Front wheel or rear wheel drive?

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   Hi 
I'm researching my first recumbent / possibly a velomobile, after getting intrigued from YouTube (see other recent posts), and recalling my DT teacher 30 years ago with a very fast machine.

One thing that keeps coming up on YouTube is the front wheel / rear wheel drive aspect, and apparently recumbents tend to slip because the weight is not on the drive wheel?

I've not been able to understand this in context, even though it comes up relatively often. Any light anyone could shed would be much appreciated. I guess the physics is obvious enough - for front-wheel drive only, correct? or not?

How big a problem it is practically would be helpful, so I know how much weight to give it (excuse pun) when looking at a bike.

Thanks.

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Edward_Bainton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BHPC Member Joined: 12 January 2025 Location: Stamford Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote Edward_Bainton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Front wheel or rear wheel drive? Posted: 16 January 2025 at 12:50pm
	Hi I'm researching my first recumbent / possibly a velomobile, after getting intrigued from YouTube (see other recent posts), and recalling my DT teacher 30 years ago with a very fast machine. One thing that keeps coming up on YouTube is the front wheel / rear wheel drive aspect, and apparently recumbents tend to slip because the weight is not on the drive wheel? I've not been able to understand this in context, even though it comes up relatively often. Any light anyone could shed would be much appreciated. I guess the physics is obvious enough - for front-wheel drive only, correct? or not? How big a problem it is practically would be helpful, so I know how much weight to give it (excuse pun) when looking at a bike. Thanks.

Yanto Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 1521	Post Options Post Reply Quote Yanto Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 January 2025 at 4:38pm
	FWD slip is really only a problem on steep hills and wet conditions, velomobiles suffer in the same way as the rear is lightly loaded, as for a front wheel drive velomobile there was only really one attempt at a commercially produced one, the Valeyo, this also had rear wheel steering. It wasn't a success and in my opinion slow, too big, too heavy and downright ugly. Edited by Yanto - 17 January 2025 at 4:38pm

Kim Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 13 April 2018 Location: Middle Earth Status: Offline Points: 1256	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kim Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 January 2025 at 6:18pm
	On a conventional RWD SWB bike, lack of traction on the rear wheel is usually only a problem on slippery surfaces, though it's easy to make the rear wheel skid under braking. (I should note that as a shorter rider of a relatively high USS bike, I habitually sit upright when starting/stopping, so that I can get a foot down more easily for improved stability. This further unloads the rear wheel.) Tadpole trikes (and presumably velomobiles of the same geometry) are a bit worse, as there's even less weight on the wheel, and you can have lower gearing than a bicycle. In both cases, the rear tends to be the first place you add luggage, which improves traction substantially. My FWD experience is limited (I don't think I've ridden one in the wet) but I expect it's only really a problem if you're comedy off-roading or attempt to climb the sort of gradient that makes balancing a recumbent bike a challenge anyway. Edited by Kim - 17 January 2025 at 6:21pm

Edward_Bainton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BHPC Member Joined: 12 January 2025 Location: Stamford Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote Edward_Bainton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 January 2025 at 9:49pm
	Thanks both, and sorry slow reply: didn't realise I needed to subscribe for updates. @Kim, what is USS? A quick search gives me Linear bikes by a NY company. Helpful re RWD/FWD differences. On a high bike, like Velodreamer's Columbo (pic), the weight looks more even - would you say? Reassuring re baggage, too. I like the thought of turning heads in town, but it's really for long tours that I think I'd get the most out of a recumbent. I think I'm probably swinging away from velomobile, unfort, as I don't think it's going to do what I want it to easily enough. But I'll see what I see at one of the meets, and might get more inspired. Or maybe it's a 10 year project!

Kim Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 13 April 2018 Location: Middle Earth Status: Offline Points: 1256	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kim Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 26 January 2025 at 10:23pm
	Sorry: Under-seat steering. Typically puts the handlebars either side of your hips. HPVelotechnik Streetmachine is a typical example.