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Below is a draft outline and composition of the article I am writing. I do this as an open process as it helps motivate me to complete the article. Please feel free to comment or ask questions at any time. I really enjoy and appreciate feedback and dialogue. Cheers!
By the end of 2021 I had put 10K miles on a Catrike Dumont equipped with an E-Cat Bosch 'Active Line' drive and a Rohloff hub. Although the Catrike exceeded my expectations, I found myself pushing the limits of the Dumont.
I spent most of those miles doing a lot of climbing (over 560,000 feet in elevation) and city commuting. I had aspirations to also ride on gravel service roads, however a couple attempts on the Dumont showed that the trike was not quite up to the task.
I had the following in mind when selecting the AZUB TI-FLY 20"
Need more robust suspension
Wanting more power
Lower maintenance
I purchased a stock AZUB with fenders as the only accessory. I did have a T-Cycle Chain Tensioner installed until I found the correct seating position.
First Impressions
Wrong seat position💺and a sleepy battery🔋
My first ride and impression were not positive. With the boom length set correct, I felt like I was sliding off the seat. The steering was shockingly light, and the handling seemed off putting. Most of this coming from the trike setup being considerably different than what I have been riding for the last 2 years on my Catrike Dumont.
Shortly after getting the trike home the battery went into a 'deep sleep' mode that took a week to identify and resolve. Not a great start. :(
Making adjustments
Fortunately, AZUB's "Ideal Position System" (IPS) is the real deal. I ended up modeling the seat position and angle to come close to my Catrike Dumont. This immediately made a huge difference in handling. By sliding the seat forward and tiling the seat back, I was able to eliminate almost all of the discomfort and awkwardness from my first ride.
Sliding the seat forward raises/lowers seat height and affects seat angle/pitch with the relation to pedals. These changes also shift the center of mass and affects the handling significantly. I highly advise trying different configurations to dial-in to what feels right for you.
With these seat adjustments I was able to closely replicate the relative position that I had for the last 13K miles on my Dumont. Although I am now in a comfortable position, I am still not...relaxed. ☹️ This inability to relax certain muscles caused my lower back/hip to ache during my ride. Stopping and stretching my hamstrings helped considerably to the point it would disappear...for a while. However, It always comes back. Sometimes to the point where it is effecting my eagerness to ride.
I equate most of these issues with how long I have been riding the same trike every day for the last 2 years. So I took this week to really focus on what I am experiencing and trying to identify the cause. Here is a summary of what I believe the issues to be and how I plan to address them.
Seat Angle 📐
My first ride home from the bike dealer had the seat angle very upright. This made it feel like I was at a baseball game sitting on a flat bleacher.
The solution is to simply recline the seat. I prefer a reclined position anyway so this works.
Seat Length 📏
The Dumont seat is 3" longer than the Ti-Fly (measured seatback to front edge of seat bottom). I suspect this is where my preference for a longer seat arises from. Not a big detractor. Just noticeable.
Seat Padding 💺
At the time of purchase, AZUB was offering only a flat mesh seat with an optional pad. I purchased the pad and only used it once. It increased the sense of sliding off the seat and did not provide the subtle support that I feel is needed for me. Additional padding particularly on the side and seat would be helpful.
That being said. The seat performs great. Especially on bumpy roads and when I am delivering a lot of power. It just gets out of the way and is super comfortable. Its' just not supportive in a way that allows certain muscles to relax. Hence the mixed review. This seat is likely perfect for others and certain use cases.
A dream comes true!
Just after receiving the Ti-Fly, AZUB started offering a new seat option: The Dream Seat.
Switching to the Dream seat fixed every issue I had with the standard cover I currently have over 3K miles on the seat and it is holding up great and look forward to using it daily! A lot of thoughtful design went into this seat. The padding is perfect. Offering support right where it is needed. They use two types of padding layered together. The top layer is extremely soft and pliable. whereas the bottom layer is firmer and offers more support. All of this is wrapped in a soft breathable mesh that is holding up well. It's a great implementation using material and craftmanship that you would come to expect from Azub.
Pedals / Shoes👟
On the Catrike Dumont I started out with SPD pedals that I had used on my road bike. They are an excellent choice to keep your foot locked on the pedals and can be quite relaxing at stops. However I found that I needed more foot movement and positions on the pedal to keep my knees from aching. I switched to Power Grips. They provided more foot movement and allows you to quickly snug your foot into the straps for more stability and power when needed.
I purchased a new pair for the Azub but struggled with foot numbness. I saw Steve Greenes video on the Power Grips and ordered a pair as a result of his excellent research and experience with them.
Power Grips to Catalyst Pedals
Boom Length📏
Critical to get right length
Boom twist
T-Cycle chain tensioner
Love computer placement
Compact EP8 drive
Torque Assist💪
Power curve is amazing
Quiet
Tunable through app
Energy efficient
Deep sleep mode
Misc.📃
Fenders
Wax Emersion chain lubrication
Multi-Mount
Ride - City🛣️
Chose hard suspension option
Smooth
Bouncy at first
Eats potholes for breakfast
Ultra light steering
Riding with confidence
Off-road🚵
Outstanding and exhilarating
Quiet
Confident
Hard to find and understand its limits
Smaller rear wheel is remarkable/stiffer
Final thoughts💭
Triking without limits...
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