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Old 12-02-2009, 11:07 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Ok, so with a reverse trike (2F1R), the two considerations for traction are the loss of the friction surface between one of the tires and the road. Assuming that you've widened the remaining rear tire to double it's original size, making up for the tire that's been removed (doesn't quite work that way, but bare with me here), it's less of an issue.

The next consideration is whether or not your front track width creates a right triangle or an isosceles triangle (google it). With an I-triangle, you're going to have more angular momentum on the rear tire going around a corner, but added stability in normal cornering situations (think rollover stability). With a R-triangle, you get rollover stability, but less normal cornering stability, and less angular moment on the rear wheel, thereby creating less chance of the rear taking the lead, so to speak.

Required speed becomes an issue here, if you're working with any kind of single rear wheel setup. For the absolute maximum compromise, you'll want to start with about 60/40 F/R weight distribution, which puts approx 30% between both front wheels, then adjust from there. There is no single setup that will give everyone the best results. Build it, learn to drive it, then adjust it to your liking/operating ability.
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