Built by: Utah Trikes [Ashley Guy]

Base Trike: Catrike Expedition

Drive Train: Schlumpf HSD; Rohloff Speed Drive; Samagaga Differential. Added–SON Dynamo [removed after Day 04--issues with the battery to be charged]

Miles ridden: 300

Related BROL Thread:

I find this cycle a joy to ride, although about half the speed I think reasonable. Of course, I take all the speed I can get. Following is my assessment after nearly 2 weeks of riding and 300 miles. The miles ridden may have been more without the mechanical problems experienced. Many have expressed the sorrow that I was not able to continue on the tour. Please do not be saddened. Ashley and I have valuable information. We’ll make adjustments and get back on the road. The destination may be slightly different, but a tour none-the-less. I’m excited to have a real model versus a virtual model to make changes on.

Systems:

Quadricycle:

• Base Trike: I find the Catrike Expedition more comfortable to ride over long distance that my CT700. OTOH, after 30 miles of riding, I was ready to call it a day.
• Braking: I’m not a heavy user of brakes. The Avid BB7 were more than adequate. As built, maintenance and adjustment is difficult. Fixing this is near the top of Ashley’s list.
• Cage: SOLID with some sway at speed and on rough roads. I want it narrower in the rear and lighter where possible. I’m not sure the top rails are needed. Overhead, I’m thinking only the solar panels
• Drive Train:

1. Except for the ride of Cadillac Mountain, I rode the quad as a 14 speed–not using the Schlumpf high range for the additional 14 gears. The terrain leant itself to just using the low range.
2. I think I’m a fast shifter [allowing for the way you shift with a Rohloff]. You do not ride rollers on a quad the same way I do on my Trek Project One, with my Campy Record Component Set. Momentum is easily lost. I noted that when I stopped pedaling the quad would roll to a stop and the roll backward. There seem to be something holding it back. This happened on slight down hills. I needed to continue to pedal for continuous motion. OTOH, it is quite a peppy machine–fun to ride in traffic.
3. This killed the tour [Mechanical #3]. For some reason the sides of cogs were being ribbed away. The differential cog suffered broken and worn teeth as dir the Rohloff clog have very worn teeth. Ashley will evaluate to determine why. There is no reason to speculate.

• Lexan: Too heavy. Ashley thinks the majority of our weight savings can come from here. Tinted 3 mil versus 6 mil Lexan for the next iteration. Provided good protection for a direct air. This felt good to me. No riding in the rain evaluation. It did rain at night. The seat remained dry.
• Lighting. For the next test, I’ll use a single tier of lighting [four 400 L DiNotte & my 1200 L Headlight]. I used it two nights on the tour and could have a 3rd night. I’ll do this to reduce weight.
• Shading: A velomobile gives better shading than this quad. The top solar panel worked well in that regard. I did not have sufficient shading for my arms and could have used more for my legs. I want to use fabric to the degree that we can. t seemed I could get more miles in before the day got hot than after. My focus was on the environment versus distance. Later in the day, it was distance–how far to go. I think the heat of the day zaps energy. Had I continued, I would have likely switched to night riding.
• Suspension: The rear-end is suspended using elastometers. Although I have ridden a suspended trike, I have not on a tour. I cannot make a direct comparison. Some of my rub was a result of the suspended wheels moving about. We also suspect some of the gear ware may be associated with that movement. As to comfort. I rode lots of rough road really fast–near 40 mph and has some bounce, but complete control. I like the feel and ride of this quad. Can it be improved–of course.
• Velomobile versus this quadricycle: There are beautiful velomobiles and probably near a similar price-point. The quad Fargo is a different machine. I like its space and utility. Again, it is fun to ride and meets my expectations. I want to read more about velomobiles touring across the country. They are certainly more aerodynamic.
• Ventilation: Near adequate from my perspective. My body was general cooled by a cross-flow of air. I enjoyed the comfort of the front shell. I was not miserable as some said I would be. I did feel the sun’s rays more than I wanted, however. We wanted tinted Lexan. It was not available to meet the dates for the tour. I also want to use a cloth screen beneath the Lexan. On 2 occasions, I had some condensation that interfered with my view of the road. I think just opening the side panels would have resolved that. In the future the side panels may be fabric.
• Visibility: No problems noted. Driver respecting my presence. I placed the flags from my trailer onto the quad. I’ll use my trailer lights at the top of the flag poles, unless I choose to save the weight–that is very possible.
• Weight: While heavier than we want, We have not determined the primary reason for the drive train issues. The next iteration will be lighter. With all the weight I had, I was able to move the system. I rode just over 30 miles on the first day and near 37 the second day–trailer and all, and that with a mechanical. I’d like to be able to ride a century with our creation. I have done so on my Catrike 700 and others have on a Catrike Expedition. Now, can that be done with 4 wheels rolling? We do not know. That is why we test. Again, you will see several weight modifications.
• Wheels [3 versus 4]: Some like 3 wheels, I like the benefits of 4 for straddling holes, debris, and other objects. I also ride a 3-wheeler. At this point, I am not opposed to 4 wheels. We have just ended Phase I of evaluation. Tires: I rode with Schwalbe Marathon Supremes–no flats or loss of air and I rode through lots of debris. I’ll ride with different tires [likely Schwalbe Kojaks] on my next outing.

Hydration – I removed the bottles from the Arkel Bags. A more vertical mounting is necessary. The use of a drink tube of fine.

Solar: Excellent. The sun kept my 18 Ah SLA battery charged. From it I charged AA & AAA batteries, operated my Garmin Edge Nuvi 760, my 4 Dinotte Lights, my horn, a case fan. I ran a separate system for the trailer lights & laptop. The laptop system also helped maintain my iPhone 3GS [an iPhone 4 will come that many replace SPOT and the Nuvi--I'll test to see what I like best]. The 2 main panels and the power & Solar Gorillas stay. I’ll try to build the supporting components into the base of the quad versus a Power Box. I will also test a smaller capacity battery.

Trailer: A custom built trailer, added to the system primarily to carry camping related gear and clothing. The tour changed on Day 01 and I accepted that Day 02. There was no longer a reason to haul the trailer. It was also heavy. It towed and tracked very well. I have no plans to tow a trailer in the future and want to remove the towing hitch to save weight.

Rider: I trained but not as much as I would have liked. On Day 01, I felt like I might cramp, but never did. I accept 30+ miles on the first day for the climbing and the load and a mechanical problem. I also had a 40+ mile day.

1. Clothing: Comfort clothing worked well.
2. Pedals & Shoes:  I also rode the complete tour with my Vibram 5-finger KSO Treks. Although I did it. I could have used riding shoes and clipless pedals. I will on the next outing. I think you have to have enough of a difference to compare from test to test.

I asked Ashley 2 things:

1. Can you build a sub 80 pound quad with cage and siding? I received this quad at 107 pounds?
2. Can a typical rider average 10+ mph over a metric century?

If the answer to both questions is yes, then I think we can tour. I do not plan to go out again until those goals are met. I will certainly scrub on my side. I look forward to the challenge and the excitement of working to achieve these. I think they are realistic. I want to ride 2 century+ to Richmond, Virginia and return as I did in 2006. I have to tell you as I rode the hills on Maine, I did think about an electric assist–maybe one day.

We welcome your ideas for product improvement and speed. My ultimate goal to the have this cycle as a viable option for commuting and touring.

Today, I start on my mods & tweaks.

Jim