Trikes mostly fall into one of two main design categories: delta and tadpole. How do they compare?
Delta
One steered wheel at the front; two driven wheels at the back
Pro
- Simple steering
- Stable load platform at rear
- Weight concentrated at rear makes for good braking
- Can be coupled in trains (Kettwiesel)
- “Easy-rider” image
Contra
- Complexity of two-wheel drive
- Centre of gravity tends to be high
- Some models have poor cornering at speed
- long
Examples: Sinner, Hase Kettwiesel
Tadpole
One driven wheel at the back; two steered wheels towards the front (usually at about the position of the rider’s knees).
Pro
- Simple drive (standard bike parts)
- Can carry standard bike/recumbent luggage
- Can be made (very) low
- Compact
- Easy to streamline (most velomobiles are tadpoles)
- Good high-speed cornering
- Widest part is where you can see it
- “Go-kart” image
Contra
- Complicated steering
- Turning circle usually rather large
- Getting on and off can be difficult (low height)
- Weight mostly on front wheels can lead to traction problems uphill, back end lifting under hard braking
Examples: Trice, Greenspeed, Windcheetah, Steintrikes, hp Scorpion, Alleweder, and many others
