Welcome to Velo Vision magazine, covering specialised bikes, cycling as transport and human power. It's a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.
The current issue is Issue 16. The next issue is out early March 2005.
Subscribe now!
NEW! Discussion forum
- Magazine:
- Information:
- Subscriptions:
- Free small ads
Search news story archive:
|
Two new trikes
The Chameleon leaning FWD trike, which we trailed in Velo Vision some time ago, is now in production. Also, a new trike from the USA with novel cam-actuated steering...
The Chameleon from USA-based Stites Design isn't like most trikes: here's how Bill Stites, the designer and manufacturer, puts it:
"It is rare that such a novel vehicle comes along, in a sea of copies of proven designs. The Chameleon design was created from a clean sheet of paper with 4 starting parameters: recumbent, 3 wheels, high seat, narrow track. The result was a tilting delta trike. Such a leaner provides many advantages for its designated purpose - navigating the streets of our increasingly dense urban environments. Bear in mind that this project has been developing for over 7 years. The design has progressed through 2 prototype stages and is now in its production iteration. The Chameleon engineering principles are proven - those being that "all 3 primary systems - Drive, Steer, Lean - are fully independent".
The current productiuon run is of a modest three vehicles, but further runs of 7 and 10 are already being planned. Bill Stites is also keen to talk to other manufacturers who might be intersted in licensing the technology:
"StitesDesign is not interested in maintaining the Chameleon design in the high end market only. It is hoped that the design will be copied and produced in larger numbers so as to make a true contribution to urban transportation. Once the design of the ChameleonECO is licensed [US patent 6,062,581], it is expected that increasing volumes of production will bring the price down considerably. It would be very satisfying to see a bunch of 'cheap' Chameleons running around - as long as they functioned well."
Key to the functioning of the Chameleon is the universal joint which ensures that steering and drive are completely independent:
The first three machines are already sold - check out The Stites Design website for more details. Early purchasers are rewarded for their faith in the idea by reduced pricing.
************
Next up is a trike from a company new to me, called Natalia-Florence Inc. in the USA. I spotted this on BentriderOnline.com's Stop the Presses page.
Check out the website for more images, notably some in which nice young ladies and gents expose almost indecent amounts of leg ;-)
But perhaps the most intriguing feature on these trikes is the steering: here's what they say:
"The Maverick utilizes a revolutionary Patented steering system called Tri-Pivot Graduated Sensitivity Steering (TPGSS). TPGSS steers the Maverick with a precision cam mechanism instead of a series of linkages as is found in most other cycles. TPGSS provides positive, precise, high ratio steering that varies in sensitivity to help prevent over steer. When the Maverick is going straight the ratio between the steering levers and the wheels is reduced eliminating the need for constant correction to maintain a straight path. As the steering levers are moved from the center position the ratio increases automatically to provide exceptionally tight and accurate handling. The Mavericks unique steering system also allows the control levers, or handle bars, to be placed in the optimal position for rider comfort and control."
Sounds fun - and the concept makes sense to me at least. Would be interesting to try it out...
************
Posted on 20 January 2004
Your comments ...| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 21 January 2004 |
Not convinced about variable ratio steering. In cars the effect is acheived by speed linking the power assist, so at high speed low help and vice versa. Certainly I wouldn't entertain variable geared steering on a bike since it would be like being pissed without the enjoyable bit.
The avoidance of the need for constant correction is down to road surface and steering geommetry - you will still need to correct whatever the steering ratio.
Not sure of its bar position either - looks optimised to get maximum accumulation of road stuff.
It looks to cynical old me like another idea looking for a solution, I mean why use a custom made cam unit when you can use a linkage arrangement using easily available standard components? |
| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 21 January 2004 |
Just looking at the Natalia-Florence website.
Optional extra on all models - a Cat Eye LCD tail light. Now that would be impressive. |
| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 21 January 2004 |
And another thing - they've got a b@@@@@dy tie rod across as well.
Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
|
| From: Antony (at pedalcars dot info) on 21 January 2004 |
I suspect one would get used to the steering in exactly the same way one gets used to any new bike - i.e., ride it for a bit until it becomes natural.
An LCD tail light does indeed sound like fun - I have a 15" LCD unit at work that would be great on the back of a bike. Fitting a PC to it might be more troublesome, but think of the fun you could have with scrolling text screen savers! |
| From: Antony (again) on 21 January 2004 |
It also occurs that progress is only made by designing something new, and not just copying eveyone else and using the same old bits in the same old way.
True enough, lots of new ideas are no better (or worse) than whatever they were intended to replace, but without new ideas, we'd all be walking because we wouldn't have bicycles!
So all credit to them for doing something different. |
| From: Legs Larry (legs _ larry at yahoo dot com) on 22 January 2004 |
| Is it just me, or is the Stites similar in concept and execution to the Avanti by John Bradshaw and, er, someone else, wot won that design competition about ten years ago? |
| From: jes (@pedalcars.info) on 22 January 2004 |
The arm position looks very elevated to me.
I don't know, it just looks uncomfortabe and un natural. Like you would get cramp in both wrists after a while.
I can see why they've done it - to clear the front wheels. But many trikes have solved the solution in a better way.
Like with a joystick or handle bars where your arms naturally come to when sitting in a recumbent seat for example. |
| From: antony (again) on 22 January 2004 |
"solved the solution"?
;-) |
| From: jes (@pedalcars) on 22 January 2004 |
Yeah, solved the solution.
Dead right they did... |
| From: murph ([email protected]) on 22 January 2004 |
| Yes the stites bears a passing resemblence to JB's thing - but it looks to me like its a LOT taller and has a more complex lean. |
| From: Ben Cooper ([email protected]) on 22 January 2004 |
| Also similar to the Culty, except that's rear-steering... |
| From: John Bradshaw ([email protected]) on 22 January 2004 |
Murph & Larry are dead right - Bob Martin & I, alias 'Team Martin', did indeed create a banking, front wheel drive trike, the Avant, in 1993 - and won a design competition with it (judged by Mike Burrows et al). Soon, Pashley asked us for a number of changes with a view to building it under licence. It lost the interesting hub-centred steering, gained more hub gears, simplicity, neatness & lightness. However, Pashley then bought a much more conventional US design, c/w all the jigs, the PDQ, and instantly lost interest......
However, we still have it - perhaps the re-inventor would like to bring it to CycleFest'04 & we could compare them! |
| From: Bill Stites ([email protected]) on 28 January 2004 |
Hello, the 're-inventor' here. A friend of mine alerted me to the banter going on, and I was delighted to see Mr. Bradshaw's comments. Back in 2002, another friend sent me a photo of the Avant with Brian Cowper and John Bradshaw in front of a college campus. Unfortunately, the quality was poor and I couldn't make out the mechanicals. John, do the handlebars lean? [they don't on the Chameleon], and is that a flexible intermediate hub in your FWD system?It's nice to know I'm on the trail of an award winning design, but I assure you all it was derived independently! If I can get the demo trike to Peter by June, he says he'll try to ride it to CycleFest.
Bill |
| From: gNick ([email protected]) on 30 January 2004 |
| Now the Stites is nice. I contemplated the same arrangement using the UJ for the steering on a low bike a few years ago and stopped because I wasn't having any problem with twisting the chain. Remember on a low bike you aren't exactly blessed with a huge lock - curse these muscular legs! |
| From: Tony Shingler ([email protected]) on 01 February 2004 |
| Me too, I had a arrangement set up on my mates mtb to create a 2wd mountain bike, other projects meant it went the the back of the 'to do' list. Still got the plans for the lowrider waiting................. |
|
