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Recumbent Tandem Rider Magazine goes online
Recumbent Tandem Rider (RTR) Magazine has been covering the recumbent industry these last many years since the beginning -- and now, for the first time, the print copy of RTR magazine is available online.
RTR magazine publisher, Charles Coyne, is a constant shadow monitoring the comings and goings in the recumbent industry. He has also taken the initiative of creating the Recumbent CycleCon (the industry's only trade show in the United States).
As regularly as clockwork, stacks of RTR magazines have arrived in leading recumbent dealer shops like AlphaBENT. These unique magazines have been a key source of product information, reviews, and adventures dealing exclusively with recumbents and tandems.
Recumbent Tandem Rider Magazine will continue to be available in its print version and physical copies of the latest issue can be picked up for free wherever they were available before. But, now, the exact same magazine can be viewed online at RTRmag.com
More information...TARTAR Spring 2017 - Recumbent trike ride on Sacramento's American River Trail
An informal ride called Tour of the American River for Trikes and Recumbents TARTAR will be happening in Sacramento and riders from all points will be converging on the Sacramento area to enjoy the American River trail and to meet other recumbent trike riders.
This ride has been happening semi-yearly for quite a while and has gained a strong following.
Rides are scheduled for
- Friday 28 April 2017 at 5pm
- Saturday 29 April 2017 at 9:30am
- Sunay 30 April 2017 at 9:30am
All rides start and end at the Double Tree Suites by Hilton - Rancho Cordova - 11260 Point East Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
The main information page for the rides is at http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=132689
There are announcements on two separate Meetup pages at:
More information...Recumbent trike racks 1/2 off
[Disclaimer: This item was posted on April Fools Day, 2017. It is not to be taken seriously, though, perhaps, half-seriously. The rack and the trike are real and not Photoshopped. The trike is a Terratrike (perhaps an older Tour) and the rack is based on HP Velotechnik design.]
Today only, AlphaBENT is selling recumbent trike racks that are half off.
These racks are for trike owners who know that "less is more".
They are specially designed for non-touring trike-riders who have half a mind to take something with them, but aren't quite sure. The novel design leaves one side available for mounting dynamos and other accessories.
Manufacturers benefit from the 1/2-off concept by only having to design half of the rack and production is half as fast.
The first partial prototypes are in and AlphaBENT is selling them to test the market.
The new concept ushers in an era of fractional sales of fractional goods in the Fractional Economy.
Adherents of the Fractional Economy Concept say the economy gets a strong stimulation because recumbent trike buyers can purchase their trikes as they can afford to.
"I can see a day coming when people will buy 60% of a trike one month and then buy 15% more when their next paycheck comes in.", said AlphaBENT owner, Hugh Kern, "I'm only partially sure that this is going to take off. A lot of people have been telling me that this is a half-a__ed idea, but, I decided to just run with it."
Eon green back in Catrike color lineup
Catrike has resolved its production issues for the eon-green color and is now producing recumbent trikes in this color again.
One of the few manufactures doing its own in-house frame production and powder-coating, Catrike has extraordinary flexibilty in producing different colors and in shaking up its color lineup. However, the dark side of this is that when some sort of production or supply glitch hits, a popular color like eon-green can simply disappear overnight.
This is what happened to eon green in October 2016, and it took some months for the issues to get resolved.
For now, eon green is available again on all Catrike recumbent trikes.
More information...Catrike discontinues Hyper-yellow and Eon-green recumbent colors
Catrike has discontinued its popular Hyper-yellow and Eon-green colors due to supply issues with the green powder-coating ingredient used in both colors.
Because Catrike builds and powdercoats its own frames in-house, they have tremendous flexibility in making production changes on the fly. They also enjoy experimenting with powder combinations to make unique colors.
Hyper-yellow and Eon-green were the result of this experimentation and both relied on the same green ingredient component. However, late in 2016, there was a glitch in the supply of this green powder.
Now, the few remaining new Eon-green and Hyper-yellow Catrikes will be the last ones.
Other manufacturers using standard European RAL colors can produce a hyper-yellow equivalent by using an RAL equivalent.
(Note: some day-glo / flourescent-style colors can have long-term fading from exposure to the sun.)
More information...Electric recumbent trike: HP Velotechnik implements Shimano STEPS
HP Velotechnik offers electric recumbent trike options for most trikes models using Shimano STEPS motor system.
Shimano has entered the e-bike market with its STEPS motor system, and HP has adapted this system to most of its recumbent trike models.
Unlike many other electric-assist systems that use a rear-hub-based motor system, the Shimano STEPS system uses a motor incorporated with the pedaling system and a conventional rear hub drivetrain.
One implication is that conventional rear wheels can be used and that no attention needs to be paid to the torque-arms and torque-blockers that are integral with Bionx, Neodrive, and GoSwiss hub-motor systems. But, another implication is that attention does need to be paid to preventing the motor from putting excess force on the gearing system while it is shifting.
Shimano and HP solve this problem by putting the latest electronic shifting system which incorporates directly with the motor system. This shifting system is very easy to use as it involves electric buttons rather than mechanical cable pulling. It also changes the game for many shifting issues that can develop with conventional systems. Furthermore automatic shifting becomes a real option.
One of the key drawbacks of Shimano's approach is that it requires a redesign of the bike frame for conventional bicycles to accommodate the motor system instead of a conventional bottom bracket. However, because recumbent trikes use a boom system where the bottom bracket and cranks are at the end of what is essentially a long tube, all it takes to adapt this system to a recumbent trike is to design a Shimano-STEPS-compatible boom, and the capability becomes instantly available throughout the entire trike product line. This is what HP Velotechnik has done.
The Shimano STEPS system has a high capacity 418Wh capacity battery. This is not so high as the largest capacity 558 Wh batteries from Bionx and BMZ, but it is plenty sufficient for most daily cycling needs. The battery is rated for at least 1,000 charge cycles and weighs 2.6 kg.
For 2017, HP makes the Shimano STEPS electric recumbent trike system available on all of its trike models including the:
- Gekko FXS
- Gekko FX20
- Gekko FX26
- Scorpion
- Scorpion FX
- Scorpion FS20
- Scorpion FS26
- Scorpion Plus 20 and
- Scorpion Plus 26
Catrike Dumont arrives for Thanksgiving triking
Catrike is finally shipping their first Dumon full-suspension folding recumbent trikes.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the first Dumont has arrived, and we are very Thankful!
AlphaBENT will be open Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and building up the Dumont and getting it ready for test rides is a TOP Priority.
We'll post pictures and test rides will be possible as soon as it is built up.
More information...Chico
AlphaBENT's Chico shop used to be our main location and contact point. However, times have changed and now our Sacramento shop is the best place to test-ride a recumbent trike or bike.
Our Chico location now serves mainlhy as a warehouse, custom fabrication and assembly shop, and a point of contact for sales and service. It is open by appointment, but we are happy to meet you in Chico if that is more convenient for you.
Chico is a great place to visit with lots of great riding.
Please be in touch if you will be in the area or for any of your recumbent needs.
More information...Announcements
Catrike Road-AR quietly introduced -- full-suspension recumbent trike
Catrike recently removed the Road rear-suspension recumbent trike from its model line-up and replaced it with a full-suspension Road-AR.
The change was made with little or no notice to dealers and potential buyers, and has taken Catrike aficionados a bit by surprise.
For Catrike, with the main development work on the new front-suspension spindles behind them, it was probably a very easy change to make.
Catrike's new front suspension spindles have different engineering constraints, so a straight-across front-suspension upgrade path does not exist for end-users. But, with the manufacturing process completely under their own control, Catrike can easily change tubing specifications to meet the needs of the new spindles, and this seems to be what has happened.
The pricing of the new model is interesting. At $3550, the new Road-AR is $400 more than the Road model it replaced, but $600 less than its nearest comparable Catrike option -- the Dumont.
And, $3550 for a full-suspension recumbent tricycle with these specifications is extremely competitive. By comparison, HP Velotechnik's full-suspension trike with 20" rear wheel, the Scorpion FS-20, starts at $900 more with a very different set of components.
Comparing such models is difficult, though. With its integrated sway-bar, and indirect steering, HP's FS-20 is undoubtedly more expensive to build and the suspension handles bumps quite differently.
It is also important to note that the Road is NOT a folding trike like the Catrike Dumont and the HP Scorpion FS-20.
Top-level recumbent dealers like AlphaBENT expect to have Road-AR recumbent trikes in stock by the end of May.
More information...Azub Open-House at AlphaBENT on October 18, 2016
Azub adventurers, Honza, Milan, and Jakub will be demonstrating Azub trikes and bikes at AlphaBENT on the morning of October 18, 2016.
Coffee and morning treats will be on-hand for this open-to-the-public extremely rare opportunity to talk to the people of Azub personally and find out more about this well-built Czech recumbent technology.
Azub has recently introduces some revolutionary front-suspension titanium-based technology in the new Ti-FLY full-suspension trike. This trike, as well as the award-winning Tri-Con rear-suspension trike will be on-hand for test-rides. Other Azub products such as the full-suspension Six recumbent bike and an electric-assist equipped T-Tris-26 will be available for test-rides.
Azub representatives will be happy to answer any questions about Azub products.
Samples of the revolutionary new Pinion P1.18 18-speed transmission drivetrain will be on-hand for testing, as well.
Be sure to come early. The AlphaBENT shop will be open bright and early at 8am for this very special event, and the Azub Adventurers will be rolling down the road at noon.
More information...Bike Show 2016
HP Velotechnik Scorpion suspension recumbent trike redesigned for 2017
HP Velotechnik has announced a changeup to the Scorpion model line of suspension recumbent tricycles. After twelve (12) years in production, the original Scorpion model will be retired.
For 2017, the Scorpion model is getting a redesign to have a 26" drivetrain, and is targetted at the "comfort race-trike" market -- people who want to go fast, but prefer not to have the bone-jarring effects of non-suspension trikes.
HP Velotechnik has designed its No-Squat suspension to minimize pogo and energy losses due to pedalling activation of the rear suspension.
Large drivewheels give recumbent trikes good handling characteristics and efficiency. The original Scorpion model was the first recumbent trike produced by HP Velotechnik and its design principles have flowed into every HP recumbent trike produced.
However, the 20" drivewheel has held it back in an older recumbent era. The new Scorpion uses a 26" drivewheel, but toes the line of the original Scorpion's non-folding philosophy. Although foldability is useful for many situations, many recumbent trike owners refrain from folding their trikes if they don't have to, simply due to the extra steps and the possibility of added wear and tear on the trike. In addition, hinges and foldability add cost and weight, so eliminating that keeps the design simpler provided that the folding capability is not needed.
A preliminary look suggests that there might be enough room in the rear fork to accommodate a larger 700c racing wheel, but this is not yet confirmed.
The new Scorpion should be available by the end of 2016 in a metallic blue or grey color though HP offers custom color upgrades for most RAL colors.
A full range of options including a variety of electric-assists will be available for the newly redesigned Scorpion.
More information...ICE improves 2017 Adventure recumbent trikes
ICE unveiled new improvements to the ICE Adventure at the 2016 Interbike trade-show. The improvements will work their way into the shipped ICE products over the rest of 2016 and become standard by 2017.
Particularly, the new Adventure seat features a longer seat. ICE purposefully made the seat short-ish to prevent chafing and rider discomfort, but many customers felt it need to give more support. The new ICE Adventure seat is 2 inches (2") longer and this will help with riders feeling more comfortable and securely placed on the trikes.
The new Adventure recumbent trikes have a lighter blue color scheme and fancy new graphics baked onto the frames. Unlike the older sticker technology, the new ICE decals are integrated into the powdercoating of the frames for better durability.
ICE has also improved the ergonomics of their suspension elastomers. The new elastomers feature a color scheme that allows quick and easy color-coding for softness. In the new color scheme, white is the softest elastomer for the lightest riders, black is heavy-duty for the heaviest riders, and standard elastomers are grey for most use. Previously, owners had to remember the coding of yellow, red, and green. The new progressive white-to-black color scheme will be quick and easy to remember.
Accessories from ICE are improved with new racks available for 20" and 20" suspension models.
The Adventure now has an optional seat riser for people who need an even higher seat.
Improvements will be progressively introduced through the end of 2016 and fully incorporated into the ICE Adventure lineup for 2017.
More information...