IZip Tricruiser (Bunbury's story)

[bunbury]

Bunbury is an IZip Tricruiser.
Needed to find an independent means of transport due to stopping driving and because of balance probs had to be a trike. There was a very limited choice - all I could find was this or a Powerabike. Basically only had the sales blurbs to base my choice. Info on different drive systems was also limited, but from what I could find at the time the Currie seemed the better spec.
Of course I only found Pedelecs after buying it and that may have been a wider choice !!
Anyway in at the deep end !!

It arrived last month (April) in partially built form and took about 4 hours to assemble. The instructions were excellent and 100% accurate. There was only 1 nut & bolt missing. However getting the front V brake set up was a pain, fiddling with spacers & washers - probably will replace it with a caliper.

It is a very substantial machine weighing in at about 100 lbs unladen.
Designed in the USA, but made in China.
The design is specifically for electrive drive which is mounted on the rear assembly driving via a chain to left half of the rear axle (Yes trikes have axles !!). So it was designed to be electric not put on as an after thought.

The manual which came with it does not cover the Tricruiser other than the V brake. The Currie documentation was also poor covering only the battery and charging.

Bunbury has 3 users, myself and 2 very active 80 year olds !!

To be continued.....

Tim

 

[bunbury]

Trike riding is very different ...

Riding a trike is very different from a bike. If you have never ridden either before it would be much easier to get the hang of things.
When first pushed it out kept forgetting there was a wheel behind you which kept catching your heel.
Started by pedalling and quickly discovered how heavy the Tricruiser is. Add 180 odd pounds to it would not be far short of 300. Add to that the drag from the motor makes quite a lump to move.
It is very willful in that it seems to want to go where it wants to - it will follow a downward slope or camber so you need to steer it very firmly, once you have the hang of that life becomes easier. Got a bit panicy at first and braked hard - feet down (as would do on a bike) - thump, ouch - the back wheels hit the feet. Soon realized that you don't need to put your feet down as it's not going to fall over !!
First use of the motor made me realize how quickly it takes off.
Soon realized that it is best to use the motor and then pedal only after you have mastered it that way.
The brake levers have a switch in them which will cut the motor if you brake with the controller open. The turning circle is quite large compared to a bike, you can't whip it round in a small space. I have found that if you ride it as if it is a car rather than thinking its a bike then it becomes much more easy.
First time on the road was scary, it propensity to follow the camber took a quite a bit of mastering, likewise going round sharp corners (I live off of a country lane which has some).
You have to remember that there are three wheels when avoiding potholes, illfitting manholes etc. So imagining that you using a car makes it easier to position yourself on the road. I soon realized a rear view mirror is essential.

Basically use the motor most of the time and it goes along pretty well - I don't think it makes the 18mph claimed (not at least with me aboard)
So far only been using for the shopping which is a 12 mile round trip and all the lights still on when got back. The return leg is uphill most of the way and it isn't slowed down too much until start climbing the Downs for the last mile.

 

[bunbury]

What's gone wrong (so far)

Second time picked up a nail which ripped tyre, which needed replacement.
Bunbury is 24" x 2" and I haven't been able to find that size - any suggestions ? Also not too happy with tread pattern on tyres supplied - lots a bumpy potholed road round here. Using 24" x 1.75" MTB for now.

The power switch on the battery box refused to turn off so had to unplug everytime. Anyway Moore Large (they handle IZip warranty) sent a replacement. All well till yesterday when done the same. I don't think it's man enough as rated at 5amps and there is more than that going through it. (5.5 at least if it is really a 200w motor). Anyway they are going to get in touch with Currie. Anyone else had a smilar problem ?

The rear hub has developed a cyclic grunge (not ticking). Not from freewheel but the coaster brake part. Investigating.

The only thing I don't like is the horrendous whine from the Currie. I suppose it the reduction gear. Is this normal, if so anything that can be done ?

 

[flecc]

Schwalbe's marathon Plus tyres are available in 24" x 1.75", and their protective inner layer nearly eliminates punctures:

Marathon Plus

Expensive though.

The Currie unit can be quite noisy, though they seem to vary with each sample. The fact that your trike one is driving quite a high load and wheel drag will increase the noise under load.