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.

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!

Blueprints

On the drawings it is necessary to draw all the parts and calculate their exact size.

You can do this yourself or find a ready-made diagram on the Internet. Don't avoid looking at dozens of drawings. Focus on the spare parts you have.

After you have made the drawing, you can start assembling the trike with your own hands.

Take an old bike. Get rid of the pipe under the seat and the upper fenders over the rear wheels. Be careful: if you do it wrong, you will have to look for new material for your vehicle. Attach a fairly thick board to the lower wings. For the frame, select strong pipes with a diameter of 3 centimeters. Bend them in the shape of arcs and fasten them together. To assemble the frame, you will need special tools, such as a pipe bender and welding.

Make the rear wheels out of wood or remove them from a cart.

The seat can be made from a tire or part of a plastic garden chair. The main thing is that you feel comfortable.

You can also assemble a trike with a motor yourself; to do this, use a go-kart motor.

There is no need to buy new spare parts; use used ones; this will have virtually no effect on quality, but will help reduce costs.

And remember, when riding in crowded places and on the roadway, you are putting not only yourself, but also those around you at risk. Choose your drift locations with extreme caution.

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.

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:

Is it worth it?

Before starting work, many are concerned about the feasibility of this event. Considering the lack of comfortable conditions for skating and the low popularity of the discipline with almost zero probability of finding like-minded people to ride in their region, many are wondering whether a short skating session is worth such an effort.

Let's look at the reviews of domestic trike enthusiasts. There are not many of them, but from them you can get a general picture. Craftsmen who have created their own trikes note that there is no need to be afraid of work. Anyone who has at least some understanding of a welding machine and has skills in working with tools can make a model. Drifters are advised to carefully study articles on the topic and videos about making such bicycles before starting work.

You should also pay attention to the correctness of measurements when making drawings. Before starting work, it is better to double-check everything several times.

Domestic drifters unanimously assure that it is better to make a trike yourself than to buy a branded model. This way, you can not only save a significant amount of money, but also customize the model to suit you, making it as convenient as possible. Servicing a self-made bicycle is easier than when buying a professional bike, spare parts for which are quite difficult to find.

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

Nuances of operation

Since a drift trike is capable of reaching high speeds and entering drifts while driving it, it is important to follow safety precautions. It is best to choose smooth asphalt slopes without rocks or potholes, which can cause injury. While driving, it is unacceptable to remove your feet from the pedals or the footrest, and the driver must keep his hands on the steering wheel, next to the gas lever, to allow a quick reaction.

Since Russian legislation treats drift trikes as equal to regular bicycles, you do not need a license to drive them. Also, this vehicle does not need to be registered or receive documents confirming ownership.

Repairing drift trikes does not require large investments, especially if they are made by yourself. For branded models there is a so-called after-sales service, while homemade options can be repaired yourself. They are quite easy to change wheels and tire protection.

The driver regularly needs to check the condition of the rear wheel coating - if it is no longer smooth, the main function of the trike and the ability to drift on it will disappear. The linings must be free of cracks and large chips, which at high speed can lead to rupture of the product and loss of vehicle control. It is important to monitor the condition of the front tire and its pressure.

Also, do not forget that this type of transport is more suitable for closed roads, but not for driving on roads with a flow of cars. The drift trike driver is in an open space and is not protected in any way in the event of an accident. With proper care and management, the vehicle will last as long as possible and will give its owner maximum high-speed adrenaline while driving along asphalt slopes and mountain serpentines.

A driver's license is not required to drive this type of transport.

It is recommended to ride on closed slopes

When driving a drift trike, it is important to follow safety precautions

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.

First dump

When the trike is ready, you want to get maximum pleasure from it. No matter how excited you may be to ride, imagine what could happen when you drive it into a pothole. When jumping into a hole, a drift bike always turns over. Without equipment, when falling at high speed, the rider is erased on the asphalt like an eraser. You can drift safely on a bike only on a familiar road and wearing motorcycle protection.

We must warn you that you will not be able to go unnoticed on this outlandish thing. Some will modestly stare, some will shout in praise, some will laugh and twirl their fingers at their temples. Ride and be the center of attention!

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.

You might be interested in Electric tricycle: design features

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.

Design Features

The main feature of drift bikes is their uniqueness, rarity, and originality. Due to the fact that finding them in stores even in large cities is an impossible task, drift bikes are often built by cyclists themselves.

You can take almost any model of a tricycle as a basis - it is only important to observe the design and some nuances. The design of these bicycles is as follows:

The design of these bicycles is as follows:

• Three wheels. They have different diameters and thicknesses. The front wheel is medium size, about 20 inches in diameter, about the same as on a BMX. The rear wheels are several times smaller, but they are distinguished by their large thickness - it can be twice the diameter. In general, the rear wheels are more similar in appearance to those of a car than a bicycle.
• The rear wheels do not have traditional rubber tires. They are monolithic and made of smooth, durable and wear-resistant material - for example, special grades of plastic (polypropylene). This is necessary so that the surface of the wheels can withstand prolonged friction against the asphalt during drifting.
• The features of drifting also require a low seating position for the cyclist - this is necessary so that the bike does not tip over when sliding along the track. The seat is located next to the rear wheels and can be adjusted.
• There are foot supports on the front wheel fork - they are used as an additional means of controlling the bicycle.
• The pedals are a minor detail that is often omitted altogether. Again, there is no need for them due to the peculiarities of the riding style - the bicycle will move on its own, without the help of a driver.

When assembling a drift bike yourself, the rear wheels are usually made from the front wheels of karts, which are sheathed with cut PVC pipes: this reduces friction and allows you to go into a skid with less effort. The hardness of PVC is selected experimentally and depends on how much friction force needs to be reduced: novice drifters should first take a soft material to learn how to control the bike. However, in any case, the wheels must be smooth.

The brakes are installed only on the front wheel, not counting the driver's feet themselves. The brake is needed not only to reduce speed when going down the road, but also to perform tricks. Yes, sliding itself is not the only thing you can do while drifting. But beginners should not try to do tricks - at high speed it is easy to lose control and fly off the track.

The ideal wheelbase size is 97-115 cm. When creating your own bicycle, you should adhere to this parameter in order to get the most effective device for gliding along the road.

The best frame material is aluminum. Steel models are too heavy, carbon is fragile and expensive - take this into account when choosing a model for drifting.

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.

Where is the best place to buy spare parts?

To create a drift trike with your own hands, you don’t need many spare parts. The design is quite simple and requires minimal costs.

Many people often have everything they need at home, in the attic, in the garage or in a shed in the country. Pedals and wheels can be bought at any bike shop, but it will be cheaper to buy them in person. Boards and pipes are purchased at construction supermarkets. An old bike for making a base is either looked for through online message boards or through friends. Almost every owner of a garage or cottage has an unnecessary bicycle in a non-working condition. This is the kind of bike that can be used effectively and given a second life in the drift discipline.