Take a recumbent bike on your next vacation!

Introducing the Grasshopper fx/Air from New York City Recumbent Supply, the recumbent bike that packs into a suitcase.
Manufactured by HP Velotechnik.

Supplies are limited.  Order today.

At New York City Recumbent Supply, we took HP Velotechnik’s best-of-class folding recumbent, the Grasshopper fx, and created a lightweight version that packs into an airline suitcase: the Grasshopper fx/Air.

Only available from New York City Recumbent Supply.
To purchase, contact Robert at: RM@TheInnovationWorks.com or call +1 (646) 233-1219 (USA).
Price: $5075 (plus shipping and/or sales tax)

Includes suitcase and personal instruction.  Some disassembly and assembly is required but you only need rudimentary mechanical skills (if you can change a flat tire and unscrew a bolt, you can handle this).

The Grasshopper fx is our most popular 2-wheeled recumbent bike and for good reason: it folds quickly; it is relatively lightweight; the ride quality and engineering are superb; and it looks great.

Many of our customers want to travel with their recumbent bikes, whether by plane, train or automobile. For many years, there have been “travel” versions of recumbent bikes. But (nearly) all of them have had critical flaws: poor quality, too costly, too complicated to pack, poor manufacturer support, or the ride quality was so bad that no one wanted to use them after they got to their destination.

At New York City Recumbent Supply, we took this challenge head-on and created the HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx/Air.

• Like all HP Velotechnik recumbent bikes, the Grasshopper fx/Air meets the highest standards and is built to last, with a 10-year warranty for the bike frame.
• Similar in price to the standard Grasshopper fx with many of the same options and accessories.
• Unlike hard-to-pack models from other manufacturers, the Grasshopper fx/Air packs easily and quickly — figure about 20 minutes. (After one “practice run,” Robert (Hi!) could pack it in about 15 minutes and re-assemble it in about 25 minutes.)
• As with all HP Velotechnik machines, you can count on HP Velotechnik for world-class manufacturer support.
• Riders all over the world recognize the HP Velotechnik brand as synonymous with quality manufacturing and excellent riding characteristics.
• The Grasshopper fx/Air fits in the trunk of an economy rental car with the back seats up!
• Fits on Amtrak, the New York City Subway, Metro North, NJ Transit and many other regional trains and buses.

Specs:

HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx with lightweight components, under seat steering, dynamo light system (B&M Dymotec 6 and IQ Fly headlight), semi-hardshell suitcase, personal instruction in assembly/disassembly.

Limited supply at this price!

Call and order your Grasshopper fx/Air today.
Only available from New York City Recumbent Supply.
To purchase, contact Robert at: RM@TheInnovationWorks.com or call +1 (646) 233-1219 (USA).

Bike Breakdown:
What’s in your tool kit?

This is a photo of my current tool kit. The kit is a work in progress. I add and subtract things as I discover new gear, new ways of using gear, and better ways to do more with less.

Here’s what I currently carry in my day-ride tool kit:

Zip ties (I’m carrying too many.)
Tire levers – two, nylon
Tire boot (if large gash in tire)
Flat tire patch kit
Inner tubes – two
Super glue
Small crescent wrench (only if the bike I’m riding has disk brakes or a SRAM Dual Drive)
Small phillips head screw driver
Chain tool (removed from a multi-tool)
Small flat head screw driver
Space pen (I might start carrying something smaller and lighter.)
Hex keys (only for the bolts on my bike, nothing extra): 3, 4, 5, 6 mm with 8 mm adapter removed from a multi tool)
Gloves (e.g., Nitrile) for handling greasy parts
Lube – bottle of T9 (The bottle size shown here is big — what I’d take when touring. I could carry a smaller bottle on day rides.)

The reasons I don’t carry a multi-tool:

• I find the shape too bulky to be usable in tight spaces;
• They contain tools I may not need for the bike I’m riding (e.g., the torx adapter, the bottle opener, the tiny hex key);
• Often some of the tools don’t work well (e.g., the screwdrivers are usually useless);
• Four hex keys take up less space and are cheaper, easier and faster to use than a multi-tool with four hex keys;
• If my bike is so seriously messed up that I need a tool to fix something or else I can’t safely ride — as opposed to simply making due with sub-optimal tuning — I want a proper tool so I can do a proper job in a reasonable amount of time.

Cruzbike Rally

Cruzbike Rally, East Coast
with Brevet and Philly Bike Expo
Philadelphia, Nov. 5-6, 2016

Join Maria Parker, Robert Matson and other members of the Cruzbike Tribe.

We plan to have outdoor demos, pot-luck dinners, cue-sheet-based morning rides, round-table discussions (topics may include high performance riding techniques and customizing Cruzbikes for touring and racing).

Do you want to burn calories and test your Cruzbike skills in a brevet? You can!

Cruzbike Riders and Friends: save money and have more fun while visiting the Philly Bike Expo by staying with us!

Only $175 for a bunk! Limited availability.
Register here for a bunk and the outdoor demo.

Separate registration required for the Philly Bike Expo and the PA Randonneurs’ brevets by following these links:
PA Randonneurs. Registration for brevets opens late summer/early fall.
Philly Bike Expo

Program

Friday

• Dinner with roundtable discussion

Saturday

• Morning ride
• Philly Bike Expo
• PA Randonneurs 100k and 200k brevets
• Dinner with roundtable discussion

Sunday

• Morning ride
• Cruzbike Outdoor Demo
• Philly Bike Expo

This customer recently needed some under-warranty repair.  At the conclusion of our resolving the issue, he wrote the following note to the HP Velotechnik team and me.  I thought that people who are considering buying an HP Velotechnik trike or bike would appreciate seeing it.

——– Original Message ———-
Subject: Scorpion repair
From: MT
To: “Robert Matson”
——————————————

Hello David, Alexander, and Robert,

I just want to thank you for 1) identifying the part and 2) getting it to me in time for my local bike shop to install for my trip.

When I purchased my Scorpion FS 26 last year from Robert Matson of New York City Recumbent Supply, he boasted about HP Velotechnik, about the company’s attention to quality and detail; the precision of its technicians; and the responsive support should I need any.

He was right on all counts.

Together, you make a great team.
Happy trails,
M T

Route Finding

Gear list for day rides

• Sense of humor
• Sense of adventure
• Sensible attitude
• Cue sheets/map
• Cue sheet holder (a binder clip rubber-banded to handle bars works fine)
• Bright lights: front and rear
• ID, medical info., insurance card, $60 cash, credit/debit cards (in waterproof bag, e.g., cheap zip closure plastic bag)
• Cell phone (in waterproof bag) (optional)
• Extra phone battery and connecting cable (optional)
• Tools/repair kit
• Tire pump
• Water
• Energy snacks (5 ounces of high-carb snacks with some sodium to replenish sodium lost while sweating)
• Lunch (if no lunch stop is planned) (5 ounces of protein and carbs)
• Sunscreen and lip balm (optional)
• Gloves
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Reading glasses (optional?)
• Extra layer: thin top and bottom (for sun protection or cold train) (optional)
• Wind/rain layer: thin tops and bottoms (optional) Preferably high-viz color like lime green, safety orange or shocking pink
• Train ticket and bike pass
• First aid kit with medical (e.g., Nitrile) gloves and CPR mask
• 12 feet thin rope: strong, reflective. For tying up bike on train, as added night-time reflective material, and to knit a pannier if necessary.
• 10 liter pannier (Radical Design Solo Racer)

A customer who recently bought an HP Velotechnik Gekko fx 26 wrote me with a couple questions.

————
Ed– L— wrote:
———–

Hi Robert,

I’m likely to pose a few questions/comments over the next week or so.

1) how do the front wheels come off?
I imagine there is some quick release system you’ll have to show me ….

2) I have to find a place to put front and rear “blinkies”…….

Sent from my iPhone-please pardon typos and grammatical shortcuts!

Thanks….

Ed

Reply:

Hi Ed,

Very positive review of the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs Enduro in Velo Vision magazine.

VV51-HPVelotechnik-Scorpion-fs-Enduro

Excerpts:

“Full-Feature Creature

“The Scorpion fs has the looks and features of a genuinely capable off-road machine. We had the enviable task to investigate its full capability and find out if the GO SwissDrive made it a trike to take on the wilderness….”

“CONCLUSION

“The Scorpion fs 26 is a rugged machine with a chassis to cope with whatever conditions prevail. Its class-leading handling feels safe and predictable at speed and the front suspension keeps roll under control while also being soft and comfortable.

“Additional to its ‘mountain trike’ label, the Enduro could easily be prepared for a trans-continental tour with the optional 25 kg rated rack. The fully-adjustable suspension would, I expect, accommodate the additional load easily. Our well-worn example gives confidence in the long-term reliability, too.”

New and Novel

Cruzbike Silvio S30 (2016)

Notable changes in this most recent version of the Silvio

Price drop:
$2,400: frameset
$4,100: complete (manufacturer’s standard build)

Changes in Specifications:
Seat angle: 33 degrees. The seat is less reclined than the previous version, which had a 27 degree angle (some riders have measured it at 29 degrees). So, it may be preferred by people who want clearer visibility of the road and who ride with groups. The slightly higher seat angle will make it easier to chat with other riders and, along with the lighter weight, will help the 2016 S30 perform more like standard frames on the ups and downs. I’ve had customers with health issues (usually neck) who wanted a Silvio with a more upright seat and I imagine that group will be pleased.

The front shock has been removed. This reduces the weight, cost and a component that required maintenance. While the front shock might smooth out some pot holes, it’s a matter of debate whether it performed well-enough to offset the cost, weight and hassle. It’ll be nice not to wonder if you should pack a shock pump for a long trip.

The 2016 S30 uses the same drive triangle (front-end) as the Vendetta. In the past, the Silvio drive triangle had to be unique due to the presence of the front air shock. The new front-end is stiffer, more aerodynamic, has a slightly lower handlebar position and feels more like a Vendetta due to its stiffness. Also, since the handlebars are lower, there is no longer a need for a curved front boom for shorter riders. Riders should also be aware that Silvios have three sizes for the chain stays: short, medium and long. Size medium is best for most people, though some riders, even those of smaller stature, opt for the large to bring their feet and legs up in front of their body and into a more aerodynamic position.

The new Silvio version is a little more distinctly in the category of a road bike that can handle light touring and randonneuring if so desired. On that point, the new version is constructed with attachment points for an under-seat rack which, according to Jonathan Garcia with Cruzbike, Terra Cycle plans to manufacture. The rack will accept standard small “front” panniers.

While I still prefer Radical Design panniers for carrying luggage, since they zero-out the cost and weight of the rack and the poor aerodynamics of standard under-seat panniers, I’m happy to see this option for those who have already invested in a pair of quality panniers. Also, this is wonderful for riders who absolutely need the expanded carrying capacity and low center of gravity of under-seat bags. In spite of how much I like Radical Design panniers, there remains the challenge of fitting the larger sizes on the Silvio due to the absence of the rear rack. (For RD panniers, the headrest serves the function of the rack, but there’s nothing to keep the bags away from the wheel.) I wonder if the new under-seat rack may actually enable the size large Radical Design side panniers to be used more successfully.

Jonathan Garcia describes the Silvio as a nice combination of speed, temper and handling. While the low seat angle still creates a need for a headrest, it’s good in traffic. He says it “feels like a Vendetta with a higher seat angle.”

The 2016 S30 is now available through the Cruzbike website. For your $100 discount from New York City Recumbent Supply, be sure to type in the code I gave you after your demo ride. If you didn’t do the $100 demo ride with me (at NYC Recumbent Supply), just type a note when you place your order that you’re one of my customers.

Free Money: Claim your $100

Cruzbike and HP Velotechnik customers get $100 cash or cash-back
Did you have a demo or lesson at New York City Recumbent Supply and paid the $100 demo fee? Remember: you get $100 cash or cash-back when you buy a new bike or trike from New York City Recumbent Supply or Cruzbike.

This includes purchases directly on the Cruzbike website. In this case, you simply use your special discount code when you order from their website. For HP Velotechnik, you get the cash back at purchase. If you lost your code or forgot to use it, no problem. Just contact Robert for a new code.

If you already bought a bike from Cruzbike and forgot to use the code, again, just contact Robert and he’ll mail you a check for $100. This applies to everyone who paid the $100 demo fee, regardless of what year you did your test ride.