Transports of Delight

I have just come back from a short (22 miles) ride around Lockerbie. This brought the 250 mile mark up on my new acquisition a QNT from Inspired Cycle Engineering Ltd. I sold my ICE."T" at the beginning of Spring when I had completed nearly 4000 miles in a little short of twelve months. I had begun to realise that as my three wheeled experience increased so had my doubts about my original choice of machine. The "T" was a fantastic introduction to the recumbent world and I had enjoyed every mile (well, nearly every mile!) I had ridden it but I was carrying around too much weight what with full mudguards, side bag, panniers, two bottles, tools, computer, rear light etc. etc. A change in my circumstances suggested that the touring I had envisaged at the time of purchase would not now happen and that longer day rides would be the norm in future. I tried taking off all the surplus equipment but somehow the 'trike just didn't look right in naked form.

So I wanted something sportier (but not too sporty you understand) and lighter but I didn't want to sacrifice comfort. I really could not decide what to do. By chance Kevin at Dtek had an advertisement in Velovision wishing to buy used recumbent 'trikes and we struck a deal. My idea was that I would spend a few weeks investigating what was available to suit my new thinking. The "few weeks " turned into the whole summer during which I had become a little side tracked by other matters.

On July 27 2006 I took delivery of a new QNT courtesy of those nice folk at I.C.E and the obliging Kevin at Dtek. The build up took quite a bit longer than that of the "T" quite simply because there was more to do but it was all straightforward. I took my time over it savouring the very enjoyable experience. It was a couple of days or so later when the weather allowed me out for the first time and during the subsequent 3 weeks I have logged 265 miles or so. So how does it go:

In the form in which you see it in the picture it is 7 or 8 lbs lighter than the guise in which I rode it's predecessor. The usual ICE quality is there, indeed the detailing is even better than before. I bought the QR package just to get hold of the skewers for the front wheels. In the garage by using 2 axle stands to support the front end I can now service the machine like a Formula 1 car and I don't have to struggle, or lay the 'trike on it's side, to mend a puncture. By the by, one of those same axles stands placed under the swinging arm pivot is ideal for elevating the rear wheel to enable the gear train ( I'm even writing like a car mechanic now!) to be maintained.

I find the lower seat height and more relaxed seat angle very much to my taste now but getting into the cockpit (here we go again with the automotive analogy) is a tad more difficult, as you might expect. The pedalling angle seems a little more helpful if anything

The Radical bags are a brilliant innovation but be warned they are very far from waterproof. plastic bags for spare clothing, sandwiches and the like are definitely the order of the day. The rear suspension adds a new level of refinement and comfort to what was already a very comfortable machine and as if that was not enough it means the whole thing can be folded for more convenient transportation. Just brilliant.

The narrower track combined with the lower seat height means that stability through fast corners is at least as good as the "T" and probably better.

The whole transmission package is very much as before, save for the improved cable line to the front changer, and cannot really be criticised.

Inspired Cycle Engineering are to be congratulated for improving on an already super product. That they can market it at a price no greater than and in most cases far less than most of their competition is amazing. Well done you guys.

Usual disclaimer regarding no connection between the writer and I.C.E other than that of a satisfied customer.