Hacker News Reader

> especially as many trikes have solid rear axles

Do you (or anyone I guess) happen to know why? Low speed differential non-drive axles are not that complex, and would sermingly help a lot.

View on HN

If they're not drive why connect them at all? Why not have them mounted independently and eliminate the need for an extra part? My only real guess is it's easier for carrying capacity.

I suspect it because with a single piece axle the torsion forces trying to twist the wheels into negative camber are taken by the axle and the forces on the two wheels negate each other, leaving the frame to only have to deal with vertical linear force.

Maybe. You can get the same effect by putting two bearing on the inside of the wheel with a disconnected axel I think. A simple axel might come out cheaper than that though.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com