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Issue 26 preview


It's out now in both print and digital editions. Here's a first look at the cover and contents...

Another cracking issue I feel - including as ever some absolutely sterling contributions from readers and volunteer reviewers...

Issue 26 cover

CONTENTS

4 News
Swivelheads approaching, a Sturmey fixed, a suitcase folder, artbikes and more…

8 More 'e' Vicar?
Electric bike mega-test as our reviewers in flat Cambridge and hilly Sheffield test three top electric bikes:
- Sparta Ion
- Ezee Forte
- Airnimal Joey Move

17 Pedalling for President
John Dowlin explores a new biography of pioneering lady cyclist and activist Belva Lockwood

18 Kings of the road
There's a cycle courier company with a difference in Cambridge, as Rob and Peter King explain

20 Veloveurs of Lyon
There are 3000 free bikes in this French city - Simon Boddy gives us a resident's view of how it working.

22 The mighty Mini
We review the AZUB Mini short-wheelbase recumbent. Could it be as much a design classic as its namesake?

26 The purrfect trike?
At under £1000 in the UK, the Catrike trail could entice many with its affordability. But how does it ride? We find out.

30 Short reviews
The Sportscrafter Mini Rollers for recumbents and Weber's ingenious mLite flagpole LED

32 Reader's Bikes
Inventions, experiences and updates from readers:
32 The Big Ride: Andrew Walters explains why 36" is the way to go
34 Magic Carpet Ride: Michael Eland reports on the Stokemonkey/Xtracycle power-assisted transport system
38 Handcycle evolution: Andrew Chamings updates us on the Draft handcycle - just back from the Alps
39 The cycle chariot: Jez Wilkinson brings along his off-road cycle sidecar for us to try
40 Bounce on a budget: Stephen McCluney reports on the PB-933 suspended recumbent

42 SPEZI 2007
Full report from the special bikes trade show in Germany, including news of the new ICE bikes, the revolutionary Bike Friday Tikit and much more

50 Letters
Reader responses from cycling coins to rideable roundabouts

55 Subscribe to Velo Vision
How to order, back issue contents and details of our distributors worldwide

56 Advertisements
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Posted on 28 June 2007
 
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Your comments ...


  • From: Steven De Staercke (mavovo@bassment?be) on 13 June 2007
    • Can't wait to read the new VeloVision....


  • From: Lynette Boone (boone5807@comcast.net) on 18 June 2007
    • I was wondering if you are planning to review the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fx folding trike in the near future?

    Thanks!


  • From: Peter Eland (peter@velovision) on 18 June 2007
    • Not immediately - we reviewed the non-folding version in Issue 22, and the Greenspeed GT3 with similar folding action in Issue 13. I'll get the 'previous issues' section of the website a bit more up to date shortly by the way.


  • From: Mike Croker (mdcroker@which.net) on 19 June 2007
    • VeloVision really should carry a 'this magazine will stop you working until you have read it all' warning :)
    Just one teansie technical comment on the Azub Mini review: you say that "The tension side of the chain runs directly from chainring to cassette, avoiding the need for a chain pulley." So what's the round thingy mounted coaxially with the rear suspension pivot?


  • From: Peter Eland (peter@velovision) on 19 June 2007
    • Er... um... looks like a chain pulley :-(

    Sorry about that - must have been rather low on coffee when I wrote that bit!


  • From: Ian - Trikes & Stuff (ian@trikesandstuff.co.uk) on 25 June 2007
    • Well if we are going after Peter, the Catrike Trail tested has a standard boom not an xl boom, to say I am pleased by the test would be an understatement by the way, I know Peter will speak his mind on any product so I am glad that my belief in the Catrike range has been so well mirrored by this test in what is undoubtably the "de-facto" journal for recumbent riders.


  • From: Alan Braggins (armb@chiark.greenend.org.uk) on 25 June 2007
    • I met the Kings on Friday (Peter offered me a test ride of an 8-Freight a while back and reading the profile kicked me into taking them up on it).
    They are really nice guys.


  • From: Mike Croker (mdcroker@which.net) on 16 August 2007
    • 1) Azub Mini chain pulley: having just re-read the mag again (I hate having 'bad back' days...) I see that the pulley is 'rather nice', in that it can float laterally, thus minimising the chain angle onto the rear cogs (unlike HPVelotechnik, for example, who use a fixed pulley).
    2) Weber mLight: in a similar vein, I use a Smart 0.5W rear light (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=16534)
    mounted, via a bit of rubber tubing (http://194.168.97.8/~di_mike.croker/TriceS/smartonpole.jpg), on the top half of the flagpole that came with my Trice 'S' (never use the bottom half). At 50g + bracket, for a cost of less than £10, for something that is as bright as a Cateye TL-LD1000, I can highly recommend it (uses 2 x AAA batteries). I should add that some reviewers have complained about water leaking into the light and causing malfunctions - personally I try not to ride in downpours ;)


  • From: andy (andspencer@hotmail.com) on 28 September 2007
    • What bike is that on the cover of the June 2007 issue?


  • From: Peter Eland (peter@eland.org.uk) on 28 September 2007
    • It's called the Monval Excel, and should be in production soon. No website yet. Full details in the mag. If you're new to VV then you could order a (cheap) sample copy and I'll make sure it's a VV26 - ideally add a note to remind me when you go to the online shop checkout (or ring me, etc - see links in blue column above left). Cheers Peter

     


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