Is a single speed practical for a cargo trike?
Your gearing preference will depend on your most common cargo, the terrain of your city and your own strength. Standard single speed trikes are best for medium use over relatively flat terrain: grocery shopping, transporting pets or taking your luggage to the train station. A regular cyclist should expect to transport 100 pounds without worry in most cities with a single speed trike. The front and rear sprockets (and chain length) can be changed for consistently heavier loads, as for moving video equipment or musical instruments over flat or rolling land. Lower gears are good for riders who use their trike to push 160 pounds or more constantly. Three speed wheels are excellent for heavy use or hilly terrain, or a use involving no weight/lots of weight trips, such as heavy deliveries, picking up heavy supplies, or varied uses (cut flowers one day, bags of potting soil the next). The sprocket can be resized according to use and terrain, lowering the entire gear range.
