[python] Re: Python Trike

Been a while since I've had a chance to do updates - been busy editing and
building to get ready for our first race of the season.

For the delta, due to the narrow wheelbase (to go through doorways) and the
seat height, it is very easy to tip when locked upright.  When the rear end
is free to tilt, to me, it feels exactly like a two wheeled python.  I put a
bunch of the details here:
http://www.fleettrikes.com/python%202.htm#6feb06
As it says, I'll change the locking mechanism and install the delta rear end
on the BHP and see what it's like for my commute to work.
I also finally took my BHP fender and cut some holes in it to cut down on
cross wind-steering problems.  On the first outdoor ride of the season, the
new fender worked great and I had no problems with strong crosswinds at all
now.  First downhills were over 55kph so the 800km+ on the rollers over the
winter didn't seem to hurt anything.
http://www.fleettrikes.com/python%20clone.htm#5apr2006
While the tilting delta is cool to ride, the fact that it handles like a 2
wheeled python sort of makes my consider what the point is for doing the
conversion.  The python delta will definitely be heavier than the 2 wheeled
version and the only benefit is that it will be a much faster trike than
tadpole I used to ride.  With the tadpole
(http://bikes.jkcc.com/trike%204%20side.jpg) I used to commute on, I could
cruise at 30kph, but getting up to 35 and holding it there required a fair
bit of effort due to the commuting weight on the hills and chainline drag.
Marcel and I ride casually at ~30kph, our normal cruising speed is 35 -
37kph and we can push and hold the low 40s for extended periods.  With the
delta rear end on the BHP, I'm hoping comfortable cruise speeds will still
be in the low 30s, but I'll need to wait and see til I get it mounted,
hopefully later this month.  Another benefit of the delta trike is that it
should be nicer to ride on the banked straight stretches of a race
track/velodrome than a normal trike is.

Marcel and I changed his python again.  Changed the pivot bearings, flipped
his main frame over, changed the seat mounting method, and swapped out the
26" rear for a 16" wheel with a high pressure tire, same type as I have on
the PC2.  He's pretty happy with it but noticed a handling change as the
wheelbase was shortened a little.  I'll get some more measurements on it and
take some final pictures as well.

I'm slowly transferring all the webpages to another domain of mine
(fleettrikes.com as opposed to bikes.jkcc.com) as my partner and I are
closing down our web and domain hosting business in a few months :)  Before
too long, the only site that will be live is the fleettrikes.com one.


> Thanks Henk,
>
> > It rides fine, no high speeds yet.
> > testrides about a few km's with a 45 degree curves.
> > No wobbling so far. Max.speed 20-25 kmph?
> > at high speeds risk turning over
>
> Generally I don´t think the python delta or hipparion
> is equally  performant as a commercial tadpole trike.
>
> It will tip over in fast curves and might wobble at
> higher speeds (> 30 kph).
>
> My daughter likes hers, but she won´t go faster than
> 30 km/h with it. I tried it several times and always had
> control issues at higher speed.
>
> However it is nice in winter and probably the only trike
> that can be ridden "no hands".
>
> How about the other python deltas? Any new experiences?
>
> Jukka, Tim, Mike, Mr. Nobuo?
>
> Cheers,
> Jürgen.

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