Recumbent Cycle-Con –Oct. 7-9, 2016

Note:  The Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association was formed in July 1984 and officially came to an end Sept. 30, 2016, due to a lack of active members willing to run the organization. However, for the foreseeable future, the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally will continue (the 2017 rally will be the 33rd annual), as will this blog, website (www.mhpva.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mhpva).
Articles for this blog are always welcome and needed.  E-mail me at mikethebike2325@comcast.net.

Words and photos by Mike Eliasohn

Recumbent Cycle-Con, conducted by Recumbent & Tandem Rider Magazine, took place Oct. 7-9 at the Sharonville Convention Center, just north of Cincinnati.

With thoughts of finding a recumbent tricycle more suitable than my last one for getting it in and out of my apartment (which requires carrying it up and down stairs and through doorways), I set off on Friday, Oct. 7, to drive the 282 miles from St. Joseph.  I had a reservation for that night at the LivINN next to the Convention Center, with the goal of being at the show when it opened at 9 Saturday morning.

This was the fifth annual RC-C and the second at the Sharonville center. With most of the major recumbent manufacturers there, plus makers of many accessories, ranging from tires to car carrier racks, it's the ideal place for recumbent shopping (admission was $20), as well as talking to fellow enthusiasts and the manufacturers.  

For instance, there was Greenspeed founder Ian Sims, all the way from Australia; Lightning founder Tim Brummer; and Randy Schlitter, co-founder of Rans Bikes, though he no longer is the owner.

Conspicuous by its absence was Grand Rapids-based TerraTrike.

There's a test riding area outside the center, but it's uphill to the turn-around, then downhill (of course) back to the building. The only level area is just outside the overhead door into/out of the building.

In addition to its full line of recumbent bikes and trikes, SunSeeker/J&B Importers brought this experimental leaning trike to test rider interest and whether it should be put in production.  Most bicycle dealers can order recumbents from SunSeeker.  (Parent company J&B, based in Miami, Fla., distributes bicycle parts to shops nationwide.  It also sells upright Sun bicycles and tricycles.)

Before I entered the show, I knew that if I wanted to check out all the bikes/trikes I was interested in, I couldn't spend too much time talking.  Unfortunately, I ignored my own advice, so by the time I left at 2 p.m. (in order to drive home that day), there were too many cycles I had failed to check out, much less test ride.  I'm still kicking myself (figuratively speaking).

Rudy Van Es of Jouta (www.joutaligfietsen.eu) came from the Netherlands to introduce its Blue Line modular system of recumbents, which he designed.  Available are the four-wheeler seen here, tricycles with the two wheels in front or rear, a tandem with the two wheels in front and a tandem with four wheels or the two wheels in front.  Prices range from $849 for a two-wheels-in-front solo trike to $1,699 for a folding tandem.  The modular part:  For instance, buy a two-wheels-in-front tricycle plus a kit to convert it into a 3- or 4-wheel tandem.  

Rudy Van Es (standing) shows the delta version of the Blue Line trike to a potential customer. In the U.S., the Jouta Blue Line is being distributed by Trident Trikes of Lincolnton, N.C., which also has its own line of trikes and a two-wheel recumbent (www.tridentrikes.com).  In turn, Jouta is Trident's European distributor.

Upon entering, what was immediately noticeable was that most of the attendees were “old people” like me (age 71) and most were test riding tricycles.  That reflects what those who follow the recumbent business are saying, that the strong part of the market is tricycles, plus high end (that is, expensive) two wheelers purchased by serious cyclists.

If there were young adults at RC-C checking out recumbents because they’re cool, there weren’t many.

A.D. Carson operates Recycled Recumbent, building 30-50 recumbents a year in his garage in Milwaukee.  He makes the frames from parts of old lugged upright bike frames, plus new tubing.  Frames for his Mach 2 models, such as the one shown here, typically cost around $300; a frame plus seat and related parts, $450; and complete bikes for $800.  There's also a Mach 3 with dual 26-inch wheels; a complete bike is about $1,000.  Plans for building your own can be downloaded for free.  (www.recycledrecumbent.com)

I didn't do a very good job of photographing many of the interesting cycles that were there.  So, if you want to see what I missed, check out bentrideronline.com and for an almost two-hour video report, laidbackbikereport.com.

The 2017 Recumbent Cycle-Con will be Oct. 6-8 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456. (Note:  This is a change: Originally the 2017 event was again going to be at the Sharonville Convention Center.)  If the same format is followed next year, Friday, Oct. 6, will be open only to those in the trade (manufacturers, bicycle shop owners, etc.), while Saturday and Sunday will be open to the public.  (www.recumbentcyclecon.com)

There's been a lot of interest in the recumbent world in the front-wheel-drive direct-drive KerVelo, which has 12 speeds in the front hub and no chain.  Project leader Marc Leborgne (right), came from Norway with prototype No. 4, a steel-frame leaning trike.  There's also a two-wheel version. (Notice the single-blade fork.) He's talking to former Rans Bikes owner Randy Schlitter. Marc said the next version will have an aluminum frame, weight about 35 pounds for the 3-wheeler (obviously less for the 2-wheeler) and 18 speeds (if my memory is correct). He said he hopes production will start by Christmas. Leborgne was seeking an American distributor.  Lots more information and videos at www.kervelo-bike.com.

Jeremy Garnet of Montreal, Quebec, built a front-wheel-drive direct-drive recumbent in 2003, using a Schlumf Speed-Drive bottom bracket gear modified to become the front hub drive, but with only one speed.  He's been developing the concept since and at RC-C he was promoting his patented Velotegra 4-speed hub, which as shown here can be a direct-drive hub (no chain) for a FWD recumbent, or can fitted with a sprocket for conventional rear-wheel chain drive. 

The four gear ratios of the prototype hub are: First: 1:1; second: 1:1.89; third, 1:2.57; and fourth, or 27, 51, 69, and 88 gear inches with a 700C wheel. For direct-drive, the hub could be designed for other ratios. For FWD, the hub can be mounted on a single- or two-blade fork. Garnet is looking for a manufacturer. (www.velotegra.com)

The HPV racing world was represented by Rich Myers (left) with his MinMoby built many years ago by Terry Hreno and Thom Ollinger, with the streamliner he built for Sean Costin to race at the World HP Speed Challenge at Battle Mountain, Nev. Rich and Thom live in Ohio.

Thom also brought this recumbent tandem that he built about 10 years ago and later bought it back from the couple he built it for.

Ryan Olthouse, Wheel Department manager at Velocity in Grand Rapids, was one of two representatives of the bicycle wheel manufacturer at RC-C.  Velocity has been manufacturing its rims (from straight aluminum extrusions) in Jacksonville, Fla, and then shipping them to Grand Rapids, while wheel building for all types of bicycles, including for some recumbent manufacturers, takes place.  Ryan said rim manufacturing is being moved to Grand Rapids, so all operations will be under one roof. On the wall behind him is a photo of Eta (and the AeroVelo team), which Todd Reichert pedaled to a record 89.59 mph in September at Battle Mountain.  Velocity made the rims for Eta.

Michigan Recumbent Rally - West – Sept. 10, 2016

By Mike Eliasohn

Turnout at the annual Michigan Recumbent Rally - West in Kalamazoo on Saturday, Sept. 10, was disappointing.
Most of the people who came didn't bring recumbents to show and ride, rather they came hoping to ride a laid-back bike or trike, but choices were few.
The only three-wheelers there (both for sale) were a TerraTrike Rambler and a folding TerraTrike Traveler, brought by Gabe Lagina of Pedal Bicycles in Portage and downtown Kalamazoo.  
Rally organizer Paul Pancella brought three two-wheelers. There were, if my memory is correct, five other two-wheelers there, but four of those were there for only part of the day.
Rain may have kept people away, however, notices of the rally on the Wolverbents and recumbents.com site and seven area Craigslists all stated that in case of rain, the event would take place inside the parking structure next to the Western Michigan University College of Engineering building on the Parkview Campus. That's where we were and we were dry.
Normally the rally uses the College of Engineering parking lot.

Dave Wright (above) of Battle Creek brought the only non-manufactured bikes, two homebuilts.  He didn't build either one, having bought them from the builders, but did make some fixes, though more work is needed.
The long wheelbase (approximately 71 in.) was built from plans and is quite similar to an Easy Racer or similar design.  The frame of the short wheelbase (approximately 41 in.) looks like it might have been manufactured – the welding is neat and rear dropouts are thick –  but the rest looks homemade.
Both are for sale.  Dave is asking $350 for the LWB and $250 for the SWB.  You can e-mail him at davestrike@gmail.com.

Owosso Bike Fest - Aug. 14, 2016

The 12th annual Owosso Bike Fest, conducted by the House of Wheels bicycle shop took place Sunday, Aug. 14, preceded by two days of preliminary activities.  The emphasis is on antique, cruiser, custom and homebuilt bikes.

Here's Terry Gerweck's report and photos.

It’s a fun weekend that starts with a well attended (50 + riders) pub crawl ride on Friday night with the Peddlers. Saturday afternoon after The House Of Wheels closes, there is a  20-mile round trip ride to Ovid for dinner. Sunday is the Bikefest show / swap meet, which culminates with another bike ride.  

The first three photos are my newest bike (and a souvenir I picked up while riding).

This is what Terry's latest project looked like a week before the Owosso Bike Fest. This was originally a "girls" bike.  Terry cut out the upper horizontal frame tube, flipped it over so it became more convex, rather than concave, and welded it into place as the top tube, thus making it into a "boys" bike.  Notice the forks. The stem riser was intended for motorcycles.  (Mike Eliasohn photo)

The next two are poor shots of the neatest freak bike there 

(and vaguely reminiscent of Joel Wiggins' style) 

The next three are the rear of a six-wheeled velo-car/something with a REAL TRAIN AIRHORN mounted (for the horniest bike trophy). It was very LOUD! Note the air tank in the cargo box.

Next was, arguably, the most ridden bike of the weekend. It’s a commercial trike / unicycle with training wheels kinda thing that one of the guys dug out of a dumpster. Was a hoot to ride. 

The last shot is the new bicycle museum in the Corunna historical village / park, a small but honorable start that features bicycle history from the area.

In searching the Internet for more Owosso Bike Fest info, blog editor Mike Eliasohn found this photo from the Owosso Argus-Press, dated Aug. 9, 2015:

TERRY “GIZMO” GERWECK of Monroe shows off a custom bicycle design inspired by the famous penny-farthing model popularized in the late 1800s at Owosso Bike Fest Sunday.  (Tim Rath photo)

32nd annual Michigan HPV Rally - June 18-19, 2016

Cyrus Furbush, 19, of Tecumseh, said he discovered recumbents online, bought his M5 M-Racer last October, didn't ride it from January through March, "then I got back into it."  At Waterford Hills, he was "into it' in a big way, winning the stock class over 20 other competitors.  He placed 2nd in the one-hour time trial, 2nd in the hill climb, 7th in the coast-down, won the standing start kilometer and was 4th in the Sunday morning road race.

Words and photos by Mike Eliasohn

     The 32nd annual Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally – the 29th at the Waterford Hills sports car racing track in Clarkston – was a success in terms of turnout, some new competitors and the competition.
    There were about 37 competitors and 41 vehicles (some people competed on/in more than one vehicle), coming from Michigan (of course), Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ontario.  
     As usual, the two biggest "chunks" of competitors were from the University of Toronto – eight people, three streamliners and three manufactured bikes – and Team Kowalik from Deerfield, Ill.  – father Fran and kids Adrian, 7, Anna, 9, Genna, 11, Ceci, 13, Mathias, 15, and Florian, 17. Each had their own bike.

Making a return to the rally after last competing in 2012 was Rick Gritters of Pella, Iowa, in his homebuilt streamliner.  He won the streetliner class over three other competitors.  The fairing is aircraft fabric over a tubular framework.  (What's the difference between a streamliner and a streetliner? Go to www.recumbents.com, then under "Recumbent racing," click on "Human Powered Race America.)

      The rally couldn't happen without a lot of helpers, some of who also were competitors.  Here's what rally organizer Mike Mowett wrote (with some editing):  Bill Frey decided to be up north this year instead of planning his time downstate around Waterford. His handwritten sheets about how to set up the hill climb, kilo and sprints were invaluable. 
     Terry Gerweck's help in timing all of those same three events was invaluable as well. Wally Koehler assisted him too. That's what I like how everyone just shows up and does invaluable jobs.
     Bruce Gordon helped with the results from afar (from his home in Buchanan). Warren Beauchamp with the timing system. Brenda Gritters assisted him. 
     Donna Wheeler and Mary Grelk and Tedd Wheeler  decided the cash distribution for the prizes. Donna did the registration and Tedd did the tech inspection.
     About $645 in prize money was distributed, which is about double the prize fund of past years, as part of the effort to get the Michigan HPV Association's treasury down to zero, so the MHPVA can cease to exist.  The Michigan HPV Rally will continue, however, as long as there are people willing to organize and run the event.
     And thank you Mike Mowett for organizing/running the rally.

Ishtey Amminger, 13, of Memphis, Tenn., won the junior class over five Kowaliks – Mathias, Genevieve, Cecilia, Anastasia and Adrian.  Ishtey was riding a Rotator Tiger.

      Following are the top three competitors in each class.  Complete results can be seen at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bcfuQIPDhhO7IYhpqas1kOQdbP8HYvupCMyRZx1Tm8w/pubhtml. If that doesn't work, go to www.recumbents.com, then click on "forums," then "HPV racing," then "Waterford 2016 race results"
      Streamliner (9 entrants, 6 vehicles) – 1) Dan Zolyniak, Toronto, Ont., homebuilt Mistral streamliner, 360 points; 2) Dennis Grelk, Donnellson, Iowa, Barracuda streamliner, 325; 3) John Simon, Portland, Moby streamliner, 295.
     Streetliner (4 entrants) – 1) Rick Gritters, Pella, Iowa, homebuilt, 345; 2) Isaac Chung, University of Toronto, upright triathlon road bike, 320; 3) Michael Hinterseher, Farmington Hills, Milan SL velomobile, 170 (only competed Saturday). 
     Stock (21 entrants, 17 vehicles) – 1) Cyrus Forbush, Tecumseh, M5 M-Racer, 311; 2) Mike Mowett, Detroit, Morciglio M1 low racer, 291; 3) Dennis Grelk, Donnellson, Iowa, homebuilt low racer, 289.
     Women (2)  – 1) Amanda Zolyniak, Toronto, Ont., homebuilt Raptor low racer, 360; 2) Andrea Hanger, Greenwood, Ind., Cruzbike Vendetta, 330. 
      Tricycle (3) – 1) Daryl Hanger, Greenwood, Ind., Catrike, 360; 2) Warren Beauchamp, Elgin, Ill., ICE Vortex, 215; 3) Garrie Hill, Granville, Ohio, Greenspeed SLR (custom built by Greenspeed), 160.
      Junior (6) – 1) Ishtey Amminger, Memphis, Tenn., Rotator Tiger, 335; 2) Mathias Kowalik, Deerfield, Ill., M5 Low Racer, 332; 3) Genevieve Kowalik, Deerfield, Ill., Rick Gritters-built low racer, 310.

Amanda Zolyniak is held by her husband, Dan, before the start of the hillclimb. The Zolyniaks, from Toronto, built Amanda's carbon fiber Raptor low racer and the Mistral streamliner Dan races.  Amanda won the women's class.

Following are the top two from each event:

One-hour time trial: Streamliner – 1) Dan Zolyniak, 21 laps, average speed, 29.457 mph; 2) Dennis Grelk, 21 laps, 29.440 mph.  Streetliner – 1) Rick Gritters, 20 laps, 26.912 mph; 2) Michael Hinterseher, 17 laps, 22.778 mph.  Stock – 1) Mike Mowett, 17 laps, 24.017 mph; 2) Cyrus Furbush, 17 laps, 23.971 mph.  Women – 1) Amanda Zolyniak, 15 laps, 20.442 mph; 2) Andrea Hanger, 12 laps, 16.204 mph.  Tricycle – 1) Daryl Hanger, 14 laps, 19.127 mph; 2) Garrie Hill, 8 laps, 12.103 mph.  Junior – 1) Ishtey Amminger, 13 laps, 17.067 mph; 2) Genevieve Kowalik, 12 laps, 16.298 mph.  
Hill climb:  Streamliner – 1) D. Zolyniak, 2) D. Grelk.  Streetliner – Isaac Chung, Univ. of Toronto, upright triathlon racing bike; 2) M. Hinterseher.  Stock – 1) Florian Kowalik, Deerfield, Ill., M5 M-Racer; 2) C. Furbush.  Women – 1) A. Zolyniak, 2) A. Hanger.  Tricycle – 1) D. Hanger, 2) W. Beauchamp.  Junior – 1) I. Amminger, 2) G. Kowalik.
Coast down – Streamliner – 1) D. Zolyniak, 2) D. Grelk.  Streetliner – 1) M. Hinterseher, 2) R. Gritters. Stock – 1) D. Grelk, 2) W. Beauchamp, Elgin, Ill., homebuilt D7CLR front-wheel-drive quasi-low racer.  Women – 1) A. Zolyniak, 2) A. Hanger.  Tricycle – 1) D. Hanger, 2) G. Hill.  Junior – 1) Mathias Kowalik, 2) I. Amminger.

Here's Dan Zolyniak, winner of the streamliner class, in the Mistral streamliner built by him and his wife, Amanda.  Photo was taken at the start of the hill climb.  Behind hm is Michael Hinterseher in his Milan SL three-wheel velomobile.

Standing start kilometer (listed speed is the average over the entire kilometer from a standing start):  Streamliner – 1) D. Zolyniak, 28.73 mph, 2) D. Grelk, 26.67.  Streamliner – 1) R. Gritters, 28.45, 2) Isaac Chung, 25.22.  Stock – 1) C. Furbush, 29.48, 2) Calvin Moes, Univ. of Toronto, Baron Optima, 27.51. Women – 1) A. Zolyniak, 22.58, 2) 18.82.  Tricycle – 1) D. Hanger (only competitor), 22.33.  Junior – 1) M. Kowalik, 23.24, 2) I. Amminger, 20.91.
Urban transportation contest – There were six competitors.  Each bike or trike was evaluated, with 1 point awarded for each feature, such as front light, rear light, cargo carrying capacity (being able to carry two grocery bags would score 2 points), rearview mirrors, fenders, horn, and carrying tools.  Points also were awarded for performance in the hill climb, coast down and obstacle course. For instance, the fastest in the hill climb received 6 points; second, 5; etc.  The obstacle course including making one stop and rounding a tight turn.  1) Daryl Hanger, Catrike 700, 21 points, 2) Wally Kiehler, Grosse Pointe Woods, Bachetta CA 2.0, 17; 3 - tie) Chris Williams, Toronto, HP Velotechnik Speed Machine, and Terry Gerweck, Monroe, homebuilt long wheelbase recumbent, 15; 5) Fran Kowalik, Deerfield, Ill., Earthcycle Sunset, 11; 6) Cecilia Kowalik, Deerfield, Earthcycle Sunset, 7.

Lining up for the start of the one-hour time trial Saturday morning for the streamliner and streetliner classes. Daryl Hanger, yet to arrive, also competed in this race on his no-streamlining-added Catrike 700 because he ran in the second one-hour on his Cruzbike Vendetta two-wheeler.

Lining up for the start of the second one-hour time trial Saturday morning for all the other classes – stock, women, tricycle (except for Daryl Hanger) and junior.  There were 23 vehicles in this event.

ON SUNDAY were the flying start sprints (speed timed through the 200-foot timing trap) and two 25-lap races on the .433 mile course that did not include the hill, that is, 10.825 miles.  The scheduled tricycle race was cancelled due to too few entrants and to save time.

Sprints:  Streamliner – 1) D. Zolyniak, 44.52 mph (not a record), 2) Calvin Moes, 43.07. Streetliner – 1) R. Gritters, 38.51 mph, 2) Tedd Wheeler, Reed City, Alleweder velomobile, 31.77.  Stock – 1) Mike Mowett, 38.20 mph, 2) Florian Kowalik, Deerfield, Ill., 37.46.  Women – 1) A. Zolyniak, 32.15, 2) A. Hanger, 27.74.  Tricycle – 1) D. Hanger, 29.38 mph, 2) W. Beauchamp, ICE Vortex, 25.16.  Junior – 1) M. Kowalik, 31.29 mph. 2) G. Kowalik, 27.38.
First road race (for faster vehicles). Times listed in official results are kph, converted here to mph:  Overall – 1) D. Zolyniak, 23.36 mph, 2) R. Gritters, 23.18, 3) D. Grelk, Barracuda streamliner, 22.42 (24 lap).
Second road race, overall – 1) D. Grelk, homebuilt low racer, 21.369 mph, 2) Florian Kowalik, 21.367, 3) M. Mowett, 19.04 (23 laps).
Road race results by class:  Streamliner – 1) D. Zolyniak, 2) D. Grelk.  Streetliner – 1) R. Gritters, 2) I. Chung.  Stock – 1) C. Furbush, 2) Randy Barnes, Pierpont, Ohio, Schlitter Encore.  Women – 1) A. Zolyniak, 2) A. Hanger.  Tricycle – 1) D. Hanger, 2) W. Beauchamp.  Junior – 1) M. Kowalik, 2) I. Amminger.

Randy Barnes of Pierpont, Ohio, was one of two competitors Sunday riding carbon fiber Schlitter Encores. The other was Joe Solecki of Royal Oak.  (Both were elsewhere on Saturday.) Randy "won" the Schlitter class, finishing sixth in the sprints ( 35.31 mph) and second in the stock class in the road race.

NOTES:  Mike Mowett has two "nice" blue padded plastic folding chairs someone left behind.  If they're yours, e-mail me at mikethebike2325@comcast.net and I'll pass the information onto Mike.
On Saturday, I talked briefly to a man from Maryland who was there with his wife to spectate.  He showed me a photo of a very interesting front-wheel-drive recumbent he built, with the cranks attached to the wheel hub and a hub gear above the wheel as a crossover drive.  Unfortunately, he disappeared before I could get his full name and contact information, with the goal of asking him to write an article about his creation.  If you're reading this, or know who it was, please contact me.        
                                                                                       Mike Eliasohn

7-year-old Adrian Kowalik was the youngest competitor at the rally, riding a vintage 6-speed Gitane.  Among his accomplishments was finishing the one-hour time trial, riding 10 laps of the 1.4 mile track.  His speed in the sprints, shown here, was 13.06 mph.

 
Brian Davis came from Etna, Pa. (near Pittsburgh) to race his not-yet-painted homebuilt high-racer.  He only raced on Saturday.  In the one-hour time trial, shown here, he finished fifth in the stock class, completing 15 laps (22.4 miles) at an average speed of 21.286 mph.

Michael Reynolds of Decatur, Ind., raced his classic lugged steel-frame Gitane.  He competed in and completed all the events, finishing 10th in the stock class.  (Gitane has been making bicycles in France since 1926.)

Sherry Shi is about to be "enclosed" in the University of Toronto Ace streamliner during the one-hour time trial Saturday morning.  She was one of three Univ. Toronto riders to take turns riding Ace during the one-hour.

After several years of "only" helping at the Michigan HPV Rally, Terry Gerweck of Monroe, the event's co-founder, chose to compete on his homebuilt recumbent, as well as helping. 

For added cargo carrying capacity, a trailer (also made by Terry) easily attaches. 

Ann Arbor bicycle show

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MICHIGAN HPV RALLY JUNE 18-19 IS THE NEXT ENTRY DOWN.

Words and photos by Mike Eliasohn

It's been a few years since I last attended what is officially the Ann Arbor/Saline Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet. My excuse for not going always was I had too many other things I had to do.
I still have too many other things to do (one of these days I need to retire from retirement), but at 6:35 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, I was on the road to the 36th annual show – 152 miles from St. Joseph.
At the previous shows I've attended, I've seen maybe one or two recumbents – though for bicycle nuts like me, there always were interesting cycles to see.  
But this year, there were enough recumbents to be noticeable.  I talked to a fellow who bought a Rans Vivo short wheelbase suspended recumbent.
There was even a bicycle shop that specializes in selling recumbents – Fremont/Elmore Cycle & Fitness (with stores in both of those Ohio towns) with several Sun recumbents for sale (all out-of-production models, as I recall).  
Also a change from past years, from what I recall, there were a lot more old school BMX bikes (and probably many not-so-old-school) for sale.
Inside one building is the actual "show," with bicycles on display in many categories, which were judged. But the vast majority of the space on the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, inside the other buildings and outside, is occupied by people selling bikes (like-new, restored, in need of restoration or perfect for a rat rod or cutting up to make into a recumbent) and parts.

www.ann-arbor-bicycleshow.com

Two views of this amazing tricycle, one of several creations made by Rick Legato of Rochester.  "This is bad ass," said one viewer. "... This is really unique."  Rick, who works as an aircraft toolmaker (machinist)  did the design and machining, but not the welding.  The frame is mostly made from aluminum I-beam.  The tricycle is for sale. The yellow bike behind it is a much modified mountain bike.

A stretch cruiser by Rick Legato, also for sale.  The purple part was a 1966 Schwinn Starlite.  The silver parts of the frame are new tubing.  A Brooks leather saddle (made in England) provides the seating.  The rust colored bike behind it is another Legator creation.

Rick Legato astride what he calls his "clown bike."  The front and rear hubs are off-center, so the bicycle bounces up and down as he pedals.  Such bikes are usually built by lacing conventional hubs and rims together using varying length spokes.  But Rick machined the from and rear disks with the hubs mounted off-center, but the spokes are all equal-length.

This gentleman pedaled by on this apparently homebuilt front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel steering tricycle just after I arrived. I thought I would find him later and get some information, but didn't, unfortunately.  There is, or was, a production FWD, rear-wheel steering trike, the Sidewinder. Its website still exists, but all four of its models are  "out of stock ," so the status of the company is unclear.

This lever-drive Alenax was for sale for $165.  An article in the May 1984 issue of Bicycle Business Journal said the company was projecting sales of $100 million (presumably annually) and manufacturing in the U.S. within 18 months.  Production was somewhere in the Orient. The lever drive system was said to be suitable for any type of bicycle – road, mountain, BMX, juvenile and adult tricycles. But the Alenax was not a success and production apparently ended in 1993.

This 3-speed Alex Moulton sold for $600.  Alex Moulton introduced his small-wheeled bicycles with front and rear suspension in 1962  Some models over the years have been produced by other companies.  Moulton died in 2012 at age 92, but the Moulton Bicycle Co. still manufactures bikes in Bradford on Avon, England.  They are available for sale in the U.S.  www.moultonbicycles.com.uk

This bamboo beam bike was judged "best unrestored" bike in that category in the "show" part of the Ann Arbor bicycle show.  That is, the seat is at the end of the bamboo beam, which flexes to provide suspension for the rider.  The bike is a one-speed "fixie." 

 This sort-of Tour Easy clone was apparently homebuilt.  Construction quality was good , but the bike was very heavy.  If there was a price on the tag, I neglected to write it down.

In contrast, this was a genuine Easy Racers Tour Easy, apparently an early model.  The card said, "make offer," and listed the owner's phone number.  The owner wasn't nearby to talk about the bike.