Whike
The Whike is a recumbent tricycle with a sail, made in the Netherlands.
The Whike 1.0 was released on 5 June 2008. It has a standard 1.6 m2 (17 sq ft) sail and can reach speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) with wind speeds of 4-5 bft (13–24 mph or 21–39 km/h). It can be legally used on both bike lanes and streets in the Netherlands and UK. Activating the front brake releases the sail's spinlock, assuring there will be no more wind-propulsion.
The Whike features a three piece aluminium mast that can be stowed away on board when not needed. It is also equipped with 18 gears and the front sprockets are custom made for the Whike. To maintain safe and responsive stopping the trike is fitted with disk brakes on all wheels. The cycle also has a handbrake function to prevent it sailing away while without rider. The frame is available in black or white chromium molybdenum alloy steel, other colours are possible for an additional cost. The Whike weighs 23 kg (51 lb) including the sail and can carry a maximum weight of 115 kg (254 lb) including luggage. The sail also has the advantage of aiding visibility of the cycle on the roads.
Features list:
It is advised to ride a Whike only with a helmet, with a load of at least 65 kg (143 lb), to use a smaller sail at wind speeds over 5 bft (at more than 24 mph or 39 km/h) and not use any sail with wind speeds over 6 bft (at more than 30 mph or 48 km/h).
The Whike is sold directly to customers and is also available from some specialist suppliers. The Whike costs around €3500 for customers in the Netherlands (2010) with accessories available for additional cost. The Whike is also available for hire from several places. The Whike is now available in the UK and other European countries. Check their website for availability.
A range of additional accessories to complement the cycle are available, Available Accessories include: A 1.0 m2 (11 sq ft) Storm Sail, a Headrest, lights and a Bike Computer. All of these accessories include factory fitting in the price.
A car carrier should also be available soon to allow the Whike to be easily transported.
The Whike was invented by Fredjan Twigt, a graduate of the Delft University of Technology. Twigt spent many years as an aid worker in Africa. After returning to the Netherlands he became addicted to recumbents. Besides recumbents he also has a passion for sailing. Because his ideal recumbent was nowhere to be found, he decided to build it himself. In 2007 he decided to combine his passions in the design that is the Whike of which many draft versions were made. The first prototype was big and heavy with relatively small wheels and sail. Now, after three prototypes, the design has been perfected. The result of all this work is the current Whike. Although other sail cycles have been made, this is the only one commercially available in Europe. There is however a commercial sail cycle system available in the US for around $5500.
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