Designing adaptive tricycles for very small children presents unique engineering challenges. Standard cycle components are rarely designed with very young riders in mind, particularly children with additional needs.

The Tomcat Tiger trike was developed while solving exactly this problem.

Where the Tiger Trike Began

The Tiger is one of the few innovations that didn’t begin with a definite customer target but rather evolved from the problems I encountered whilst building a trike for Mrs Clinnock.

She needed a very tiny trike for her daughter who, though six years old, was very small because of her condition.

First, I said no, because even the smallest Tomcat I could build would be too big. But I got the doe-eye treatment from mum and a bit of flattery about Carer Control.

We did build it, and she did very well, but it looked a bit odd, too long, with wheels that were too big for such a tiny girl.

The Problem with Pedal Spacing

What I liked less about it, however, was the spacing of the pedals.

At her height the pedal spacing, though standard, was far too wide. Of course it would be, because the width of her pelvis was proportional to her height.

I decided that Tomcat needed a much smaller trike and that it must have a much narrower pedal crank arrangement.

However, I soon discovered that none of the cycle drive manufacturers made such a thing. That remains the case today. As a manufacturer, you either put up with the standard arrangement, or build your own.

Turning a Problem into an Opportunity

There are two ways to look at a situation like that. It’s either a problem you ignore, or, as with my thinking, an opportunity for a USP (Unique Selling Point).

I knew that all my competitors were using the standard arrangements.

After taking some measurements, I decided I needed to lose around 4–5 cm of overall width between the pedals, but that would not give enough space for a conventional chain drive.

The only alternative was a timing belt drive enclosed within a box frame.

Creating a Different Drive System

Suddenly I had another USP.

The timing belt drive was particularly good because frictional losses are virtually zero, whereas a chain drive loses about 8%. That difference is extremely valuable for very small riders.

The system is also silent, smooth and maintenance-free.

The only downside is cost. Belts and pulleys are very expensive, but that 8% efficiency is so valuable with the little ones that I felt it was worth the investment.

We had to manufacture everything associated with the timing belt system ourselves, including the bearing housings, spindle and cranks. Once the mechanics were sorted out, I could design the frame that would encase it all.

Engineering First, Design Second

I think you will agree that the Tiger is a very striking tricycle.

Parents and children certainly love it, but its appearance is, to a very large degree, an engineering accident. With the drive system, the Carer Control steering system and a brake distributor box all tucked away inside the frame, there wasn’t a lot of room left for aesthetics.

Nevertheless, I think it came out rather well.

Why the Tiger Works So Well

When we started marketing the Tiger it was instantly popular, so much so that we were soon exporting it to Scandinavia.

It was obvious from the outset that biting the “pedal separation bullet” was the right thing to do, because children were comfortable on the Tiger and found it easy to pedal.

Parents often got their money back on the drive system too. Due to the uniquely appropriate pedal spacing, we can often avoid the use of callipers, and that’s always a good thing where possible.

The Hidden Benefit

When you are just two years of age and your body is growing and developing, you want to use all of your muscles and joints just as nature intended.

That is why the Tiger’s pedal spacing is its hidden gem.

It isn’t obvious when you first look at it. You are far more likely to notice the Tiger’s unusual styling, but the real innovation is quietly working beneath the surface,  allowing very small riders to pedal naturally and comfortably.

Bob Griffin | Managing Director & Engineer