[python] FWD tadpole experiments
- From: Vi Vuong <vi_vuong@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Python <python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:56:32 -0800 (PST)
Hi All,
After much noodling, here is the plunge into building FWD tadpole. Warning -
welding is not pretty...
Version 1, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hqCJxn7u74, rear wheel steering
tadpole trike. Haven't figure out how to build a crude FWD axle yet, hence the
middle wheel and the big training wheels borrowed from the Guinea
Pig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy2E7Y1YPiU. Technically this thing is a
quad, with drive wheel losing traction when surface is uneven. The rear
steering wheel has -65deg pivot angle, similar to the bipolar
RWS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ0KiW1t0m8 At this angle, the wheel is
quite stable but steering gets a little heavy. The direct steering is not
intuitive enough to react safely in emergency situation, so the design is
shelved for now...
Version 2, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHJqeHZEicY, the pivot is moved from
rear (RWS) to mid position (center steering). Pivot angle is -45deg. Steering
is done via leaning upper body into the corner, instead of the entire body like
the RWD version by ChrisLuxembourg, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5av1-FX31s.
Hands-free is not feasible. Turning circle is not so tight, even with extreme
leaning. Starting is a little clumsy, but seems to stabilize with speed. There
is some pedal steering influence (PSI) but not too bad. The frame is ready
for a 2-piece velo shell...
Version 3, kid size with crude axle drive like this
one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No8P_tnuFSs and maybe positive pivot angle
for hands-free riding? Here are RWD version for reference,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJP1_i6UFYs. Ideas are welcome...
Cheers,
Vi
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