
Better braking
Better braking
Shelley Longhurst
The Batribike appears to have a V-brake on the front wheel and a drum on one of the two rear wheels. While it would be fairly easy to add a brake to the third wheel, it is not obvious that this would increase braking power – and hence reduce the force required at the lever – since at least one hand would have to operate two brakes. One option worth considering would be to have a second brake on the front wheel, which is a legal option on a tricycle. Cantilever brake bosses could be brazed to the back of the fork blades and a second V-brake installed, doubling the braking on the front wheel, which is in any case more effective at applying braking force to the road.
Richard Hallett
Cycle’s Technical Editor
This Q&A was published in 'Cycle' the magazine for members of Cycling UK. To contact the experts, email your technical, health, legal or policy questions to editor@cyclinguk.org or write to Cycle Q&A, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ