Here’s another pretty Co-Motion touring bike, the Americano. I love the new Toreador Red paint and Soft Yellow panels. The panels are an upgrade, as well as the classic trim package. The trim package includes the Brooks B17 saddle, Brooks leather bar-tape and a Co-Motion headbadge vs. decal. Once racks and fenders are mounted, this touring bike is made to haul. Americano’s feature 145mm rear drop-out spacing which allows the use of the tandem wheelset that is standard.
This bike will soon get packed and shipped to it’s new owner in Las Vegas.
Every once in a while I get to build up a customers bike that really impresses me. This Co-Motion is one! It starts as a Nor’Wester Tour frameset with canti-brakes, but uses the Ultegra 10 Speed Triple Road Group from the Nor’Wester (More road oriented with CF fork, and road group). I love the Lusty Red paint and Vanilla Shake panels. Paint scheme is identical to my own Co-Motion Americano touring/commuting bike. Plug in a set of touring wheels, racks and fenders and this bike is ready for cross country touring.
I love straight blade steel forks, and this one is a work of art.
Just seeing this new bike after building it is inspiration to dust off my Americano and ride again.
Finally have our first RANS Trizard shop demo ready and tested. My wife and I both had opportunity to test ride the prototypes at InterBike OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev last September. I was immediately impressed with the speed, high speed stability, resistance to tip, and comfort (Hoagie seat always impresses). The production model has taken a while to get out to dealers, but the wait was well worth it. It impresses me more every time I take it out.
Low slung delta style trike or long wheelbase lowracer trike? This baby is fast!
This rear shot gives a glimpse of the rear drive as well as the seat recline braces that allow a good range of adjustment. The single rear drive wheel works well in this laid-back configuration. What I would like to see is more gear inches at the top end as both a customer and I have been able to spin it out as it is. It seems effortless to accelerate this trike and climbing is no problem. Stopping is quick with the rear wheel Tektro mechanical disc brakes.
I’ve had opportunities to ride other delta style trikes, but this is the first one that has ever impressed me and to take another look at this configuration vs. the tadpole style (two wheels upfront) that I have preferred till now. The low seat height and long wheelbase makes the Trizard very stable keeping the inside wheel down in corners.
The Trizard spec weight is 39.8 lbs which is in the range of many tadpole and other lightweight delta trikes. Retail price is $2,600.00.
Come by and give this trike a test ride!
Rick
Is the world ready for a dual 700c high-racer? We say yes! Can’t say it will replace it’s 650c siblings or the other fine 650c high racers out there, but this one does fly! What is really cool is the fact that you can put your favorite 700c wheelset into it. While there are still some fine 650c wheelsets available, choices are far more limited. 700c tubeless wheels are out now. Well equipped as is, the standard steel framed bike weighs in at 24.5 lbs. Rider weight limit is rated to 260 lbs. Made in the USA and priced at $3,500.00
Rick
Ohm Cycles Sport XS700
Having seen the Ohm Cycles bike on bottom of cover “Bicycle Retailer and Industry News” (BRAIN), September 1st issue, I was intrigued to visit their website and try to learn more about their @BionX electric assist bikes. The Ohm bike frame was designed for comfort, lightweight and integration of their Li-ion large capacity battery pack. What I also learned was that Ohm Cycles had planned to have a booth at the Outdoor Demo at InterBike 2008 this past September.
My wife and I both managed to find our way to their booth on the first day of the demo. We got to see a lot of other electric assist bicycles, but none really intrigued me more than the Ohm Cycles bikes. I knew something about the BionX system and was pleased to see a really nice system integration of it with their bike frames and their battery pack. To go a step further I had to try out both an Urban model and the Sport XS700. The latter interested me more for my commute. You should know that my trip to the shop is about 12 miles, but over 1000 feet of climbing in a short 7 mile stretch. With the 350 Watt motor and peak of 700 Watts, it looked to be more than enough. I asked a lot of questions and considering where Ohm is located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada they not only have hills, but also plenty of rain. The bikes are very well tested in somewhat adverse conditions, but not all unusual for commuters that ride in the rain.
The XS700 easily made the uphill stretch back to the expo area in a very big gear. You still have to pedal to get the four selectable levels of assist or you don’t go anywhere. To conserve with the battery power you need to select a proper gear with appropriate level of assist that works for you. My test rides re-inforced my decision to sign on with Ohm Cycles.
I learned today that my first Sport XS700 bike with extended range battery shipped today from Canada and may get to my shop by this coming Friday or Monday. It’s supposed to be equipped with fenders, rear rack, and B&M lighting system making it ready for my first commute. I will write a follow-up after I have done several commutes. Of course it will be available at the shop for test rides.
Rick
