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Tricycle

Old 05-07-20, 07:53 PM
  #1  
helijohn
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Tricycle

Well I looked for a trike section with no luck and I nearly went in the over 50 section.
Much to my surprise I decided to buy a build it yourself trike. It is called Merax. I have never really considered a tricycle but.............
Now I have built it I love it.
In white the build went very well but then my partner said she wanted one after riding it. That came as a shock as she absolutely refused to ride a bike I bought her a few years ago. So I let her have it and I bought another (not in that order).
The second build was not so trouble free, some issues came up which I overcame.
Trouble is I have no real experience of the drum brake on the back. I have to say I do not like the fact it works on only one rear wheel but that is neither here nor there.
Here is what I am coming to; I am sure the drum somehow needs attention but have no idea where to start. The problem is a loud graunching noise when I apply the rear brake. The brake on the first trike works fine.
Can anyone help please because the booklet it came with is a bit sparse.
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Old 05-07-20, 09:09 PM
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There are two main types of trikes, the "adult" sometimes called a granny trike and a recumbent trike. You will find some information in the Recumbent section for the latter type and some in the 50 Plus subforum for adult trikes. You have enough posts (10 minimum) to be eligible to include a picture with your post. That would help.
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Old 05-08-20, 02:50 AM
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helijohn
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Originally Posted by VegasTriker
There are two main types of trikes, the "adult" sometimes called a granny trike and a recumbent trike. You will find some information in the Recumbent section for the latter type and some in the 50 Plus subforum for adult trikes. You have enough posts (10 minimum) to be eligible to include a picture with your post. That would help.
I did know there was a section for recumbent cycles but this is a trike..............................an adult trike. I am reluctant to call it a granny trike. A good few people with disabilities use them. I did not want to add a photo until I was sure I was in the best section on the forum.

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Old 05-08-20, 07:45 AM
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The reference to the term "granny trike" was in memory of a good friend,now deceased. We corresponded from a long distance and he called my tadpole recumbent trike a "dork trike" and I called his utility trike a "granny trike". I was all in good fun. The typical adult trike has at the most 3 speeds and tends to be much heavier than a good quality recumbent trike. I occasionally see one here in Las Vegas mostly used for short trip shopping excursions. I had the chance to meet my friend some years ago at a recumbent bike rally in Wisconsin. He had MS and was about to retire to Florida. Unfortunately a drunk driver in Florida took his life a few months after he moved there from Wisconsin. He was riding a recumbent trike at the time. You don't have to be old to ride either one so it is not a case of ageism. Recumbent trikes are quite expensive compared to the regular adult trike.

I would still go to the recumbent section and post your question there. Some recumbent trikes use drum brakes. Do you know what brand of brakes is used on your trike? That would help someone who may answer your question. None of my three trikes had drum brakes so I can't really give you much help. You could also try the Bicycle Mechanics subforum.

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Old 05-08-20, 09:00 AM
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From what little I can see, that's not a traditional drum brake but more of a band brake. I'm not familiar, but it seems like noise issues would most likely be from an alignment problem, bad pad on the band, or contamination. Is the - cylinder? - firmly attached to the drive shaft? Play there could cause noise, too. Most velomobiles, and the few touring recumbent trikes that use drums, use hub units that work like automotive drums. Have you asked the brake manufacturer?
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Old 05-08-20, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
From what little I can see, that's not a traditional drum brake but more of a band brake. I'm not familiar, but it seems like noise issues would most likely be from an alignment problem, bad pad on the band, or contamination. Is the - cylinder? - firmly attached to the drive shaft?
Yes band brake describes it well. It is firmly attached. I'll check out you suggestions and get a better pic. Thanks.
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Old 05-08-20, 09:18 AM
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Imma just say it....based on the pic I am going full out on the assumption that you live somewhere flat with a good non-auto riding area. I bet those things are a hoot to cruise around on.
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Old 05-08-20, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Juan Foote
Imma just say it....based on the pic I am going full out on the assumption that you live somewhere flat with a good non-auto riding area. I bet those things are a hoot to cruise around on.
We're primarily road bikers, but rented one of these last year in Florida. Did 35 miles on a MUP.. It cranks...we passed about everyone, including those riding e-bikes. Granted..it was Florida..on a MUP. It was a blast.

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Old 05-08-20, 10:35 AM
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Yep. That is a band brake.

The one on my Schwinn Meridian worked like absolute garbage.

I removed it and installed an Arai drum brake. It threaded right on. All I had to do was bend the flange 90 degrees at the cable stop so that it would continue to act like a cable stop.
20190216_112623 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr

20190216_112515 by Richard Mozzarella, on Flickr

...Oh, & the brake lever had a different pull ratio than the band brake so I had to switch the lever to match.

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Old 05-08-20, 11:31 AM
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Ah hah. A picture and better description makes this a lot easier to understand. I have never seen a band brake. There is a good source of information at the late Sheldon Brown's website and links to other sources. You may find some more information on how to adjust the brake there. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/band-brakes.html
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Old 05-08-20, 01:16 PM
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Whaaat? Sheldon Brown wrote something about bicycle band brakes??? Shocking!

Don't get yourself a recumbent tadpole trike or you'll end up having to get her one too. Although I think if you looked hard you could find used ones for about what those Meraxes go for new.

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