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The main attraction and national symbol of Bangladesh is the cycle rickshaw. It is more than a means of transportation. The cycle rickshaw is a whole layer of art. A huge amount of human labor has been invested in each such cart. Each cycle rickshaw is unique in its own way and no two are the same. There are over 350,000 cycle rickshaws in Dhaka alone. I suspected that thousands of artists were working on the design of such a fleet and, of course, I wanted to see how it was going.
Our English-speaking rickshaw takes us through the narrow dark streets of old Dhaka to the quarter where the workshops are concentrated. We are going a little late and almost all the workshops are already closed, but there is hope. And she makes excuses. We park near the open garage on a narrow street. Work is in full swing both inside and outside.
every corner of the room is used for something. A man works in a corner by the light of a lamp. Wraps metal parts with gold ribbon.
Nearby, a thirteen-year-old boy collects complex applications from self-adhesive film.
In another corner, wooden blanks for seats are stored.
interior
The artist is working right in front of the gate to the garage. There is better lighting from a street lamp here.
And already at the very fence, on the opposite side of the lane, the chassis is being painted.
We pass 30 meters and find the second working workshop
The artist works in a corner.
In the design of cycle rickshaws, a special technique, style and classic stories with animals are used. On each rickshaw there are planes on which such pictures are placed.
Most artists do not invent anything, but simply copy the “classics” from old shabby books and Japanese catalogs of rare rickshaws. The painting depicts a meal of a deer, a lion and a tiger.
The production process is about the same as in the previous workshop. Assembly of parts for a sliding roof. Then all this is stitched on a sewing machine.
On each wagon there are large rectangular planes, which are customarily pasted over with large drawings. Many artists work from home. Especially over such elements.
Approximately 6 people work in each such workshop. set of specialties is standard.
finished chassis
According to our rickshaw, a new cart costs about $300, and a used one can be found for $100-150.
Source
kak-eto-sdelano.ru
Advantages
Having decided to make a tricycle with your own hands, get acquainted with its advantages, compared with analogues on two wheels:
- Anyone can use such transport, regardless of age, financial situation and physical fitness.
- Making a model with your own hands does not require special knowledge and a significant investment of capital.
- Tricycles, made by hand or bought in a store, are much more stable on the road.
- During operation, balance is not required, and this is a very significant factor for the elderly.
- The model is equipped with a low frame that facilitates the rider's landing.
- The high load capacity of the unit allows it to be used for commercial purposes.
Where to begin?
To create a three-wheeled adult bicycle with your own hands, you will need to purchase a two-wheeled model of domestic or foreign production. Depending on the chosen modification, the aesthetic side of the future vehicle will be determined.
When carrying out work, you should not rely only on the quality of parts. It is necessary to follow the basic rules, namely:
- Calculate the height of the model so that the owner is comfortable to sit on it.
- Check the stability of the sample so that it does not collapse when the steering wheel is turned sharply.
- A new bike must be equipped with a reliable braking system and a signal bell.
- It is better to mount new pedals and wheels, which will avoid slipping and slipping.
- The steering wheel and wheels should rotate smoothly, without making extraneous sounds.
Peculiarities
The most significant point when creating tricycles with your own hands is the need to modify the frame. This will require strengthening the metal core using profiled ribs.
One of the simplest and most economical ways to create such a design is the use of a frame from Ural. You will need to cut the rear fork, install a new frame made of duralumin pipes. The second element is mounted below the seat. This will allow you to install a container for the transport of goods. Wheels connected by an axle are installed on both sides, and an asterisk is adjusted in the center.
The dimensions of the frame in the manufacture of a tricycle with your own hands may vary, depending on the creative ideas of the designer. The most reliable and technologically fastest production of the model in question is the use of a rear factory axle with a differential of the UK-65 type.
Bridge installation
The assembly order of this element is not particularly difficult, since it fits almost all classic frames. The work is performed in the following sequence:
- First, all standard elements of the rear are dismantled, including the standard chain, wheel, fender, trunk and hand brakes.
- Then the UK type axle is installed on the native rear wheel seat. In this case, the stops are wound onto the lower tube of the rear of the frame, the axle is threaded into the eyes. All parts are tightened, stops are attracted with clamps.
- Next, a new chain is mounted, which is longer than the usual counterpart. To make it, you need to buy two regular chains and fit the element to the desired size. To remove extra links, use the method of grinding the rivet or installing a new lock.
- It remains only to adjust the speed switch.
As you can see, tricycles by hand are not such an impossible task.
Brake system
The assembly of equipment can be considered finished. However, you should pay attention to the brakes. The fact is that only disk elements are suitable for such a modification, it is not possible to install a rim option. This node will require certain investments, but it will allow you to protect the cyclist and please you with reliable work. The purchased kit, in addition to the disks themselves, includes hubs, calipers, a brake lever (placed on the steering wheel).
Tools and materials
To make a tricycle with your own hands, you will need to stock up on certain materials. These include:
- An old two-wheeled donor bicycle.
- Steel frame.
- Plywood.
- Body kit.
- A pair of wheels, preferably 20 inches in diameter.
- Square profile blank.
- Saw "Bulgarian".
- Welder.
- Hammer.
- A set of keys and screwdrivers.
- Drill and hacksaw.
What will you have to spend on?
When creating the modification in question on your own, you will need to take into account the costs of acquiring the necessary parts. In specialized stores, you can easily find the right material. The main part that allows you to transform a two-wheeled bicycle into an analogue with three levels is the UK-6S bridge (or its analogue). The average cost of a part is about 25 thousand rubles. In addition, you will definitely have to buy an additional chain, derailleur, wheels and a set of sprockets.
As a result, the future owner will be able to independently design a model without significant financial costs, as well as choose an individual external design that makes the bike machine original. With proper work, the equipment will please the user not only with comfort, but also with reliability.
Finally
In order not to work in vain on the creation of the unit in question, you will need to make drawings of a tricycle. In this case, it will become much easier to make it with your own hands.
After studying these tips and choosing the right tools and material, you will get a reliable household helper that does not require fuel, is stable, has a good carrying capacity and original design.
fb.ru
Step 1: Search for an unwanted bike.
I took an old bicycle as a base and cut it in half along the black line. The bike must have a steel frame! Aluminum frame bikes will not fit. You can check the frame with a magnet.
Step 2: Trike frame assembly.
Let's start assembling a homemade trike by creating a front frame. I decided to make it bigger - 100 cm by 100 cm in size. As it turned out later, the size was not quite optimal. The photo shows a trike frame welded from steel pipes and the back of an old bicycle.
Step 3: Wheels for the trike.
Now we have to install the front wheels directly on the frame. If you look at the Christiania tricycle, you will notice that the wheel axle is not located in the middle, but a little closer to the front of the frame. In addition, I wanted the steering wheel to be adjustable in height. Therefore, only two steel pipes were welded to the rear of the frame, where the handlebar is mounted.
On Christiania tricycles, the wheel axle is slightly forward, but it remains behind the head tube. First, I installed the axle in front of the head tube. A few months later, I had to position the axle like the original trike, which made it much easier to control the bike.
It is better to use 20-inch wheels in the front. Thus, we lower the center of gravity and improve the control of the trike on ups and downs. But at the same time, a problem arises - the usual head pipe does not fit, because there is simply not enough space between the ground and the cradle. Therefore, its use will have to be abandoned. Tapered roller bearings, which are used in automobiles, can be used instead of the head tube.
Setting the wheels at a slight angle allows you to improve the control of the bike.
Step 4: Testing the front frame.
The front frame for a homemade trike looks pretty good.
Step 5: Welding the components of the homemade cargo bike.
Weld the head tube to the front of the frame.
Step 6: The back of the homemade tricycle.
Next, we will start assembling the rear of the cargo bike. The head tube from the old bike, welded to the steel pipe, is in turn welded to the back of the bike. You can see in the photo above that the angle at which the steel tube connects to the head tube is different from the angle on the original bike. This was my second mistake that I made.
At this stage, a homemade cargo trike looks good. But as soon as I tried to ride it, I found that the bike could hardly turn in any direction. After thinking a little about the reasons for this, I realized that most likely the problem arises from the angle of the head pipe.
After riding this tricycle for a bit, I realized that the worst possible angle was chosen. On a Christiania bike, the angle is 9.5°, which is the opposite of the standard castor angle on a bike.
In addition, by law, a pedal-operated vehicle with a width of more than 80 cm requires a permit. Based on these considerations, I had to slightly reduce the size of the tricycle.
Consequently, the front frame had to be cut, downsized, and another head tube taken from another old bike.
It came out just great!
Step 7: Strengthening the back of the trike.
But the back end doesn't look strong enough. Therefore, it is necessary to make another steel pipe with fastening.
Step 8: The handlebar of the trike.
The steering wheel consists of three pipes connected at an angle of 90 degrees. It is better to choose a curved steering wheel, not a straight one. This will save space and allow you to sit more upright.
Step 9: Brakes.
To install the brakes that I took from another old bike, I had to bolt a plate with holes to the frame.
Step 10: Finishing the frame.
There are two other improvements that can be made:
Step 11: Brake adapter.
But there was one more issue that needed to be resolved - the control of two front brakes with a single handle. While talking with a friend, he found an interesting solution - an adapter that redistributes the force from one handle simultaneously to two brakes.
You can not make an adapter for the front wheel brakes yourself, but simply buy a “double brake lever”. It is quite cheap and allows you to control two brakes at the same time.
Step 12: Installing the bassinet.
And the last thing to add is a cradle for transporting a child and things.
Choose the size of the bassinet according to your needs. The chosen size of the cradle suits me quite well, since I need to transport two children and luggage. Sometimes four children with their things can be in the cradle. If you don't need that much space, you can make it smaller. Because even with a small headwind, a large cradle will create tangible aerodynamic drag. You can first make a layout out of cardboard. And only after he completely suits you, go to the tree.
You will also need to install reflectors and other necessary safety accessories.
Step 13: Adjustable steering damper.
The last thing that needs improvement on this great homemade cargo trike is the addition of an adjustable steering damper. Since it is quite expensive, I made it myself from a spring and a screw tie. I am completely satisfied with his work.
velofun.ru
What does a rickshaw look like?
A cycle rickshaw is a vehicle for public or private use that can carry 1-2 people, not including the driver. Most of all, it resembles a tricycle, in one of the parts of which there is a stroller (seat), and passengers are transported on it. The driver controls the cycle rickshaw by pedaling, that is, this type of transport is 100% environmentally friendly. In most cases, there is a small fabric roof over the passenger seat, which helps to hide from the scorching sun. The use of this transport is possible only in the warm season.
What do you need to rebuild a bike?
Before making a cycle rickshaw, it is important to prepare all the tools and elements that will be needed in the process:
- plywood from several layers;
- metal tools;
- transmission for a bicycle;
- machine for grinding (aligning) corners;
- artificial leather;
- three bicycle wheels;
- metal pipe;
- nuts, bolts and other elements for fastening;
- welding machine;
- foam rubber.
Sequential instructions for creating a cycle rickshaw
Important! To convert your bike correctly, you need to pay attention to details and strictly follow the instructions. Use only high-quality materials, so you get a more durable and reliable transport.
Design
Before you make a cycle rickshaw, decide on the design. There are two options for such transport. The most common is the one where the driver is in front of the passengers. Thanks to this design, the passenger seat is more stable, as it is located on two wheels. There is a second, reverse option, in this case, the passengers are in front. If you want to create a taxi and carry customers on your cycle rickshaw, you should consider the second option, as it is more popular with customers, for more safety it is recommended to choose the first option.
Important! Remember that if you choose the second option, the driver's seat should be located just above the passenger cabin so that the driver can clearly see the road ahead.
Carefully check before you start making a cycle rickshaw that you have all the parts and tools, as the lack of something can make it impossible to create a cycle rickshaw with your own hands. It is best to have a few parts in stock (bolts, nuts, foam rubber, etc.).
Drawing and scheme
To make a cycle rickshaw with your own hands, it is important to prepare a drawing or diagram, at least a generalized one, in order to prevent significant mistakes during the creation of transport.
Important! During the creation of the drawing, it would be useful to make a short plan that will allow you to understand the sequence of your actions and make the production of a bicycle transport clear, consistent.
Main stage of work
The basis for a cycle rickshaw is a cycle frame, to which additional metal elements need to be welded. To understand what should happen, pay attention to tricycles and photos of finished cycle rickshaws. The design is very simple and clear. Remember to use only durable metal, because the vehicle will carry 2-3 times more weight than a standard bike.
Then you need to attach the transmission (do not forget about the gear type sprocket on the drive wheel), the bicycle chain (we just put it on), the pedal mechanism. Lubricate the bicycle chain before attaching it to the cycle rickshaw. The next step is the installation of the steering, it is fully consistent with the bicycle.
Important! To protect yourself and passengers, you can mount a steering brake and add an alarm system that will notify you of the approach of transport.
Final details
The last stage of work on a bicycle taxi is the creation of a seat. It needs to be made of plywood, upholstered with leather, placing foam rubber under it for convenience. After that, you need to check all the fasteners, tighten the bolts and make sure that the structure is reliable. Further, a canopy is put on the cycle rickshaw, which will save passengers from the sun and bad weather.
How to choose a bike for a teenager
They can be used as simulators that stimulate the work of muscles and the heart. In addition, such machines are characterized by increased stability, allowing you to transport a certain load without the risk of falling. Consider the features of the unit and the stages of its self-production.
Advantages
Having decided to make a tricycle with your own hands, get acquainted with its advantages, compared with analogues on two wheels:
- Anyone can use such transport, regardless of age, financial situation and physical fitness.
- Making a model with your own hands does not require special knowledge and a significant investment of capital.
- Tricycles, made by hand or bought in a store, are much more stable on the road.
- During operation, balance is not required, and this is a very significant factor for the elderly.
- The model is equipped with a low frame that facilitates the rider's landing.
- The high load capacity of the unit allows it to be used for commercial purposes.
Where to begin?
To create a three-wheeled adult bicycle with your own hands, you will need to purchase a two-wheeled model of domestic or foreign production. Depending on the chosen modification, the aesthetic side of the future vehicle will be determined.
When carrying out work, you should not rely only on the quality of parts. It is necessary to follow the basic rules, namely:
- Calculate the height of the model so that the owner is comfortable to sit on it.
- Check the stability of the sample so that it does not collapse when the steering wheel is turned sharply.
- A new bicycle machine must be equipped with a reliable and alarm bell.
- It is better to mount new pedals and wheels, which will avoid slipping and slipping.
- The steering wheel and wheels should rotate smoothly, without making extraneous sounds.
Peculiarities
The most significant point when creating tricycles with your own hands is the need to modify the frame. This will require strengthening the metal core using profiled ribs.
One of the simplest and most economical ways to create such a design is the use of a frame from Ural. You will need to cut the rear fork, install a new frame made of duralumin pipes. The second element is mounted below the seat. This will allow you to install a container for the transport of goods. Wheels connected by an axle are installed on both sides, and an asterisk is adjusted in the center.
The dimensions of the frame in the manufacture of a tricycle with your own hands may vary, depending on the creative ideas of the designer. The most reliable and technologically fastest production of the model in question is the use of a rear factory axle with a differential of the UK-65 type.
Bridge installation
The assembly order of this element is not particularly difficult, since it fits almost all classic frames. The work is performed in the following sequence:
- First, all standard elements of the rear are dismantled, including the standard chain, wheel, fender, trunk and hand brakes.
- Then the UK is installed on the native seat of the rear wheel. In this case, the stops are wound onto the lower tube of the rear of the frame, the axle is threaded into the eyes. All parts are tightened, stops are attracted with clamps.
- Next, a new chain is mounted, which is longer than the usual counterpart. To make it, you need to buy two regular chains and fit the element to the desired size. To remove extra links, use the method of grinding the rivet or installing a new lock.
- It remains only to adjust the speed switch.
As you can see, tricycles by hand are not such an impossible task.
Brake system
The assembly of equipment can be considered finished. However, you should pay attention to the brakes. The fact is that only disk elements are suitable for such a modification, it is not possible to install a rim option. This node will require certain investments, but it will allow you to protect the cyclist and please you with reliable work. The purchased kit, in addition to the disks themselves, includes hubs, calipers, a brake lever (placed on the steering wheel).
Tools and materials
To make a tricycle with your own hands, you will need to stock up on certain materials. These include:
- An old two-wheeled donor bicycle.
- Steel frame.
- Plywood.
- Body kit.
- A pair of wheels, preferably 20 inches in diameter.
- Square profile blank.
- Saw "Bulgarian".
- Hammer.
- A set of keys and screwdrivers.
- Drill and hacksaw.
What will you have to spend on?
When creating the modification in question on your own, you will need to take into account the costs of acquiring the necessary parts. In specialized stores, you can easily find the right material. The main part that allows you to transform a two-wheeled bicycle into an analogue with three levels is the UK-6S bridge (or its analogue). The average cost of a part is about 25 thousand rubles. In addition, you will definitely have to buy an additional chain, derailleur, wheels and a set of sprockets.
As a result, the future owner will be able to independently design a model without significant financial costs, as well as choose an individual external design that makes the bike machine original. With proper work, the equipment will please the user not only with comfort, but also with reliability.
Finally
In order not to work in vain on the creation of the unit in question, you will need to make drawings of a tricycle. In this case, it will become much easier to make it with your own hands.
After studying these tips and choosing the right tools and material, you will get a reliable household helper that does not require fuel, is stable, has a good carrying capacity and original design.
Three years ago I bought a trailer for a bicycle, on which I took my son for a walk. In principle, the trailer suited me with the exception of:
- The trailer is quite low. And although it has a small flag on it to make it more visible, drivers in traffic may not see it.
- Since the child is at a distance of one meter from me, it is not clear what he is doing. You have to constantly turn your head, which is not very good while driving.
During a trip to Europe, I saw a large number of cargo bikes on the streets that were used for. At first I thought about buying a cargo bike. But the price turned out to be too high and I decided to assemble the tricycle myself. Since this was my first self-assembled bike, during the assembly of the trike there were many situations that had to be solved by trial and error. But in the end, I managed to make a cargo trike with my own hands. After searching the internet for something to guide me, I settled on a Christiania tricycle. So, let's try to make a cargo tricycle on our own!
Step 1: Search for an unwanted bike.
I took an old bicycle as a base and cut it in half along the black line. The bike must have! Aluminum frame bikes will not fit. You can check the frame with a magnet.
Step 2: Trike frame assembly.
Let's start assembling a homemade trike by creating a front frame. I decided to make it bigger - 100 cm by 100 cm in size. As it turned out later, the size was not quite optimal. The photo shows a trike frame welded from steel pipes and the back of an old bicycle.
Step 3: Wheels for the trike.
Now we have to install the front wheels directly on the frame. If you look at the Christiania tricycle, you will notice that the wheel axle is not located in the middle, but a little closer to the front of the frame. In addition, I wanted the steering wheel to be adjustable in height. Therefore, only two steel pipes were welded to the rear of the frame, where the handlebar is mounted.
On Christiania tricycles, the wheel axle is slightly forward, but it remains behind the head tube. First, I installed the axle in front of the head tube. A few months later, I had to position the axle like the original trike, which made it much easier to control the bike.
It is better to use 20-inch wheels in the front. Thus, we lower the center of gravity and improve the control of the trike on and . But at the same time, a problem arises - the usual head pipe does not fit, because there is simply not enough space between the ground and the cradle. Therefore, its use will have to be abandoned. Tapered roller bearings, which are used in automobiles, can be used instead of the head tube.
Setting the wheels at a slight angle allows you to improve the control of the bike.
Step 4: Testing the front frame.
The front frame for a homemade trike looks pretty good.
Step 5: Welding the components of the homemade cargo bike.
Weld the head tube to the front of the frame.
Step 6: The back of the homemade tricycle.
Next, we will start assembling the rear of the cargo bike. The head tube from the old bike, welded to the steel pipe, is in turn welded to the back of the bike. You can see in the photo above that the angle at which the steel tube connects to the head tube is different from the angle on the original bike. This was my second mistake that I made.
At this stage, a homemade cargo trike looks good. But once I tried to ride it, I found myself almost unable to turn in either direction. After thinking a little about the reasons for this, I realized that most likely the problem arises from the angle of the head pipe.
After riding this tricycle for a bit, I realized that the worst possible angle was chosen. On a Christiania bike, the angle is 9.5°, which is the opposite of the standard castor angle on a bike.
In addition, by law, a pedal-operated vehicle with a width of more than 80 cm requires a permit. Based on these considerations, I had to slightly reduce the size of the tricycle.
Consequently, the front frame had to be cut, downsized, and another head tube taken from another old bike.
It came out just great!
Step 7: Strengthening the back of the trike.
But the back end doesn't look strong enough. Therefore, it is necessary to make another steel pipe with fastening.
Step 8: The handlebar of the trike.
The steering wheel consists of three pipes connected at an angle of 90 degrees. curved, not straight. This will save space and allow you to sit more upright.
Step 9: Brakes.
To install the brakes that I took from another old bike, I had to bolt a plate with holes to the frame.
Step 10: Finishing the frame.
There are two other improvements that can be made:
Step 11: Brake adapter.
But there was one more issue that needed to be resolved - the control of two front brakes with a single handle. While talking with a friend, he found an interesting solution - an adapter that redistributes the force from one handle simultaneously to two brakes.
You can not make an adapter for the front wheel brakes yourself, but simply buy a “double brake lever”. It is quite cheap and allows you to control two brakes at the same time.
Step 12: Installing the bassinet.
And the last thing to add is a cradle for transporting a child and things.
Choose the size of the bassinet according to your needs. The chosen size of the cradle suits me quite well, since I need to transport two children and luggage. Sometimes four children with their things can be in the cradle. If you don't need that much space, you can make it smaller. Because even with a small headwind, a large cradle will create tangible aerodynamic drag. You can first make a layout out of cardboard. And only after he completely suits you, go to the tree.
You will also need to install others.
Step 13: Adjustable steering damper.
The last thing that needs improvement on this great homemade cargo trike is the addition of an adjustable steering damper. Since it is quite expensive, I made it myself from a spring and a screw tie. I am completely satisfied with his work.
Step 14: Some drawings of a homemade trike.
M 1 \u003d (D 1 + D 2) / 2.3;
The dimensions in the drawings correspond to the actual dimensions of my cargo bike.
We hope that you will be able to make a tricycle cargo bike with your own hands. Perhaps you will be able to make your own improvements to the design of the bike. Good luck!
The first cargo bikes appeared over a hundred years ago. They were widely used to deliver mail, milk, bread and other goods. Such bikes gained particular popularity during World War II, when the fighting European countries experienced an acute shortage of fuel. However, with the end of the war and the advent of relatively inexpensive mass models of the car, the bicycle lost its position, and for a long time, vehicles with a motor were mainly used to transport passengers and goods. At the end of the 1980s, there was a surge of interest in an environmentally friendly and inexpensive means of transportation, and the streets of many cities in Europe and America were again flooded with two-wheeled horses. Especially often they can be found in the Netherlands and Denmark, which challenge each other for the title of the most cycling country in the world. The cargo bike here is not exotic or a tribute to environmental protection, but a full-fledged and ubiquitous road user.
Types of cargo bikes
The design of such bicycles can be very diverse and largely depends on the conditions in which they are used. The simplest type is an ordinary city bike, on which strong baskets made of metal rods or special trunk boxes are installed in front and behind, allowing you to carry quite bulky goods. This type is most popular in Amsterdam and Copenhagen, and making such a DIY cargo bike is quite simple.
Schwinn Bicycle
Another common type of cargo bike is the bicycle truck (English name - Long John). Usually it has an increased wheelbase and a reduced front wheel, which allows you to place a cargo platform between it and the steering wheel. The cyclist controls the vehicle using a conventional steering wheel, which is connected to the front wheel by a special design. The load capacity of such bikes, often used by porters at train stations, can exceed 100 kilograms.
Long John type cargo bike
Another option is the so-called long tail. Such cargo bikes have an increased wheelbase at the rear, which allows you to install a special platform, rack or additional seats for transporting one or more adult passengers.
The production of long bikes is established by Xtracycle, which offers not only ready-made vehicles of this type, but also special kits that allow you to create a cargo bike with your own hands from an existing one.
Long tail cargo bike
All of the above bicycles have only two wheels each, which makes them quite inconvenient to use. After all, it is quite difficult for a rider on such a bike to maintain balance, especially if the bike is fully loaded. Therefore, they are most often used as cargo. Such devices can have both direct and reverse deltoid configurations, and the luggage compartment is usually located between the wheels of the front or rear axle. Tricycles are stable on the road and do not fall even at a complete stop. In addition, they can easily increase the size of the trunk, thereby increasing the carrying capacity. Many bicycle manufacturers offer ready-made cargo trikes, some of which are even equipped with an electric motor, which expands the scope of this type of transport. There is also the option to purchase a whole assembly, which is an axle with a differential and stars, which allows you to convert a regular bike into a three-wheeler.
DIY cargo bike
Anyone who knows how to work with tools and who is alien to technical creativity will easily make a home-made cargo bike. Drawings of such a vehicle are easy to find on the Internet, and you can take an inexpensive Chinese bike as a basis. You will also need metal pipes of round or square section (preferably steel), a grinder and a welding machine.
two wheeler truck
The easiest way to increase the bike's carrying capacity is to fit large luggage baskets at the front and rear, but this improvement is not optimal as the weight carried remains low. A fairly easy-to-make alternative would be to build a Long John-type cargo bike, a design that has proven itself over more than a century of service.
Blank for a cargo bike
In order to make such a bike, you will need a donor, in which the lower tube of the front triangle is cut off, as well as a steering glass. Instead, a long vertical steering wheel and a frame with a luggage area are welded in. The front wheel is welded to the trunk, which is connected to the steering wheel with special rods.
New Long John bike frame
Another option that does not require much effort is to increase the wheelbase of the bicycle to create a long bike. In this case, you will have to cut the feathers of the rear triangle of the frame and weld in elongated ones instead, which will allow you to install a much larger trunk. You can also install a ready-made branded kit, fixing it in dropouts, then you don’t need to cut anything.
Homemade long bike
Cargo trikes
Two-wheeled cargo bikes are quite easy to make in a home workshop, which cannot be said about the operation of such a device, especially in busy city traffic. In the countries of Asia and Northern Europe, tricycles are more often used for these purposes.
In order to make a three-wheeled cargo bike with a deltoid configuration on your own, you will have to get rid of the rear triangle of the frame, and instead weld a frame with wheels and a trunk or passenger seats. Get the well-known cycle rickshaw.
Homemade cargo delta trike
The torque in such a tricycle is transmitted to one or two wheels at once. In the second case, you will need a bridge with a differential, which makes the structure heavier, but makes it more manageable and stable. You can also use a prefabricated set that attaches to the stays and seat tube, again avoiding cutting and welding the metal.
Deltoid tricycles are great for leisurely trips in the country, but in urban conditions it will be difficult to manage such a device, as it loses stability when cornering. In addition, you do not see what is happening with the load behind your back or what the children sitting in the back are doing. Therefore, it is more convenient to use the European trike of the reverse delta design, also known as the christiania bike, which got its name from one of the districts of Copenhagen.
Various types of European tricycles
Almost any bike is suitable for conversion into such a tricycle. The front triangle is cut off from the donor, and a pipe with a head tube at the end is welded to the seat tube with feathers. A cargo platform with wheels is attached to the steering column, and a U-shaped pipe on it serves to control the resulting vehicle.
The general scheme of a tricycle for street trading
There are a great many options for converting an ordinary bike into a cargo one, it all depends on your imagination and ingenuity. On the popular Youtube service, you can even find a video showing how a twelve-year-old boy assembles his first cargo trike. If he succeeded, then you will certainly succeed too.
Application of cargo bikes
Cargo bikes mainly serve the following purposes:
- Selling various goods such as ice cream, hot dogs or hamburgers in places where traffic is restricted.
- Delivery of small-sized cargoes in densely populated urban areas.
- Transportation of goods and tools across the territory of factories and plants occupying a large area.
- Transportation of luggage at railway stations and airports.
- Transportation of goods across warehouses.
- Mail delivery.
- Transportation of children.
- Collection of waste for further disposal.
As you can see, the scope of cargo bikes is quite extensive and is not limited to the above options. And if you install an electric motor on a bike, then the scope of its use becomes almost limitless.
Cargo bikes have a number of undeniable advantages. They do not pollute the air, which is very important in enclosed spaces like a warehouse or a factory. The bikes do not require fuel, are inexpensive to operate and do not make noise. However, such vehicles are not without certain disadvantages. The bicycle is set in motion by the muscular strength of a person, which imposes restrictions on the range of travel, as well as on the weight of the cargo carried. The need to maintain balance, the requirements for the physical form of the rider and his insecurity in urban traffic make many refuse to use cargo bikes. Nevertheless, in some situations a cargo bike is simply indispensable, in addition, many of the problems described above can be solved by using a motor.
