Comments on: Trivio 3 Wheel Scooter Prototype

By: noodle

noodle — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 21:45:59 +0000

I would buy an Aprilia 3-wheeler if it used the MP3 technology (the bike leans and the wheels aren’t any farther apart than the width of the handlebars) and if it used the PiaggioCo 850 engine-tranny combo and if the design was completely different and interesting. Quite frankly, I’m BORED with the limited styles of bikes that are offered.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:08:40 +0000

FYI about large contact patch and traction. What Alejandro says about large contact patch and increased traction is correct, but not for the reason that most think. Friction is only based on two things, the force normal (perpendicular) to the road surface, and the coefficient of friction between the two materials touching (rubber and road). The size of the contact patch has nothing to do with it. So putting a wider version of identical tires on a car will not increase traction. Why it does eventually help traction is because with a larger contact patch the weight supported per square inch is lower so you can use a softer rubber compound (higher Coefficient of Friction) with the same wear rate as the harder rubber and smaller contact patch. So the contact patch size alone doesn’t increase traction. You have to take advantage of the lower PSI it results in and use softer, stickier tires too before you get the traction advantage.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:59:20 +0000

True, relative width IS important. However, a non reverse trike has several dangerous attributes to it. The first is that in a sharp turn, they’re more likely to go flying. That’s why the American government banned off road three wheelers from sale or use. I agree with todd’s sentiments though, I personally like the idea of three wheelers but I would like the tilting aspect. Just because, as the Hamster from Top Gear said, it’s like being in a miniature road going fighterplane. And I like that idea.

By: todd

todd — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:32:53 +0000

Tilting or not one of the main reasons why I hop on my bike in the crisp dark hours of the morning is to shave time and gas off my commute. If a three wheeler can do neither (can’t fit between cars), then what’s the point? I mean, really, how often do we really go out for a sunday ride and want it to be in an inclosed 3-wheeler? Ok, let’s say it’s raining, or snowing even, and you’re reaping the benefits of an inclosure and the stability of three wheels. Would you dare to care if it can out handle a Honda Civic? Would it get better mileage?
The last I looked, you can buy both a dependable used bike and dependable used car (50-50 use or so) for less than a few grand. If fun is all you have to go on to sell one of these then it better be the ride of your life.

-todd

By: Alejandro

Alejandro — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 06:05:59 +0000

Whether the reverse trike tilts or not is really more dependent upon the width of the vehicle. A narrow reverse trike like the one above should tilt, as it needs to or else it will tip over easily. However, a reverse trike with a large width should be designed to have a low center of gravity and not tilt. A non-reverse trike that doesn’t tilt with a large width will actually out perform a tilting reverse trike, as it is more akin to a sports car (Lower center of gravity, larger traction patch, etc). For example, the T-Rex is non-tilting reverse trike and has excellent handling characteristics. To tilt or not to tilt is more dependent on the designers intention. The trivio looks like it would be a fun and interesting ride. It would allow some whether protection on bad days and make the ride a bit more safe. Cool pics either way.