Trike question

My question about trikes is wouldnt it be better to have a large rear wheel. I guess this applies to tadpole trikes. I had a Rans Tailwind bent. It had a 20 inch rear wheel. I always worried about how low to the ground the derailer hung. It always seemed to me that it would be in danger of damage from curbs etc. Also it put the rerailer and chain further down in the dirt. A 26" or a 700C would place the chain and derailer higher.

I swapped the 20" wheel on my Zoomer for a 26", TerraTrike sells a kit, to get the higher top speed. I have kept the 20" wheel for those times when we head to the hilly portion of Central Florida and I want the lower gear inch range it provides. Yes I know hills & Florida seem mutually exclusive but we have a couple in the center of the state and I'm old, fat & out of shape. (Actually round is a shape but not a good one for bike riding.)

There's no single right answer. A big rear wheel will give a higher top speed, a smaller one gives a lower granny gear. It's a trade off.

Personally, I'll sacrifice top speed to get a low granny gear, but that's just me. I'm not a fast rider.

I have this one item on the Dream Shelf in the back of my mind which involves getting rich enough to buy a Catrike 700 and doing over 50 mph down a nice, long grade about three miles north of my place.

I think the 26" wheel looks better. See this thread: https://rrsc.forumotion.com/tadpole-trikes-f43/zoomer26-t528.htm as opposed to this one: https://rrsc.forumotion.com/tadpole-trikes-f43/zoomers-t391.htm

richard wrote:My question about trikes is wouldnt it be better to have a large rear wheel. I guess this applies to tadpole trikes. I had a Rans Tailwind bent. It had a 20 inch rear wheel. I always worried about how low to the ground the derailer hung. It always seemed to me that it would be in danger of damage from curbs etc. Also it put the rerailer and chain further down in the dirt. A 26" or a 700C would place the chain and derailer higher.

The rear diameter determines how much the seatback will incline on a tadpole.

The Catrike Speed has the 20" rear wheel and 16" up front. The seat recline is 33degrees and the Road has a 37degree recline with 20" all around. I own a '09 Trail with 20" wheels and a 45degree recline, thats just perfect for me. I've also got the WindwrapGX fairing, but without the tilting hardware. At 27gears its not to bad but an additional 3 speed hub (nxt year) and I'll be able to climb anything. I need all the help I can get with the hills in my area.