folding tricycle

Erik Sandblom twisted the electrons to say:

Quoted message said:

What are they like? Do you fold them often? Is folding a requirement for
you to be able to have a recumbent at all?

When ICE brough out the '06 Q/S/T models, it very nearly tempted me to
get one. Previously I had been thinking that whilst a trike would be
very nice it would be rather awkward for the train portions of any
touring (eg: the beginning/end of a C2C or LEJOG). The folding/dismantle
would presumably get around that ...

As it was the person who was supposed to be giving me a lift to D-Tek
managed to damage both himself and his car shortly before our trip, and
thus I've never actually got to have a go on one yet!

I suspect that, unlike the Bromptons/Birdys of the world, the trike would
stay unfolded most of the time. More like the Airnimal models - fold it
to take it on holiday, not to commute?

Quoted message said:

What do you use them for? Commuting? Touring? Shopping? Enjoyment or
utility or both?

(Potentially) everything you would use a non-folding recumbent, or
non-folding non-recumbent for!

Quoted message said:

Are there folding recumbent bicycles too, or just tricycles? Besides the
SatRDay?
http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?PG=2&BF=78&CAT=0

There used to be a recumbent conversion for the Brompton available,
however when they tweeked their frame design a while back it wasn't
compatible and is now (AFAIK) no longer produced ... A pity, as I was
kind of tempted! :-(

Quoted message said:

Trying to figure out why I need one,

.... because they look cool? <grins>
--
These opinions might not even be mine ...
Let alone connected with my employer ...

Erik Sandblom said:

Hello,

This has me excited. A recumbent tricycle you can fold.

http://www.velovision.com/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=823

I understand ICE has been selling folding recumbent tricycles for a
while, and some people here have them.

What are they like? Do you fold them often? Is folding a requirement
for you to be able to have a recumbent at all? The HP Velotechnik
Scorpion fx folds to 102x83x69 cm in 60 seconds without tools, and
then dismantles some more. Do you dare leave such an expensive bike
outside; is folding a requirement?

I've ridden some of Kevin's (Mr D-Tek) ICE examples. They are very nice to
ride, a totally different experience to an upright bike, and different to
any two-wheeled 'bents I've ridden. There is also significant difference in
the range from the more upright Q to the very laid back S with rigid seat.
If I was planning a big tour covering many weeks I might be tempted to spend
the money on one. As it is, I doubt I'd ride it enough.

Why fold ? I think for most people its storage/transport. Ones which don't
fold are BIG.

Folding time; I was chatting to Kevin at Mildenhall yesterday, and he said
the folding speed was a bit of a joke amongst the trike makers. Yes, one
could dismantle them in 2min 30 or 3min, but re-assembly was a bit longer as
you had to align parts carefully (ie. rear end not squint, boom not squint,
seat properly tensioned, etc..). You also have a big handful of parts to
pick up, not a neat single package. So, folding for commuting is not
practical; these are not Brompton or Dahon folders.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Erik Sandblom said:

Hello,

This has me excited. A recumbent tricycle you can fold.

http://www.velovision.com/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=823

<crosses self> My son, you have the sickness.

I must say, it looks like an abomination folded. Is it really any smaller?

Tosspot said:

Erik Sandblom said:

Hello,
This has me excited. A recumbent tricycle you can fold.
http://www.velovision.com/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=823

<crosses self> My son, you have the sickness.

I must say, it looks like an abomination folded. Is it really any
smaller?

It looks good together but it does look like a kit of parts when
folded.

Chris
--
Chris Eilbeck