Ice Sprint, Adventure, Vortex, 2011 Sprint, 2011 Adventure Owner's Manual

2011

OWNER’S MANUAL

SPRINT
ADVENTURE
VORTEX

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1.0 Introduction. .............................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 3

1.2 Adjusting and Closing Quick-releases .................................................................................. 4

2.0 Adjusting your ICE trike ............................................................................................................. 4

2.1 Tyre pressure ......................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Folding and Unfolding. .......................................................................................................... 4

2.2a Suspension adjustment ....................................................................................................... 7

2.2b Front suspension adjustment ............................................................................................. 7

2.3a Mesh seat cover ................................................................................................................ 11

2.3b Fitting the hard-shell seat to you ...................................................................................... 11

2.3c Seat angle adjustment....................................................................................................... 11

2.4 Leg length ............................................................................................................................ 11

2.5 Seat brackets ...................................................................................................................... 11

3.0 ICE Optional Accessories ........................................................................................................ 13

4.0 Riding your ICE trike ................................................................................................................ 13

4.1 Getting on and off the trike. ................................................................................................ 13

4.2 Initial test ride ...................................................................................................................... 13

4.3 Stopping in a low gear ........................................................................................................ 14

4.4 Relax .................................................................................................................................... 14

4.5 Cornering ............................................................................................................................. 14

4.6 Handling .............................................................................................................................. 15

4.7 Brakes ................................................................................................................................. 15

4.8 Hill climbing ......................................................................................................................... 15

4.9 Descending a hill ................................................................................................................. 15

4.10 Ground clearance .............................................................................................................. 16

4.11 Muscles ............................................................................................................................. 16

5.0 Maintenance ............................................................................................................................ 16

5.1 Lubrication ........................................................................................................................... 16

5.2 Adjusting cables .................................................................................................................. 16

5.3 Drum Brakes ........................................................................................................................ 17

5.4 Disc brakes .......................................................................................................................... 17

5.5 Rear brake ........................................................................................................................... 18

5.6 Drivetrain ............................................................................................................................. 18

5.7 The frame ............................................................................................................................ 19

5.8 Tyres, tubes, & wheels ........................................................................................................ 19

5.9 Suspension .......................................................................................................................... 20

5.10 Adjusting the tracking ....................................................................................................... 20

5.11 Storage .............................................................................................................................. 21

5.12 Serial Number .................................................................................................................... 21

5.13 Recommended minimum tools and spares ...................................................................... 22

5.14 First service ....................................................................................................................... 22

6.0 Safety ....................................................................................................................................... 22

7.0 Other Important Information .................................................................................................... 23

7.1 Recumbent/Trike forums on the Internet ............................................................................ 23

7.2 Warranty Information ........................................................................................................... 24

7.3 Liability Information ............................................................................................................. 25

7.4 Legal requirements .............................................................................................................. 25

7.5 Contacting us ...................................................................................................................... 25

Appendix A: Tightening torques .................................................................................................... 26

Appendix B: Suspension Elastomer limits .................................................................................... 26

Appendix C: Tyre Pressures .......................................................................................................... 27

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1.0 Introduction.

Congratulations on being a new ICE trike owner. You have purchased the finest, most refined
recumbent tricycle available today; we hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.

This manual has been written to help you set up and use your trike. Recumbent trikes may be a
little different from the cycles you are familiar with, so please take a moment to read through this
document. You will find the latest version of this manual in a download-able PDF format on our
website.

Throughout the manual, we have included some Tips, which have been learned from over 20 years
of experience building trikes. They are well worth taking special note of.

If you have never worked on a bike before, you should consider purchasing a good book on bicycle
maintenance. The ICE trikes use as many standard bicycle components as possible, and their
adjustment and maintenance is no different from an upright bicycle. We can recommend Lennard
Zinn’s “Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance” as a thorough and easy-to-read reference.

If you are assembling your trike for the first time, please refer to the ICE Trikes Assembly Manual.

We hope you enjoy owning and riding your ICE trike as much as we like making these great
machines.

The ICE team

1.1 Overview

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1.2 Adjusting and Closing Quick-releases

Open Closed

Quick-releases are used in a number of places on your trike; it is important that they are tightened correctly.
A quick-release that isn’t fully and properly closed can result in parts coming loose or moving while riding.
This could cause a serious accident.

A quick-release system consists of two basic parts: a lever that provides the clamping force and an adjusting
nut that alters the clamping tension.

With the part you are clamping located properly, adjust the quick-release by opening it, holding both ends and
turning one clockwise until, when you close the lever, you feel some resistance. At this point, try to close the
lever fully. The adjustment is correct when you can fully close the lever, but with some effort (the lever should
leave its impression in the palm of your hand). If you can only close the lever part way, open it, unscrew the
adjusting nut slightly and try again. If it closes too easily, tighten it up a tiny bit and try again. Do not try to
tighten the quick-release by winding the lever around; it will not tighten enough to be safe.

TIP - When assembling your trike, please refer to the table in the

appendix for the proper tightening torques for all fasteners. Do not over-

tighten.

2.0 Adjusting your ICE trike

Fine-tuning for leg length, seat angle, handle bar width / angle, brake lever reach, tyre pressure etc are all well
worth taking time to set to your personal preference.

TIP - Experiment but always go for a reasonable (a mile or two) test ride

to decide if an adjustment is right for you.

2.1 Tyre pressure

Typical tyre pressure for the standard tyres is about 70psi (4.6 bar). Do not inflate the tyres more than the
maximum pressure recommended on the tyre sidewalls. You will need to experiment a bit to find the tyre
pressure that suits you best. Higher pressures will allow the trike roll more easily, but will transmit more road
shock to the rider. Lower pressures will feel much more comfortable, but there can be more rolling resistance.
Also try experimenting with tyres; there are now large cruiser tyres available which can provide a comfortable
ride and reasonably low rolling resistance, as well as small high-pressure racing tyres that offer very-low
rolling resistance and sport-car type handling

2.2 Folding and Unfolding.

Folding and unfolding your trike is very simple. After you have practiced it a few times, you will be able to do
it easily in under a minute.

To fold your trike:

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Unscrew the knobs
under the front of the
seat and slide the clips
off the frame cup in
which the seat sits.
The nuts should not
have to be screwed
down they should be
left at the end of the
screws as seen here. .
They are there to
prevent the knob from
being unwound too far
and falling out.

Release the quick
release QR (Quick
Release) on the seat
angle adjustment.
Remove the seat

Release the QR on
each handlebar and
swing it backwards
until each is horizontal.
Re-fasten each QR.

Undo the QR on the
hinge

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Swing the QR and its
connecting pin
backwards 90
degrees.

Lift the QR and its pin
to release the safety
catch.

Swing the rear section
of the frame up and to
the left.

Be sure to lift the
chaintubes as shown
in the photo. This will
allow the chain to fold
over properly

Put the cushion mat
between any parts that
touch after the fold.

Unfolding your trike is the same sequence in reverse order. To unfold your trike:

 Swing the rear section of the frame up and to the left and then down to the unfolded position.
 Put the cushion mat in a safe place for next time you fold the trike.
 Lift the QR (Quick Release) latch to retract the safety pin, and close the hinge. Make sure the safety

pin is properly engaged.

 Swing the QR and its connecting pin forwards 90 degrees (into the slot on the front part of the hinge).
 Tighten the QR on the hinge. If the QR is loose, the adjusting nut may be tightened slightly.
 Release the QR on each handlebar and swing them forward until each is vertical. Re-fasten each QR.
 Put the seat in place and slide the clips on the bottom seat rail over the frame cup in which the seat

sits.

 Tighten the knobs under the front of the seat.
 Secure the seat angle adjustment onto the QR and tighten the QR.
 Make sure everything is secure before riding your trike.

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2.2a Suspension adjustment

The front and rear suspension can both be fine-tuned to work well for you.
The rear suspension can be adjusted by a combination of selecting one of three different hardness and five
different fitting positions for the elastomer.
The front suspension can be adjusted by selecting one of three different hardness elastomers.

Rear suspension

The adjustment is accomplished by the selection of elastomers and mounting positions. The elastomers are
available in three hardnesses: Yellow/ soft, Red/medium, Green/ hard. There are five mounting positions; the
lowest/ closest to the main pivot (numbered 1 here) will make the suspension feel softer. The highest / furthest
from the main pivot position (5) will make the suspension feel harder.

To setup the suspension you will need to select an elastomer and position it by using the table
below.

Elastomer positions

Unclip the rear suspension by pulling the stainless steel clip on the left hand side over it’s pin. The purpose of
this clip is to keep the rear swing arm from dangling when the trike is picked up; it is only unclipped when
changing the elastomer.

The elastomer is removed by pulling and twisting it off of the shock pin.
With the back end hinged open, screw the shock pin into the required hole in the shock plate.
Firmly push the elastomer back onto the pin and close the swing arm back onto the stainless steel clip.

This will give you a good starting point. Your trike should perform properly like this; however, it is worthwhile
spending a little time experimenting with settings to find one that suits you best.

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The elastomers have different compression characteristics, and you may find other combinations of elastomer
hardness and pin position which suit the roads you ride on and your riding style better; it is just a matter of
trying different combinations. The elastomer system is simple and small enough that you can carry a couple of
elastomers in your pocket and change them when you are out on a ride if you like.

If you carry a significant amount of luggage (perhaps you are going on a long tour), re-tune the suspension
with the trike loaded; you will definitely notice the difference. With a full load on the rack (25kg / 55lb)
you are likely to need to move the elastomer one or two positions up to compensate for the extra weight. If
you already have the elastomer in the top position or next to top you will need to change the elastomer for the
next harder grade; yellow for red, or red for green.

If you ride on rough terrain or ride aggressively, you may benefit from a harder elastomer. If you are a leisurely
rider, who rides predominantly on smooth tarmac, you may be able to use a softer elastomer.
If the setup is too soft the trike may feel like it will roll over..
If it is too hard comfort will be compromised.

You should generally get a better result with the hardest elastomer recommended for your weight, for example
if your weight is 90kg use the green elastomer in position 2 rather than red in position 4.

If you are a light rider and have your suspension setup soft it is advisable to adjust it to a firmer setting;
change for a harder elastomer if necessary before allowing a significantly heavier rider to sit on your trike,
otherwise permanent damage to the elastomer may occur.

With rear or full suspension tires can be run at higher pressure while maintaining good comfort.

Elastomers do not significantly change stiffness with lower or higher temperatures.

2.2b Front suspension adjustment

Note: This operation is shown here with the wheel removed but it is possible to do it with the wheel in place.

The elastomers are available in soft, medium and hard. All of them are coloured yellow, and can be identified
by the letters: S, M & H printed on the end.

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To remove the elastomer:

To remove the suspension elastomer, first loosen the
stop screw.

Compress the suspension unit and remove the rubber

bumper.

Slide the rubber gaiter off at the bottom. Push the bottom of the elastomer out of the locating

hole.

Slide the bottom of the elastomer around to the front of

the king post.

It should now be easy to remove the elastomer fully.