For 2016 Terratrike is focusing on refining there existing product line of trike
So here is a rundown on what will be coming for spring.
There is a new hard case option for the Traveler folding trike. It’s
quite substantial but will definitely protect your folding trike from
almost anything. Retail is a rather hefty $999 but that’s actually not
too much more than other high-end bike cases and it does have room for
other gear when you’re traveling.
TerraTrike is going to a flat paint on most of their models. It looks
very classy when combined with the new graphics theme they introduced
last year.
TerraTrike has also a released new and much-improved seat cover. The
added padding provides additional lumbar support and helps hold the
rider in place more. I found it to be a noticeable improvement over the
current cover. It will be available as a $69.95 upgrade to almost any
current TerraTrike and will be standard on the higher specification
levels of all current TerraTrikes other than the Rover. All TerraTrikes
will now come with a heal sling that TerraTrike is calling the “comfort
pedal.” We feel pretty strongly about foot retention on tadpole trikes. It is comfortable and a no brainier to adjust. Clipless pedals are still better but for someone who is not ready to move to clipless it is a good alternative that adds a level if safety.
There is a new chain Gobbler design that works better and will fit all TerraTrikes except for the Rover and Tour II.
One of my favorite new accessories was the waterbottle carrier, it can attach to a number if different places on the trike but my favorite spot was ataching it to the seat frame under the seat.
Speaking of component specifications… TerraTrike has changed their
naming structure and made some adjustments to their drivetrains. The
Rover will be available in x8 (formerly External 8), i8 (formerly
Internal 8 with a Sturmey Archer 8-speed hub) and n330 with a Nuvinci
330 rear hub. The Rambler, Traveler, Sportster will be available in x24
which uses a very nice 24-speed Microshift trigger shifter system, x30
which comes with the new comfort seat, and a 30-speed Microshift trigger
system. The Rambler and Traveler also have an n380 which uses the new
Nuvinci 380 hub. The Sportster comes in an SL spec that uses SRAM X0 and
carbon fiber cranks.
TerraTrike will now also be going big on 24? wheels. In addition to
making the Rambler All-Road with its triple 24? off-road wheels a
complete trike rather than a dealer option, the company has decided to
offer 24? rear wheels as an option on most of its trikes. I’m personally
a very big fan of this. 24? offers perfect gearing for a trike and with
Schwalbe offering so may tires in that size now, rarity of rubber is no
longer a concern.
Other smaller detail changes include a small loop that’s welded onto
the rear of the Traveler and Rambler that makes locking up the trike
much easier and a new handlebar design that is more ergonomic and makes
mounting up almost any shifter much easier. TerraTrike hasn’t gone with
full-on quick-release wheels, but there will be a new single bolt system
that will make life much easier. Longer seat stays will also be an
option to help more riders of shorter stature fit on TerraTrikes.
Lastly, the Traveler, Rambler and Sportster have more cable guides to
clean things up and make it easier for assemblers to know where
everything goes. Cabling will change from the 5mm cable housing to the slightly more flexible 4mm. A welcome change will be the new PFT chain tubes which are much quieter than the plastic chain tubes.
The Tour II soldiers on for 2016 unchanged.
And now on to the bigger stuff…
All TerraTrikes other than the Rover will also be adopting a new
steering stack system that uses a headset-like bearing on the bottom and
a redesigned bushing on top. This will be found on all 2016 Ramblers,
Travelers and Sportsters. I rode all three and the effect on handling is
dramatic. When I was lapping the excellent bike-path test course that
TerraTrike laid out on the Rambler x24, I just kept remembering that it
only costs $1699! I can’t think of anything that handles this well,
looks this good or is as well thought out for that price.
The Sportster model received the most improvements. The old two-piece
frame is a thing of the past. The new one-piece frame is significantly
lighter while also having been beefed up and stiffened. There are also
improvements to the steering geometry and the aforementioned steering
stack. Having ridden it back to back with the ’15 model, I can say that
difference is night and day. The ’16 Sportster is stiffer, more
comfortable and handles much better than the older one.
Prices on most of TerraTrike’s models haven’t changes. The exceptions
are the Sportster SL which has gone up to $4499 and the Tandem Pro
which is now $6599 with either IPS or a conventional drivetrain.