Hi Brucey
, I enjoy your input. Trikes, yes we are very much a minority taste! Your suggestions are well known to me, the re-sited gear hanger was designed nearly 40 years ago, but it still puts the rear mech in the less than ideal position. Trykit make the best version yet. But even that reduces the wrap round of the chain, whereby 11t, 12t, 13t ain't up to the job! The suggested 16t - 21t 6speed block would be fine for time-trialing, but I'd have to walk up a lot of hills.
The suggested "Cassette Adapter" is also extant, again thanks to Trykit Conversions. But then we hit the silly sprocket issue ? The adapter uses a Shimano Freehub, which sits on a tapered carrier, I already have one trike running on that!
A side issue with many Higgins/Rogers trike frames is the small capacity of the axle cage. Many can only accept a 26t largest sprocket, my 53 Diff Higgins can only just cope with a 24t ! That is limiting! Fortunately that has a very narrow chain-stay arrangement so I can use a small ring chain-set without having too serious an issue with the front mech.
I did a lengthy piece about that issue on the on3wheels forum.
There is no real problem with my new trikes, the most recent runs Shimano 10s with a 15t - 25t cassette, coupled with a Raceface Triple Chain-set 42t - 32t- 24t, nice set of ratios to suit my needs. Two Wheel Drive with an ingenious Trykit drive System, and no, I'm not their paid spokesperson, merely a very satisfied customer! With the rear mech sited at the correct operating position, as on a bicycle drop-out, the change is slick & precise.
But the real problem is the take it or leave it attitude presented to the customer at Bicycle Obsessed dealers, it is a real learning curve for the specialists in the workshop. Getting wheels built can involve a two hour explanation? No bearings in the hubs stumps them
. Well TTFN MM