Delta Handcycle Version in Carbon Fiber
The delta (two rear wheels and one front wheel) design is nearly finished. I still have to add finish epoxy coatings to the bottom and put a UV protective clear coating over the full handcycle. As well, I have to add the cables for the brake and shifters and the shifter itself.
The rear wheels spin well within the wheel housings. Each rear wheel tilts in about 5 degrees from bottom to top. You might notice the large structural "keel" (unfinished) running the length of the base.
The chain incorporates half link(s) in order to size the length correctly for the transmission. Again, I am using a transmission system in order to remove some problems that I often encounter with shifting. In particular, if I have to stop suddenly and am in a high gear without down-shifting, I put tremendous pressure on my shoulders trying to get the bike moving again. On my aluminum handcyle, I broke two welds over the last couple of years when caught in such situations. With the transmission, I can shift when stopped.
I am not sure when I can put this on the road since I am still in the process of getting my strength back from rotator cuff surgery on the right shoulder. A full tear and a partial tear has slowed me down a bit. Luckily I am at the point of adding very light strengthening exercises in my rehab process.
Looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteDo you still have the 2 wheeler? Want me to test it!!!
A fantastic looking trike. Very aero indeed. Good luck with your shoulder recovery.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you abandoned your tilting rear wheel design. Can you explain why? I'm looking to start a build for my 4 year old (spina bifida) so he can go biking with his older brothers and me.
ReplyDeleteSkipp,
DeleteI got heavily into the computational fluid dynamics and decided I wanted to move ahead with a design that was much better relative to aerodynamics as compared to a design for which one could only gain speed in turns via tilting. If a design could be more aerodynamically efficient, then one could gain speed for the majority of the ride. The problem with my tilting design is, the aerodynamics would not be good at all.
No matter, the carbon fiber route allows you to dream and do so much...
Good luck
It looks amazing!!!! This is a fantastic blog. For more information on carbon fiber wheels you just visit the link.
DeleteLooks great. I'm not one who's able to do such feats with carbon fiber, but I have an appreciation for speed by human power. Your frame looks fast and I'd love to hear how you've done in the last year.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, thanks for sharing!
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