Installing Front Suspension on an Ice Sprint Recumbent

Ice Sprint Recumbent Trike front suspension install

[@mavigogun]

Much appreciated effort.

[@ThinkerThunker]

Thanks!

[@1001Darkeyes]

NICE ONE

[@DemiGod..]

Dunno why you even want front suspension. On my bicycles had redshift stem elastomer front suspension, but removed it as all you need is a light grip on the handlebars, for a trike even less as don't need to support your weight, your wrists just resting on cushioned wrist wrests.

[@stitchergary]

I can't believe all the research I've done on trikes I never saw this video before... I'm sure many people appreciate, like me, your making this video. Money is always an issue when buying a product, so how do you rate the ride with the suspension compared with no front suspension??? After your experience, do you feel it's worth the money???? I really appreciate your effort....Thank You, Gary

[@nigelnightmare4160]

Personally I think it's worth it. The ride is smoother and it fatigues your hands less. The difference is more noticeable if you have the hard-shell seat. Due to the high cost of this upgrade if you have an older ICE trike with threaded headsets, Or have cable discs.(Only compatible with hydraulic disc brakes) ICE recommends that you would be better off getting one that's already got front suspension and then selling your old one. I decided to go ahead with the conversion on my 2007 Qnt. I also changed to the mesh seat. HTH

[@bobcatt2294]

@@nigelnightmare4160 As I stated towards the top, elastomers can not compare to a gas shock. Therefore, it would not be worth the upgrade. An ICE engineer told me they were thinking of going gas shock for the rear.

[@nigelnightmare4160]

@@bobcatt2294 I have an old ICE XL with a rear gas shock and agree that its a lot better. They went to elastomers because they were cheaper and need less maintenance. Nice to hear they are thinking of gas shocks again.

[@bobcatt2294]

@@nigelnightmare4160 How can you justify the cost of thosands in a Catrike or ICE and not have a suspension that protects the rider from implact along the spin and the head? With the support of non stop wars, our streets and walkways (among other things) are in horrible condition.

[@bobcatt2294]

After the expense, was it worth the cost and installation? These are not shocks they are instead elastomers which can not perform like that of a gas shock. The rear suspension with again a elastomer is definitely not a good design. The HP FS has a superior suspension.

[@nigelnightmare4160]

Have you even ridden one? Whilst elastomer's are not as plush as gas shocks, these have been well designed and tested in Cornwall UK to give the best performing suspension with no maintenance or worries that the gas shock will leak out or burst a seal on a journey requiring roadside rescue.

[@bobcatt2294]

@@nigelnightmare4160 No maintenance with elastomers come with a tradeoff. I own the Q and it sucks on that elastomer. Gas shocks with added pivot points are superior. Elastomers are very responsive and fast however they can not take the load of a gas shock therefore they bottom out too soon. When roads, asphalt and concrete gets torn up, the elastomers are not going to protect you. While ridding, I watch out for bumps, holes and disjointed seams in walkways which have been separated as they can impact you and the trike. A bike path is the way for recumbent trikes. Looking for a HP FS however these trikes are 6 - 7 thousands new $4,000 used if you can find one.

[@nigelnightmare4160]

@@bobcatt2294 Don't get me wrong, elastomers aren't great BUT they are better than not having suspension especially with a hard shell seat. With regards to bottoming out you can fit two (2) elastomers to the ICE Q I personally use a yellow (soft) backed with a Red (Medium) for general riding and Red with Green (Hard) for loaded touring. Good luck with finding a HP FS they are nice but a little heavier than the ICE.

[@bobcatt2294]

@@nigelnightmare4160 Hi - I will try the double dose of elastomers - did not know you could add another ontop. After going over a sidewalk which have buckled from a tree root, I slow went over it and the frame hit the concrete - ouch! So now I am looking for a 26" rear wheel conversion. I will also be placing a nylon sleeve to protect the frame's bottom.

[@DemiGod..]

Totally happy with the elastomer rear suspension, don't even bother with the dront suspension as the wrist rests absorb all shock