By Mark Nolte
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers recently awarded six BYU students first place for their design of a three-wheeled cycle.
“Well, the engineers [at the competition] were excited about it; they crowded around it and several of them tried to ride it,” said Ken Chase, BYU professor of mechanical engineering and ASME student advisor.
The six-member team included Josh Balling, Daniel Broadbent, Cheri Burgess, Jesse Cannon, Albin Dittli and David Dawson.
Because the BYU team received first place at the regional competition in April, they will be competing at a national competition in Washington this November.
During the summer, several members of the BYU team and employees of the Happijac Company, who sponsored the cycle, plan to make more improvements to the cycle to prepare it for November”s competition.
The Happijac Company, which specializes in the production of recreational vehicles, hopes to have the cycle ready for production and sale in 2004, said Martin Rasmussen, founder and president of the Happijac Company.
Three-wheeled cycles, such as the one built by the BYU team, permit a rider to sit in a chair rather than on a triangular seat. Furthermore, a rider pedals the cycle with legs outstretched in front of the torso rather than below the torso.
The cycle-design perfected by the BYU team is called a “tadpole” because the cycle”s shape looks roughly like a tadpole from a bird”s eye view. The cycle-frame attaches to two wheels in the front of the rider and one wheel in the back, behind the rider.
Though the BYU team did not completely build the cycle from scratch – different teams worked on the cycle for four years – the team did make several modifications in preparation for the cycle”s market debut.
Cannon, 25, from Las Vegas, prepared the computer models of the cycle for the team. He said the computer allowed him to test certain modifications and conditions without actually doing anything to the cycle.
“[On a computer] you can see how everything comes together, and if it”s not coming together you can make a few keystrokes to fix the problem,” Cannon said.
Though the cycle will be marketed to anyone with interest in its design, Rasmussen said the cycle”s unique components will be especially useful for “bald-headed, broad-backsided men” or “basically anyone over 30.”
Rasmussen explained that men over 30, such as himself, might have a hard time pedaling uphill or going long distances on conventional bicycles. But, the three-wheeled tadpole cycle, with its comfortable chair and full-suspension, will make uphill and distance biking reasonable for older men and women.
“For a long-term ride it is far more comfortable than sitting on a bicycle,” Rasmussen said.
The BYU team and Happijac employees made several modifications to the tadpole they hope will put the cycle into a league of its own.
Modifications to the cycle include a shroud that can be pulled over the rider in inclement weather, a higher-than-normal chair that a rider can easily get in and out of and a chain that runs through the cycle-frame so the rider”s clothes do not get dirty or rip.
The Happijac Company is also looking to use a gas or electric motor to aid in uphill pedaling.
Rasmussen said BYU”s cycle is different from other tadpoles because someone who purchases the cycle can be assured that most bike shops will know how to service the vehicle. Other tadpole-cycles have uncommon parts that most shops do not carry, he said.
“With just a few simple tools you will be able to service the whole bike,” Rasmussen said.
Chris Rotz, BYU associate professor of mechanical engineering and the team”s coach, said the team”s success on the cycle-project is a result of their unusual and “synergistic” teamwork.
“Very few teams ever make it to the point where they go beyond cooperation,” Rotz said. “[In a cooperative team] each member takes responsibility for the project. But in a synergistic team each member becomes an owner of the project.”
