Trike

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

@canny colin
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16776329...kbh/c2PyEXbDOGqR/2LhpRVZUu|tkp:Bk9SR_jipu3SZg

 

[canny colin]

@canny colin
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167763299597?_skw=531&itmmeta=01KABD9P44KWEBFHMGC2BS17GR&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1duWIL6Y9Efuxhrar6X1YHTR/o1BejkhfzTm9pP3NAn0PjYrldW/hhDieBGQZDwPpOOBBTK4uY+7jlskGCNovZn+z0zYkVSpsTak2o9iRM4OYqJ9/hlsrNPMuN8SXCzLoWbLsOjiMJ+TGtEceX4drTckkquZIPE7M/tV6M4ONP8WDB/Ydy/4oz51VgUdqq+yA1nUf2TA19qHQJ0VcZwIlmrHyhr6ebtq5MKgPHy8tPXzTESmhvlU2F+1Qkiikkbh/c2PyEXbDOGqR/2LhpRVZUu|tkp:Bk9SR_jipu3SZg

Bit small for me Bonny Lad . I ride a 24" seat tube . Definitely been a bike frame with a diff drive trike axel added . You can see where the chain stays have been squished in on the inside , you wouldn't bother on a complete new build . Not sure if its a Ken Rodgers , ken normally used Carlton cycle frames and built a few trikes from scratch . But Ken did convert a few owners frames as well , bit of a mystery . A few other builder brazed axels on to frames as well . Here's my first Trike , a diff drive Ken Rodgers . Taken at the York rally just before I sold it .

 

[Frankenorange]

Ok....serious question

Trikes have always been a thing for kids, but why were trikes made, or conversion kits offered, for adults?

Was it just a case of why not? were they initially aimed at older people who might have balance problems, or for war veterans with injuries?was there a practical attraction due to something of the period? or was it the fun and daring factor of racing something more suitable for touring? and was/is there a north-south divide?

I remember dad telling me that they were quite popular and I guess he would have been reffering to the 50's-60's when he was cycling a lot. By the time i joined my local club, and started time trialling, in '83-ish i think there was one trike rider in our club and they were very rare in open events, or out training.
I remember seeing the odd one ridden by a tourist, but that might have only been one-two a year. Apart from the odd one at a museeum, or at a show, i can't remember the last time i saw a racing/touring trike being ridden on the road. Have seen a couple of big chunky e-trikes with old ladies onboard , but that is it.

 

[canny colin]

I ride Trike because l like the challenge. They do take more effort, but can be very rewarding or scary depending on your view point on hills with hairpin bends. They do make excellent touring machines . Folks love to see them and chat about them . It's surprising how many had friends or relatives who rode lightweight trikes. I had a bad crash on ice and thought there has to be a better way . I had tried a lightweight trike when I was nineteen and managed quite well , Bets were on which tree l would ride in to , in the village square . At that time ( 1982 ish ) in the North East of England most cycle clubs had one or two trike riders out on a club run . Houghton , probably the top Trike club ,at that time could have 10 / 15 Trikes out . It's been snowing today, only an inch but a Lightweight trike makes perfect sense to me in the winter. I know a young lady who road her first 24 hour TT on one because, she found it more relaxing to ride l have a mate in Durham , who had the highest points tally in Audax UK a couple of years ago . So you can do big rides , events on a trike. But a like to fly the flag for Trikes . l am involved in The Albert Watson memorial cycle hut ( bothy) , in the borders .Albert was a very accomplished Barra boy, who lost his life during the second world war . So there is a little bit of symmetry, there . Also good lightweight Trikes tend to be actually cheaper to buy , then bikes of the same Quality.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I tried a di blasi folding trike once. The trike itself was very bendy and flexible. Very clever folding mechanism though. I thought it was ok once I'd got used to it. I only did a few miles. A lightweight trike would be interesting I think.

 

[Mark Manley]

I had a Warm showers guest last summer who was on a long UK and European tour on a trike, he spoke highly of the experience making me regret not buying the scruffy but cheap fillet brazed Roberts that was for sale not far from me last year.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I had a Warm showers guest last summer who was on a long UK and European tour on a trike, he spoke highly of the experience making me regret not buying the scruffy but cheap fillet brazed Roberts that was for sale not far from me last year.

That's annoying, one wouldn't go up our side way. Otherwise I might be tempted.

 

[Woz]

Ok....serious question

Trikes have always been a thing for kids, but why were trikes made, or conversion kits offered, for adults?

Was it just a case of why not? were they initially aimed at older people who might have balance problems, or for war veterans with injuries?was there a practical attraction due to something of the period? or was it the fun and daring factor of racing something more suitable for touring? and was/is there a north-south divide?

I remember dad telling me that they were quite popular and I guess he would have been reffering to the 50's-60's when he was cycling a lot. By the time i joined my local club, and started time trialling, in '83-ish i think there was one trike rider in our club and they were very rare in open events, or out training.
I remember seeing the odd one ridden by a tourist, but that might have only been one-two a year. Apart from the odd one at a museeum, or at a show, i can't remember the last time i saw a racing/touring trike being ridden on the road. Have seen a couple of big chunky e-trikes with old ladies onboard , but that is it.

Approx. very similar. The one local in the club that did ride and do TTs had a George Longstaff trike - local builder on the Cheshire / Staffordshire border. Jason Rourke is now producing them: https://longstaffcycles.com/

Personally see there is a lot to admire about them. Never ridden one (except perhaps as a kid?).

I'm wondering too if it's a very British thing - at least the lightweight trikes?

Thanks for sharing @canny colin

 

[bikeworkshop]

There were also a lot of tandems in the postwar period - I think one reason was that disposable income was increasing, and yet the motor car was still beyond reach of a working man.

I think there was a much stronger bike cult in those last days before universal motoring.

Sidecars, principally for trikes, also date from this period.
I had one for a while, but never bothered fitting it to the tandem as we found other ways of bringing the kids.

You have to relearn riding for a trike, but once you've got it, a lightweight trike is a lovely way to get about, and much admired.

Nothing like a Diblasi folding, a pashley picador or a mission - I can tell you.

 

[grantoury]

if it's a very British thing

I have no doubt it is. I only ever saw British trikes.