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Hase launch off-road Kettwiesel and LWB recumbent
There's also a Rohloff option on both...
German recumbent makers Hase Bikes have launched two new models at recent trade shows. The Kettwiesel 'Ride' is an off-road version of their popular trike, with fat tyres and a striking green paintjob:
But the main change is in the transmission. Whereas before the Kettwiesel only had one driven wheel, this uses a differential to drive both rear wheels:
The single driven wheel on the old version wasn't ideal for traction, especially off-road, and on steep uphills could have a tendency to 'skip' the lightly-loaded front wheel sideways. The new trsnmission should be much better-behaved. Weight is quoted as around 20kg.
As well as the derailleur version shown in the pic, a Rohloff hub-gear equipped model will also be available apparently, using the hub-gear as a mid-drive.
Finally, they've also launched a two-wheeled, LWB recumbent:
The Tagun has suspension adjustable for ride height. It also folds: remove the front wheel, slide in the boom (I think), and swingarm and seat fold under and over respectively to make a fairly compact package. Weight is 19kg, and again a Rohloff option is available.
Both new models will be available in 2005 via Hase dealers worldwide.
Posted on 16 September 2004
Your comments ...| From: MikeB ([email protected]) on 19 September 2004 |
| The adjustable twin chain rollers (like on the kett) shows that it will be the quick adjust for length that the Kett has. You move the rollers apart or closer to make up for the chain difference as the bike gets longer or shorter. |
| From: Antony (at pedalcars dot info) on 20 September 2004 |
ATP, sadly-defunct makers of the Vision, had a very neat way of doing this (unfortunately they didn't think of it until after they made mine!).
The rearward of the two rollers was attached on a spur from the front section of the boom, so as you moved the bottom bracket forward and back, the roller matched it and the chain tension therefore (almost) always remained the same - so once you'd got it correct, it didn't matter how many times you altered the bike length. Very clever.
http://www.icehouse.net/jim_d/gifs/03r50.jpg
The picture shows the boom pretty much fully extended, so the chain doesn't double back and the tension will vary at this extent.
Does anyone else use such a neat solution? |
| From: Wobbly John ([email protected]) on 23 September 2004 |
| ICE have a system on their demo Trice (triceses? or whatever the plural is). It's not clear on the website if this is normal, an option or is a 'special'. |
| From: Ben - Kinetics ([email protected]) on 23 September 2004 |
| I build something similar for my demo recumbents... |
| From: Simon Kellett ([email protected]) on 24 September 2004 |
> Does anyone else use such a neat solution?
Does not the Kett system work like this (I have not seen one close up, and this is the best pic I can find.
http://home.arcor.de/martindkf/themen/Verkauf-Kettwiesel-gross.jpg |
| From: Ben - Kinetics ([email protected]) on 25 September 2004 |
| Yes - the Kettwiesel system has the lower pulley attached to the rear frame, and the upper one attached to the boom, thorugh the clamping slot under the frame. It's certainly the neatest way I've seen it done - but they don't use it on the Ride or TT for reasons of weight I think... |
| From: Yo Rollenbeck ([email protected]) on 28 September 2004 |
the Systems works like described by Ben ( thanks ).
We actually did this before Vision... but it isnice if more bents are more adjustable.
The Kettwiesel tt is without for weight reasons ( but you can have it if you ask nicely).
The Kettwiesel Ride is a bit different as the track of the wheels needs to be adjusted the rider size has to be known when we build it so we can make the angles of the tilted rear wheels right, so there is less length adjusting space then for the normal Kettwiesel.
Nice thing on the ride is you can do wheelies, really impressive in front of girls...at least i like to think so |
| From: Wijnandt ([email protected]) on 07 December 2004 |
| As a happy Kettwiesel owner I made myself more happy still by removing those intermediate rollers and of course shortening the chain somewhat. In combination with eliminating an odd maufacturing error in the chain tube fastener near the cogwheel, and adding a sliding support for the end of the chain tube under the mesh seat, my Kettwiesel is now much faster and much more responsive. The chain drive has now minimal loss. |
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