vic.gedris.org Never mind the blogs, here's the website.

Greenspeed Press Release - After a late start it is finally here, the 2008 Greenspeed Catalogue. We’re very proud of two things; one, we found a printer that offers printing on 100% post consumer recycled paper using vegetable-based inks, and two, apart for the product-only studio shots, we built it entirely using photos that customers (as well as the odd dealer) have sent into us.
 
We’ve added in more copy and a stack more photos to this one. You can see the new specs for ’08 including new models, changes in the custom shop, as well as the new range of ‘candy’ colors, and a sneak peak of other projects. For the train spotters you can also find the new Scorcher logo on the carbon look, wide reflective strip tyres.
 
You can download the catalogue as a pdf (2.3MB) directly from the new home page http://www.greenspeed.com.au/gshome.html or e-mail us for a free copy.

Been a few months since I posted a donation reminder. The link with instructions on how to contribute are in the top frame and in the colomn to the right of this post. Or be lazy and just click here.  Thanks to all of you who support us so much!

Shortly after his ground-breaking performance in Race Across America, Bryan gave John Schlitter a call and coaxed him into revealing some very interesting thoughts and experiences about the race and the state of Ultra-Marathon racing in general.  I've met John several times and he's always struck me as a guy who would have made a great central character in an old west novel.  He has a quiet confidence that I think really comes across in this interview.  Enjoy!

John Schlitter Special.m4a

Soaring gas prices and rising concerns over Global Warming have many of us looking for ways to save money and save our planet.  At ‘BentRider we believe that one of the best ways to do this is by riding your bike instead of driving your car.  We’ve found some like-minded thinkers at TerraTrike and we’ve combined forces to cook up a little incentive for you.  We call it the TerraTrike Car-Free Challenge and the rules are simple.  Pop over the Bike Journal and create a free account if you don’t already have one.  Then join the club called ‘BentRider Car-Free Challenge.  From there all you do is park your car, ride your bike and log your miles.  The Challenge runs from July 1st to August 15th.  That’s 45 days but you only have to participate for one 30 day period in order to be eligible.  So basically as long as you start by July 15th you’re good to go.  At the end of the Challenge period we will be choosing a winner at random to take home our grand prize... a brand new TerraTrike Cruiser recumbent trike!  The Cruiser is a sturdy and capable tadpole trike that is sure to make your commuting and errand-running much more enjoyable.  The winner will not be chosen based on mileage run or number of trips run.  We realize that some of you work at home or are retired so putting limits on something like that would put some of you at a disadvantage.  Now stop sitting in front of your computer and get out there! (If you have any questions e-mail bryan@bentrideronline.com)

I'm going to get my full article and pictures up when I return from holidays next week, but in the meantime Ligfiets Plaza have a round up of photos, blogs and videos from the fantastic event held last weekend in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

http://ligfiets.net/nieuws/bericht.php3?id=2618&volledig=1

They are definitely worth a look, in particular there's a great video From Arjen chasing a quest around the outdoor circuit that I've linked to after the read more below.
Thankfully there's not much sound on most of them, so you don't have to listen to my voice coming across the loudspeaker unlike the brave fools who were racing the 6hour race.

ICE surprised some people at this year's York Cycle Show and debuted a 26" rear wheel option for the Trice Q and T series of trikes. The new rear end will retro-fit to existing models.  It is aluminum like the current 20" rear-ends but does not fold and lacks the suspension of the 20" version.  ICE has no intentions to stop making the current versions of their trikes. I've already begun begging for a 26" rear wheel QNT to review. Here's a link to a nice pic provided by one of our forum users.

Ethan Davis pointed this out on our message board.  It's a very well done video the ICE/Borealis Velomobile project.  I've heard through the grapevine that production of this machine will be slightly delayed to make a few subtle improvements but enjoy this video in the meantime.  Doesn't look like the people featured had much concern for safety though.  They're riding on the wrong side of the road.  So are all the cars!

 

Bacchetta's very own John Schlitter is officially the first recumbent rider to compete the Race Across America in a solo category. John is a four-man RAAM vet and completed the event solo in 11 days, two hours and fifty minutes.  Not too shabby for a "rookie".  We're very proud of John and hope he goes for it again next year.  We had some site issues last week and couldn't keep you all as up to date as we wanted to but we intend to make up for it with a special edition John Schlitter audio interview early this week.  Congrats again to John and Bacchetta.

Gold Country Cyclery is the latest recumbent dealer to throw their hat in the ring as a manufacturer. Rick Steele sent me photos of his new carbon fiber tandem prototype.  It weighs 35 pounds without pedals and Rick reports that it rides better than he ever expected the first prototype to.  All of the final production machines will be custom sized and Rick says that singles are also on the drawing board.  I can't wait to get my hands on one.  Any volunteers for stoker?

VERY nice write-up in the Los Angeles Times about recumbent bicycles.  It features lots of pics and videos of our very own Jonathan Dietsch (I'm_Bent on our message board).  The article has been picked up by a lot of other media outlets also.  I first saw it on the Huffington Post.

With all the database errors I'm probably the last blog of Earth to report on this but in case you've been living in a hole... The Brass Lion is Steuben's Wheelmen's "Steampunk" inspired recumbent trike.  It has all the Victorian touches that any good steampunker would love... gobs of brass, yards and yards of leather and even a pair of kerosene lamps.  I sense another project trike coming on.  Check out the pics and info at The Steampunk Workshop or watch the vid below.

 

Reverse Gear is a new Canadian company that manufacturers recumbent-specific cycling clothing.  It's not cheap but I had a look at their entire line at the recent RBR Rally in Pennsylvania and was quite impressed.  There isn't much out there in the way of recumbent-specific clothing but this is probably the nicest I've ever seen.  The proprietors seem like very nice folks also.  Check it out at http://www.reversegearinc.com

 

 

From Catrike Press Release... 

 

We are proud to announce another great Catrike to our line up, the Villager.

 

This is an affordable, user-friendly Catrike that anyone can ride. Based on strong demand, we have given it a higher seat, 20” wheels, a wider stance and incredible ground clearance.  This is a true utilitarian vehicle that has many uses; ride it to the grocery store or out to dinner; it’s great for a picnic in the park, or ride it wherever you want to go. You will enjoy the scenery more than ever and discover the great joy of riding all over again.

 

The Villager’s 12.5” seat height allows you to get in and out with little effort; 5.5” ground clearance helps you negotiate speed bumps and curb transitions; stable 31” track; simple 9-speed drive train with quality components. This Cat is easy to ride and friendly for a first time buyer. And best of all, it’s affordable.

 

Human power is great for the future, but even better today.

 

Beautiful-Simple-Functional Catrike Villager

 

All the Catrike features:

 

Lightweight aluminum space frame

Structural “Peace Boom” with index clamping

Clipless/platform pedals

Rear view mirror

Computer sensor mount

Flag and flag holder

 

Specifications:

 

MSRP $1550

Color White or custom colors available

Wheels front/rear 20”/20”

Track 31” (787mm)

Wheel base 37” (940mm)

Seat height 12.5” (318mm)

Ground clearance 5.5” (140mm)

Weight 31lbs

Total width 33” (838mm)

Total height 27” (686mm)

Bottom bracket height 14.5” (686mm)

Turning circle 14’ (4.27 meters)

 

Components:

 

Shifter Sram X5

Rear derailleur Sram X5

Brakes Avid BB5 mechanical disc

Crank Truvativ ISOflow 38t 170mm

Bottom bracket Truvativ BB power spline

Cassette Sram 11-32

Brake lever Avid FR5

Chain KMC X9

Tires Schwalbe Marathon

 

                   

 

 

 

Max "Skymax" Townsend is an 'BentRider Message Board user and occasional contributor to this site.  He's also a good friend of mine that comes to visit us in New York once a year from his home in Australia.  He usually takes a bike or two back with him and his last purchase was this beautifully customized HPVelotechnik Street Machine GTe.  Highlights include a set of Aerospoke wheels shot with Schwalbe Big Apple tires, matching orange BMX pedals, a Garmin GPS, Rock Shox SID rear shock and a Tech ASS strobing tail light.  In touring mode, the bike sports an HPVelotechnik underseat pannier rack and a pair of fenders.  More pics of this beauty after the jump. (Photos courtesy of Penelope Lawry)

                

Shimano has revamped their top-of-the-line Dura-Ace road grouppo for 2009.  In what is a bit of a radical departure for Shimano, the Big S has sprinkled some carbon fiber into the mix this time around.  The rear derailleur has a carbon fiber cage and the STI lever/shifter combo uses carbon fiber blades.  Oddly, the ultra-rare carbon fiber Dura-Ace cranks did not make the cut for 2009.  Of particular interest to recumbent riders is the addition of an 11-28 cassette option.  This means that you can now run Dura-Ace compact double and matching derailleurs and get a somewhat realistic gear range for a something like a lightweight highracer.  The whole package is 130 grams lighter than the 2008 iteration but is still heavier than Campagnolo's Record and SRAM's Red by about the same margin.  More info in this Shimano Press Release.

This may not be new but stumbled on a thread from our message board talking about some Car-Free patches from the Oil Free and Happy.  They look very well made and would be the perfect accessory for anyone wanting to participate in our 'BentRider/TerraTrike Car-Free Challenge.  The site also sells a lot of cool T-Shirts and stickers as well.  Getting out there and riding bike rather than using your car is the first part of the battle but spreading the word and getting others to follow your lead helps as well.

TerraTrike Press Release -   Kentwood, MI (June 1, 2008) – WizWheelz, maker of the TerraTrike brand of recumbent tricycles, has announced a new contest called “Trade With TerraTrike”. The contest asks people to send them descriptions and photos of items that they would like to trade for a brand new Zoomer Elite. The company will then pick one person to trade with at the end of the month. “This was a silly idea we came up with at lunch one day, and we figured, ‘Why Not?’. We’re a serious business, but we also try to have fun.“ says Marketing Manager Jeff Yonker. “Plus, we enjoy free stuff just as much as the next guy. We are all excited to see what crazy stuff people offer us.” The contest, which runs through the end of June, will most likely become a reoccurring event if a success. “We’ve even thought that we could auction off some of the items for charity.” Says Yonker. “The fun thing is, there is no hidden marketing agenda or anything with this. This is just us trying to score some cool stuff. This is who we are. This is the culture here at WizWheelz.” Contest guidelines are posted on their website at www.TerraTrike.com

Paper or Plastic? More Bags from Arkel
by Larry Varney
Co-Editor, BentRider Online

Before I talk about the bags I have just tested, I want to mention another improvement that has been made to their lineup. The locking system of previous years consisted of a swiveling piece of metal that would form a pretty good grip on the rack. It did have the problem of sometimes swiveling to just the wrong postion when you were trying to affix the panniers, but that was just a minor irritation. What bothered some people even more was that some racks would get scratched by this locking system.  But that situation has now been fixed.
Now there are in its place two little revolving aluminum "cams", lined with nylon, that grip your rack. It's all part of the padded handle system. You pull up on the handle, it releases. Let go, and the two cams (of the "cam-lock system") grab your rack. Simple, elegant, non-scratching, and it works! It's described pretty well on the Arkel website, but if you're like me, you'll be even more impressed when you see it in person.

Now on to the bags I reviewed this time. One thing I wanted to do was to compare the Bug with the Commuter bag. They are very similar, but with one big difference: the Bug can be easily turned into a backpack, with its attached (and safely covered when not in use) straps. The Commuter, on the other hand, is meant to be carried via a shoulder strap.  If you do not anticipate the need for carrying your bag on your back, then the choice becomes a little more difficult.

The Commuter comes with a padded, suspended computer bag inside. You can get it as an option for the Bug, however, for an additional $39. Capacity of the Commuter is 1500 cubic inches, as is the Bug. Both have an assortment of external pockets, zippered and of various sizes. The Bug does have a large, buckled area that is of a size to hold your helmet when off the bike, however.  The Commuter sells for $159 and comes with the computer bag, while the Bug sells for $165, and does not have the computer bag.  It does, however, perform very well as a backpack - and that would be the deciding factor for me. I recently rode a Greenspeed GLO through the streets of Washington (DC), and had the opportunity to get off and play tourist, and the backpackability of the Bug kept my hands free for lots of pictures - that place has photo ops everywhere you look.

That does bring up one point that others may not have thought about: clearance. On a bike or trike with a decent rear rack and even 16 inch wheels, it's not really an issue - unless you did what I did: order that bike or trike with a SRAM DualDrive. The "click box" sticks out a bit, and a decent-sized pannier will want to occupy that same space. That would preclude the use of most bags, including the Commuter - on the right side. However, the Bug's lower portion curves outward, to make it more comfortable on your back - and it clears the DualDrive unit easily.

Both bags are excellent in construction, capacity, and novel pockets both inside and out.  But you might be thinking: yes, I want some quality bags, but I really don't need some of those interesting features, I'm not looking to hang a computer in it, nor am I planning on back-packing. What I want instead is a trade-off: less pockets, less features, in exchange for a lower price. And Arkel has something for you: the Sakaroos.

These bags are not yet on the Arkel website, but I got a chance to try them out first. While the Commuter and Bug are single units, the Sakaroos travel in the familiar pairs. They are similar in construction: they are made of 600 denier polyester in Canada using 40% post-consumer and 60% post-industrial recycled plastic. The larger model loads from the top with a drawstring opening (covered by a hood), and is 3000 cubic inches for the pair. The smaller has a front opening and is 2000 cubic inches. The prices are $115 and $80, respectively.  They are both of the typical Arkel quality, and yes, I admit it: the fact that they are made using that much recycled material makes a good impression on me. The fact that they are also good bags makes it that much easier to "buy green".

Arkel has shown us a good selection of bags (and they have more, lots more, on their website). If you don't need the capacity of a dual-bag system, look at the Commuter or Bug. If you plan on carrying it on your back off the bike a great deal, then the Bug would be my recommendation. If that's not likely, and if you do need capacity but can't afford some of the other systems in the Arkle lineup, then get in line for the Sakaroos. I'm sure we'll see them on a more than a few bikes and trikes.

Arkel Commuter, Bug and Sakaroos
Pros: Quailty construction, novel carrying capabilities using external and internal pockets, Cam-lock system
Cons: LVG is not a color option (sorry, I can't think of anything seriously wrong with any of these bags)
Prices:
    Commuter: $159
    Bug    : $165
    Sakaroo    : $115 and $80
More info:    http://www.arkel-od.com

 

 

Sleep that knits up the ravel'd sleave of care...
By Larry Varney
Co-Editor

Or, in the case of bicyclists, makes our hamstrings, quads, and muscles whose names I do not know, feel better in the morning after a good night's sleep. Yes, a good bicycle is important – but we can “make do” with something less that perfect. But for a touring cyclist, if you don't get a restful night after a hard day of riding, the next day is going to be awful. I have gone through several foam pads and air mattresses, and I can say it's hard to beat some inflatable mattress of four or more inches thick. The trouble is, it's going to be heavy, bulky, prone to punctures, and you have to bring some sort of pump along. Isn't there something almost as good, but without the drawbacks just mentioned? Yes- the UltraLite Cot from Luxurylite.

Some of you may remember my review of this cot a couple of years ago. So, you may be thinking, why another review? Because they've improved it! I like to stay in touch, so I checked to see if there might be any need for a new review. There have been changes, some seemingly minor, but they all add up to a better cot than before.

1) Fabric is lighter and stronger with the bottom laminated with plastic so no dirt sticks.
2) Reinforced holes in the fabric so no tears happen if the feet slide along the side poles.
3) The new Twist Bow that uses two tubes to double the fabric tension without needing two feet side by side.
4) New gray nylon feet that are taller and stronger and have two holes for the cross tubes.
5) 8 holes along the side of the cot top that allow you to put Bows where you need them... 4 for light folks and 6 for bigger guys.
6) 1" narrower due to the raw fabric dimensions.
7) The cutouts for the feet are now holes on the underside only so no bugs can crawl through.
8) Easton aluminum side poles with strong bungee.
9) The Cool Mat has a nylon cover and is priced lower.
10) The new feet have special holes on the outside curve to allow a future "covered wagon" tent to be plugged into the cot feet.

I love it when a company makes changes that are not just for the sole purpose of saying, hey, this is a new model – but instead makes changes that are definite improvements. And, when they change something and I say to myself, yes, that was a problem, though I didn't think much about it at the time. I did have a few occasions in the past where dirt would stick to the bottom of the fabric, and I'd have to shake it off before rolling it up. Now, that will prove to be less of a bother. The “twist bow” idea is a nice one. Now you can buy extra bow tubes and set that cot up to suit you. I know I fiddled with the review unit, moving the “twist bow” positions around, and found a perfect location – I didn't want to get up!

Utilizing these twist bows, the weight limit goes very high, up to 325 pounds. And that's hard to believe, when you pick that cot up and feel how little it weighs. The “cool mat” has had a surface change, as well as a reduction in price, and is definitely worth getting for the extra comfort it provides.

You will be amazed at how little room this cot takes up in your luggage or packed on the back of your bike. The optional pillow is also very light and comfortable, and I would encourage everyone to buy not only the cot, but the foam pad and pillow as well.

Unless you are more mechanically inclined than I am – and who isn't? - it will take you a few more minutes to put this cot together. But trust me – you will get faster. And, you are going to wake up the next day with a smile on your face.

The pillow is an interesting item: imagine a fabric bag, in which is placed some open-cell foam, along with a plastic bag that you inflate to the desired amount, with a straw. When I first looked at it, I thought: this isn't going to something I use at all. I could just see my head lolling from side to side, lying on that hard, inflated bag. But I was wrong! I followed the suggestions for how much air to put in it, laid down and put my head on it, and thought: this thing works! I like things that fold, compress, morph, you name it - and this cot and pillow go from being packed so small, into things that are both interesting and comfortable to use.

In the end, I suppose a large inflated rubber air mattress is still more comfortable - but not by much, and possibly not for everyone. Ir you are one of those whose bodies tend to be heavier i one spot than another, by a pretty good margin, then you'l tend to "sag down" in the airmattress in that spot, with the result that you body is now lying on a series of curves, and not supported evenly. With the UltraLite Cot, you can move the supporting bows around a bit, try the "twisted" pair in another spot, tweaking the bed so that it fits you - and that's what I've done. I love it!  And yes, toss in the inconvenience of hauling something like that big air mattress around, with a pump of some kind, along with the joys of waking up at 3 in the morning to find that you're now lying on the hard ground with a deflated bag under you, and I think you'll agree with me: the Ultralite Cot is well worth considering. 

Luxurylite UltraLite Cot

Pros: light, comfortable, packs very small, can hold a surprisingly heavy load
Cons: Not cheap, but a good night's sleep makes it seem like a bargain
Price:      Cot: $199
                Pad: $79
                Pillow: $39

For More Info: http://www.luxurylite.com

 

The annual Recumbent Bike Riders rally in State College, PA starts on June 13th.  I'll be there with my son Parker and a pair of trikes.  This rally is always a very good time.  Very low key and lots of time to chat it up with the other riders.  More info can be found here.