Loose gravel can be a problem for starting, stopping, or turning if you use smooth tires. They make recumbent trikes for off-road use and they have tires with a more aggressive tread. I ride what is likely the lowest seating trike available. It is similar to the other two trikes I rode in the past. It’s nice to have a trike with a low seat for stability but some people who have tried my trikes simply could not get up out of the seat without help. I also have leaning issues when I walk, but they are random and can be to the right one time and left another.
Connecting the two chains is a transfer shaft with two sprockets. The bike is apparently a single speed unit with two hand brakes — one on the front wheel and one on the transfer shaft. Presumably there is a freewheel mechanism built into one sprocket on the transfer shaft. 90% of braking power is on the front wheel and 10% on the rear wheel which is not strong but enough to reduce speed for caution conditions. The front brake, linear pull, is responsive and requires gentle squeeze . Ive never gone over the bars on an upright trike; rather, Ive had a couple experiences braking too hard and thrown off the seat.
The sissy bars came in, and I have the stuff to complete the seat mount; but time has not been on my side at all. The end product for the trike will be an old school theme. Schwinn Meridian So I figured some added pieces might add to the look, rather than stick out and look out of place. This led me to use a common plumbing fixture, a split ring hanger.
The medium used to fill this space is 80d polyurethane. I can remove the wheel with that half of the ring still bolted into place. In the above pic, I had already cut down the threaded rod portion of the hanger, some had to be cut off to clear the drum brake stay arm. Smok was coming out of my ears, trying to figure out a nice way to locate the drum brakes stay.
You’ll get the required speed while maintaining it at a minimum due to this single-speed gear. However, as Schwinn’s tricycle review suggests, it would be more beneficial to have variable gear. However, keep in mind that this trike is designed to be simple, and multi-function gear can increase the cost of maintenance. The Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle teeters back and forth when it comes to value.
The bigger wheels of the trike can also help you maintain stability when you are riding at high speeds. The pros of the Schwinn Meridian Trike far outweigh its cons. With an aluminum frame, adjustable seat, and handlebars, it allows for personalizing a fit for your own body. The handlebars allow for a relaxed upright riding position putting less stress on your back than other bikes. The low step-through makes it relatively easy to get on and off.