Warrior trike build: weight -vs- strength testing

[Popshot]

Adding suspension will usually take stresses off the chassis as the spring(s) absorb them.

A variation on a warrior back end but with suspension. The swing arm is from a cheap mtb. This adds 6 to 8 inch to the length. Note that because the pivot is nowhere near the chain run then the preload has to be wound up beyong the ability of your legs to compress. Pedalling action wants to pull the rear wheel forward. This limits the suspension but still covers the bigger shocks. It'd be no use with a mid drive adding it's effort to the task. There are better ways to suspend the rear.

 

[maddox]

To improve the chainline on that Tomafox , it just needs an extra chainwheel in/on the pivot.

 

[Popshot]

Isn't that a Warrafox?

 

[dklawson]

... or perhaps a "Streetwarrior"

I was thinking of a frame pivot point created from a bottom bracket. The bottom bracket would also create a jackshaft. If that could be implemented the trike would have two separate chains (front and rear) instead of one very long chain like the Warrior has.

 

[dklawson]

Apologies again to the OP for my thread hijack.

I received and installed my Shimano MT201 hydraulic disk brakes. I have only ridden about 5 miles with them so far. However, the brakes now "feel better"... more balanced and smooth. The only problem I had was having to shim the caliper mounts a bit. I'm not sure why that was necessary but it was easily handled.

Now I need to install a parking brake. At the moment I'm using a Velcro strap to secure one brake lever in the stop location. It works but I don't want to leave the hydraulic seals under pressure routinely.

 

[Popshot]

Rear wheel rim or disk operated by a cable friction gear shifter is the oft used method. A friction shifter could be mounted almost anywhere and will hold sufficiently for parking.

 

[dklawson]

The only friction shifters I have are still on my 40+ year old street bike. I am considering other options.

Today I spent an hour or so looking at the new hydraulic brakes and what I have available to make a parking brake. My plan at this point is to mount one of my old locking cable brake levers on the handlebars and run its cable to the back of the trike where it will actuate a cable-type caliper against a 160mm disk.

Weather permitting, I will soon start fabricating some items and temporarily fit the various parts.

 

[dklawson]

Update:
Try as I might over the past two weeks, I was never happy with my trike's parking brake. In the end I bought the cheapest cable operated disc brake caliper and friction shifters that I could buy. I installed those along with a used 160mm disk and now have a functional parking brake for about $35. I should have listened to Popshot weeks ago.