If you want to do it by yourself, knowledge of bike components and hand tools is vital to convert your bike to a tricycle. In this article, we will show you how to convert a bicycle into a tricycle.
With a little ingenuity, you can turn any bicycle into a tricycle with just one handy tool and an afternoon’s work. You’ll need to purchase the appropriate kit if you don’t already have it, but don’t worry – they’re available at hardware stores and other retailers near you. All of the tools involved are relatively inexpensive and widely available as well – so there is no reason to delay any longer!
If this is all sounding great to you, we recommend heading out to your local hardware store right away.
This time, we are going to show you how to convert a bicycle into a tricycle. You will need an old bicycle with straight handlebars. Once you remove the handlebars, drill a 1″ hole about 3″ from the end of each one. Next, 3/4″ PVC pipe must be inserted through these holes. The third piece of pipe should be 7/8″ long by 1/2″, and this is what you will use to connect the front wheel. The rear wheel will then be attached using a 5/16th bolt through your pre-drilled holes in the bicycle frame.
Rear Wheel Conversion: To remove the rear wheels, it is necessary to support your bike vertically using wooden blocks or mount it on a kickstand. Then, you can proceed with the removal of the wheels and the chain.
Front Wheel Conversion: The first step is available on the principle of the step of mounting the rear wheels. Once the bike is installed on a kickstand, you can remove the front wheel and the front brake or disc brake caliper, brake cable, and front brake hand lever.
If you wish to have your bicycle converted into a tricycle, you can also have the rear wheel of your bike removed, and this way the two wheels will be fixed on the rear axle of the tricycle. The work for this conversion is to place the rear wheel through the upward-facing hole in the pre-drilled part of the rear/front wheel conversion kit. This way, when you drill out these holes, you won’t have to worry about damaging any components
You’ll need to drill two 1/2″ holes in your handlebars with a hole saw drill bit. A 1″ hole will need to be drilled 3″ from the end of each handlebar, and then the space between them will need to be cut out.
PVC pipes should then be inserted into these holes on each handlebar. You can either purchase this type of pipe or cut it yourself using a PVC pipe cutter. For the front wheel, you’ll need a pipe that is one inch long and 3/4″ in diameter.
For the back wheel, you’ll need a pipe that is 7/8″ in length and 1/2″ in diameter.
You’ll then be able to attach the rear wheel using a 5/16th bolt. The front-wheel will then be connected with the other end of the pipe that was cut to 1/2″ in length using a 7/8″ long screw. This can be purchased from a hardware store or local store.
There are several reasons people want to convert their bike to an adult tricycle. We can effortlessly fit tricycles with virtually any side item you would need. For this reason, you have the option of converting your bikes into tricycles either by paying a mechanic or by purchasing a conversion kit and doing it yourself.
Basic Methods About Bicycle Conversion
Tricycles are bicycles that have an additional wheel. Faced with this, it is easy to envision switching from a bicycle to a tricycle. However, this transformation is not always easy to achieve. To get there, you will need a few tools and practical advice so that you can choose not only the simplest solution but also the most helpful for you. You will have the choice between a slight modification and a more complete modification of your bike.
Light Modification
Since the tricycle is a three-wheeled bicycle, the transformation is not the most complex. Indeed, with accessories available online, it is possible to change a bicycle into a tricycle. To transform a bicycle for senior into a tricycle, the first question to ask yourself is what kind of light transformation to opt for. Two solutions are workable. Either you opt for an additional wheel or a kit of two tricycle wheels.
As for the additional wheel, it is a small wheel called the stabilizer wheel. It costs on average $15 and we can easily attach it to the mountings of the rear wheel of the bike. In reality, we should not take this stabilizer wheel technique as an obvious solution, as we often use it for smaller bikes.
For the older ones, it will be necessary to opt for stabilizer tires a little more solid and able to support the weight of the adult. For a straight line, the question does not arise. However, for cornering, especially in the direction where the extra wheel is placed, there is a risk that everything will not go as planned.
Completely Modification
Because the method exists, the adults rather opt for a more complete modification of the bike with the addition of additional wheels in duo. You need the famous kit of double wheels at the rear or the front of the tricycle. This kit is not available everywhere and its price varies between $100 and $200 on average.
Indeed, it was AddBike, a Startup from Lyon who had the idea of this ploy. It is a set of two wheels for attaching to a bicycle. The method is easy as it comprises several rather simple steps. First, choose the type of kit you want. For this kit, the principal thing is to determine the ancillary use you want to make of the new tricycle.
Indeed, with the kit, you have the choice to install between the two new wheels additional installations or not. Everything will then depend on the spacing between the wheels. This is when the second step will figure out what to add between the wheels. However, this step is not crucial if there is nothing to add.
The last step will be to assemble the kit. Because of the weight, it will only be compatible with the latest and most durable models. To install it, it will be necessary to remove a wheel, that of the expected location, and fix the kit. You can remove the kit as you wish and reinstall your wheel if necessary.
Stabilizer Wheels for Adult Bikes
Available for a bicycle with 24 to 28-inch wheels, these stabilizer wheels for adult bikes have a small suspension for comfort. They allow you to lean in the corners for a better grip of the road. This dedicated fast axis will also be necessary if the bike to be fitted already has one.
Another more classic model (small wheels) that can be adapted to 20 to 26-inch bikes is also available from LeCyclo. It is a place where many answers regarding the type of practice and practitioner are provided in the comments.
Tricycle Conversion Kits
It is a two-wheeled structure that replaces the rear wheel. Alternative to stabilizing wheels, these tricycle conversion kits allow you to switch from two to three wheels after a little tinkering and specific wheels (hubs without axle). Different models adaptable on wheels from 20 to 26 inches are available. It is also available on classic online shopping sites. Note that some kits provide multi-speed transmission while others only offer a single pinion.
How to Convert a Bicycle Into a Tricycle?
Different Stages of Rear Wheel Conversion
To remove the rear wheels, it is necessary to support your bike vertically using wooden blocks or mount it on a kickstand. Then, you can proceed with the removal of the wheels and the chain.
Then remove the rear derailleur from a multi-speed bicycle and place it on the crankset. Remove the rear side brake or the disc brake caliper. Finally, remove the brake cable and the handbrake lever from the rear brake. Note that this step is unnecessary for single-speed bikes or bikes with a coaster brake.
For the upcoming stages, review all instructions and procedures in the conversion kit. Separate the different components (nuts and bolts) appropriate according to the procedures. Read the list of necessary tools and install them near the bike.
Fit the rear axle and sprocket as explained in the kit. We should mount the axle in the dropouts where the rear wheel was removed. You can include all brackets, lock washers, and spacers at each hitch tab. Secure the fasteners using the nuts provided and the appropriate metric tools.
Then, you can mount the rear wheels on the tricycle axle and tighten the axle nuts securely. Finally, remove the bike from the kickstand or remove the wooden blocks under the frame and chock the front wheel.
Reattach the rear derailleur to a multi-speed bicycle. Depending on the conversion kit, it may be necessary to change the upper or lower derailleur. The output cable and shift remain with most conversions.
The last step in changing the rear wheels is to remove the main chain link from the bike. Fit the chain on the front and rear sprockets and connect the master link. Finally, fit the chain guard as described in the instructions.
Different Front Wheel Conversion
The first step is available on the principle of the step of mounting the rear wheels. Once the bike is installed on a kickstand, you can remove the front wheel and the front brake or disc brake caliper, brake cable, and front brake hand lever.
Then remove the forks. Save the acorn nut, spacers, and washes that you remove from the headset. Install the trike forks in the ear cup. Complete the accessory using the registered spacers, washers, and acorn nuts. You must secure the double axle to the forks as described in the instructions.
Then, just mount the right and left wheel plates and pins on the twin axle. Connect the steering arms between the forks and the rack brackets on each axle as explained. Typical connections have feed-throughs you install or have installed at the factory. Refer to the instructions for installing the socket if necessary.
The last is to slide one of the supplied inner wheel bearings onto each spindle. Put the front wheels on the pins. Install an outer bearing and a bearing bracket in each wheel hub. Thread an axle nut onto each spindle and tighten the nuts as described. Push in the bearing protection caps on each wheel hub by hand.
FAQs
What is a tricycle?
The older we get, the more likely it is that our sense of balance will deteriorate. You no longer dare to ride a bike because you are afraid of falling, the comfortable bike is now turning into a danger. Fortunately, older people are discovering the solution to stay mobile and are opting for a tricycle. With this bike a tricycle for seniors, you do not have to keep your balance and you keep moving and independent.
an adult trike is a bicycle with two wheels in the front or the back. With the third wheel, you do not have to balance and sit stable. Even if you stop, you can stay seated on the bike and you will not tip over.
When cycling is no longer possible, or when you no longer trust yourself to do so, you are not always obliged to use a senior scooter? The tricycle is ideal as an intermediate step between bicycle and scooter, gradually you see more and more elderly people who choose a tricycle. A tricycle ensures you can keep cycling even if your balance is less. With the tricycle, you can keep moving and keep your freedom.
What are the benefits of tricycles for babies?
Three-wheeled bicycle with beautiful design, dynamic design, fresh, youthful, funny color, is a smart toy loved by children on the market today. To learn more about the benefits of tricycles, mothers can refer to the article below to choose for their baby’s love home.
Children aged 2 and over are often playful, curious about everything that makes it difficult for their mothers to control, preventing their children from touching objects that can injure the child in the house. When buying a tricycle model for your child, it will attract the child’s attention, causing him to focus only on discovering his strange new item without paying attention to other objects.
How to use a tricycle?
Tricycles for children help children train their mobility and dexterity from a young age. When the baby learns to walk, the mother instructs him how to control the car so that the bike can go in the right direction, overcoming obstacles to avoid or the effects of bike parts.
When the baby gets older, the mother can let the baby control the car by himself and just stand from a distance to observe. Exercising with tricycles not only helps children develop fully the muscles and bones, but also helps them developmentally. With the requirement of handling situations on the way, they will gradually train children to handle situations, have accurate judgment and acumen.
Children need to be skillful to control the car in the direction they want. The 3-wheeled design mother can complete the car is always balanced so the baby will not fall. However, it does not mean that a mother can let the child play alone. It is best to stand behind to observe the baby and promptly support the baby when unexpected situations arise.
Conclusions
You could say that cycling is in our DNA. We have many bike paths and bike paths across the country. It gives the cycling enthusiast many opportunities. It is very annoying if after many years of cycling pleasure, you can no longer cycle or if you no longer dare to cycle. Perhaps you have problems with balance or fear of falling. Fortunately, there are solutions to keep cycling. You can keep the freedom that cycling gives you and get enough exercise too. But first, you must decide whether to go for a tricycle or a set of training wheels for adults.
