Utah Trikes Tip - The Zoomer Revisited

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The Zoomer Revisited - Handlebar Modification
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The TerraTrike Zoomer and Zoomer Elite are a different design than all the other TerraTrike models. While traditionally the TerraTrikes have all had a very easy to control linkage steering, the Zoomer trikes feature direct steering. Direct steering gives the Zoomer and Zoomer
Elite trikes the ability to take tight turns and makes them very responsive at high speed. One of the things that we've never liked much about the Zoomer trikes is that the handlebars cause your hands to rest very close to the wheels. While the idea of direct steering is great, the angle of the Zoomer handlebars puts your hands only inches away from the actual steering pivot points and does not provide very much leverage. This makes the Zoomer somewhat awkward to steer because the effort it takes to turn the wheels is greater than should be necessary. This results in harder slow-speed turning and some possible twitchiness at high speed.

Now, we don't want to knock the Zoomer down completely. There are many things about the Zoomer that are terrific features and qualities. The Zoomer sits closer to the ground without putting the chain closer to the ground. The higher bottom bracket puts your feet higher than any other TerraTrike giving you the ability to push the pedals harder. The Zoomer and Zoomer Elite have a very tight turning radius and can fit through almost any door without having to turn it sideways. The front part seat is fixed to the frame and still has an adjustable seat angle without compromising the trikes center of gravity. This translates into a very secure feeling ride. The quick-release boom on the Zoomer makes it easily adjustable for a variety of riders. Because of these great features, it's always ticked us off that the steering felt so wrong. It's like getting inches away from the winning the race only to stop. We felt certain that there had to be a simple solution to this issue.

We knew that the main cause of the Zoomer's steering issues is a lack of leverage. Comparing the Zoomer's direct steering to the direct steering featured on the TerraTrike Edge made it obvious that increasing the leverage would be the answer to gain more control. For months we've been tossing around different (and mostly complicated) possible solutions. Then one day while going through our inventory we came across a box of bar-end extensions. It only took a few moments to realize the possibilities. It couldn't have been any more obvious. What a simple solution. Was it enough though? It was like night and day! Adding the new handlebar extensions moves the brakes and shifters to a horizontal position. It makes the steering position feel more like that of a traditional bike. It's extremely different from what we are used to on a trike, but it is very comfortable. Our biggest concern, which was also shared by WizWheelz, was that we might make the trike more unstable at higher speeds by extending the angle of the steering bars. But after much testing by us and several customers, we have found the stability and handling is vastly improved. Previously, at high speeds, a wrist twitch translated into a sharp "lane change". With this new steering modification, the steering control and stability is vastly improved.

This new Zoomer steering modification is incredibly easy to implement. It doesn't require any changing or altering existing to existing parts with the exception of longer brake cables. Start by removing the brakes and shifters, which requires loosening four screws. We recommend swapping the brake levers so you will have better access to the tightening bolts. The whole modification should take less than fifteen minutes.

The new steering is very comfortable and will make your Zoomer into a new and much better trike. Changing this one little thing on the Zoomer has shot this trike up to the top of our list of favorite trikes to ride.

To make things easy we've made a handlebar extension kit that includes the bar-end extensions and new, longer brake cables. Otherwise, dig through your box of spare parts and get to work. Trust us, this is one modification that you will love.

Concerning the Zoomer Elite the ideas of improvment are all pretty much the same, but we’ve found trigger shifters or grip shifters to be the best for this modification. If you have a Zoomer Elite the position of its bar-end shifters may be awkward in relation to your hand position. If you are convinced that bar end shifting is the only way to go, we recommend keeping the bar end shifters where they are and placing the bar end extensions just below the shifters. This allows you to have the classic horizontal handle bar grips with horizontal brakes, but still work your shifters with your thumbs. We’ve found that keeping the bar end shifters at the end of the extensions in a horizontal position makes it too hard to shift. You’d have to take you hand off the grip to shift, making shifting less effective.

Removing the stock bar end shifters isn’t too difficult. It’s a total of four screws. But be aware that the screw that keeps that bar end shifters attached to the steering bars is reverse threaded. That means that “righty isn’t tighty” in this mixed up bar-end world…. It’s Loosey. Other than that, you may need longer brake cables, depending on how long they currently are on the Trike. Since we changed the shifters from bar-end shifters to trigger shifters, we did have to redo all the cabling and readjust the derailleurs slightly to ensure proper performance. As you can see from the pictures, the trigger shifters are easy to read in the horizontal position. In fact, all shifters are seemed easier to read in the horizontal position. While making these shifter changes were easy for us, if you feel uncomfortable with adjusting derailleurs or running new cables we recommend taking your trike to your closest bike shop or TerraTrike dealer to install our kit. Or, if you haven’t purchased your trike yet, we can install any of our modification on a TerraTrike and ship the trike to you ready to go.

Testing this on the Zoomer Elite proved to be just as amazing as the Zoomer. The steering was so much easier to maneuver at slow speeds and far more stable at high speeds. We’ve realized that this is because as compared to linkage steering, which is a “push and pull” muscle movement with your arms the direct steering is a “side to side muscle movement”. We tend to have more muscle control with pushing and pulling. Also, it seemed that when looking over one’s shoulder, their hands tend to move and follow the direction in which they’re looking. For linkage steering, this doesn’t affect anything. But with direct steering, this could result in a sharp turn. With our Zoomer series steering modifications, we’ve corrected that issue. Steering is still direct, but it uses the “push and pull” method of steering, which in turn means more muscle strength and control.

If you have any questions concerning these modifications, or would like to see more modifications, feel free to give us a call and let us know. We're always trying and testing new custom modifications. Also, check our Catalog for a list of all the Trike related products we sell. Check back soon for details on how to make these mods.

Check out a similar handlebar modification that Ashley has recently added to his TerraTrike Edge.

Double Handlebar Mod
We've had many people try the modification, and the results have been mostly positive. While it seems that everyone prefers the increased leverage, many do not like the completely horizontal position. With this newer modification we've made the handlebar angles much more like a cruiser bike. The angle is completely adjustable. This also brings the cables out more making it easier to get in and out of the trike.

Double Handlebar Mod
As you can see here, the new bar makes a very easy place to mount a mirror.

Double Handlebar Mod
Clearance between the grip and the tire can be adjusted fairly easily.

Double Handlebar Mod
The angle of the grip can now be adjusted so that it is as vertical or horizontal as you want it.

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Share your comments below:
hay, can you guys. Put a person on the new Double Handlebar Mod, So., may others see the difference with a person the Zoomer. Thanks
Posted by Egge
05/21/2008 04:48:21 PM

I just did this to my elite. This is a great mod. I put the bar end extensions right below the shifters. Not only do I have "power steering", but you can use them for leverage to get out of the bike easier.
Posted by Northwoods Biker
08/19/2008 03:20:54 PM

Dang, just swapped out the rear gears of my Zoomer to a 9-speed and ended up with bar-end shifters... which work great with the original setup but not so well with this very interesting looking setup... :(
Posted by Nachtritter
09/02/2008 09:27:08 PM

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