CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2008

Velo Vision is published quarterly by Velo Vision Ltd. Subscription details, news and updates can be found on www.velovision.com

ISSN 1475-4312

Velo Vision Magazine York Environment Centre St Nicholas Fields Rawdon Avenue York, YO10 3ST, UK Tel/Fax +44 1904 438 224 (from UK, 01904 438 224) Email peter@velovision.com Website www.velovision.com

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER: Peter Eland EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Sue Archer PHOTO ASSISTANTS: Debz Butterworth and John Isles ART DIRECTOR: Brian Holt WEB PROGRAMMER: Simon Ward PRINTER: Stephens & George Magazines Ltd

PUBLISHING SCHEDULE: Issue 32: December 2008 Issue 33: March 2009 Issue 34: June 2009 Issue 35: September 2009

Velo Vision is a member of INK, trade association of the alternative press in the UK. www.ink.uk.com

VELO VISION AND VELO-VISION We weren’t first with the name. Velo-Vision is a bike shop in Köörten, near Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. Velo Vision magazine exists in friendly harmony with Velo-Vision in Germany.

Velo Vision is printed on paper produced from sustainable forests to Nordic Swan standards.

COVER: Taking the Estelle for a spin.

OPPOSITE: The impressive cliffs at Etretat were the destination for a day-ride on our tandem tour this summer. Both photos: Peter Eland

4 News Human Power World Champs, Brompton’s gearing gains, Adaptive handlebars and more...

8 Eurobike 2008 The first part of our coverage of the year’s major trade show. All the latest developments in upright bikes, recumbents and lighting.

14 Review: ICE B1 The trike makers try their hand at a two-wheeler: is it a touring cyclist’s dream machine?

18 Review: Heinzmann Estelle Sport Electric assist: has the Heinzmann system stood the test of time? We review one of their sporty models.

22 Review: Downtube 9FS Full suspension and a budget price: is it a winning combination, or a folding bike too far?

26 Short Reviews

26 Bikebins: is hard-shell plastic the future for panniers? 28 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme: tyres touring tested. 29 Ergon and Mirrycle: a comfy combination for the road. 30 Heavy duty wheels: we look at the low spoke-count, strong rims options.

THERE AND BACK

It’s been rather longer than it should have been since last issue, for which apologies. Various factors conspired to make this issue late: particularly a nasty lurgy which struck me down shortly after returning from Eurobike. We’ll be back on track for next issue, which will reach UK readers before Christmas as usual. Before all of that, I did manage to actually go cycling for a few weeks in July, as you’ll see from the photo opposite and other items throughout this issue. Getting

32 Books: Quirky Bike Rides, Thunder and Sunshine 33 RIDO R2: a new version of the prostate friendly saddle

34 EUROBIKE 2008 continued Our report from the German show continues with coverage of transmission products, load and child carrying, accessories and everything else. . .

40 Readers’ bikes

40 Pendalolo: the direct drive design goes low-entry. 41 Anthrotech trike: an owner reports. 42 Three for luck: why one recumbent just isn’t enough... 44 Wooden wonder: a SWB recumbent from plywood. 45 Editor’s bike: yellow MTB retrospective, plus the new VV trailer.

48 Letters Handlebar creativity, Eco-trip, cycle churches, the Canberra collection, thoughts on half links and Firmtech, and more. . .

53 Subscribe to Velo Vision How to subscribe, back issues, and details of our distributors worldwide.

53 Advertisements The first place to look for specialist products and services! Please support our advertisers, who support the magazine.

away for a few weeks by bike is a real tonic, in a way that everyday riding and weekend outings can’t quite match. We took a leisurely ride westwards along the coast from Dieppe in northern France, striking it lucky with the weather and a series of spectacular cliff-top campsites. I hope many of you managed to get away cycling over the summer, too – if you did, why not send a picture? We’ll publish a selection next issue to help banish the winter gloom!

Peter Eland

ISSUE 31 SEPTEMBER 2008 VELOVISION

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