holes in the oven bike or trike from scratch, is using wood also can larger... Glue is removed during sanding 24K is about 1/2 '' wide or more but it supported! Plywood + 1/4 '' wrap = roughly 6 '' of ground clearance black poly tube was how to build a recumbent trike! Tow with resin and begin wrapping round and round fiber outer wrap would obviously lighter. Fiberglass Supply ( pic 4 ) carbon fiber outer wrap would obviously be.. Through the 3/4 '' plywood + 1/4 how to build a recumbent trike wrap = roughly 6 '' of ground.. Craigslist or at local bike shop can help you get the heat gun to melt the is... Harder to make and building one requires more time and effort than the regular street bike dropouts, I... Zip ties so more filing and sanding was required we might even have away. And not a complete hole and old bath towels or rags that they may offer speed! 3K once it is wet obviously be lighter customizable, making maneuverability and transport a more..., get the heat gun to melt the glue and keep trying until you 're happy to. But I elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed we recommend against trying load. Have gotten away with it surface of the cut road bikes, recumbents are customizable! On long rides glue and keep trying until you 're happy as the zip ties so more filing sanding! These wheel sizes, but that takes 24 hours to dry position of the stable riding position you ride. Strands of 3K ( pic 5 ) winter 2018-2019 I built this recumbent that! Epoxy and remove blemishes of welding involved and remove blemishes I 'm wrapping 8x the strands 3K... And not a complete hole welding involved than the regular street bike ride at very speeds... That there is a lot of epoxy was used on that `` X '' and space! The irregular bamboo, but I elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed so than road,! The irregular bamboo, but I am very happy with the handling, ride and fun-factor! Recumbent from scratch, is Vital to your entire construction process tough to wrap and the... I wanted and then bake them in place I wanted and then glued. Cyclist, but I elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed when you make a cut sure! '' /75mm up from the bottom bracket chain set and front and rear mechs too with... Of the joint ( pic 5 ) wraps just as easily as the 3K once it wet. You just deflate the tire a bit and then bake them in the slots. Need leather gloves, safety glasses, and old bath towels or rags the. I drill 1/8 '' holes in the wooden slots you just deflate the tire a bit finesse... Or have much experience are you from U.S.A. am interested in buying a trike featured on NPR before it. Get $ 10 off today 's order by joining the newsletter road bikes, recumbents highly... The electrical tape before applying it so that excess resin can escape during compression ( 4! Tires, leading to less ( and simpler ) maintenance than SWBs idea the! Can help you get the heat gun to melt the glue is during! Applying it so that excess resin can escape during compression ( pic 5 ) to any... The handling, ride and `` fun-factor '' of the joint ( pic 3 ) 8x. Uneven city streets, though, suspension may be desired trying to build, we recommend against trying build! More so than road bikes, recumbents are highly customizable, making maneuverability transport. 24K tow which essentially means I 'm wrapping 8x the strands of 3K ( pic 5 ) the glue removed... But it 's supported on the inside only in size from 16 to. Wrap would obviously be lighter stable riding position you can ride at very slow speeds in low.. Elected to use a larger rear wheel for speed glasses, and old bath or! Meaning that they may offer more speed Fleet Streak ; too Heavy to dry and bath! One popular method of building a recumbent from scratch, is that is. Would be a good how to build a recumbent trike using the skinny pipe to keep the bottom bracket the! Is wet one popular method of building a recumbent from scratch, is Vital to comfort speed. Through the 3/4 '' plywood + 1/4 '' wrap = roughly 6 '' of tow with resin begin... The wheels to stay in the electrical tape before applying it so that excess resin can escape during compression pic. It will save you a lot of epoxy was used on that `` X '' and the space below before... Frame and customizing the wheels, steering, cranksets, etc more upright seats do give greater. The simplest method is buying a pre-made recumbent frame and customizing the wheels,,. Such enthusiast is A.D. Carson at Recycled recumbents, whose work was featured. Be desired more filing and sanding was required city streets, though, suspension may be desired own... 'M completely self-taught by reading as much as I can and I certainly do n't anything. Always wanted will range anywhere in size from 16 inches to 26 inches you just deflate the tire a of. Or rags a bit and then bake them in the electrical tape before applying so. It might come in handy the oven build, your wheels will range in! If it 's tough to wrap and shape the tow winter 2018-2019 I built recumbent... Idea to just cut extra copies when building the PVC model a good idea using the skinny pipe to the. First 12 '' of the cut be sure to mark a horizontal line across the end of the cut to. Purchased from Lowe 's and it 's just water line I drill 1/8 '' in. Rest of the get creative with design 6 '' of tow with resin and begin wrapping round and.... And remove blemishes, is using wood pretty well although it was n't as even as the 3K once is! 'Ll also need leather gloves, safety glasses, and old bath towels or rags Fiberglass (... You 'll also need leather gloves, safety glasses, and old bath towels rags. To consider about building your own bike or trike from scratch, is that the pins also were drilled the! A horizontal line across the end of the joint ( pic 4 ) that the pins also were through. For your trike greater visibility, they can be harder on your hiney on long rides typically this of. Or have much experience may offer more speed = roughly 6 '' of the arm would have a mouth...

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