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TerraTrike Edge CF
Current Availability:
Available Color: Black (4-6 week turnaround) (1 in stock)
- Ships in 24hrs
For those who demand the best
* Beautiful carbon fiber frame
* CO-designed by 'Wound-Up', the carbon fiber experts
* Frame lugs are CNC machined from solid aluminum blocks - no welded joints
* Infinitely adjustable seat - Quick release pins make adjustments easy
* Infinitely adjustable handlebars
* Multible frame sizes
* Internal Cable Routing
* Internal Chain Routing
* Independant Avid BB5 160mm disc brakes
* Velocity AeroHeat Wheelset - Hand built by Velocity USA
* SRAM X.9/Shimano Dura Ace Drivetrain
* Shimano SPD clipless pedals
* Cordura seat mesh and custom composite seat options available (cordura pictured)
* Each Edge is individually hand built with painstaking precision
* Shock absorbing compliance and lateral rigidity makes the double main tube frame a superior design.
* Patent pending design
Check out Ashley's modified TerraTrike Edge
Detailed Specifications:
Frame Material: Carbon Fiber/ Aluminum Lugs
Trike Weight: 26 lbs.
Front Wheel: 20" (406) / Velocity Aeroheat Hand Made
Rear Wheel: 20" (406) / Velocity Aeroheat Hand Made
Stock Tires: Schwalbe Kojak Rear/Stelvio Front
Tube Valve: Presta
Wheelbase: 37 in.
Wheel Track: 27.75 in.
Total Width: 31.5 in.
Seat Height: 9.5 in.
Total Assembled Height: 24 in.
Total Length: 69 in.
Turning Circle: 23 ft.
Turning Radius: 133 in.
Gear Inch Range: 18-92
Gear Inch Range (with optional 27T Schlumpf HSD): 16-116
Ground Clearance: 4
Seat Angle: 35-80 degree infinitey adjustable degrees
Seat Type: Mesh Seat/Aluminum Frame
Seat Width: 16 in.
Total Weight Capacity: 225 lbs.
Bottom Bracket Height: 12.75 in.
X-Seam Range: 35-48"
Number of Gear Combinations: 27
Shifters: Sram X.9 Grip Shift
Rear Derailleur: Sram X.9
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Front Brakes: Avid BB7 Mechanical Disc Brakes
Rear Brake: None
Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial 9
Front Gearing: FSA Gossamer MegaExo 170 30/42/53
Rear Gearing: SRAM PG 970 11-32 cassette
Chain Type: KMC X9 Chain
Standard Color(s): Natural Carbon Black
Optional Colors: Custom Colors $199
Boom Type: Fixed Boom 3 sizes
Steering Type: Direct
Steering Pivot Type: Aircraft Tierods
Ackerman Steering: Ackerman Compensation
Brake Steer: Some
Self Centering: Soft
Center Point: Yes
Pedals: Clipless Pedals w/Platform
Mirror: Optional
Flag: Optional
Fenders: Optional
Rack: Optional
Computer Sensor Mount: Optional
Idler: Deluxe Delrin Sprocketed
Chain Tubes: PTFE
Headrest: Optional
Suspension: None
Warranty: 3 Year
Country of Origin: USA/Michigan
The WizWheelz TerraTrike Edge Review
A carbon fiber recumbent trike?
This request comes up fairly frequently on the various recumbent message boards and trike forums. A lot of people wonder about them, but few get a chance to see one and even less get to ride them. The Carbon Fiber TerraTrike Edge from WizWheelz is an actual specimen that is available now. Each Edge is hand built from Carbon Fiber and CNC machined aluminum. This lack of mass production is one of the factors that make the Edge CF so expensive, but the build-quality is immediately evident. Since each Edge is built individually, minor refinements can be made to the model as new Edges are made.
While, the Edge shares the same components and wheels as the WizWheelz Race, there are several design elements about the Edge that set it apart from the rest of the WizWheelz stable.
Why carbon fiber?
Carbon fiber gets a lot of press as one of the ultimate cycling materials for the high-performance crowd. The main reason for this is because of its excellent strength to weight ratio. You'll commonly hear things like "it has the weight of aluminum but the strength of steel." Well, I don't know what the exact numbers are, but this is strong stuff. Carbon fiber also has a degree of flexibility that makes is a desirable substance to use for cycle frames. A lightweight aluminum frame is very rigid and transmits road vibrations very well, while a similar carbon fiber frame can be even lighter and will dampen vibrations.
The Frame
The most striking aspect of the Edge is the use of carbon fiber for the frame tubing. While all the other WizWheelz trikes use chromoly steel or aluminum tubing, the Edge uses a combination of anodized CNC machined aluminum frame lugs and carbon fiber tubing. All of the tubing is straight and the machined frame lugs determine the angles. This allows all the angles to be precise during the gluing process. That's right, the Edge CF frame is not welded, but rather bonded with space-age adhesive.
The Edge CF's design is also very different than that of WizWheelz’s other trikes. Instead of using a single frame tube the Edge has two parallel tubes that connect to the trikes two aluminum frame lugs. This double tube design adds rigidity to the Edge that eliminates twisting of the frame in high-speed turns.
Machined Aluminum Blocks
The heart of the Edge is actually not its carbon fiber tubing, but rather the CNC machined aluminum frame lugs that connect everything together. According to one of WizWheelz main trike builders, they were recently reengineered to make them even lighter without sacrificing any strength. This modification lightened the Edge by a couple of pounds. After these blocks are machined they are anodized and prepared for gluing. The preparation includes removing the anodization from any surface that will be glued to the carbon fiber tubing. This provides maximum strength for the adhesive.
The Steering
The WizWheelz Edge uses a different kind of steering arrangement than any of their other trikes. Unlike most of the other WizWheelz trikes, the Edge has direct steering instead of a linkage setup. The leverage with the handlebars is adjustable by changing the distance of the grip to the pivot point. Adjusting the leverage will help you fine tune the balance between easy steering at low speeds and steady steering at high speeds.
Steering Tie Rods
Instead of using standard kingpin arms, or even a modified headset pivot, the Edge uses a pair of tie rod ends for each wheel. The steering Tie Rods made out of hardend steel and has a weight capacity far above the rest of the trike's weight capacity. This ensures that the Tie Rods are a strength to the overall support of the Rider and not a weakness.
This Steering Tie Rod arrangement provides the ability for adjustable camber. The Edge is the only Trike that has adjustable camber. While this is a nice feature, it's best to let a certified TerraTrike dealer set up the camber if you're not sure what would be best for you. Adjusting the camber can give you a perfect balance between being able to take corners and higher speeds and greatly reduce road and tire rolling resistance. Adjusting the Camber basically means that you're adjusting the angle of the tires vertically, as apposed to horizontally or or "toe-in" adjustment.
The Chainline
One of the most controversial aspects about the Carbon Fiber Edge is the radically different chain management used. The Edge uses three idlers and over five feet of chain tubes. The most unique thing about the Edge's chainline is that the chain actually runs through the right frame tube. Aesthetically, this is very nice. The Edge has a chain that will mostly be protected from the elements, while its owner will not get dirty while handling the trike.
Front Idlers
The front Delrin idlers are the same as those used on all the other WizWheelz trikes. They are mounted to the boom tubing by a clamp. Unfortunately, this clamp is glued in place, preventing aftermarket TerraCycle idlers to be installed without modification or adding another boom tubing clamp. I would certainly recommend getting the TerraCycle Idlers as an upgrade due to the greater transfer of energy experienced in the higher quality TerraCycle Idlers.
Rear Idler Float
In the rear, the Edge did decide to use a newer wider idler for the power side chain. This wider idler does provide a much-needed float that enables better shifting through all the gears. Being constructed from the same Delrin material as their other idlers it will show the same level of wear, but spread across the width of the idler. As certain gears might be favored, a rut might develop in that position. I'm not sure how that would eventually affect shifting, if at all, but it does make me wonder why WizWheelz decided to use a single wide idler instead of a regular idler on a sliding axle.
The chain management is the one aspect of the Edge that really makes you wonder who this trike was designed for. While the carbon fiber brings the weight down on this trike, the extra drag on the chain caused by the addition of chain tubes on both the power and return sides keep the Edge from being the high-performance trike it really could be. It would make sense that this trike is designed for high speeds and very serious racing. But the extreme bending of the chain line lends itself towards beauty rather than performance. While the Edge truly is an amazing work of art, performance could have been enhanced with a different chain set-up.
Adjustable Seat Position
Instead of only having a few seat positions, the Edge CF uses a completely different type of seat adjustment. The bottom of the seat attaches to the two frame tubes with a quick-release-type lever on each side. The seat can be slid almost anywhere on the boom, making one size fit a wide range of people.
To adjust the seat's position just use the quick-release clamp and slide it where you want it. The edge is the only TerraTrike with this kind of adjustable seat. The other TerraTrikes have holes in the frame to attach the seat. While having holes doesn't seem to comprimise any weight capacity or quality of the frame on the other TerraTrikes, having complete freedom to put the seat wherever you like is very liberating. This also makes seat position a very easy and quick adjustment to make. That way, if you do have multiple riders sharing the same trike or if you just really like dialing in your trike for perfect ergonomic performance, the Edge makes tweaking the seat position a simple thing to do.
Adjustable Seat Angle
The seat angle is also infinitely adjustable and no longer predetermined by the adjustment holes. The total available angle of adjustment will vary depending on the seats fore/aft position. So if the seat is farther up on the frame, you can lean back farther. If the seat is farther back towards the rear of the trike, the seat angle won't be as widely adjustable. Having the seat forward so the bulk of the rider's weight is between the front wheels and the seat angle pushed as far back as is comfortable has proven to be one of the more stable riding positions for keeping all wheels on the ground during tight high-speed turns.
Mesh Seat Removeable
The stock mesh seat can be easily removed and replaced with the optional composite seat by removing two screws and one quick release lever. This means that whether you just want to tighten or loosen the straps on the mesh seat or upgrade the entire seat, the adjustment is incredibly easy. One of the greatest features of all teh WizWheelz TerraTrikes is their exteme adjustability, which translates into comfort. The edge is no acception to that rule. It is very easy to adjust to fit your comfort needs.
Composite Seat
The optional composite seat is designed for high-speed maneuverability. It is not as wide as the mesh seat which makes it less comfortable for the longer rides. For short races though, this seat helps to lower the center of gravity and makes it easier to lean hard around the corners. The mesh seat is made to conform to the natural curves of te spine, giving built in lumbar support. The only drawback is that not all spines are created equal. This means that for some, the seat may give support to all the right spots while for others, the composite seat may not provide the same amount of comfort that the mesh seat does. Still, the way it countours around the edges of the person riding helps you feel just as secure as the wider mesh seat.
Mesh Seat
For everyday riding the mesh seat is the best choice. It is extremely comfortable and made with the same mesh as found on the other TerraTrikes models. It can be adjusted to provide either firm support, or a more comfortable cradling "lawn-chair" experience. The mesh seat is very breathable. This helps the body stay dry while triking and keep you cool in the summer. The mesh seat is fully adjustable in both angle and distance form the pedals. Having the seat distance adjustable rather then the boom helps to keep the chain line stable. When adjusting a boom, the chainline is constantly shortened or lengthened, which can effect the derailer's capability to perform properly unless the chain is altered. Having a fixed boom helps keep the chainline constant, so you'll have less need to adjust it, yet you can move the seat forward and back to still achieve proper pedalling comfort.
Internal Cable Routing
The Edge routes the deraileur cables through the frame making an extremely clean looking trike. It also runs the cain through tubes attached to the frame. This protects the chain from dirt and grime that could be kicked up from the road. It also gives the trikes a larger ground clearance and helps keep the chain from snagging on unfriendly roads.
Even the front derailleur's cable is ran through the boom, keeping the frame looking clean. This also keeps the shifting cables away from the rider while also keeping them away from moving parts like the wheels and brakes.
SPD and MegaExo
The Edge comes standard with the FSA MegaExo Gossamer triple crankset. This crankset features lightweight chainrings and high-quality bearings. On the cranks you'll find Shimano SPD pedals.
The Shimano Ultegra front derailleur is paired with the SRAM X.9 gripshift. The Ultegra's large cage plate makes shifting under high pressure easier. It's also the perfect derailleur for upgrading to a larger chainring.
Avid BB5 Brakes
The Avid BB5 brakes are easy to adjust with your fingers. The Edge comes standard with the BB5 calipers and Avid Roundagon 160mm rotors.
Top speed
Being into modification, there are a couple of things that I would like to see changed on the Edge. I've already covered the gearing options in my Ultimate Gearing article, but if you want to make this into a speed machine I'd recommend the Schlumpf High Speed Drive, or possibly a Capreo hub on the rear.
Idlers
The main upgrade options that I would like to see offered on this trike would be the inclusion of the TerraCycle idlers. This is something that could easily be done by WizWheelz when building the Edge. Since the idler mounts are glued in place some out-of-the-box thinking is in order to improve the Edge’s chainline. One solution is our High Performance Idler Kit for the Edge.
Who is the Edge for?
While I am critical of the Edge’s stock chain management, I truly do love this trike. The Edge is the Ferrari of the TerraTrikes and should be treated as such. In other words, this is not the trike to do stoppies and wheelies on. Nor is the Edge the appropriate trike to load down with gear for a tour.
Unlike our other TerraTrikes, the Edge has a learning curve. It's low weight and frame geometry make taking fast turns a blast, but you definitely need to lean into the turns more than with the Race.
Modifying the Edge for Performance
As the top-of-the-line TerraTrike, the Edge is a racing trike at heart. But, as much as I love the Edge, I don’t think that its stock configuration is the best setup for performance. If you want to get better performance out of the Edge here are some things that I’ve done that have made a huge difference.
Tires – While the Schwalbe Marathon tires are great all-around touring and commuting tires, they are by no means the fastest tires around. My personal favorite tires are the Schwalbe Kojak and Stelvio performance racing tires. Besides being much faster than the Marathons, the Schwalbe racing tires weigh significantly less than the Marathons. As a matter of fact, you can shave almost a pound of weight off the trike. I recommend going with the Stelvio 1-1/8” tires in the front and the Kojak 1.5” in the back.
Chain Management – My biggest peeve with the Edge is the way the chain is routed through the frame tube. Now, I absolutely love the idea, but they way WizWheelz does it is something I feel actually cripples the Edge’s performance. There are two aspects of the chain management that need to be addressed.
1. Because the chain is routed through the frame tube, the idlers are placed in specific positions that prevent better idlers from being used. While the stock delrin idlers are not the worst out there, the TerraCycle idlers are much better. The TerraCycle idlers are larger diameter and therefore won’t fit in the stock mounting positions.
2. Since the chain is routed through the frame tube on both the power side and return side, Wizwheelz chose to run the chain through tubing to prevent the chain from rubbing itself and the frame tube. While many recumbent manufacturers use chain tubing to route chain it tends to add friction. On the Edge the chain actually runs through over five feet of tubing, in addition to the idlers. This is a lot of drag.
Rectifying the chain routing is something I’ve spent a lot of time and thought on. After several experiments I came up with the following solution:
1. Eliminate chain tubes completely.
2. Run power side of chain through the frame tube.
3. Guide chain with TerraCycle idlers using new mounting positions.
The end result is a huge improvement over the stock setup, with a remarkable difference immediately noticeable. The only drawback of this modification is that the chain hangs about 2 inches lower than I’d like in the rear, but I’m willing to live with it.
For more information about ways we've really modified the Edge for superior performance and stability, check out the Our Carbon Footprint - Ashley's Modified Edge or The TerraTrike Edge - Ashley's Modifications articles.
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Retro Pez Jersey
Pepperman Wants You Jersey
Fastback Polar Water Bottle
KMX Mud Guards
Park AWS-1 Hex Wrench Set
Cateye TL-LD610 Tail light 5 LEDs
Avid BB5 Disc Brake Kit
Idler: Delrin Deluxe Power Idler
Jagwire 1.5 Brake Cable
Compass Bell
