Legal Requirements for Braking systems on Trikes/Recumbent Trikes

[Russ]

Hi

Not such a regular here these days but still lurking

Anyway need some advice - currently looking at getting back on the road in one of these http://www.bike-
on.com/newhandcycles/XLTPro.htm

but am investigating being able to swap wheels between 650c and 24" wheels with fat tyres for those
sustrans trails with the kids days.

In theory the only problem with this is the ability to match the brakes up. These types of bikes
usually have two brakes both on the front wheel to comply (presumably) with rules on numbers of
braking systems. Now I know a bike has to have two braking systems to be road legal but does anyone
know if the same rules apply to a trike ? I'm proposing to fit a cable operated disc brake to the
front wheel but need to decide how to work the second brake.

Any Ideas ?

Russ

 

[Dirtylitterboxo]

Greetings Russ!

Stop lurking and post more often

The proposed new trike looks suitably business-like.

Would the nice people at Trice be able to offer information, I wonder, even though you aren't buying
one of their bents. They do seem to be an approachable bunch.

Cheers, helen s

--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame &
fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$

 

[Arthur Clune]

Russ <[email protected]> wrote:

: In theory the only problem with this is the ability to match the brakes up. These types of bikes
: usually have two brakes both on the front wheel to comply (presumably) with rules on numbers of
: braking systems. Now I know a bike has to have two braking systems to be road legal but does
: anyone know if the same rules apply to a trike ?

A upright trike nearly always has two brakes, both on the front wheel, and each pulled by a
different lever so as to comply with the "two independant braking systems" requirement.

Some recumbent trikes which have the two wheels at the front just have disks/drums on the two front
wheels run off one lever and either a token "parking" brake on the rear (Windchetach) or nothing at
all. Though of course the former is a little dodgy and the latter is strictly speaking illeagal.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org "Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

 

[Tim Hall]

"Russ" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hi
>
> Not such a regular here these days but still lurking
>
> Anyway need some advice - currently looking at getting back on the road in one of these http://www.bike-
> on.com/newhandcycles/XLTPro.htm

Nice looking machine.
>
> but am investigating being able to swap wheels between 650c and 24" wheels with fat tyres for
> those sustrans trails with the kids days.
>
> In theory the only problem with this is the ability to match the brakes up. These types of bikes
> usually have two brakes both on the front wheel to comply (presumably) with rules on numbers of
> braking systems. Now I know a bike has to have two braking systems to be road legal but does
> anyone know if the same rules apply to a trike ? I'm proposing to fit a cable operated disc brake
> to the front wheel but need to decide how to work the second brake.
>
My tandem trike was built with three brakes - a canti and a caliper on the front wheel, and an Arai
drum on one of the rear axles. When I got it it had been modified so it has just a V brake on the
front and the drum on the rear.

This is a bit marginal, but fitting brakes on a conventional trike is a bit of conundrum.

Presumably the brakes on the rear wheels are rim brakes of some sort. Can you get drums fitted
instead - inboard perhaps.

Not sure of the legal position. Have you tried the Tricycle Association website <http://www.tricycle-
association.org.uk/>. I believe beards are no longer compulsory.

Tim, googling from work.

 

[Pmailkeey]

On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 00:14:30 -0000, "Russ"
<[email protected]> wrote:

These types of bikes usually have two brakes both on the
:front wheel to )comply (presumably) with rules on numbers
f braking systems. Now I know a )bike has to have two
:braking systems to be road legal but does anyone know )if
:the same rules apply to a trike ? I'm proposing to fit a
:cable operated )disc brake to the front wheel but need to
:decide how to work the second )brake. )

I'm not sure if "pedal cycle" means BIcycle or polycycle,
likely the latter. If so, legality the same.

Anyway, it's your funeral.
--
Comm again, Mike.