Torus Prototype
With the end of my studies in sight and moving west in my near future, I'm itching to ride another custom machine I can call my own. Since I have no velomobile as I sold the Catrike several months ago, it's time to build another.
In order to practice my tube mitering & fitup skills as well as TIG welding, I've decided to go with round DOM mild steel tubing on this build. This also allows me to use a telescoping bottom bracket, a feature I've always wanted to try using.
Components:
Drive wheel:
32h double-wall 34.5mm outer width Spank Oozy Trail 345 anodized red alloy rim
10-speed 11-36t cassette
135mm QR SRAM 6-bolt disc hub
Front wheels:
28h double wall alloy Alex rims
15mm thru-axle DT Swiss 350 6-bolt disc hubs
Microshift 2x10 Bar-end shifters
Shimano Deore Shadow rear derailleur
SRAM Apex front derailleur
52/36t 165mm SRAM Apex crankset w/ GXP external BB
Avid BB5 mechanical disc brake calipers, 160mm rotors
Desired Features:
Threaded bicycle headset kingpins (for parts availability, reliability & simplicity)
Sheet aluminum seat w/ filter foam (inexpensive, lightweight, breathable & comfortable)
Adjustable telescoping BB (the golden standard of modern trikes)
Lever steering (my favorite riding experience)
Standalone lighting system (turn signals are a must, and access to headlight and taillight without exiting the velo would be a huge benefit)
My goal is to end up with something sturdy, light, stable, easy to work on, fast, and practical for touring.
The outcome of this build: While it did look cool, I found that the viewing angle of the windscreen and large amount of camber made the trike impractical to ride on city streets. It may have done well on a racetrack, but unfortunately I also had nowhere to store it. The fairing has since been dismantled and the trike lies as a bare frame in my sister's garage. I have considered cutting off the front crossmember and making it into a short wheelbase lowracer with a 16" front wheel. If I have time in the future I very well may do this!
In order to practice my tube mitering & fitup skills as well as TIG welding, I've decided to go with round DOM mild steel tubing on this build. This also allows me to use a telescoping bottom bracket, a feature I've always wanted to try using.
Components:
Drive wheel:
32h double-wall 34.5mm outer width Spank Oozy Trail 345 anodized red alloy rim
10-speed 11-36t cassette
135mm QR SRAM 6-bolt disc hub
Front wheels:
28h double wall alloy Alex rims
15mm thru-axle DT Swiss 350 6-bolt disc hubs
Microshift 2x10 Bar-end shifters
Shimano Deore Shadow rear derailleur
SRAM Apex front derailleur
52/36t 165mm SRAM Apex crankset w/ GXP external BB
Avid BB5 mechanical disc brake calipers, 160mm rotors
Desired Features:
Threaded bicycle headset kingpins (for parts availability, reliability & simplicity)
Sheet aluminum seat w/ filter foam (inexpensive, lightweight, breathable & comfortable)
Adjustable telescoping BB (the golden standard of modern trikes)
Lever steering (my favorite riding experience)
Standalone lighting system (turn signals are a must, and access to headlight and taillight without exiting the velo would be a huge benefit)
My goal is to end up with something sturdy, light, stable, easy to work on, fast, and practical for touring.
The outcome of this build: While it did look cool, I found that the viewing angle of the windscreen and large amount of camber made the trike impractical to ride on city streets. It may have done well on a racetrack, but unfortunately I also had nowhere to store it. The fairing has since been dismantled and the trike lies as a bare frame in my sister's garage. I have considered cutting off the front crossmember and making it into a short wheelbase lowracer with a 16" front wheel. If I have time in the future I very well may do this!
