Features of drift trikes, recommendations for making them yourself

For lovers of active sports and fast trips, an ordinary bicycle will not be enough. Features of the landscape and wind speed require an adapted version of the vehicle with comfortable handling. An unforgettable experience can be provided by a drift trike - a specially designed device for conquering steep roads or off-road terrain with the ability to make turns. If the first models resembled a tricycle of a non-standard shape (the disproportionately large front wheel stood out against the background of two small rear ones), now products can be found with electric or gasoline engines.

DIY electric drift trike

Drift Trike is a three-wheeled bicycle, created for drifting (sliding), cornering in a controlled skid due to the weak grip of the rear wheels made of plastic or polyethylene pipes stretched over pneumatic wheels with the asphalt.

Self-production

It is possible to make a three-wheeled drift trike yourself. To do this you will need the following materials and tools:

• an ordinary bicycle, you can take an old tricycle or BMX;
• profile pipe (a total length of about 8 meters will be required);
• centrifugal clutch, chain with 12-tooth sprocket;
• sprocket adapter;
• shaft with a longitudinal groove;
• wheels and fasteners;
• welding machine;
• engine (for example, from a Honda Predator 212 or from LIFAN with a power of 8 hp with a centrifugal clutch and reduction gear);
• drill, mechanic's keys, solvent, frame paint;
• compressor, spray gun.

For clarity, you can follow the step-by-step assembly instructions:

1. It is necessary to remove the wheels, seat, pedals from the bicycle, and cut off a section of the frame. Only its front part with the fork, handlebars, and the down tube of the front triangle is useful.
2. Anything below the seat tube needs to be cut off.
3. Weld a new frame from a pipe with a place for a seat, connect the two parts of the trike. A pipe with a diameter of 16 or 30 mm is perfect for this. To build the geometry of the frame, you can use small steel rods.
4. As welding progresses, replace the rods with pipes. After checking the geometry, you definitely need to compare it with your overall parameters (so that the frame, taking into account all the attached parts and the engine, can withstand the weight of the driver).
5. Make holes for the bearing pads and for mounting the engine, then weld the footrests to the frame and paint it. Be sure to wait until the product is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
6. Install the engine, sprocket, shaft, then wheels, seat. For the back row, you can use wheels from an old go-kart or regular cart, or cut them yourself. You need to put a piece of PVC pipe on them to allow them to slide.
7. Install the throttle cable, throttle and brake handle, after which you can install the chain. The drift trike is ready for use. It is best to place the brake and gas handles on opposite sides of the steering wheel to avoid accidentally pressing two levers at the same time while driving.

If desired, you can add bumpers to your drift bike, similar to those used on go-karts. It is also recommended to adjust the front wheel, which will determine the ability to control the angle immediately before making a turn.

Benefits of a tricycle for adults

• low price of a bicycle;
• no dependence on gas stations;
• ease of maneuvering and parking;
• reliability and safety;
• healing effect;
• suitable for a person unsure of his ability to drive a bicycle;
• optimal high seating evens out the load on the lower back;
• the ability to maintain any speed limit without loss of stability.

Pros of a tricycle cargo bike for an adult

increased stability compared to a two-wheeled bicycle; there is no need to maintain balance at the expense of speed; you can move at comfortable speeds, which is especially important for the elderly; the low frame allows you to travel in any clothing that is comfortable for the rider, which will undoubtedly appeal to women; the ability to transport fairly heavy and large cargo; cargo tricycle for adults can be used for commercial transportation of both goods and passengers

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Drifting on a bike. All about custom trikes for serpentine roads

What does a normal person think of when they hear the word “drift”?

Perhaps cars with the appropriate surroundings around them. What does a cyclist mean by drifting...

A good downward slope, an asphalt winding path, three wheels, two pedals, low seating, speed, a good and “fragile” angle and of course - a generous pinch of real custom! – all this is bicycle drift.

Many people have heard about tricycles for drifting, and perhaps many have seen these toys in cool foreign videos, but, of course, this trend cannot be called popular in our country. Trike is an exclusively fun phenomenon, supported until recently by the desire to do something with your own hands.

Now tricycles for drifting are beginning to actively appear on sale. The starting price is $200, the cost of advanced models exceeds the level of $1000 or more. But it is custom trikes that are the coolest component of this unusual cycling phenomenon!

Drift trike with engine. Video assembly instructions from a Russian master

The three-wheeled monster with an internal combustion engine also lives in Russia. It was assembled by the famous Ufa customizer Maxim Klyuch, who recorded the entire assembly process in the form of a series of interesting videos.

Rides

Even in those places on the planet where the number of tricycles for drifting is more than one for the whole city, nothing larger than local mini-competitions or fun rides usually happens.

But its rarity, of course, doesn’t make this entertainment any worse!

Homemade tricycle from IZH Jupiter

A tricycle built on the basis of the Izh Jupiter motorcycle: photo and description of the homemade product, as well as a video review of the trike’s design.

The craftsman assembled a homemade tricycle with his own hands, using Izh Jupiter as a donor. Below are photos and drawings of the trike.

The design of the tricycle is quite simple: a rear axle is installed, torque is transmitted via a chain drive to the driven axle sprocket.

Rear wheels from VAZ.

The figure shows the dimensions of the rear axle of the tricycle.

The rear axle is made of a thick-walled pipe with an outer diameter of 42 mm, machined axle shafts from a VAZ are installed.

A sprocket from an Izh motorcycle is installed on the axle.

We recommend watching the author’s video, where he talks in detail about the construction of his homemade tricycle.

Video: winter drift on a tricycle.

No pedals needed

Few people have seen a real three-wheeled trike on the road, so most don't know what it looks like. Pedals are absolutely not needed for this vehicle. Racers get all the pleasure from drifting while descending the hill. Whereas to climb a hill, it would be wise to use the help of a car. For example, how reckless drivers from an American town got hooked on their van.

When pedaling a tricycle, you can accelerate to a very low speed - no more than 25 km/h. While the most exciting stunts on a trike are performed at speeds of over 60 km/h. Extreme sportsmen on a busy highway spin like a top, fall on their side, and dashingly draw a snake on the road surface.

The relation of law to whim

It is interesting that in Russian legislation, a drift trike is classified as an ordinary bicycle. The traffic rules do not differentiate between tricycles and the more common two-wheelers. Therefore, no registration or rights are needed for it.

It is worth noting that drifting on a bicycle is a very dangerous pastime. Often, extreme sports enthusiasts drive on roads with open traffic. While athletes organize their competitions on pre-closed asphalt tracks.

In America, very often drifters on bicycles are chased by traffic police, as you can see by watching the first half minute of the video.

Making a tricycle with a differential

The stable design of a tricycle is chosen not only by parents of small children, but also by people in old age, so more and more people are interested in how to make a tricycle without any help. The convenient design of the vehicle with three rims ensures the safety of the cyclist, prevents injury during sharp turns and minimizes the load on the back and legs.

Bicycle with three wheels

Another advantage is that the three-wheeled unit is comfortable to ride regardless of physical fitness, the low-mounted frame ensures a comfortable fit, and the high load capacity allows even obese people to engage in cycling.

Important Rules

In order for riding a bicycle to bring joy and pleasure, it is necessary to take into account the basic requirements for a vehicle with three wheels. When creating a homemade tricycle, pay attention to the following subtleties:

Varieties

There are the following types of drift bikes: with and without pedals, as well as with and without an engine. Models without a motor and footrests gain speed thanks to natural acceleration from the mountain. Wide pedals help keep your legs stable and move on flat surfaces, just like on a regular bicycle. In those countries where there are no good slopes and mountains, models with gasoline or electric engines are more popular. They can easily overcome smooth sections of the road and produce high-quality drift on slopes.

The trike's gasoline engine with a power of 6 to 15 horsepower allows you to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h, while the gas and brake levers are on the steering wheel for easy control. Rear axle without differential. As for electric trikes, a built-in motor with a battery will provide no less speed, and at the same time, such a bike is more environmentally friendly due to the ability to charge it and not use fuel. Electric drift models have front-wheel drive and are controlled using the throttle located on the steering wheel. The battery has an impressive service life and allows you to drive vehicles for up to several hours on mountains and descents.

On the pedals

No pedals

With engine

Design Features

The upgraded drift bike looks like a three-wheeled adult model, with the rear wheels replaced by sleek little kart-like products. It is used not only for sporting purposes, but also as entertainment, because the main characteristic of such a device is the ability to reach maximum speed on steep roads and slopes, causing the effect of a controlled drift. At the same time, the rider receives intense emotions and adrenaline.

Since the trike driver is quite low when driving such a bicycle, this creates improved aerodynamics and contributes to an increase in speed when moving. Thanks to the wide pedals on the device, you can ride on surfaces without a slope, as well as standing to perform sports tricks. In trikes with an engine, the pedals are completely replaced by footrests, which allow you to firmly fix your legs and avoid injuries while riding.

Distinctive design features of a drift trike include:

• low landing with the ability to adjust the position of the seat;
• massive, wide seat;
• miniature rear wheels and large front wheels (up to 20 inches for the latter and 6 times smaller for the former);
• pads on the rear wheels for a sliding effect made of hard, smooth material.

The power of electric models is from 500 W.

What to do if you overdid it and the car started spinning?

Stay calm and don't panic. Typically the car turns 180 degrees and stops. When your car loses speed, be prepared to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a bump stop or, worse, another driver.

The “Holy Grail” of drifting is maintaining a drift for a long time, that is, the ability to maintain a constant drift vector at high speed for as long as possible. The larger the angle and faster the skid, the more points you will get. In the car, the satellite navigation system measures the angle and speed of the drift, allowing judges to compare the results of practice runs. Most competitions have judges to evaluate the speed, style and angle of the drift.

Drift trike: differences

Structurally, such a bicycle consists of a low saddle and three wheels. The vehicle closely resembles the children's version, but requires sufficient experience to operate it.

The main differences include the individual design, three wheels, low seat, and use for drifting - controlled drifts.

Design features of the model

The main feature is the uniqueness of the vehicle. Fans of extreme riding often develop drawings and assemble such bikes on their own.

The front wheel has an average diameter of 20 inches. The rear wheelset is reduced by 6 times, the width is no more than twice the diameter parameters. For the manufacture of wheels, a hard and smooth material is used; rubber tires are not provided on the rear wheels.

The saddle is set low, but the ability to adjust its position is provided. The legs rest on a support installed next to the front wheel axle. During movement, such a support is used as a control element.

No pedals

Such bicycles are rare, many have never seen them at all. Note that pedals are not provided for such transport at all, since they are considered an extra element. The main idea of ​​drifting is to go down the slope.

To overcome the climb, bicycles are towed by a car.

Drift trike with motor

Such transport is expensive, and not every consumer can purchase it. It is for this reason that many people prefer to use homemade models. Officially, such bicycles are manufactured by an American company, SFD Industries, specializing in bicycle spare parts.

The electric drift trike has several features:

• The engine used for the drift trike is small in size, runs on gasoline, and has a power rating of 6.5 liters. With.;
• the diameter of the large wheel is 26 inches;
• Rear wheel size is 3.5 inches. To ensure that the rollers do not wear out, they are covered with special plastic tubes.

The high cost of the vehicle is also noted. A drift trike with an electric motor costs about $2,000. If you add a couple hundred more to this amount, you can become the owner of a bike with a stronger engine. For a similar surcharge, they will replace your throttle system.

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What the law says

In Russia, such vehicles are classified as ordinary bikes, the differences at the level of traffic rules are not defined, there is no need for registration, and a driving license is also not required.

Let us note the danger of this activity, which is often accompanied by serious problems. Fans of extreme driving often find themselves on the road, creating difficulties for the movement of motor vehicles.

Drifting: what is this driving style?

It’s easy to understand why in the city tricycles can be found only in the hands of young children, while few people have seen models for drifting. The fact is that drifting is an extreme sport that involves driving down hills on a smooth paved surface. When cornering, the cyclist goes into an impressive controlled drift, which is called drifting. In the process, you can also perform tricks - for example, sliding like a snake on straight sections of the road.

Bicycle drifting is an extreme sport, with all the ensuing consequences, which consists of driving down hills on a smooth asphalt surface. At the same time, sometimes drift occurs at speeds close to 50 km/h

Drifting appeared quite recently - in 2009. Cyclists from New Zealand decided to adapt children's bicycles for extreme riding: they strengthened the frame, made the rear wheels strong and smooth, and went to conquer the local hills. Thanks to its spectacular and extreme nature, as well as videos on YouTube, drifting quickly began to gain popularity. In our area, however, few people know about him yet.

In order for a bicycle to skid, a number of conditions must be met:

• smoothness of the track and wheels - the least friction force is ensured;
• correct bike sizes;
• the correct position of the rider is as close as possible to the ground and the rear pair of wheels (the center of gravity in this case is located in such a way that the bike does not turn over in a skid).

Drifting is usually done on public roads - there are no special tracks for it even in the West, not to mention Russia

Therefore, it is extremely important to follow safety rules when driving:

Even when descending gentle hills, when very high speeds are not expected, a full set of protection, up to a full-size helmet, is mandatory

Sliding along the road, it is impossible to foresee everything - a car may appear around a turn or some animal may suddenly appear on the way - and you are guaranteed to be injured. It is necessary to study the route - first of all, the traffic density on it

The condition of the road surface is also important - especially in our conditions. Potholes, cracks, irregularities - all this is critically dangerous when drifting

Even a small pothole can lead to dire consequences. Every time before starting a descent, check the reliability of the braking system. To make the slide spectacular, you have to accelerate to 50-60 km/h - without high-quality brakes it will be impossible to stop at the end of the descent.

Popular models

In specialized stores you can find several models popular among extreme sports enthusiasts:

1. Big Wheel Drift Trike is the leader in this category. Lightweight but durable alloy steel is used as frame material. The bike is equipped with an engine that allows you to easily climb the mountain without any aids. The rear 3.5-inch wheels are coated with a special substance that is resistant to damage and provides excellent gliding during controlled drifts.
2. Verrado is a three-wheeled model with a 500-watt electric motor. Reliable assembly and high quality materials protect the device from damage. He got a reinforced BMX wheel, which guarantees ride stability even on sharp turns. Five-inch wheels are covered with abrasion-resistant coating.
3. Triad – made from quality materials. The frame is designed even for tall people up to 180 centimeters. The rear wheels are wear-resistant and provide excellent gliding. It is worth noting the weight of this model – only 10 kilograms. This is the lowest figure among popular drift trikes, so it is considered the most maneuverable and balanced.

Buying a trike and accessories

If you don’t have the desire or ability to make a trike, you can buy one. You can purchase this product in bicycle supply stores or order it through websites on the Internet. Very often, stores sell branded and high-quality trike models.

Review of the best models

1. Big Wheel Drift Trike. These models are popular in drifting. This is probably the best invention in the field of drifting. The entire structure is made of the most modern elements. The frame is made of light alloy steel. In addition, an engine with a power of 6.5 hp is installed at the front. The rear wheels have a PVC coating, which ensures perfect gliding during skidding. In addition, the front fork has a comfortable footrest. However, there is one drawback, which is the cost - it is very high. But it is really worth it, with such qualities and functions;
2. Verrado is a tricycle for drifting. This is an electric tricycle from Local Motors. The model appeared not so long ago, but is gaining great popularity among branded tricycles. The construction of this tricycle is very durable and high quality. Thanks to the front wheel from a BMX bike, the tricycle is stable on skids. At the rear there are two 5-inch wheels, with a special protective coating made of PVC material. An electric motor is installed behind the seat, which ensures precise and smooth movement. The motor power is 500 watts. The battery has a long service life, one charge lasts for 12 kilometers;
3. Triad drift bike. This model is made of high quality material. The entire structure is very strong and durable. The frame is made of steel and is designed for heights from 160 to 180. The rear wheels have special protection, which ensures perfect gliding on the road during a skid. The entire structure has a fairly small mass of about 10 kilograms, so skidding on it is very simple and convenient.

Drifting is an exciting and at the same time dangerous activity that requires great responsibility and care.

To get started, you should purchase a three-wheeled trike. Of course, branded models are very expensive, so it’s not always possible to afford a high-quality and branded three-wheeled trike.

In this case, you can make it yourself. The manufacturing process is not that complicated, the most important thing is patience and good imagination. Then you can make a high-quality and durable drift bike.

Homemade drift trike

It is best to make a tricycle yourself.
Of course, this will take time and not much expense, but it is worth it. Most importantly, this bike will be strong and durable. A homemade trike can be made from a bicycle that you don’t mind putting under a saw. They mostly use regular children's tricycles or BMX cross-country bikes. Before production begins, drawings of the future model should be developed.

Drift trike - drawings

In order to correctly and accurately assemble the entire structure, it is necessary to make a drawing. On the drawing you need to accurately outline the entire structure of the bicycle and indicate the approximate dimensions. The pictures below show sample drawings. Of course, you can make it yourself and specify your dimensions.

How to make a drift bike - detailed instructions

After making the drawings, you can start making a drift bike.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions:

1. First you need to prepare the basis of the entire structure. Any old tricycle or beat-up BMX with 20-inch wheels will work just fine. You only need the front part along with the wheel, fork, handlebars and a piece of the frame with the down tube of the front triangle. The seat tube and upper rear seatstays need to be sawed off to the very base. But the lower feathers must be left in place;
2. A board or ordinary plywood is installed on the lower stays. It is best to install the material stronger so that it can withstand heavy loads;
3. Making the frame. Strong pipes with a diameter of 16 and 30 mm are suitable for this;
4. After the frame is ready, the rear wheels should be made. For these elements, you can use ready-made small wheels from carts, or make them yourself, for example, cut them out of wood. The rear wheels must have the following parameters: the width and diameter must be 2.5 inches each. It is advisable to put a piece of PVC pipe on the rear wheels. With the help of this material, the rollers will glide better and their movements will be smooth and fast;
5. To create a foot rest, you can weld two pieces of pipe to the fork legs;
6. At the end, you should make a comfortable seat. You can use a plastic chair or a car tire for it.

You will also need the following tools to assemble the entire structure:

1. Hammer;
2. Hacksaw or grinder;
3. Pipe bender It is needed during frame assembly. Using this tool, you can bend the pipes in the corners in the form of arcs to secure the entire structure well;
4. Welding machine. This tool is useful for welding pipes and fork legs.

Where is the best place to buy spare parts?

In principle, to independently assemble this bicycle you will not need any supernatural and expensive spare parts. Many people have everything they need at home.

Parts such as pedals or wheels can be purchased at bicycle parts stores. But boards and pipes are best purchased at construction stores.

How to make a drift bike yourself?

To enjoy extreme entertainment, you don’t always need to spend money on buying a specialized factory-assembled bike. If you have a strong desire, tools and materials, you can make a drift bike with your own hands from any old three-wheeled model. All you need is a whole front part of the bike with a wheel, a standard fork, handlebars and a few pipes to make the rear frame.

As a basis for landing the future racer, it is enough to lay ordinary plywood on the frame. You can also use stronger material if significant loads are expected on the bike.

To make the frame, you should use durable metal pipes with a diameter of 16 mm or more. You can construct it using any factory model of a trike-bike as a sample.

After welding the frame frame, it’s time to start making the rear wheels. An excellent option would be wheels from a cart. Alternatively, you can cut them out of wood. In the latter case, it is worth using a layer of rubber or a piece of PVC pipe as an external covering. In order for a homemade trike-bike to be stable on skids, the diameter and width of the rear wheels must be 2.5 inches each.

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The footrests will be standard pedals, if there are any on the front wheel. If they are absent, pieces of pipe can be welded to the fork legs on both sides.

Finally, you should take care of equipping your homemade bike with a comfortable, stable seat. The most rational option is to use a seat from a plastic high chair. If desired, you can cut the seat out of rubber, in particular a car tire.

To assemble a tricycle for drifting, you will definitely need welding, a drill, all kinds of fasteners, a hacksaw, and a pipe bender, which will be used to shape the frame.