...and then there were three.
There are three primary pedicab styles that can be classified by the number of wheels they have
two, three or four: Trailers, Tri-Cycles (Trikes), and Quadra-Cycles (Quads). Depending on where you go, one style may be more prevalent
than the others. This page will explore some of the differences between the styles as well as touch on a few key issues regarding
each. This is not meant to be an exhaustive technical reveiw, nor is it meant to advocate on style cab over another, but rather to
serve as an introduction to the different cab styles.
Trailers
Trailers attach to a standard bicycle by means of a coupler
that clamps to the seat post of the bicycle. By design, they are the least complicated pedicab design which translates into easier
(and perhaps less) maintenance, lower manufacturing cost and corresponding lower purchase price and their smaller foot print makes
it easier to transport them without the need for special equipment (a single trailer could easily fit in the back of a standard pickup
truck).
The trailer itself doesn't have any special gearing or braking specific to the unit, maintenance is limited to normal
bicycle maintenance for the bike pulling the trailer and the capability to change tires on the trailer in the event of a puncture.
The cab body may be manufactured from a variety of materials which may directly influence the ultimate cost of the unit.
Trikes
The
trike is perhaps one of the most recognizable pedicab styles, the three wheel construction with a ridgid one-piece frame offers increased
stability. Within the trike class there are futher classifications based on design, the primary two are cab forward vs. cab centered
over the rear wheels and upright driver seating vs. recumbent seating.
The most common trike design features the the passenger
cab located over the rear axle with the driver positioned in front of the passengers. The cab forward design is reminiscent of the
Becaks found in Indonesia; this style places the passengers "front and center" on the ride. The driver is seated behind and slightly
higher than the passenger cab giving the passengers an unobstructed view during their trip, and the driver an unobstructed
view of the road ahead.
While the upright design is more prevalent, the obvious adantage to the recumbent style is
comfort for the driver, particularly during long days. Recumbent seating has always been preferred as a means to reduce stress on
the low back and neck as well as to comfort the rear end on extended rides. Recumbent cycles call upon different muscle groups which
may take a little to get used to, but in the long run they make more sense for the driver as they promote use of the larger muscles
in the glutes and hamstrings over the working just the quadriceps.
Quads
Quadra-cycles offer the greatest stability of the
various pedicab styles. By design they offer recumbent seating for the driver, many models have deluxe seating options that go well
beyond the traditional hammock style recumbent seat.
