Test run!

Our prototype is moving! We took it outside for a 15 minute test run and were really excited until we realised we hadn't put brakes on it yet. Even though it's not fully finished, we took it for a ride. Pedalling that thing really takes effort (especially uphill) and we learned a few things from it:

• Turning in tight corners is difficult
• If we were to pull a lever brake to stop in an emergency, we have to lift our hands from steering
• We need something to keep tension in the chain once weight is applied to the trike
• Downhill is dangerous (esp without brakes!)
• The current frame interferes with the cranks (adjust the rake)

We also made a tiny wishlist of things we want to consider technically achieving with the tricycle:

• driving in reverse with upright steering
• back pedal braking (coaster brakes)

Later in the evening I took the pictures and videos of the prototype to a bike-shop to see if they could spot anything interesting that I couldn't. He made a few helpful suggestions and laid out the reality of how accessible some bicycle parts are (ie. coaster brake hubs) over others.


During this week, we sent a few questions and sample wheelchair tricycle images to the manufacturer and people in Kasese. We'll be hearing back from them next week. I'm really happy we are able to communicate despite the long distance! Otherwise, I have been making slow progress on items outside of the drivetrain. So for this coming week my focus is on power transfer and viable tools/options. A few interesting things I'm looking into: flip-flop gears, gristmills, and similar case studies.
Heigh-ho!

Media update:

Carleton's newspaper, The Charlatan, did an article on our project. I think it only came out online and not through print. Click the link to read more: http://www.charlatan.ca/2012/10/students-help-create-hand-cranked-bikes-for-ugandans/