Sunday, January 17, 2010

ICE FRONT ROAD RESPONSE SUSPENSION (R.R.S)

From ICE:



One of the key features of the new ICE trikes is the availability of the new ICE front Road Response Suspension (R.R.S) which provides a smooth ride combined with dynamic and precise handling.



Key Features
The heat treated 6061 T6 aircraft grade aluminium suspension units deliver 40mm (1.57") suspension travel for a smooth ride and controlled handling.


ICE double leading link geometry eliminates bump steer and dramatically reduces brake dive.

Fully adjustable - a selection of spring units for the front suspension, so the suspension performance can be optimised to rider size and riding style.


Dynamic and precise handling - Here at ICE we love riding trikes which are sharp and poised with controlled and dynamic handling. One of our concerns when developing front suspension was to avoid producing a trike with mushy or vague handling. To avoid this scenario, we tested different suspension systems experimenting with differing levels of suspension travel. We found that while longer travel systems performed well in mountain biking situations they did not give precise on road handling without requiring heavy and expensive anti-roll bars. At this point we decided to focus our suspension towards road, track, and trail use, in keeping with the character of our trikes. This enabled us to set the maximum travel at 40mm (1.57") giving comfort, precise handling and light weight.


Developed using the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technology. In addition to this, our test rigs have simulated over 100,000 full load cycles to ensure the suspension is up to rigourous use, many riders won't go this far.... but it's nice to know.

New 2010 ICE Lineup

The much anticipated ICE lineup for the 2010 models is coming soon. We are expecting to get the first shipment in the middle of February.

ICE has made many changes across the board. We are getting all of the new models loaded into our system this week. Some of the main changes are new foldability, front suspension option, and new standard width (replacing the old NT and Standard Track).

Many configurations will be possible for each series, so there is now a much broader price range.

The T is being replaced by the Adventure series trikes. The Q is being replaced by the Sprint series. Pricing for the different ICE Adventure and Sprint configurations is $2499-3925.


A new high-performance Vortex trike with a $3299-3899 price range is available as the ultimate ICE speed machine.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

TerraCycle Acquires Windwrap

TerraCycle and Mueller Human Power, two leading companies in the design and manufacture of accessories for recumbent bicycles, have announced that TerraCycle has acquired Windwrap Fairings from Mueller Human Power and will expand its successful line of fairings and fairing mounts.


"I've always had an interested in practical human power", said Mueller Human Power founder Mark Mueller. "I started Mueller Human Power back in '98, after experimenting with fairings and aerodynamics and becoming convinced fairings offered big improvements in speed and comfort" said Mueller. "Since then, we've come to produce a really wide range of fairings and fairing mounts which are sold around the world."

"We've grown a lot over the years, and the demands of the business require increasing time and resources," said Mueller, who is also a transportation engineer for CalTrans. "I am proud that Windwrap fairings are in use around the world. Now its time someone who can make these an even better product to take things from here. We've been working with TerraCycle for years and believe they will be a great company for this."

"We're looking forward to this", said TerraCycle president Pat Franz, "because fairings are a fun challenge, and Mueller Human Power's Windwrap products are a natural complement to TerraCycle's idlers, racks, accessory mounts and stems. Mark and Carl at Mueller Human Power have developed a really great system of fairings, mounts, and production methods, and we're excited about all the things we can now do."

"Both companies make high quality products that meet the unique needs of recumbent riders," Franz explained, "Both companies have a strong history of listening to customer needs, and of developing products over miles and miles of real world riding."

"We plan to expand the Windwrap fairing line and keep working on improvements to performance and fit. With our in house CNC capabilities, we are looking at several upgrades right away", says Franz.