The Trikke (pronounced "trike") is a human powered (HPV), three-wheeled carving vehicle that utilizes conservation of angular momentum to allow a rider to propel forward. The rider alternates leaning side-to-side to move forwards. The width needed to move forward is roughly the width of a downtown sidewalk (1-1.5 m). The company released two new products - the electric Tribred and the Skki- to join the HPV line. The Tribred is making inroads into law enforcement, security and warehouse patrolling, as well as offering consumers a fun way to commute.
A rider may reach speeds of up to 18 mph (29 km/h) on flat ground. It can be used downhill or a level surface. It can move uphill though doing so requires substantial effort. The whole body needs to be used in a synchronized movement.
History
In 1988, Brazilians Gildo Beleski and Osorio Trentini were inspired to create a three-wheeled vehicle for riding downhill — three wheels because they felt that the stability of three wheels combined with the frame’s dynamic ability to lean or camber would offer much greater turning ability at speed. While slowing down on the flat after the speed run, they discovered that the vehicle would continue to move forward as long as he continued to turn it.
TIME news magazine named the Trikke one of the best inventions of 2002.[1]
In 2004, the first Trikke/ 3CV race ever was held in Munich, Germany. The race was organized by a group of enthusiastic riders from Europe who also founded the 3CV World Sports Federation. The goal of the federation is: "to further develop and promote 3CV SPORTS globally and to organize and initiate 3CV Sport Competitions and Events on a regular basis". In addition to organizing official races and events, the federation also promotes and supports local, unofficial events such as group tours, fun rides & club rides. Races have been held in Germany, Portugal, the Swiss snow, The Netherlands, and Korea.
The original mass produced Trikke was designed using 6 - 8 inch solid polyurethane wheels. In 2004, Trikke introduced the T12, a larger 3CV with 12 inch inflatable "bike" wheels with disk brakes, which is much more versatile than the solid wheel version. Today, there are 8 inch models using urethane and inflatable wheels and a 12 inch inflatable wheel. Most models are constructed with aluminum alloy frames and can be folded for easy storage.
The Trikke SKKI was awarded as product extension of the year by Gizmag magazine in 2006, and on February 16th, 2008 the first ever US national time trials were held at Wolf Mountain Ski Resort in Eden Utah. The sponsors of the races have vowed to make it a yearly event and look forward to seeing it grow into a much larger, more recognizable winter sport.
In September 2006, the Expertise Centre of Movement Technology of the Hague University started an extended research on the physical results of riding a Trikke. The research aims to discover which muscles are used and how many calories are burned while riding. In short a Trikke ride can burn up to 1000 kcal per hour, when riding at 20 km/h. Riding at an easy 15 km/h will still burn around 520 kcal; in comparison light jogging burns a little under 350 kcal.
Trikke Tech, Inc. introduced a significant product line extension for 2009 with a redesigned SKKI (featuring added safety improvements), and an array of motorized vehicles called Tribreds. A Tribred utilizes a brushless hub motor in the front wheel to provide assistance to human power and reaches speeds up to 17 mph. The Tribred Free Rein models will travel up to 10 miles on a single charge (cost per charge is about 4¢). For a longer ride, Panasonic lithium cells are used with the Tribred Pon-e which is a lighter and more deluxe model.
References
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