It's A Wrap!

Sincere thanks and gratitude to all who helped make the 1st Annual Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention such a heartwarming success. We'll have more posts in the coming days, but in the meantime, please visit our friends at BentRider Online, the Recumbent Journal, and Trike Asylum for their excellent coverage of the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention.

BentRider Online


Recumbent Journal


Trike Asylum

If you missed this year's event, now's the time to pencil in October 26, 27, & 28, 2012 for next years show.

Visit Easy Racers in Booth 1021

Easy Racers, the legacy name in the world of recumbent bicycles, will be exhibiting in Booth #1021 during the inaugural run of the Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention. The Easy Racers line of long-wheelbase recumbents, designed by legendary designer Gardner Martin, set the standard for comfort, handling and performance. Over the years, many bicycle speed records have been captured by rider aboard Easy Racer streamliners, including 'Fast' Freddy Markham, who became the first person to exceed 50 mph on a bicycle, 60 mph on a bicycle, and won the DuPont Prize for exceeding 65 mph on a bicycle in 1986. The record-setting Gold Rush that he rode is now on display in the Smithsonian.

2012 Optimas To Debut at Recumbent Cycle-Con

Two brand new 2012 Optima models being debuted at the 2012 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention. These bikes have been fast tracked especially for the show and were literally painted only just last week. Optima will have 4 bikes at the show; 2 Oryx bikes, their everyday recumbents in a 20/26 version and as a Dual 26, plus the new Falcons, their big touring/trekking bikes also available as 20/26 or Dual 26. All feature rear suspension, reinforced 7005 T6 Alloy frames and come with racks and mudguards as standard equipment. See more at: Optima online.

2012 Optima Falcon 

2012 Optima Oryx

IT'S GETTING CLOSE!

Opening day is just over a week away! Have you completed your plans to attend the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention? Industry Days are October 21 & 21. Sunday, October 23, will be the day that recumbent enthusiasts and consumers will get the chance to see the newest, neatest, bikes, trikes and accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers. Register NOW so you don’t miss a minute of the excitement. Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. all three days.

It's Freeway Close!

Take the Fairplex Offramp from Interstate 10 in Pomona to Gate 1 at the Fairplex.

Don't Miss This Booth!

ATOC INC., maker of DRAFTMASTER & TOPPER RACKS – Your Specialty Rack Specialist.

Did you miss ATOC at Interbike this year? They’ll be at the Recumbent Cycle-Con instead! Visit Atoc at the RC-C and find out how the best specialty racks in the business can help you and your customers. You'll find ATOC's display of Draftmaster and Topper Racks in Booth 1007-1008, where you can also get your questions about these quality products answered by  ATOC's factory reps.

ATOC's cycle transport systems are designed by a rocket scientist, and manufactured to exacting standards in Atoc's own facility in Lynnwood WA, USA. ATOC cycle transport systems have been called the best available, featuring innovation, quality, and ease of use. Because your bikes and trikes deserve as good a ride as you do.

Greenspeed Set to Debut All-New Magnum Trike, Anura Quad in Booths 1026 & 1027 At RC-C

Greenspeed's new aluminum-framed Magnum recumbent trike will have its world debut during the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con, and the Australian company will also introduce a Quad version of the popular Anura during the show. 

Greenspeed trikes have provided recumbent retailers with solid sales for many years, yet many dealers had asked for 20" wheels, with a higher-and adjustable-seat, to allow easy entry and exit.   

 

Working on the Greenspeed principal that three things are normally required for a proper fix, the front wheels were cambered to give extra stability without extra width, the cross member was "Ved" back to bring the seat closer to the standing rider's legs, and finally the seat was made adjustable for height as well as recline. Thus if a rider lost weight through riding the trike, they would then be able to lower the seat, and gain the benefits of a lower center of gravity. Plus cambering the front wheels, using a stronger rim section, and increasing the spoke count, enabled the use of 20" wheels without compromising the strength.

The Greenspeed Anura delta trike was designed for able bodied people. However because the machine is so easy to mount and dismount, many disabled riders have found it to be the answer to their prayers, and have found themselves riding again. The Anura is now available with a FOUR wheeled option: the Anura Quad. It will also be making its debut at the Recumbent Cycle Con.

Visit Booth #1026 & 1027 to see both new machines at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention.

Be sure to visit the RC-C website regularly for all the up-to-date info on exhibitors and events: Recumbent Cycle-Con 

Evolve Trikes - New Foldable Trikes

Evolve IP will announce a small revolution in the folding of trikes at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con: a trike that can fold to about half size in under 6 seconds, and can fold one-piece into a smart car in under 13 seconds! It can fit an oversize suitcase/duffle bag in about 18 seconds with just the rear wheel removed, or fit in a standard 62in/158cm suitcase separated in about 15 minutes.

  

Evolve’s mechanisms create trikes that have convenient and compact one-piece folded forms that allow quick folding, easy fit even in a smart car, easy wheeling through narrow access ways and easy storage in a footprint little more than a person standing. They make mixed mode commuting easy.

This advance opens the trike market to cyclists too distant to ride to bike paths, to condo/apartment dwellers, and the important mid-urban areas where travel distances are reasonable but car trunks and storage spaces are small. Even stairs are no longer a barrier.

See Evolve’s folding trikes at Booth #1010 at Recumbent Cycle-Con, Pomona, CA, Oct 21-23, 2011

Visit their website to see more details: evolvetrikes.com

Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 On Display

Cycle Monkey's Neil Flock, Rohloff's U.S. Distributor & Service Partner, will be on hand in Booth #1003 during the run of the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention, sharing his Speedhub expertise and wheel-building insights with recumbent manufacturers, dealers and enthusiasts. Rohloff's innovative Speedhub 500/14 is gaining the attention of the recumbent industry and enthusiasts, who are attracted to its durable, self-containing gearing system. Neil will have all the information needed for recumbent manufacturers, dealers, and enthusiasts interested in ordering a Rohloff hub with their new bike, as well as recumbent enthusiasts who would like to upgrade their current bike.

New HP Velotechnik to Debut At RC-C

The new Gekko recumbent trike from Germany's HP Velotechnik will make its debut to the U.S. public at the upcoming Recumbent Cycle-Con. Boasting the same quality and features of the folding Gekko fx, the Gekko is as portable as the 'fx' by virtue of a slip-fit connector on the frame, rather than the 'fx's' hinge system. The result is a trike that is just as compact when folded, it simply takes bit longer to convert. A weight savings—and a lower price—will make this new HP Velotechnik Gekko model attractive to enthusiasts looking for the folding features found in the Gekko fx, but have a little more time on their hands (60 seconds) to split and stow the new Gekko's frame.
   Joining the Gekko will be a Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14-equipped HP Velotechnik Street Machine Gte. See both machines in Booth #1005.

New ICE trikes preview at the Recumbent Cycle-Con

UK-based Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE) is proud to announce that it will be previewing the 2012 range of recumbent trikes at the Recumbent Cycle-Con this autumn. 

ICE has over 25 years of experience in the design, engineering and construction of recumbent trikes, with a pioneering approach to product development and exacting technical standards that gives their customers the ultimate recumbent-riding experience.

ICE offer three main models of trike, with an excellent range of upgrade options to suit all requirements: the Adventure is ideal for exploring local trails or loading up for longer adventures, the Sprint provides the optimal fusion of sporting performance and long-distance comfort, and the definitive speed-machine, the Vortex.

The design, engineering and test teams at ICE have been extra busy this year developing revisions and upgrades for the Adventure, Sprint and Vortex that will open the market to new customers and meet the requirements of the most discerning rider.

Come and talk to MD Neil Selwood on booths 1017 & 1018, view the new models and find out more about the exciting developments within the ICE range.

RANS Designs Joins List of Major RC-C Exhibitors

RANS Designs, a long-time recumbent industry leader and innovator, will occupy booth #1006 at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con. The Hays, Kansas-based manufacturer produces over a dozen models of recumbents, including short-wheelbase, long-wheelbase, tandem, and trike configurations. The company has also been on the leading edge of crank-forward bicycle design for several years.

Visit the RC-C website regularly for all the up-to-date info on exhibitors and events: Recumbent Cycle-Con  

Adaptive Cycling Roundtable Update

The Adaptive Cycling Roundtable will address the needs of adaptive and alternative cyclists and is intended to be an informational brainstorming session bringing together dealers, consumers and leaders of the alternative cycling community. The roundtable will begin at 9:30 Sunday morning.

Coordinated by BuddyBilke’s Director of Marketing & Business Development, the roundtable discussion will be moderated by Robert Matter, Board Member of Assisted Cycling Tours. The roundtable panel’s participants will include J. Joseph Copeland, Executive Director of National AMBUCS/AmTryke, Matt Hampton, Executive Director of Lose the Training Wheels, Pamela Patterson of the I.C.A.N. Foundation, and Denise Lanier, recumbent trike cyclist, advocate and author.

Interested RC-C attendees are invited to visit the Adaptive Cycling Booth (Booth #1013) for socializing and to get more information about adaptive cycles and cycling. Directions to the Adaptive Cycling Roundtable will also be available at the booth.

Nominees for 2011 Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award Are Being Accepted

Recumbent manufacturers exhibiting at the 2011 RC-C event are participating in the 2011 Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award by nominating their top ten dealers for consideration. Several of the participating manufacturers have already provided the names of their top dealers, which are listed in alphabetical order in the right-hand column of this site.  (The dealers nominated as of 8/8/11 are listed.)

While the names of the manufacturers making nominations will remain confidential, it is important to recognize those dealers who have been nominated so far, and we will continue to update the list as more nominees are submitted.

This annual award, sponsored by Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine, is to help reinforce the ideal that exemplary recumbent dealers are vital to the success of recumbent manufacturers, and key to the recumbent industry as a whole.

The beautiful acrylic & Rosewood award will be presented to the winning dealer or representative on Saturday, October 22. 

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary Year, TerraTrike Is set to Exhibit at Recumbent Cycle-Con

TerraTrike, the Kentwood, Michigan-based manufacturer of recumbent trikes, is celebrating its 15th year in the recumbent cycle business, and will be exhibiting some of the company's eleven tadpole trike models at the 2011 RC-C.

In celebration of the company's 15th year celebration, they have promised to release 15 new products this year. Will they have a new and exciting model to be introduced for the first time to the industry at RC-C? You'll just have to attend to find out! TerraTrike will be in Booth #1020. 

In addition to participating as an exhibitor, TerraTrike's Jeff Yonker will be on the panel scheduled to discuss the formation of a Recumbent Industry Association. 

Exclusive Debut at RC-C: The Ultimate Tandem to be unveiled October 21, 2011

Just when you think you've already seen every clever recumbent configuration under the sun,  along comes the "Ultimate Tandem" which will make its debut at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con. This unique tandem features a recumbent captain's position, and a crank-forward stoker's position which allows the stoker to have an unobstructed view of the road ahead. A hinge and latch system allows the tandem to be easily folded for easy transport on a standard bike rack. The Mesa, Arizona-based company will have bikes on display and in the Demo Riding Arena during all three days of the convention.

RC-C Exhibitor Highlight: Hollywood Racks

Hollywood Racks, a major manufacturer of bicycle racks for cars and trucks since 1973, will be a major exhibitor at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con. The company will be displaying and demonstrating their innovative hitch racks for Recumbent Bikes and for Recumbent Trikes.

Their adjustable Sport Rider Recumbent Hitch Rack can carry two recumbent bikes with up to 74" wheelbases, and can be used with either 1-1/4" or 2" hitch receivers.

Their Sport Rider Trike Adaptor is adjustable and can be configured to carry a trike with up to 72" wheelbase with the long wheelbase kit.

Representatives from Hollywood Racks will be on hand to demonstrate the racks and answer any technical questions from dealers and enthusiasts. Look for their booth in the Outdoor Demo Ride Area.

2011 Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award

News from Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine

June 27, 2011

The first ever Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award will be presented to the winning recumbent retail dealer during the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con. It's another exciting facet of the show, helping to reinforce the ideal that exemplary recumbent dealers are important to the success of recumbent manufacturers, and key to the recumbent industry as a whole.

The 2011 Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award

The 2011 Recumbent Dealer of the Year Award is sponsored by Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine, and this beautiful award will be presented to the winning shop on Saturday, October 22, during the show. 

This beautiful acrylic/Rosewook award is certain to be displayed proudly and prominently in the winning dealer's shop for many years to come.

Each of the recumbent manufacturers exhibiting at RC-C will be providing a confidential list of their top ten dealers - based on criteria such as best customer service, most units sold, highest dollar volume, etc. Once all the  nominations have been received, we'll add everything up, do the math and determine the winner.

If you are a dealer with any questions about the award or aspect of the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Convention & Trade Show, please feel free to give our Steve Anderson, our Dealer Services Coordinator a call toll-free at 1-855-727-6050.

AMBUCS/Amtryke Exhibiting at RC-C

National AMBUCS™, Inc. the non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities, has joined the list of exhibitors at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con Trade Show & Convention. There are over 125 chapters in 25 states, providing AmTryke therapeutic trikes to individuals who are unable to operate a traditional bike. A sampling of the AmTryke trikes will be on display in booth #1029. Visit their web site at: www.ambucs.org/

Retailer ‘Scholarship’ To Be Awarded At Recumbent Cycle-Con

Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine, producer of the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con, announces a $350.00 'Dealer Scholarship' opportunity for any dealer or dealer employee attending RC-C. To be eligible, registration for RC-C must be completed by September 1, 2011, and the winner must attend at least one of the show's Trade Days, October 21 or October 22. A drawing on the afternoon of October 22 will determine the winner.

     Registration for dealers or dealer employees is free until September 1. The cost will be $20.00 after that. Registered dealers and employees have access to all manufacturers' booths and displays, the demo riding area, and all seminars and presentations. Click HERE for the Retailer Information and Registration Page.

Industry Expert Jay Townley to Highlight RC-C 2011: Recumbents Coming of Age!Bike Shops Are Turning To Recumbents To Hold On To Their Core Customers.

  Industry Expert Jay Townley to Highlight  RC-C 2011: Recumbents Coming of Age!

Bike Shops Are Turning To Recumbents To Hold On To Their Core Customers. 

In the second decade of the new millennium, the bike shop channel of trade is starting to turn to recumbents to hold on to its core consumer market...aging baby boomer cycling enthusiasts. Traditional bike shop managers, as well as the growing number of recumbent-specialty shop operators, will benefit greatly from Jay's research-based insights and years of experience. Jay's 'Recumbents Coming Of Age' seminar will be the highlight event for many dealers attending RC-C, and will be presented only on Saturday, October 22.

Jay Townley has spent 53 years in the bicycle industry. He started as an employee in a bike shop in 1957, worked for the Schwinn Bicycle Company for 24 years as Sales Promotion Manager, Director of Product Safety and Governmental Affairs, Assistant to the President, Vice President Marketing, and Vice President Purchasing. 

Townley owned and operated Venture Out Unlimited, a bicycle touring company, and served as President of Giant Bicycle Inc., as President and a Director of Browning Bicycle Component, LLC, and as Executive Director of The Bicycle Council a (non-profit) bicycle industry marketing association. 

A long time advocate for and promoter of recumbents to specialty bicycle retailers, Townley rides a Ryan Vanguard, and has been advising bike shop owners for over a decade to promote recumbents as a strategy for holding on to adult enthusiasts as customers by helping them maintain their bicycling lifestyle as they grow older.

Currently Townley is a partner and co-founder of VendorLink-Cycling, a supply chain management service that focuses on improving specialty bicycle retailer and supplier collaboration and inventory profitability.  He is also a partner in The Gluskin Townley Group, LLC, a market research and specialty retail consultancy. 

Townley contributes articles to the National Bicycle Dealers Association newsletter, the Outdoor Industry Association web-news and Bicycle Dealer Magazine.  He is a frequent speaker at both Bicycle Industry and Outdoor Industry trade shows and special events.

Meet the Author: FREE ON THREE, The Wild World of Human Powered Recumbent Tadpole Trike

Steve Green, naturalist, author, and noted recumbent trike adventurer, will be attending RC-C for a “Meet The Author” session on Sunday, October 23. Steve’s two books, Exploring Wild Death Valley, and Death Valley Book Of Knowledge, are highly regarded guides to one of the world’s most exotic desert areas. His newest book, FREE on THREE, The Wild World of Human Powered Recumbent Tadpole TriCycles will be of great interest to all recumbent trike enthusiasts. Steve will be on hand to discuss his newest book, and his cross-country expeditions aboard his ICE QNT trike.

Schlumpf To Feature Drive Technology

Vilters, Switzerland-based Schlumpf Innovations will be featuring the innovative Speed Drive, High Speed Drive, and Mountain Drive technology at the 2011 Recumbent Cycle-Con. Schlupf's ingenious drives can be retrofitted to most current recumbent bicycles and recumbent trikes with standard bottom brackets. Installation of the popular Speed Drives allow two drive ratios from the front cranks; 1:1 or 1.65:1 for the Speed Drive, 1:1 or 2.5:1 for the High Speed Drive, and 1:1 or 2.5 down with the Mountain Drive. A variety of crank-arm lengths are available, as well as a large selection of chainrings. A belt drive version is also available. The Schlumpf drive systems can be fitted to recumbent tandem trikes, as well as conventional upright tandems. The Speed Drives can be used in conjunction with derailleur-equipped bikes, as well as bike equipped with other rear drive components such as the Rohloff Speedhub.