Quadricycle
From Free net encyclopedia
Quadricycle (also spelled quadracycle, quadrocycle) is a four-wheeled vehicle. The most common layout is when the wheels are placed at the angles of a rectangle. The alternative layout is when wheels are placed at the angles of a rhombus (or, more generally, at the angles of a geometric kite). The rhombus layout is not very convenient, because such vehicles are less stable and also they leave three tracks instead of two. Image:Bicycle two 1886.jpg
Quadricycles were one solution to the problem of low-speed stability in early cycles, typically multi-seat models (as seen in the picture). Both tandem (in line, as here) and sociable (side-by-side) arrangements were tried.
The first experimental steam cars were sometimes called steam quadricycles, and a few very early internal combustion cars were called motor quadricycles. The terms automobile and car rapidly became universal, supplanting this usage.
In modern quadricycles an open two seater sociable configuration is most common, and may be seen on cart trails and in other sheltered, mild conditions - although it may be superior the more popular tricycle layout for snow use, the additional mass of the extra wheel and associated frame mitigates against more widespread use. There is an annual Pedal Prix event in Australia for relay teams powering quadracycles, among other special events with them.
External links
- The Rhoades Car is a modern commercially built quadricycle
- Eric Staller's Conference Bike is a seven-seater quadricycle (two wheels are mounted close togehter at the rear)nl:Quadricycle