Thanks! I'm glad to see some results and that this works well! This is an upgrade I am considering making when finances permit. It will also give me something to study to help me design a chassis completely from the ground up with an integrated roll cage, and I'll get plenty of feedback riding it.
The front shocks you sold me have more than 45,000 miles on them so far. I have not replaced any of the components in the suspension other than the mounting bolts and nylock nuts that you sent me for the steering spindles, although I have repeatedly cleaned and lubed it(especially after riding it on salted roads after snow storms). It shows its wear, as there are plenty of chips and scratches, and the steel screws have a bit of surface staining, but it still functions as if it was new and holds air. I need to check the pressure of the gas shocks and add air about twice a year, or about once every 5,000 miles.
I'm aware of the seat hitting the wheel if reclined too far. I'm currently using a 26" rear wheel, with the seat mount as far forward towards the boom as possible, then reclined as much as possible without contacting the rear wheel. Will the installation of the rear suspension require the seat to be relocated? For the rear wheel, I am thinking of eventually going to a 16" motorcycle wheel equivalent in size to a 20" BMX wheel, which will allow me to recline the seat further than it is already. I just want to make sure that the suspension will allow me to do such by not posing additional clearance issues, and will allow me to retain the same seat position that I have.
From a safety standpoint, going to the 16" moto wheel in the rear is contingent upon adding this rear suspension, since most of the roads I ride on are rough and there has been a few times where even with my current 26" rear wheel a pothole has sent my rear wheel airborne at 25+ mph, temporarily causing me to lose control of the trike, so I know that a 16" moto/20" BMX sized wheel is a no-go without this suspension, especially if I'm intent on having a cruising speed anything over 35 mph to justify going to DOT rims, DOT tires, and heavier gauge spokes.
This thing can corner better than most velomobiles because of its wide 39" front track, and I'd like to not give that up, even though it is not conducive to low frontal area. With just front suspension and a 26" rear wheel with 20" front wheels, I can corner at about 0.7g without going up on two wheels, whereas it's not uncommon for typical "fast" commercial velomobiles to tip over around 0.5g lateral acceleration, mainly because they have front tracks on the order of around 25". Since the rear suspension extends the wheelbase another 2", and since a smaller rear wheel will allow a more reclined seat which will lower the center of gravity further(since the rider is heavier than the vehicle), I expect cornering to be improved significantly with the addition of the rear shock, maybe even to the point to where it is comparable to a sports car. 0.7g is already car-like, even though most cars, or trucks and SUVs, can corner faster than that.
The ability to recline the seat further back is also important for reducing frontal area and improving aerodynamics. It may be possible to get a frontal area of just under 0.5 m^2 for a full-bodied trike with recessed front wheels(my current body shell has outboard wheels which are terrible for drag!) keeping the front suspension's 39" track. I want to get a CdA comparable to some of the decent commercially-available velomobiles on the market, like the Quest or WAW, want the velo to be able to safely cruise at car-like speeds and accelerate like a car and top out like a car with the motor in use, and this rear suspension, a more reclined seat, and a smaller rear wheel with a 3T wind Leafbike motor with a high current controller would all be conducive to this goal.
adam333 said:
My web site host provider seems down atm, but here is the feedback Carroll gave me a few month ago :
Quote: HOLY SHIT! WOW! HOLY SHIT WOW!!
I didn't know that Colorado roads could feel as smooth as glass!
The rear suspension feels like riding in a stretch limo. The front was a little stiff today but I have reduced the air pressure
for tomorrow and will get that tweaked in the coming days.
I am totally impressed.
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He have no motor on his trike.
The seat have roughly 45 deg right now.
If you recline it too far, you will have the wheel hit the seat at some point