An interesting item...

Ozark Bicycle said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

In Mode 1 (upright tricycle with child carrier in front), it would
appear to be "interesting" to ride. With the weight of immature hominid
cargo ahead of the front axle, lifting the rear wheel should be possible
with relatively low braking forces. Maybe the little wheels on the
"child pod" should be left extended to prevent excessive forward rotation?

Secondly, like all upright tricycles, rapid changes in direction are to
be avoided unless one enjoys tipping over.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Ozark Bicycle said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

"Eat your broccoli, or I'll use you as a crumple zone!"

Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
those cargo fiets in Holland.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

For a bicycle rider won't this steer backwards?
As in reverse countersteer.

I know in the UK they have adult tricycle races, one way of getting the
family involved I guess.

landotter said:

Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
those cargo fiets in Holland.

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Chalo

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:55:04 -0600, Tom Sherman

may have said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

In Mode 1 (upright tricycle with child carrier in front), it would
appear to be "interesting" to ride. With the weight of immature hominid
cargo ahead of the front axle, lifting the rear wheel should be possible
with relatively low braking forces. Maybe the little wheels on the
"child pod" should be left extended to prevent excessive forward rotation?

Secondly, like all upright tricycles, rapid changes in direction are to
be avoided unless one enjoys tipping over.

Noting the very small steering deflection angle allowed by the close
proximity of the wheels to the sides of the front compartment, it
appears that they've engineered in a limiter to the turn radius of
this device in tricycle mode. This probably reduces the tendency to
fall over in turns somewhat, but also limits the maneuverability of
the unit to a degree that I would find hard to live with.

My impression: Gimmick. I find this to be the case with a lot of
products that try to cram too many functions into one device. I'm
much more fond of the idea of tools that do one thing really well.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:02:25 -0500, Marcus Coles <[email hidden]> may

have said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

For a bicycle rider won't this steer backwards?
As in reverse countersteer.

I know in the UK they have adult tricycle races, one way of getting the
family involved I guess.

It steers like a tadpole, not a hot dog wagon. For that matter, it is
a tadpole. Just not a recumbent.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Chalo said:

landotter said:

Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
those cargo fiets in Holland.

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Cha, right I remember the time I totally faced while doing a
trackstand on my Radio Flyer fixie!

http://www.radioflyer.com/trikes/trikes_34.html

Chalo Colina said:

landotter said:

Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
those cargo fiets in Holland.

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Based on the trikes I have ridden, design of the front end on a tadpole
is NOT trivial. Low center of gravity (combined rider and trike) is also
critical unless one severely restricts how the trike is ridden.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Tom Sherman said:

ChaloColina said:

landotter said:

Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
those cargo fiets in Holland.

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Based on the trikes I have ridden, design of the front end on a tadpole
is NOT trivial. Low center of gravity (combined rider and trike) is also
critical unless one severely restricts how the trike is ridden.

I think you might have missed my point, which was this: Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Chalo

Chalo Colina said:

Tom Sherman said:

Chalo Colina said:

landotter wrote:
> Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
> those cargo fiets in Holland.

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Based on the trikes I have ridden, design of the front end on a tadpole
is NOT trivial. Low center of gravity (combined rider and trike) is also
critical unless one severely restricts how the trike is ridden.

I think you might have missed my point, which was this: Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Utter nonsense. The real problem with good tadpole recumbent trikes is
the damage they will do to one's checking account balance. I was lucky
to get a good one at a reasonably low price (eBay "Buy it Now"😉:
<http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/1940446684_1a8852b1ed.jpg?v=0>.

Ridden in a non insane manner, tipping over and injuring one's self on a
proper tadpole is almost impossible. The same can not be said of
bicycles, even upright road bicycles with highly experienced and skilled
riders: <http://yarchive.net/bike/hip_break.html>. The trike allows one
to ignore minor road hazards that can easily dump a single-track
vehicle. This is fun and relaxing in a way that needs to be experienced.

Of course, if one is Chalo's size, a custom trike would be in order,
which is even more pricey. Greenspeed has built custom trike for riders
that are either taller or heavier than Chalo.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Useful innovation or gimmick or......?

http://www.myzigo.com/

I'm not sure what the benefit would be over a standard trailer, but I can
see many drawbacks.

My trailer will stay upright regardless of whether the bike falls over. I
can use my trailer on any bike and can detatch it quickly.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

landotter wrote:
> Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
> those cargo fiets in Holland.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ChaloColina said:

Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Based on the trikes I have ridden, design of the front end on a tadpole
is NOT trivial. Low center of gravity (combined rider and trike) is also
critical unless one severely restricts how the trike is ridden.

Chalo said:

I think you might have missed my point, which was this: Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Tricycles are, and I quote, "Ideal for Spastics":

http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/HWTRIKE.JPG

from:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/holdsw.html
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Andrew Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> landotter wrote:
>> Spec is OK, but I'd rather it was just a two wheeler in bike mode like
>> those cargo fiets in Holland.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ChaloColina wrote:
> Butbutbut-- any non-cyclist knows that trikes are safer and more
> stable than bikes! Just ask anyone.

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Based on the trikes I have ridden, design of the front end on a tadpole
is NOT trivial. Low center of gravity (combined rider and trike) is also
critical unless one severely restricts how the trike is ridden.

Chalo said:

I think you might have missed my point, which was this: Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Tricycles are, and I quote, "Ideal for Spastics":

http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/HWTRIKE.JPG

from:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/holdsw.html

Trikes are an area where recumbents are decidedly superior to uprights
in every important aspect. 🙂

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Tom Sherman said:

ChaloColina said:

Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Utter nonsense. The real problem with good tadpole recumbent trikes is
the damage they will do to one's checking account balance.

You are right, inasmuch as butt-dragging-on-the-ground bikes are worse
than butt-dragging-on-the-ground trikes. But I was generalizing about
regular bikes and trikes, not Rhoades Cars, mechanic's creepers, Big
Wheels, Green Machines, KMX Karts, street luges, Windcheetahs, or
other such toys.

Any cycle that high-centers when rolling off an ordinary curb can't be
considered roadworthy, to my way of thinking anyway.

Chalo

Tom Sherman said:

Trikes are an area where recumbents are decidedly superior to uprights
in every important aspect. 🙂

Save one-- carrying loads. Which for most of us is the only practical
reason to have a trike, no?

Chalo

Chalo Colina said:

Tom Sherman said:

Chalo Colina said:

Most folks
who have never tried one assume that trikes are easier and safer than
bikes. But the best way to determine that two-wheelers are generally
safer and more pleasant to ride than three-wheelers is to ride a three-
wheeler. It doesn't really matter what kind.

Utter nonsense. The real problem with good tadpole recumbent trikes is
the damage they will do to one's checking account balance.

You are right, inasmuch as butt-dragging-on-the-ground bikes are worse
than butt-dragging-on-the-ground trikes. But I was generalizing about
regular bikes and trikes, not Rhoades Cars, mechanic's creepers, Big
Wheels, Green Machines, KMX Karts, street luges, Windcheetahs, or
other such toys.

While upright bicycles outsell upright recumbents by about 99 to 1 in
the quality bicycle market, I suspect the ratio is much smaller in the
quality trike market. Quality upright trikes are quite rare - I have
seen many more recumbent trikes in real life than upright adult trikes.

The Windcheetah [1] is not a toy in the way the other mentioned items
are, but a trike that can be used for distance riding, HPV racing and
commuting. Until recently (when sold off), the manufacturer's main
business was working quads [2]. The Windcheetah even holds the speed
record for the Land's End to John o'Groats ride [3].

Quoted message said:

Any cycle that high-centers when rolling off an ordinary curb can't be
considered roadworthy, to my way of thinking anyway.

I can ride all my recumbents off normal (less than 15 cm high) curbs.
However, I prefer to practice vehicular cycling, so curb hopping is not
much of a concern. (For me, going up curbs is not an issue, since I
generally crash when trying to do so on an upright bicycle.)

[1] <http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/>.
[2] <http://www.work-bikes.de/avd/index2.htm>.
[3] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land's_End_to_John_o'_Groats>.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Chalo Colina said:

Tom Sherman said:

Trikes are an area where recumbents are decidedly superior to uprights
in every important aspect. 🙂

Save one-- carrying loads.

Not so:
<http://www.organicengines.com/products/the-sensible-utility-vehicle-aka-the-suv/>.

Where is an upright trike that can exceed the SUV for cargo capacity?

Quoted message said:

Which for most of us is the only practical reason to have a trike, no?

Trikes are excellent for riding for fun, touring and commuting (with
proper parking). The only places where trikes have a real disadvantage
are cost and getting up and down stairs and through doorways.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

Tom Sherman said:

Chalo Colina said:

Tom Sherman said:

Trikes are an area where recumbents are decidedly superior to uprights
in every important aspect. 🙂

Quoted message said:

Save one-- carrying loads.

Not so:
<http://www.organicengines.com/products/the-sensible-utility-vehicle-a...>.

Where is an upright trike that can exceed the SUV for cargo capacity?

I just helped build one. I'll get back to you on that when I have a
picture. It has a five-foot long front bed, plus a normal Worksman
Adaptable rear load platform. You can stack it up high and still see
over your load. :^)

Sea also:

http://www.cyclesmaximus.com/cargotrike.htm
(for a twist on the usual upright/recumbent comparison, it's a _lot_
more expensive than the OE SUV.)

http://pedicab.com/pedicabs_pickup.html

http://workcycles.com/workbike/bicycles/professional-worktrikes/workbike-classic-dutch-large.html

Chalo

A Muzi said:

Tricycles are, and I quote, "Ideal for Spastics":

http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/HWTRIKE.JPG

from:http://www.yellowjersey.org/holdsw.html

We need to find some marketing materials that tell us what kind of
folks 'bents are ideal for!

http://billrobinsonmusic.com/Tricruiser4.jpg

Chalo