1-4 Winter trike

Winter has arrived in Smiths Falls, my new town and neighbourhood, and I have finally gotten the chance to try out my winter trike. The beast is rather heavy and the drive wheel slips in a few inches of snow, plus with the third wheel there is 50 percent more tire than a bicycle to push through snow. But when rounded chunks of ice are rock-hard, which would have me nervous on a mountain bike, this thing is a joy.

I bought this trike pre-owned for about $250 in Ottawa last year and modified it. The original chrome steel fenders and 1-piece steel pedal crank were replaced by aluminum fenders from old road bikes and a 3-piece alloy crank set and cartridge. One of the three struts that held each original rear fender was also removed. The crank cartridge was installed using a bolted-in adapter. The crank has a single chain ring like the original. I might add a second, smaller front chain ring, if a front derailleur will fit. A flap added to the front fender hangs nearly to the ground and is effective at keeping front tire spray off of the pedal crank. A strip of sheet aluminum added to the trike frame below the rear basket covers the chain, rear derailleur and rear drum brake from rain.

These trikes have dual and separate rear axles. The right side one is for propulsion and the left one is for braking. There are trikes that have both axles for propulsion but they need dual freewheels because, in a turn, the axles revolve at different speeds.