TerraCycle (bicycle)

Last updated

TerraCycle, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of recumbent bicycle parts based in Portland, Oregon in the United States. TerraCycle is known for its idlers [1] and Cargo Monster load-carrying extensions. [2]

Contents

An example of a recumbent bicycle, fitted with a fairing. V2fairing2.jpg
An example of a recumbent bicycle, fitted with a fairing.

History

Background

In 1996, Pat Franz began making custom-fitted recumbent bicycles in a small office in Portland, Oregon. [3] Recumbent cycling is a small market, so in order to make the bicycles, many of the parts had to be hand-crafted. Before long, other recumbent bicycle manufacturers noted TerraCycle's parts and began asking to have parts made for their own recumbent cycles. [4] TerraCycle shifted its efforts from building whole recumbent bicycles to manufacturing recumbent cycling parts and has since gained international recognition in the recumbent cycling community. [5] [6] Today, TerraCycle parts can be found in stores in North America, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan and around the world online.[ citation needed ]

In late 2011, an upcycling company also named TerraCycle purchased the rights to www.terracycle.com, formerly held by the recumbent cycle part manufacturer. The new home of TerraCycle recumbent cycling is www.t-cycle.com.[ citation needed ]

Acquisitions

In December 2007, TerraCycle acquired FastBack Systems, a recumbent cycling hydration system and frame pack manufacturer out of Fort Collins, Colorado. Mike Vogl, the founder of FastBack, said in a press release: "We’ve grown quickly, and the demands of the business require increasing time and resources." [7] TerraCycle has continued producing the lines of packs and bags, expanded the line to include other products and begun selling the FastBack line in Europe. [8]

In December 2009, TerraCycle acquired WindWrap, a maker of fairings for recumbent cycles based in Eureka, California. The WindWrap line of fairings has been expanded and improved upon, and is now available in Europe.

In December 2011, Terracycle acquired Velogenesis, and began selling the seat strut clamps developed by Velogenesis founder, Ray Brick. [9]

Influence

Innovations in recumbent technology

TerraCycle's first bike, the TerraZa was known for its ground-breaking customizability. The TerraZa won the acclaim of Recumbent Cyclist News for being revolutionary: "This is the way we like to see recumbents built, the way more should be built and the way many high-end bikes will have to be built in the future." [10]

The folding stem developed at TerraCycle has changed the way that other companies approach their products. Bacchetta Recumbent Bikes has adopted TerraCycle's GlideFlex folding stem as standard equipment. [11]

The Cargo Monster, designed by TerraCycle in 2009, is a load-carrying extension that transforms the carrying ability of almost any recumbent cycle. [12]

In 2011, TerraCycle's Sport Idlers won Accessory of the Year on BentRider Online. [13]

Involvement in recumbent cycling culture

In 2005, TerraCycle sponsored the Race Across Oregon, when Robert Johnson of TerraCycle participated on the team RAO Speedwagon. The team used only recumbent cycles in what is ordinarily an upright bicycle competition. RAO Speedwagon finished first place in what was a big win for the recumbent cycling community, both in terms of promoting recumbent cycles and demonstrating their efficacy. [14]

Over the years, TerraCycle has supplied idlers to various teams participating in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Human Powered Vehicle Challenge. [15] In 2005, the Oregon State University Human Powered Vehicle Team placed 5th overall with the help of TerraCycle parts. [16]

Various events in the recumbent cycling community, like the evening event following the Oregon Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, are hosted at TerraCycle's workshop. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle</span> Pedal-driven two-wheel vehicle

A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A bicycle rider is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tandem bicycle</span> Type of bicycle

A tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement, not the number of riders. Patents related to tandem bicycles date from the mid 1880s. Tandems can reach higher speeds than the same riders on single bicycles, and tandem bicycle racing exists. As with bicycles for single riders, there are many variations that have been developed over the years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recumbent bicycle</span> Type of bicycle

A recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Some recumbent riders may choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons: the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks. On a traditional upright bicycle, the body weight rests entirely on a small portion of the sitting bones, the feet, and the hands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricycle</span> Three-wheeled self-powered vehicle

A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a human-powered three-wheeled vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velomobile</span> Human-powered vehicle

A velomobile ; velomobiel, velo, or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and/or protection from weather and collisions. Velomobiles are similar to recumbent bicycles, pedal go-karts and tricycles, but with a full fairing and are not to be confused with purpose-built mobiles for racing or speed records fully faired vehicles with two wheels, generally called streamliners. Streamliners have set many speed and distance records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cargo bike</span> Human powered vehicle to carry goods

There have been many human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting loads since their earliest appearance in the 20th century. They are referred to variously depending on the number of wheels — typically two, three, or four — and by their specific use. Adjectives used to describe the tasks to which the bicycles, dicycles, tricycles, or quadracycles are put include cargo cycles, freight cycles, box cycles, carrier cycles, and so on. Sometimes they are also called cycletrucks, which uses a sense of the word 'truck' predating the automobile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Bliss (pedicab designer)</span>

George Bliss is a bicycle designer living, working and teaching in Manhattan, New York City. He has taught bike frame welding at Parsons The New School for Design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handcycle</span>

A handcycle is a type of human-powered land vehicle powered by the arms rather than the legs, as on a bicycle. Most handcycles are tricycle in form, with two coasting rear wheels and one steerable powered front wheel. Despite usually having three wheels, they are also known as handbikes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bike shop</span>

A bike shop or bicycle shop is a business specializing in bicycle sale, maintenance and parts.

Kinesis Industry Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of aluminum and carbon fiber bicycle frames, forks, and components. Based in Taiwan, it has a plant in Guangzhou, China, and an American subsidiary in Portland, Oregon that generates $5-$10 million in annual sales. The company was founded in 1989 by former employees of Giant Bicycles, and was headed by Tom Jeng until 2011, when he left to form Jovial Bike Components.

The Center for Appropriate Transport (CAT) was a non-profit community center dedicated to bicycles and alternative transport located in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trailer bike</span>

A trailer bike is a one-wheeled, or sometimes two-wheeled, bicycle trailer designed to carry one or more children in positions that closely resemble that of a bicycle rider. It can be described as the, "back half of a bicycle." The rider of a trailer bike usually has a saddle, handlebars, and pedals. Some fold for more compact storage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worksman Cycles</span> American bicycle manufacturer

Worksman Cycles is a family-owned American manufacturer of bicycles and tricycles for industrial, commercial and recreational use. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Ozone Park in the borough of Queens in New York City. Previously in the Spear Building the company also operates an additional factory in Conway, South Carolina. Worksman is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the United States and has operated its own factory-direct e-commerce store since 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilenky Cycle Works</span> American handmade bicycle manufacturer


Bilenky Cycle Works is an American handmade bicycle manufacturer located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rans Designs, previously called Rans Inc., is an American aircraft and, formerly, a leading American recumbent bicycle and tricycle manufacturer, based in Hays, Kansas, United States. The company name is a portmanteau of the first and last names of the company founder, Randy Schlitter. Rans has produced over 3000 aircraft in kit form and as completed aircraft.

TerraTrike is a brand of recumbent tadpole tricycles manufactured by WizWheelz Inc. TerraTrike is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. TerraTrike's 2013 product line consisted of five models: Rover, Rambler, Tour II, Sportster, and Tandem Pro. Designed for adults, each model has three to five different component levels to meet each rider's needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacchetta Bicycles</span> American bicylce company, 2001 to 2021

Bacchetta is a brand of recumbent bicycles based in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States. The company was founded in 2001 and it makes recumbent bikes and accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bike Friday</span>

Bike Friday is a manufacturer of folding, small-wheeled bicycles that is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, United States. The company was founded in 1992 by brothers Alan Scholz and Hanz Scholz. By 2018, it employed 22 people and manufactured frames in Eugene. Alan Scholz also founded Burley Design Cooperative in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inspired Cycle Engineering</span> English bicycle manufacturer

Inspired Cycle Engineering is a manufacturer of recumbent tricycles, based in Falmouth, Cornwall.

References

  1. ↑ "Exquisite Idler Kits by TerraCycle | undercover cycling". Go-one.us. 2007-12-28. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  2. ↑ "TerraCycle Cargo Monster | SPEZI: Liegerad Faltrad Dreirad Vierrad Tandem Rehabilitation Velomobil Anhänger Pedelec E-Bike". Spezialradmesse.de. 2010-07-18. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  3. ↑ "About us". t-cycle.com. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  4. ↑ "TerraCycle". Icletta. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  5. ↑ Alan Barnard. "EcoVelo » Blog Archive » TerraCycle". Ecovelo.info. Archived from the original on 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  6. ↑ http://www.exacteditions.com/exact/search.do?type=magazine&titleId=442&term=terracycle%5B%5D
  7. ↑ "NEWS". Fastbacksystem.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-10. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  8. ↑ "New year roundup". Velo Vision. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  9. ↑ "'BentRider Online» Blog Archive » TerraCycle Buys Velogenesis Seat Clamp Line". Bentrideronline.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  10. ↑ Bryant, Robert J. (November 1999). "The New Terra-Za SWB". Recumbent Cyclist News (54): 10–14.
  11. ↑ "TerraCycle Easy Reacher Underseat Rack". Bentrideronline.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  12. ↑ "Blog Archive » Portland's TerraCycle unleashes their 'Cargo Monster'". BikePortland.org. 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  13. ↑ "'BentRider Online» Blog Archive » Bike And Trike of The Year!!!". Bentrideronline.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  14. ↑ "Team RAO Speedwagon's 2005 Race Recap". Race Across Oregon. 2006-04-18. Archived from the original on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  15. ↑ "Idler Kit: Terracycle Front Idler Kits for TerraTrikes". Utah Trikes. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2012-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "Human Power Challenge News Archives". Ohpv.org. 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.