Posted to the trikes list on 27/11/2004

Folks, have you ever lusted after an ICE-Q but wished there was a less
wide version? Well, yesterday I took delivery of one of the first ICE-Q
NT (narrow track) trikes from Inspired Cycle Engineering. I collected
it from DTek in Cambridgeshire after trading-in my Streetmachine GT
recumbent, which had seen little use this wet year - heavy 2 wheel
recumbents are not ideal for wet roads in hilly Wales.
On arrival at DTek I was met by the ever-enthusiastic proprietor Kevin,
who was busy assembling the NT. I went for a ride on a rather nice used
Thorax Sinus trike while he was working, a beautifully finished, solid
trike that would suit someone who wanted a touring machine for flat
areas - it's probably too heavy for serious hill use but had linked
hydraulic drum brakes, dynamo lighting and a comfortable upright seat,
and was fitted with Conti TT2000's.
On my return the ICE-Q NT was pretty much ready. I took some photos to
compare it with a standard width Q he had in stock, and observed a few
other changes apart from the narrower width. First of all the tyres are
changed to Kenda Kwest 100psi, with a wider 1.5" version on the back
wheel. The front derailleur tube now has mounts for a water bottle
cage. The front chain rings are Truvativ instead of Shimano, but same
ratios as before.
I had requested mudguards (fenders) and the adjustable headrest, but
declined to have the optional side-mounted seat bag - I needed the
trike to stay narrow.
This morning I fitted the mudguards and headrest, a rear reflector and
spd pedals. I adjusted the width and angle of the handlebars, got out a
spirit level to get the alignment of the boom and chainset just right,
and made sure all the bolts were tight and then set off for a short
(about 7 miles) ride just to see how the thing ran.
First off a fast run downhill to the main road and a sharp right turn.
Immediately it's obvious that the Kendas are well suited to fast tarmac
riding. I lean into the turn in case the narrow track means that a
wheel will lift but probably didn't need to - the QNT is still
amazingly stable. The trike is quite light (lighter than my old
Streetmachine!) and picks up speed easily. After a few hundred metres I
turn left onto the infamous Lock Hill - this descends 40 metres in
about 200 metres. The track is about 2 metres wide and covered in wet
leaves so I have to feather the brakes as the front wheels try to lock
and slide. The QNT is fitted with drum brakes and throughout the ride
they performed as well as I needed. They are less grabby than the disks
I have on other bikes and in today's wet conditions were, if anything,
better. Disks are not on option on the 'budget' Q but after trying both
in wet conditions I think I'd honestly say I prefer the drums.
At the bottom of the hill I join the Neath Canal towpath. Here's the
first Sustrans (cycle-path construction charity) barrier of the day.
It's an inverted V shape designed to stop motorcycles, and the gap is
too narrow for a standard width ICE-Q. The NT slips through with an
inch clearance each side. Phew - that saves a lot of having to lift the
trike over barriers, and justifies holding-out for a narrow-track
version of the Q.
The ride to Neath is a bit of a bone shaker - the high pressure Kendas
are unforgiving on the crushed-stone surface, but manage to grip OK.
Unfortunately the vibration from the back tyre is transmitted via the
headrest to my neck - I decide that I'll take it off and re-fit it when
I use the QNT with the adjustable seat at full recline.
I arrive in Neath, join the main road and cross the river bridge so
that I can call at a local store to buy some retro-reflective red
triangles to stick on the back of the three mudguards, plus a water
bottle cage. I get given plenty of consideration by the car drivers and
the trike raises a cheer from the occupants of a school bus - always a
good sign.
For the return trip I retrace the route as far as Lock Hill but can't
climb - the wet slippery surface and gradient defeat the fat rear Kenda
which just spins on the crushed leaves, so I let the trike roll
backwards, using back-pressure on the pedals to control my speed, until
I can turn around and follow the tow path until it reaches an
alternative road up the hill to Tonna. The 34 tooth rear cassette gets
me up the hill without any problem (I said it was a light trike) and I
soon arrive home, a very happy triker indeed. Nothing shook loose, the
whole thing worked well first-time 'out of the box' and I cannot
recommend this trike highly enough for users who live in areas where
there are hills and plenty of rain. I'm looking forward now to getting
the lighting fitted so that I can get some winter miles under the belt
during the dark evenings. Initially I'd intended to fit my S6 dynamo
and B&M lights but it sees a shame to hold back such a lively machine
with a sidewall dynamo (I'll miss the SON hub system I had on the
Streetmachine) so I'll try out one of the new-generation high wattage
LED front lights instead. No problems with the lights dimming on slow
climbs or the generator slipping on a wet tyre side-wall.
I've put 4 photos up on this page of my home website:
http://www.ydolydd.eclipse.co.uk/ICEQNT.html

Cheers
Steve

ICE Notes:-

Bottle bosses are not included on the front mech post on the ICE range. They are standard on the Trice range, Steve got a front boom that slipped the net.

Steve's comments on Drum Brakes are enlightening and much as we find!

Steve was running the Kendas at 100psi, we recomend around 70psi and this makes quite a difference to the comfort - it's worth experimenting.