Tricycle Super Hero in Fight for Cycle Safety Episode
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07. 5.08
Well, dear readers, that mortal moment has come. My alter-ego, Super City Cycle Girl, has been struck low by the evils of traffic. But do not fear. Your heroine bravely battles on with one-handed typing and a new secret weapon: tricycles. Yes, after toppling the two-wheeler, Super City Cycle Girl has returned to the lab to get a closer look at an eco-vehicle which can skid across wet pavement without tipping. Of course, it has to be a cool tricycle -- stylish, sporty and sleek.
Kettwiesel Tricycle
Fortunately, the super-support team at Hase Spezialräder (Special Bikes) delivers, with the Kettwiesel -- which translates literally to "chain weasel". The Kettwiesel features a recumbent seat and comes in three styles:
- Kettwiesel: the original alu-framed curve maschine
- Kettwiesel ride: the all-terrain version with a lower center of gravity, upgraded differential drive train and more braking power;
- Kettwiesel style: city trike with a stiffer frame, high-end equipment and fat tires.
Kettwiesel Tricycle Differential, close-up
All three Kettwiesel models have a differential which drives both of the tricycle's rear wheels, ensuring a good grip in all terrains, an extra margin of safety, and more fun in the curves. A suspension fork at the front wheel gives a smoother ride and keeps that wheel on the ground when you want it there. The recumbent seat can be folded flat in order to make transporting the Kettwiesel easier.
Add a bright flag to ensure the low-riding tricycle is easily seen in traffic, and the Kettwiesel faces all missions with flair.
Kettwiesel Tricycle in City Mode
The ease and stability with which the kettwiesel can be tipped onto the two back wheels makes the tricycle practical in the city. It can be stored in relatively little floorspace when tipped up tall. At a little over 16kg (35 pounds) , the Kettwiesel is not a super-light, but it is comparable to standard city-comfort two-wheel bikes.
Guiness World Record Longest Tandem Bicycle
The Kettwiesel has one additional super-secret function. The front wheel detaches easily, allowing two Kettwiesels to be chained together. Or as many Kettwiesels as you can find. The Guinness world record for the longest tandem cycle is held by Kettwiesel fans.
Postscript: Your heroine must admit to being one of the lucky ones, walking away with some road rash, a scratched-up safety helmet, an elbow cast and good dose of humility. This article is dedicated to all cyclists who, by the the door prize or other tragedy have lost the fight for a fair place for cyclists in the traffic infrastructure.
More Super Cycle Girl Secret Weapons:
Hase Pino, Tandem with a View
Four-wheel drive Pedal Power
Windcheetah Tricycle
Go One Tricycle
Hiker _Sitdown Tricycle
TreeHugger on Bike Safety
Bike Safety Tips From MP Olivia Chow
Freakonomics on Bike Safety
Karl Lagerfeld Isn't Afraid To Look Dorky
Scary Fifties Bloody and Gory Filmstrip on Bike Safety
What Some Drivers Think About Cyclists in Tucson
Via: Hase Spezialräder (english) or
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I've wanted a recumbent trike for a while now. I'll have to save for a while, though. I have my eye on a Scorpian FX: http://www.hpvelotechnik.com/produkte/scorpionfx/index_e.html
All my bikes or trikes have to fold, of course. I'm that picky.
I'm partial to tadpole recumbent trikes, but deltas are cool too.
I have the same problem with these tricycles as I have with most bikes, they are designed for jocks, not as tools for everyday life.
Bikes or tricycles will not replace cars until they become utilitarian tools.
Show me how you could take one of these to the store to even pick up a litre of milk, much less a week's groceries. If I'm using one of these to get to work, where do I put by briefcase and lunch?
I'm all for people riding for health and fitness and I can appreciate a sleek and beautiful machine, but show me a bike that is a humdrum tool I can use to cut down on my driving and I'll get excited.
I prefer the tadpole trike, but delta ones have a great advantage: they can lift the front end easily, so they're better for stepping up sidewalks. Plus, the differential doubles the traction! A cool ride, indeed!
You can easily carry things on a trike. I have a Scorpion fx tadpole-style trike. At the moment, it has just a behind-the-seat bag, which alone could carry lunch and have room to spare for more stuff, such as tire pump, street shoes, jacket, hydration bag. A brief case wouldn't fit the particular bag I have, but then I could get the optional rear-wheel rack for the trike, which would then allow me to mount bags that could carry something as large as a brief case or a couple of bags of groceries.
People do long-distance touring on trikes--carrying sleeping bags, tents, food for several days, and so forth--on their trikes. If they can accomodate long-distance touring, trikes can certainly accomodate a commuter's need.
Incidently, I am not remotely a jock.
1 tadpole TerraTrike + 3 panniers + fully enclosed cloth VeloKit = year-round enclosed cycling: OR
Fiberglass/kevlar hard shell body with proper fairings/side windows mounted on an inexpensive EZ Tad frame; dropped 10" and you could carry a month worth groceries-laundry-whatever- easily! 2 year round trikes that have been in my garage many years now. Different horses an all; but people really have to incorporate the box; not just think outside it!
Take trike living to the next level: cyclesmaximus.com
The soft-top pick-up trike offers even suburbanites an eco-positive mode of goods and services movement that can't be beat!
That's hilarious to see the trike riding the escalator. Imagine the number of office buildings or malls that would allow such movement . . . Hard enough to get a folding bike into such places without being accosted. Looks great for the open road, though!