View Full Version : Domestic Use Rickshaw
I just wanted to thank all the folk on this forum who offered me advice when I was having problems with my Rickshaw some months ago. The problems have all been sorted out, and I've learned how the whole thing is put together and works. I've changed all the freewheels one by one, and that's basically sorted it out, as the old ones seemed to be cheap and had ball-bearings that literally crumbled. The machine, although a cheap Chinese-made one, and nothing as fancy as the gorgeous ones you folk have, is perfect for my uses (taking the kids and myself to school, basically). It's very narrow (31 inches), so it fits on all the cycle lanes and footpaths I need to use in the locality. And it's very smooth to ride with the new freewheels, taking all the gradients (some of them fairly intense) with ease, even though it's only got six gears. The only problem is that the derailleur is a bit low, very little clearance, so I have to be careful with speed-bumps, kerbs, etc. But the kids love it, and so do I, as it keeps me out of a car! There are no other rickshaw-bikes in my town, althought there are a couple of operators in Dublin who run free rides with ads on their rickshaws. I've never seen anyone in this country use a pedicab for domestic purposes (apart from me, that is....;) )
And here are some photos. Anyone else on RF using a pedicab non-commercially? Show us a photo?
Sorry, couldnīt attach two photos to the last post, for some reason. This is sanchomobile as it now looks, with raincover removed and extra child seat attached.
Thanks for sharing this. I think it's great that you're using a pedicab for your family. Why would you want a "fancy as the gorgeous one" if this one, which is much less expensive, fits your needs so well. And thanks for letting us know what fixes you had to do. :D
Thanks Tez, I appreciate that!:)
Trixi.com
16-02-2008, 22:55
Cool sign on the back :D:D:D
Cool sign on the back :D:D:D
Thanks, Trixi....I know it's a bit "smug", cycling by a lane of blocked traffic every morning with that licence plate.....but hey, we might as well make the point!
one less car
18-02-2008, 00:05
O.K. Good thing your not in Canada. That's my Company Name. No worries, feel free to use it and make your point.
One Less Car
Yea, nice car replacment :cool: , we have in London quite a few now in private hands and I hope this trend will continue with more 2nd hand pedicabs comming onto the market.
I have had my own pedicab now for more then 2 years and they realy are great for nearly every thing from a shopping run, to getting the kids to school. I'm hoping that the electric assit issue will one day be legal here, as I could see quite a few mums & dads head off with the tribe in the back.
My latest project is to turn an old pedicab into a 'tear drop caravan' :D , which should give my older kids another thing to smile about. :)
O.K. Good thing your not in Canada. That's my Company Name. No worries, feel free to use it and make your point.
One Less Car
Whoops! Sorry, One Less Car. In Ireland it's the motto of the Dublin Cycling Campaign....probably in use all over Europe, I've seen something similar on stickers in Spain (obviously in Spanish....;) )
Yea, nice car replacment :cool: , we have in London quite a few now in private hands and I hope this trend will continue with more 2nd hand pedicabs comming onto the market.
I have had my own pedicab now for more then 2 years and they realy are great for nearly every thing from a shopping run, to getting the kids to school. I'm hoping that the electric assit issue will one day be legal here, as I could see quite a few mums & dads head off with the tribe in the back.
My latest project is to turn an old pedicab into a 'tear drop caravan' :D , which should give my older kids another thing to smile about. :)
I hope that project goes well, tdayuk! I've no idea if Electric Assist is allowed in Ireland or not, there are probably no regulations seeing as how there are practically no pedicabs. I've had a lot of requests from people where I live, asking how to get a pedicab, I always refer them to the Rickshawforum to look for secondhand models. Unfortunately I think most people want to get a pedicab for occasional fair-weather use, and expect to pick one up for the price of a second-hand kids' mountain bike. I try to explain that pedicabbing is basically a lifestyle choice, and you have to be fairly dedicated. I've seen family bikes online made by a company called Christiania, in Holland, that are reasonably priced and would suit a parent with up to three kids under 5; technically they're not actually pedicabs 'cos they have two wheels, the kids sit in front, low down, in what looks like a rowing-boat arrangement. Very clever. What's a "tear-drop caravan"? Is it the covered model that Trixi uses?