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Welcome to Velo Vision magazine, covering specialised bikes, cycling as transport and human power. It's a quarterly dose of cycle inspiration.The current issue is Issue 16. The next issue is out early March 2005.
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Take on the 4x4s... with a 3x3!Russian trike-makers join forces to create an all-wheel-drive recumbent trike, and are set to start production later this year... A new all-wheel drive trike has just been announced: The new website and email address are for 'trikes.ru' - which is a joining of forces between designer Alexei Solojvov and Vladimir Shtrakin of established Moscow trike makers Berkut, plus new investment partner and HPV enthusiast Vladimir Pantyukhov. Note that this team is not associated with the other Russian trike company which folded a few years ago. The trike looks much improved since my machine. The steering uses proper centre-point geometry to eliminate torque steer. The seat mounting now uses a neat dovetail arrangement rather than the awkward clamps of before. The hydraulic drum brakes are much improved internally, but a disk brake version is also in the works. The trike.ru photo page shows the first prototype of the all-wheel drive machine. A second, 'production-ready' prototype is being finished now and will be shown shortly. This will incorporate further improvements including ball-bearing steering pivots for a lighter steering action and ventilation holes in the seat. Carrier rack and mudguards should also be shown shortly. The three-wheel drive system uses an extra chain to link up the back wheel, which is supported by a beefed-up swingarm. It should be particularly useful off-road and on poor or slippery surfaces. Series manufacture starts later this year. Emails to [email protected] are welcome with any comments, suggestions or questions. He will also be demonstrating the latest models at the Eco-Trip in Finland in a few week's time at the beginning of August. He hopes to be at other events too in due course. Any dealers or distributors interested in selling these trikes should also get in touch. Although as magazine publisher I should remain neutral when it comes to manufacturers I am happy to offer some support and encouragement to Alexei and the team, and to vouch for the fact that in almost a decade of correspondence he has always come across as a sincere HPV enthusiast and honest manufacturer. I do have a soft spot for these Russian trikes (I own one too) both for the engineering and also because it feels good to encourage international enterprise from a country otherwise largely outside the bicycling industry mainstream. This, and their completely different design approach, means I hope that other established manufacturers won't, I hope, too much begrudge me giving them a helping hand with this story. So if you're interested, check out the trike.ru website, and email them! Posted on 23 July 2004 Your comments ...
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