Nordic Trike

Ideas and Solutions for everyday velomobiles

Drive Tests

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the additional hand drive for the Nordic Trike, we have carried out a simple ride test. For this purpose we have chosen a test round with the following features:

  • Round length 2.85 km, approx. 10 meters of climbs in the round.
  • About two thirds of the line were the tar road of the rest of the dirt road.

All tyres (MTB tyres) were inflated to 3 bar. The test rider (about 85 kg) did drive a  constant tour schedule at speeds between 10 and 25 km/h. The pedal frequency was around 60 rpm with the Mountain Bike, with hand drive at the trike  it was slightly smaller. The manpower used was only roughly kept constant by maintaining the same breathing rhythm.

Three different test bikes were used:

a) Mountain Bike: weight 14 kg, tires 27.5


b) Mountain bike with loaded trailer:
A transport trailer with 20" wheels was loaded with additional load until the bicycle and trailer did reach 42 kg.


c) Nordic Trike:
Front with 20" Mountain Bike  tyres, rear with 24" Mountain Bike tyres, mass 42 kg.
It was tested in three  options:

  • pedal drive only,
  • pedal and hand drive,
  • pedal drive with click pedal and hand drive.



This enabled a first test to show, which additional power  the hand drive actually gives in the Nordic Trike. The average travel speed over the test lap was simply calculated from the driving time. Since the driver's manpower could only be roughly controlled, the speeds determined are only to be understood as reference values.
This test can be significantly improved with the use of electronic pulse, cadence and speed measurement. Modern bicycle GPS systems offer enormous possibilities for more extensive evaluation due to data logging.

test round trip with different bicycles to demonstrate the increase in effectiveness of the additional hand drive


However, our small test lap gives us the opportunity to better assess what the "Biomotor" person does in various seating positions and drive types on the bicycle.

a) MTB and MTB with trailer: The MTB alone rides the fastest. With a trailer and rider it is as heavy as the Nordic Trike (30% heavier). Since under 20 km/h only the rolling friction forces determine the speed, the speed of MTB and trailer should drop by 30%, which we see quite accurately.  In addition, we have a comparison point, which the foot drive in a vertical pedal position with this total weight.

b) Nordic trike with foot drive (2 foot strokes): Two foot drive strokes are available per revolution. The Nordic Trike is slower than the equally heavy MTB with trailer. This shows that the rider in recumbent scooter is somewhat more ineffective than in vertical pedal position.

c) Nordic Trike with foot and hand drive (2 feet and 4 hand strokes): In one revolution there are now 2 foot and 4 hand strokes available. The additional hand drive makes the vehicle a little faster than the equally heavy MTB with a hanging strap. The manual drive has improved the effectiveness of the driver's power conversion by 10 to 20%.

d) Nordic Trike with click pedals and hand drive (4 foot and 4 hand strokes): With 8 working clocks per revolution, the drive of the Nordic Trike now runs nicely like a V8 engine.  The driver reaches a good 20% more speed than with simple foot drive with the same manpower.


There are a few conclusions from the ride:

  • The Nordic Trike is slower than bicycles and you should not plan joint tours with bicycles where everyone wants to ride in the bulk.
  • The Nordic Trike with hand drive is an interesting alternative to the bicycle with trailer, if it has the same empty weight (25 - 30 kg) and is equipped with a hand drive. If it still has some protection against bad weather, it is recommended for all everyday rides.
  • As a sports equipment or for long tourist tours, the click pedal in the Nordic Trike enforces a lot. Getting in and out of the clicking pedals is not a problem even for inexperienced people at the trike (which cannot fall over). With 8 working cycles per revolution, the driver achieves a very even use of force and is significantly more effective thanks to lower individual forces.