Steering and Handlebars

Steering and handlebars were a simple decision. I like the TriSled direct steering a lot because it's really responsive and good to hang onto while cornering hard. But it's hard to make it adjustable (MR Components have made an attempt, but I don't think it works very well). For longer rides I think the Greenspeed steering is better. And Ian Sims will sell the whole front cross member quite cheaply, which saves me from having to do the precision assembly required.

As for handlebars, the choice seems to be between the Greenspeed one piece model that is not adjustable at all; the Kotzur version which plugs two 90° bent arms into a centre straight section, allowing the handles to move forward and down; and the easy to build straight bar with long bar ends on it. The latter requires a little more machining to get the bar ends extended enough to be useful, but should offer a more flexible solution.

Locating the pivot is a bit of a challenge. I don't want to make it moving (adjustable Ackerman?) but at the same time the seat will be sliding back and forth. And will need to slide over the top of the pivot, in fact. I'm going to try recessing it into the frame at the top, so the seat just slides over. At the bottom where the handlebars are mounted I'll have to make the slot in the seat tube big enough to go over the top of the pivot tube, and just remove the fixing screws to slide it.

The Ackerman is also interesting. I used Peter Elands steering spreadsheet to play with some ideas, given that a few of my parameters have been fixed because I'm buying Greenspeed kingpins and cross member. It works out Ok if I just set it up for the tandem, then add a couple of optional extra points to move the handlebar end of the arms to when it's a solo. But left as is it's not too bad.