Discovering The Ice VTX Recumbent Racing Trike

Is there a recumbent trike that's as fast as a road bike? Yes! The Ice VTX!

[@goncalovazpinto6261]

Passing stop signs at high speed, riding over and on the other side of a double yellow line... i'm genuinely amazed you've lived this long!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Goncalo! We don't make a habit of that stuff. We only did it for the video and we made sure we were in a very low traffic gated community, very early on a weekend morning. It was much safer than it might appear. :)

[@stephendufort4154]

Hi , I got a VTX, ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW...and it never gets old. I love today as I loved it 3 yers ago, and I never had a flat, or any problems with it still, I will take it over any type of bike or trike, though having said that, AN ELECTRIC ASSIST, trike would be next on my list , But nothing can replace my VTX, and I won't sell it either.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I feel the same way! :)

[@robskinner]

What a lovely video, with a lyrical narrative. I have an Adventure and am about to get a Sprint Tour. VTX is tempting for the future!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Rob! The Adventure and Sprint Tour are both beautiful trikes!

[@fourutubez7294]

I have a VTX and I love it ! I got carried away on the options list, carbon seat , Volans brakes, ti axles and neck rest. Added a pair of Radical Racer Narrow bags for all day rides.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Sweet! How do you like those Radical Racer Narrow bags? Are you slipping them under or over your seat pad, and are you using the "Racer Spacer" to keep them off your frame, or do they sit alright without it?

[@fourutubez7294]

@@bikestrikesrazors Its the solo racer narrows sorry . I'm loving them , a nice size and very well made. I have the straps under the seat pad and that works fine . They don't need the frame but the larger ones probably dowww.radicaldesign.com/solo-racer-narrow

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks! I'm thinking about getting some of those.

[@BentRiderNation]

I own a Sprint X FS 26 and an HP Velo Scorpion FS 26 but your video makes me long for a VTX to once again be able to ride faster like I did on my diamond frame bikes. Great video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks much!

[@drumbeatclub]

How fast is the Scorpion FS26 in your opinion?

[@davidgerescher5527]

Hey Rich, and others. I bought a Vortex with the VTX back end so basically it is a VTX. I put on the Tannus airless 700c rear tire and two Maxis overdrive tires for the front. I can't say too much about the Maxis tires yet but from the old very worn out Duranos, new tires are so freaking awesome. What a difference! I bought the trike used but the price was so good I couldn't resist. The tires were very worn up front and had no crown on them. Ok, from now on I swear I will never let tires get so worn, what a speed difference! As far as the Tannus airless the guys at the bike shop don't like them and complained they were a rough ride. If you run your tires around 100psi they are about the same. I run mine at 110psi so I like a firm ride. The Tannus extra firm are what I am running on the back and I think it is great. The guys in the bike shop didn't like them because they were out quick. 5000 miles to quick? Hey after 5000 miles or even close, I am ready to change tires. Then they said they don't have the traction. On a trike I don't think that is a concern. Sure I guess you could spin out on them but if that is a problem for anyone they are some powerful trikers. I think people make statements regarding these airless without actually trying them. I wish I could have gotten them for my front tires but they didn't have the size.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Let me know how those Maxis tires work out for you. Yep, 5000 miles is a long time for a tire to last! The Schwalbe Pros only last about 1500 on the back of my trike. I'm going to give those Tannus tires a try as soon as I work through my batch of 700's I've got here now.

[@davidgerescher5527]

@@bikestrikesrazors I went out this morning and it was great. Of course new tires probably always feel great I know when I put on the Tannus in back it felt my normal riding was faster. The Maxis tires on their first outing was of course fantastic. The Durano's were worn flat so having that nice new tire with a nice crown and tread made for a very fast ride. There are two places where I have a downhill hairpin turn at the end and the tires made it way to easy. I will not run such worn out tires again. What a difference new tires make.

[@davidgerescher5527]

Rich, I got a GPS speedometer and odometer. It has the capability for all kinds of stuff if you buy the extras but you can use it just for the basics, like I am.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@davidgerescher5527 Hi David. Like a Garmin?

[@davidgerescher5527]

@@bikestrikesrazors I think so. It is called G+ Wireless GPS Bike Computer.

[@rictsla4191]

I have a Carbon Trike SL, which is all carbon fiber. Also added a carbon fiber tail box for storage. On that trike I cruise at 20 mph, and I’m 77 years old.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

That's a beautiful trike, Ric! At a 20mph cruise, you're killing it out there! Keep up the good work!

[@jamesbarker213]

Yes they are fantastic trikes.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I think so, too!

[@tc7574]

Are you planning a follow-up review in the next few months? Great video

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks much, TC! Have a few more on the way, including a couple of roll-down tests vs road bikes.

[@markfeldman6509]

Great video. I ride two Catrikes with the newest being a 559 and the older one a Trail. Also ride a Sun ez sport long wheelbase recumbent which is fast as hell but useless on hilly rides and a lot less stable. Next toy in the box is going to be a slicked out 700 for speed.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You’ve got some great trikes there! Catrike makes a great product!

[@markfeldman6509]

Yes they do. I ride them 150+ miles per week here on Cape Cod and all over New England....plenty of hills... and the trikes with 3x10 gearing will climb anything. The two wheeler is fast as hell on the flats but a total pig on hills. I cruise comfortably at 16mph and can get it going 20+ for pretty good stretches if I want to..... and I am 68 years old! Test rode one 4 years ago, bought one immediately and you can’t get me on my high end two wheel Specialized anymore!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Those are great speeds for any age! I envy the fact that you’re riding in Cape Cod! It’s beautiful there (but you already know that) :)

[@markfeldman6509]

Yes it is gorgeous here through October then it gets dark damp and cold. Cape Code Rail trail has over 50 miles of beautiful paved trails and the Shining Sea path from Falmouth to Woods Hole has 11 miles along the beach and through the cranberry bogs looking out at Martha’s Vineyard. Throw in the Cape Cod Canal 7.5 mile trail and we have quite the trio! All safe, dedicated bike paths .

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Beautiful!

[@paulyd8291]

I have a Sprint X w/ kojak tires and I love the grip it has on downhill mountain paths. ICE makes some incredible products.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

The Sprint is a beautiful trike, PS, and I liked the Kojaks as well when I tried them!

[@henock1846]

It is very fine bic

[@dappayute]

How tall are you? I’m looking for something like this for a 6’6 tall rider

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Dappayute! I'm around 5'11" but the VTX is adjustable. I know there is a length limit as far as how far the boom will extend on the VTX, but I'm not sure how tall an individual it will fit. Best thing to do would be to contact ICE about the limitations here: www.icetrikes.co/contact If the VTX won't work for you, I'm pretty sure that the ICE Sprint model will accommodate a taller person, but maybe the VTX will work- let me know what ICE says- I'm curious myself.

[@geoffcadams]

I know that voice! "These are men of action...."

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Geoff! Rich still has your T-bone! :)

[@geoffcadams]

@@bikestrikesrazors So glad that it is being ridden! The VTX is a terrific machine. Your video tells the story. Nicely done!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Geoff! Your "Always Someone Faster" video is still the benchmark recumbent vid. You need to do a series. :)

[@zorroinhell5549]

Where was this filmed?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

In El Dorado Hills, California. It's about thirty minutes north east of Sacramento, up in the foothills.

[@DemiGod..]

Strava does lie. It estimates my power. The estimated power climbing hills seems about right, but descending, outputing the same power, it says I am outputing zero power onthe descent, in other woards it thinks I am coasting. My average power on turbo trainer is about 30-40% greater than strava's estimate.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yes, Strava isn't that reliable for power output or even distance and elevation. When I ride with my brother, we can have very different Strava number from the exact same ride.

[@pitmastertoby2598]

How would you compare the vtx to the 700?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Toby! They're very similar trikes in many respects. I had a 700 around here for awhile to try it and found it very comfortable. I never tried to push it to its limits, so I can't say how it would compare to the VTX speed-wise. The Catrike 700 was once a screaming bargain at around $2400, which I think is still around what they're asking for the Expedition, but then they added a fancy rear wheel and fancy crank and upped the cost to around $4000. I personally would've preferred that they kept the cost down so riders could get into a racing style trike at a real bargain price. Now the cost of the 700 and VTX are so close, you'd really have to try them both to decide which you prefer. The 700 is a one piece aluminum space frame, so if anything goes wrong with the frame, the trike is toast, but Catrike has a ten year warrantee to the original purchaser of the trike, so that'll cover you for the first ten years. The VTX has a chromoly steel main section and aluminum rear section and boom, so if something goes wrong with a frame section you have a little more flexibility as to what you can do. Also, the VTX has an adjustable seat, so you have more choices about your seat angle- The seat on the 700 is at a fixed angle, but most riders find it very comfortable. Also, some riders find the frame bars on the 700 contact and hurt their shoulders, and some riders just can't get along with the fixed shape of the VTX seat. You can see why it's so important to try one of these out before you buy. I could go on (so I will)...the Catrike has direct steering and the VTX has indirect steering: Some folks can't get along with direct steering and find it "twitchy". Personally, I don't have any issues with direct steering, and I could be happy with direct or indirect steering. See if you can find a local dealer that'll let you try these models out and one may resonate with you. You may also want to keep watching your local Craigslist (or similar) or watch the Bentrider Online trike classifieds for a deal on a used trike. That'll give you the chance to try one, and if you don't like that model, you can always sell it for around what you paid and try the other.

[@pitmastertoby2598]

@@bikestrikesrazors thank you so much for the info. I did try both and decided on the 700 , because of price. The 700 isc$3500 vs the vtx at 5500..i really couldn't tell the difference but both where fast and comfortable. Comfort is must for me as a avid roadie just cant take the pain so my rides are shorter and to enjoyable. After watching your vids i switch over. Thanks again.my 700 is gonna take 22 to 40 weeks toi get to me.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@pitmastertoby2598 You can't go wrong with the 700, Toby. You might want to check with Catrike about that wait to see what's causing it. A fellow triker that comments on the channel here, Mark Feldman, was told that the long wait for his 700 was because Catrike couldn't get hold of the rear derailleurs they needed (Covid caused supply problems) and they told Mark that if he could find what they needed they could ship him a trike immediately. He managed to find the derailleur from a seller in Australia, had it shipped, had his dealer confirm with Catrike that he did indeed have it, and they sent out his new yellow 700 the same week. Congratulations on your purchase! :)

[@billypoe3703]

The ultimate hpv is a velomobile. Maybe you could try one?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Michael and thanks for watching. I'd love to try a velo, but space and transportation restrictions won't allow it right now. :(

[@ravenone6255]

How fast can it go up hill?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

On a slope that's up to say a five percent grade, I'm just as fast climbing on the VTX as a road bike. Once the slope gets up to maybe ten percent or more, I'm one to two mph faster on a road bike. But the VTX descends much faster than a road bike, so I've actually recently done a 22 mile ride with 2200ft of climbing with a faster overall average speed on the VTX than on my road bikes. It did take about a year of riding the VTX to build up my trike specific muscles to the point that I was matching my road bike speeds.

[@user-kw1kp2sp3o]

Какой классный асфальт!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@nicolegiguere3027]

ont voit qu'en general ils descendent,ca parait bien beau mais1) il faut de belles pistes avec de la belle asphalte et pas trop de grosses montées donc tres limité pour les belles routes et tres dangereux dans le traffic car tres bas donc non visibles par les autos.J.aurais aimer en avoir un mais au canada tres peu de pistes cyclable pour ce genre de vélo

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Oui, ils nécessitent des conditions routières très spécifiques. J'ai la chance d'avoir une piste cyclable de 30 miles près de chez moi, et c'est là que je prends habituellement le tricycle. J'ai de jolis quartiers à faible trafic à proximité qui font du bien. "triking". :) Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé !

[@Vasileski88]

I guess stop signs are optional if you're on a trike :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yeah, we're usually better at slowing down at stop signs, but for the sake of the video, our "California stops" were a little more California-eske. :)

[@deezynar]

They are optional for cars too. Sit at a stop sign for a couple of hours and watch the cars roll through them.

[@josealvarado3243]

how about hp?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You mean HP Velotechnic?

[@taiwan1895]

15mph on the radar reading at the 6:18 mark.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yeah, after watching the video I realized I missed a golden opportunity to break yet another law. The radar sign came right before a 25mph speed limit sign. Ah, life is filled with missed opportunities. :)

[@petervick4775]

You should try the latest model...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Peter! Have you compared the new black version to the older white version? I know the wheels are supposed to be lighter and the frame is a little lighter. Wonder how much difference it makes?

[@petervick4775]

No, I'm sorry I haven't.​ I have an Ice Sprint X Tour and am contemplating adding a new VTX shortly. What gearing do you guys have on yours?

[@gregbonnett9745]

About your Strava it does lie as I had a top speed on one of my rides of 181 kph that is a bit over 100 mph :) :) I am still laughing about it as I ride a Greenspeed Magnum XL.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Kudos for admitting that Strava was wigging out. You could have just claimed that 181kph top speed and qualified for a world record (or at least a King Of The Mountain). :)

[@davidgerescher5527]

DAMN! Greg over 100 mph!! I am waiting to see you pass cars on the freeway. I have hit 28 mph on my flat straight away and I thought that was impressive.

[@justenjoy8459]

How much does it cost.??

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for visiting! The homes run between $600K and $800K. Then you have to buy your plane!

[@justenjoy8459]

@@bikestrikesrazors are you serious does it cost so much..?😱😱

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@justenjoy8459 Yeah, the main problem is that it's in California. Homes have gotten so crazy expensive here most people will never be able to afford one so they're leaving the state. :(

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@justenjoy8459 Oh, if you're talking about the trike, new they're about four thousand dollars but you can find some trikes on the used market for as little as $600. I thought you were talking about the houses. :)

[@justenjoy8459]

@@bikestrikesrazorsyeah I was talking about the trikes....but it was good all in all cause got the info about both..😊👍

[@NcScbeach1]

I’m sure this trike is super expensive to keep maintained and n riding condition!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, NcScbeach1! The company that made the trike (ICE) was smart in that they used mostly standard bike parts for all the disposable stuff that wears out, like tires, chains, cranks, chain rings and stuff like that, so it really doesn't cost anymore to maintain than a regular bike. I was even surprised that when I had to order some of the stuff they have made specifically for the trike, they didn't charge me all that much. Lucky, because if it was expensive to maintain, I wouldn't be able to afford it! :)

[@NcScbeach1]

Bikes, Trikes & Razors! Thank you so much!

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

Hi Rich!)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, how's it going, my friend in Moscow? More shaving content on the way soon. :)

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

@@bikestrikesrazors It's all right Rich, we finally have a normal life, and this mass psychosis has receded... 😃

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

@@bikestrikesrazors Waiting for a video about shaving!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Great to hear things are getting better over there. Still getting worse over here. :(

[@user-pb7je5on3m]

解説を翻訳版での動画にして欲しいですね､

[@bikestrikesrazors]

簡単にできる方法がないか調べてみます！見てくれてありがとう！ Kantan ni dekiru hōhō ga nai ka shirabete mimasu! Mite kurete arigatō!

[@kikilatamcycling]

stop !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

In Moscow I would have already been run over by a car😂😂😂

[@bikestrikesrazors]

LOL!

[@marcovargas4010]

Same in México. Or maybe stolen

[@toshaveornottoshave-4804]

@@marcovargas4010 😂

[@danielbasham3203]

I find it interesting that in this video you fail to observe road rules. The two of you repeatedly apparently run through stop signed intersections. This does not set a good example for other riders. Road safety should be prime.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Very true. We're making an effort to no longer do that!

[@deezynar]

I think it's a crying shame that he didn't set up his camera on a tripod at those intersections for a couple of hours and record all the cars that run the same stop signs.

[@johnsimion2893]

Hey guys, I love your channel, I'd love to have a VTX of my own and I hate to say this ... but I'm pretty concerned about this video. In this one video, you guys blew past stop signs twice (2:04 and 4:40) and were frequently on the wrong side of the road (4:18, 4:46, 5:10 and 5:42). The one at 5:10 even looks like you're entering a blind curve. It all looks like fun and I do realize these are residential streets, but it only takes one car speeding the other way at the wrong time and then we wouldn't have this nice channel to watch anymore. We've all done similar things now and then, but they shouldn't be posted on public video. Motorists like to stereotype us as undisciplined, dangerous riders who never follow the rules of the road but expect them to do so. There's already too much anti-cyclist road rage and this video kind of feeds it. Please be more careful.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi John and thanks for your comment! Yes, while that particular video was shot on a "closed course" of sorts (a gated area with little traffic) with spotters around corners to make sure there were no cars, I can see how it would give the wrong impression. We shall be more careful in the future!

[@johnsimion2893]

@@bikestrikesrazors Thanks for the explanation. Now you've explained the situation, I'm actually sorry for bringing it up, it's just a sore spot because we had a road rage incident here in Vegas in which some guy ran over and killed five cyclists, and every time something like this happens, they try to blame the cyclists. You guys have some of the best content on cycling on KZbin. Keep up the good work! :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@johnsimion2893 Not at all, John. I'm glad you brought it up. It's important to be reminded that folks are watching and to be mindful of what you're showing in a video!

[@whazzat8015]

running stop signs and crossing the double yellow, just makes you a jerk

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Unless you get hit by a car, which just makes you dead. Unfortunately, we'll keep running those stop signs in that video forever :(

[@whazzat8015]

@@bikestrikesrazors Encouraging stupidity is a consistent trait of that group.