3

I need to adjust the shifting on my tadpole recumbent trike, which would be much easier with a stand to lift the trike off the ground. However, trike repair stands start at US$400. Online DIY solutions involve lifting the trike onto a table. This is problematic due to the trike's large weight and my back pain. I've been making do by placing a shoe box under the frame, but this solution is quite unstable.

How can I make an affordable repair stand for my trike that doesn't require lifting it onto a table?

Here is a picture of the trike: enter image description here

Improve this question
0

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
9

I would use an axle stand in this circumstance, to lift the rear. A section of tyre works well to guard the frame.

Cheap if you already have one, not quite as expensive as making your own (as above!) if you don't. They come as pairs which could be useful for working on the front end in the future.

With the front wheels locked or chocked, the trike won't move around.

enter image description here

Improve this answer
2
  • If the issues with lifting were more severe, a trolley jack ought to work as well (trikes are of course far less hazardous than cars to reach under while on a jack) Commented 2 days ago
  • I do think car axle stands would work well! However, I also love how easily the trike slips into place with my stand. With a car axle stand, I'd need to ensure the axle stand was at the correct angle before lifting the trike. Commented 2 days ago
5

I decided to only elevate the rear wheel. This allowed me to build a stand that only supports a single chain stay. First, I placed a PVC pipe into a metal flange with a set screw and tightened the set screw. PVC pipe and flange PVC pipe and flange

Then, I spent about an hour in CAD software designing an adapter that loosely fits into the top of the pipe and cups the chain stay. Here's the 3d printed result, with some unnecessary blue tape. 3d printed, custom adapter Flange, pipe, and adapter holding the trike one chain stay Finally, for added stability, I drilled the flange into some plywood (although the stand was surprisingly stable without it). PVC pipe, flange, adapter, and wood chain stay stands supporting a trike PVC pipe, flange, adapter, and wood chain stay stands supporting a trike

To use the stand, I place it adjacent to the non drive side chain stay, lift the rear of the trike by the cargo rack, and lower the chain stay into the adapter. Because the lever arm from the cargo rack is so long, very little lifting force is required. The adapter's rounded edges and loose fit let the trike slide into place without careful positioning.

The net cost was about $40, so I expected this to work terribly. To my surprise, the stand is both easy to use and adequately stable!

If I had to do this again, I would replace the flange and plywood with a 5 way pipe connector with a PVC pipe in each port. The result would have been cheaper, lighter, smaller, and easier to build. I would also glue some rubber in the adapter cup to increase forward/back stability.

Below is a list of store bought parts:

Flange ~$10, https://www.lowes.com/pd/SteelTek-1-1-4-in-Silver-Galvanized-Steel-Structural-Pipe-Fitting-Floor-Flange/999930954

PVC pipe, ~$3 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pipe-3-4-in-dia-x-2-ft-L-480-PSI-PVC-Pipe/1002867470

Wood screws, ~$5

Plywood, ~$20, two 1/2" pieces glued together. Frankly, only one piece was necessary.

5 way pipe connector (for people who want to have an better time than I did) ~$10, https://www.lowes.com/pd/SteelTek-3-4-in-90-Degree-Silver-Galvanized-Steel-Structural-Pipe-Fitting-Cross-Tee/999931046.

Improve this answer
7
  • 3
    I was going to suggest an axle stand, like for the car, but you have put alot of effort into reinventing the axle stand! Commented 2 days ago
  • 1
    I was actually planning to wait a couple weeks and buy a pair of motorcycle wheel lift stands, until I suddenly lost my bottom 4 gears and needed a repair stand ASAP. Commented 2 days ago
  • 1
    I'd stick with the flange and ply, and make sure they were securely bolted (rather than using woodscrews) together. The more you use it, the more you're likely to apply significant forces either along or across the axis of the trike, with a risk of tipping an inverted T stand over, or stressing a joint made with woodscrews Commented 2 days ago
  • 1
    @Criggie Yes, I wouldn't be inclined to trust the plastic too much, even though I reckon PVC pipe in the US must be stronger than in the UK (having seen what people do with it) Commented yesterday
  • 1
    @ChrisH you know what's good in compression? Concrete. Fill the PVC with cement and the pipe is just boxing, and becomes impact protection later. Also will add weight . Commented yesterday

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.