Front-Wheel-Drive Center-Steer Semi-Recumbent Bicycle

Step 7 Complete the Bike

Add a mirror. You will almost certainly need it.

Adjust the seat, handlebars, brakes, kickstand, etc as needed. Note that this bike experiences forces rather different from those of a conventional bicycle. You may find that the handlebars and stem come loose more easily than you would normally expect. Also, imperfections in the front wheel are very easy to notice, because it is for both steering and driving.

Comments

[SIRJAMES09]

on the front where that partial tube is sticking up, can you put a light or reflector there?? a light might make it easier to be seen or maybe to see after dark.....

[sennomo]

Yes, that would be a good spot for a light. After I finished, I regretted cutting that tube as short as I had. If I try a do-over (with better sized parts for me) I'll definitely leave that tube longer for lights.

[handidad]

Looks interesting. I had been thinking of building a tandem bike. With this approach it would be simplify the drive, because each paddler could drive their own wheel.

[sennomo]

I agree that individual drive wheels would be great for a tandem. Hypothetically, it should improve efficiency in a number of ways. On the other hand, one concern is that separate drive wheels would require good communication between the two riders. (The stoker won't feel a slack chain when the captain stops pedaling.) I'm not sure how this type steering would feel on a tandem. If I weren't afraid of messing up my tandem's fork, I might try it.