AZUB RECUMBENTS’ FEATURES
Titanium front suspension
Experience the most advanced front suspension in the recumbent trike industry. Our titanium suspension not only gives you unprecedented comfort with a sporty flavor, but also provides superior handling thanks to the integrated anti-roll bar. All wrapped up in a fantastic looking design that stands out from the grayness of conventional recumbent design.
Titanium Grade 5
The use of the grade 5 aerospace titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) has enabled us to reduce the weight by half (compared to similar solutions from steel), and also to achieve a great look without having to increase the weight by applying paint.
40 mm travel
The transverse titanium leaf springs provide a comfortable 40mm travel with a progressive end and a soft stop.
Low maintenance
The use of the renowned IGUS plain bearings requires minimum need for servicing while ensuring easy serviceability at the same time. A tight fit of the connected parts and their smooth operation are guaranteed.
Self stabilization
Thanks to the transverse link of the left and right wheels with a leaf spring and its specific shape, the stabilization has been cleverly integrated directly into the springing itself. The result is a sleek, high-tech and lightweight self-stabilization.
Folding mechanism
In 2015, we introduced a new folding mechanism we are really proud of. We wanted to create a folding tricycle that would be adequately stiff and whose folding mechanism would be smooth and easy to operate. The feedback from hundreds of AZUB riders has confirmed that we have definitely accomplished what we had planned.
XXL lever
The folding mechanism has a large ergonomic lever. By large, we really mean large. It is located on the top of the frame so that it would be easily accessible without having to stick your fingers in hard to reach places. This lever makes folding our
Large diameter
The large diameter of the folding mechanism and the long axle placed in maintenance-free sleeve bearings increase the overall stiffness of the entire folding frame.
Foldable or separable
You can choose whether you want a folding tricycle for easy transport or parking, or a separable one. Our folding mechanism is not integrated into the frame, it is a separate part that is screwed into the frame. It
Adjustability
There is only very little need for adjustments, but now and again, you should adjust the clamping force of the mechanism. It’s easy to do and all you need is an Allen key.
Made with precision
The entire folding mechanism is completely made on a CNC machine. Therefore all the parts fit together perfectly and there is no friction. Precision was a requirement we were not prepared to compromise on at all.
Precision with anodising
Since the machines do so well to produce parts with such high precision, it would be a shame to dip them in
7075
Both halves of the folding mechanism are made of 7075 aluminium which has significantly better properties than any other weldable aluminium.
Perfect connection
In addition, both halves of the folding mechanism have precisely shaped lugs which lock into each other and increase the torsional stiffness of the whole frame. And the stainless steel lock which holds both halves together is machined to a high precision as well.
IGUS bearings
The fluidity with which the two halves of the frame move during the actual folding is truly exceptional, courtesy of the sleeve bearings made by the world renowned manufacturer, IGUS. We just love these small grey pieces of durable plastic. Their functionality is absolutely incredible.
Interchangeable dropouts
For the rear forks of our suspension tricycles with 26" wheels, we have opted to use interchangeable dropouts, common in touring and bikepacking bicycles. This way we can optimize some selected components according to your requirements and take into account the conditions you will be riding in.
Syntace X-12
The 157 mm wide rear hub and the through axle greatly increase the stiffness of the rear wheel and thus also the riding properties of the tricycle when cornering. The hub was the main reason we have opted for the interchangeable dropouts.
Motors and gearing
We are aware that there are riders who prefer hub gears or hub motors, so we have kept the option to have a standard 135mm wide rear hub fitted as well. Depending on your shifting system or motor, we will choose the correct rear dropouts. And if you decide to change your mind in the future, no worries, it can all be changed, both the rear wheel and the dropouts.
Anodising for precision
We just love it when two things fit perfectly, so we also love CNC machining and aluminium anodising. That goes for the interchangeable dropouts as well. And what is more, we have them anodised in beautiful red so that their uniqueness just shines.
Rohloff OEM dropouts
There is none other professional solution to fit the Rohloff hub gear than the so-called OEM dropouts. They feature an extended left groove for the hub to which the torque bar is attached. So there is no Rohloff Torque Arm or Speedbone which would get in the way. Rohloff OEM dropouts are fitted as standard on all our bikes.
Short rear fork
The extremely short rear fork is the secret weapon of our tricycles. It not only improves the grip on poor surfaces, but also the riding properties when cornering and the suspension.
Crown in one piece
At the heart of our rear suspension fork concept is the crown, made of one piece of aluminium milled on a CNC machine. It is attached to the trike frame with a large diameter axle, which allows it to be narrow and at the same time to provide sufficient lateral stability.
Stiffness rules
Not only the crown itself, but also the fork legs made from a D-shaped section ensure the rigidity of our tricycles in the rear. It is a feature greatly admired by many recumbent riders as well as experts. It also played a key role in us getting the Tricycle of the Year 2015 award for our TRIcon 26. Hence, you can enjoy very fast cornering on a trike which will keep its grip perfectly without any flexing whatsoever.
Large bearings
Between the rear fork and the frame there is not only a robust axle but also two large industrial bearings. They ensure smooth operation of the rear fork and long life of the whole assembly. On top of that, you can purchase them anywhere in the world and replace them if necessary.
Derailleur hanger
If your trike is equipped with a standard size rear hub, that is 135 mm (all tricycles with 20" rear wheel and tricycles with hub motors or hub gears in 26" versions), the rear fork will have a Specialized D17 derailleur hanger. This option will make it easier to get a replacement should you need to as it is one of the most commonly used derailleur hangers in the world.
Syntace X-12 through axle
Poor lateral stiffness of rear forks is a problem for most tricycles with a 26" rear wheel, especially those with suspension. This has a negative effect on the riding properties. When cornering, the rider can feel his bottom gliding a bit. This is due not only to the lesser stiffness of the rear wheel (compared to 20" wheel) but also due to the longer rear fork. We have eliminated this weakness by coming up with several design solutions, including a very short rear fork and a wider hub in combination with a through axle. The result has amazed not just us, but also many professionals.
Wider and stiffer
By its very nature, a bicycle is unable to withstand high lateral load. Cyclists usually lean to the sides which means their bikes get affected more or less by vertical force. However, it is different in tricycles. One way to help is to use a wider rear hub to achieve better angle of the spokes. That is why we use 157mm rear hubs that are commonly mounted on downhill bikes whose load is quite extreme indeed.
Through axle
Unlike a conventional quick release you know from most classic bikes, here the wheel is attached to the fork by a large diameter through axle which is itself screwed into the thread on the right side of the fork. The bearings and the rotating hub are then mounted directly on it. On the left side of the fork you will find a precisely machined cone. Together with the axle, the fork forms a very stiff whole. The German Syntace brand is a tried and tested solution and in our opinion, it is extremely effective. That is why we have chosen it for our tricycles as well.
Built-in tools
It is as simple and easy to remove the rear wheel with the trough axle as it is with a quick-release, all you need is an Allen key. And wonder of wonders – it’s hidden inside the axle itself. You will therefore never forget it at home and you will never have to remember what size key you actually need.
MTB technologies
Through axles are pretty standard in the world of mountain bikes. Nowadays, any good quality mountain bike has a through axle at least in the front suspension fork and most also have them in the rear as well. Hence, the effectiveness of such a solution has been confirmed by millions of satisfied bikers. We have therefore drawn on this knowledge and experiences. After all, it is a world that develops a bit faster than our recumbent one.
Commonly available
Even though downhill is a minor part of cycling, the parts you need for it are commonly available not only on the Internet but also in specialized stores. So it’s not a problem to get a 157mm wide rear hub with a through axle as a spare part. And if you cannot find it, contact one of our dealers or us directly.
2 types of steering
You can choose from two different styles of steering. It is either the ASS – above seat steering (also called over seat steering) or the USS – under seat.
Asymetrical rear fork
The design of our asymmetric rear fork we presented at the SPEZI 2007 astonished not only recumbent bike riders but also professionals. It is not a gadget for a mere showing off! You can experience the functionality of its original shape and of its unique fit into AZUB frames on the Mini, SIX and MAX models.
Pogo effect
The radius of the placement of this asymmetric rear fork provides plenty of space for the movable chain pulley which eliminates the so-called pogo effect (lateral swinging of a recumbent bike when pedalling rhythmically or using force) and makes the chain run much smoother. The equilibrium and qualities of the whole construction are ensured by the radius of the rear shock placement in the opposite direction.
Stiffness and extremely light weight
The whole rear fork is made of specially designed thin-wall tubes AL 7020. This gives it two essential qualities that you are looking for: stiffness and extremely light weight. The interchangeable rear derailleur hanger of the gear system has become a standard feature on all AZUB models.
IPS - Ideal Position System
We firmly believe that a bike should adapt to the rider and not the other way round. Therefore, when Aleš designed his first recumbent bike back in 2000, he already tried to make it as adjustable as possible. And today, all our bikes and trikes are like that too. Adjustable features greatly help when learning to ride recumbent. Because when you buy your first recumbent bike, you have no idea if you will prefer sitting more upright or more reclined, you will only be able to decide after many hundreds of miles. With our bikes, adjusting your seating position couldn’t be easier.
Millimetre by millimetre
Two struts with special threads allow you to tilt your seat exactly to the position you want. No matter if you need it set extremely upright or truly reclined. The stability of the whole setup is ensured by two ergonomic locknuts with rubber inserts, and the laser etched markings on each strut make the adjustment very easy.
Smooth adjustment of distance from pedals
The distance between the pedals and the seat can be set not only with the so-called boom, which we usually do according to your height when the bike is built, but also by moving the seat itself. Therefore, when there are two of you taking turns with the bike or when you want to get your friend to try the amazing feeling of reclined riding, you can adjust the seating position on the bike very easily.
Fantastic range of positions for handlebars
The handlebars can be set to an extremely wide range of positions. The way they are set in the stem is the same like in a classic bike. In recumbents with ASS, it is also possible to set the tilt of the stem and the distance of the handlebars from the body, in short, to create the most comfortable seating ever.
Sliding sleeve for the seat
The sliding sleeve is made of glass fibre reinforced plastic. You can set your seat with millimetre precision and it will only take a few seconds as everything is controlled by two red anodized quick releases. Easy, fast, functional.
Movable idler
We’ve eliminated the “pogo effect” by placing a chain pulley on the Top Line models. What is more, it is positioned on an axis made of high quality stainless steel, which allows the chain to swing smoothly from the left to the right according to the set gear. This technical solution improves the chain’s lifetime and lower the resistance that occurs when the axis is in a fixed position.
Smooth adjustment of the seat
Ever since we started back in 2000, we have always thought that a bike should adapt to the rider and not the other way round. That’s why we used an adjustable seat for our first bike, in which both the angle and the pedal distance were adjustable. With each further development stage, we introduced a more accurate adjustment, until 2013, when we reached a stage of adjusting without positions. This concept is based on a sliding sleeve, which we produce in a straight version for our tricycles and some bicycles, as well as in a curved version for recumbents.
Reinforced with glass fibre
The sleeve is made of durable, glass fibre reinforced plastic which we opted for in order to prevent scratching of the paint even during frequent use.
Perfect fit
It is extremely important for the seat to be secure whilst riding, which is why there are two small hard-anodised aluminium parts attached to the lower part of the seat. They fit onto a three-part stainless steel insert that is fitted within the sleeve itself. When you tighten the quick release, everything slots together nice and tight.
Speed and simplicity
Adjusting the seat is very easy. The upper quick release is used to secure the seat and when you release the lower one, the grip around the frame loosens and the seat can be moved. If you are a heavy rider, the lower quick release must be tightened really firmly.
Super-oversized main frame tube
AZUB frames are recognisable by their central frame tube to which all the major elements are fixed, be it the head tube with the front fork, the seat, the rear fork bracket or the luggage racks. This solution not only gives our bikes maximal stiffness and solidity, hence providing stable riding performance, but also an important carriage capacity in the form of its back carrier. You will especially appreciate our technical solution when fully loaded with several bags behind you, as their weight will not influence the riding performance of your recumbent at all.
Ergonomic seat
The seat is crucial not only for the comfort when riding a trike, but it will also determine how fast you will be able to corner, whether you and your trike will become true friends and whether you will get the right response from the road that will be running under your wheels. That is why we have devoted so much time to its development as well.
Design is everything
The shape of the tricycle seat is based on the shape of a human back and on the position that the rider adopts. We have spared no expense in getting the bends just right. The seat cushion is long enough to prevent slipping, in the lower back part it copies the proportions of the body, and the curve at the top makes the shoulders and neck bend just right to allow
One size fits all
Our seats compensate for the differences in people’s heights by the mesh cover which can be stretched with straps located at the back. The cover
Setting the tightness
In production, the seat cover is set really tight, though it will loosen a little after several trips. Only then will you experience the feel of its correct side steering, so important during fast cornering. However, the cover should not be loosened too much so that you would slouch, and not too tight sincein some places it could be uncomfortable for your back. You can adjust the tightness of individual sections with the straps at the back of the seat.
Additional padding
If you are looking for maximum comfort and excellent ventilation, then we highly recommend you get additional padding for your seat, the
Ergonomics vs. control
If you want to feel nice and comfortable on your bike, it must be both easy to control and ergonomic. However, in some recumbent bikes and trikes you can also find handlebars that don’t really match with the design of common bicycle components. They are tricycle handlebars, or more precisely, the USS. For us, the reverse mounting of brake levers and grip shifters next to the little finger does not constitute a good enough solution. So we use the so called cable loops which solve many complaints that concern the incorrect mounting of grip shifters and brake levers.
Shift and brake simultaneously
A pleasant bonus of the ergonomic mounting of the shifters and brake levers is the ability to brake and change gears at the same time. If you are an experienced cyclist, you are used to adjusting your gears when braking sharply in order to be able to subsequently carry on pedalling in the right cadence. Thanks to the placement of all the elements in our cockpit, you will be able to do this even on your recumbent.
Original shifting
Individual components of modern mountain bikes and road bikes are designed to be fully ergonomic, with an emphasis on easy operation. Using them on recumbent bikes requires special approach and mounting with the help of cable loops and tunnels in handlebars. We can therefore offer you not just the cutting-edge Shimano XT shifters, but also the more economical 8-speed Shimano Alivio. So you can choose to have your favourite shifters that you are used to on your conventional bike fitted onto your dream recumbent, and they will always be placed ergonomically.
Bar end shifters
Bar end shifters, whether from Shimano, SRAM or Microshift, are very popular amongst recumbent riders, particularly on long journeys. We like the overall concept mainly for its simplicity. However, the price and the need to mount the brake levers in reverse is often a problem. We therefore offer these shifters as optional components.
Exceptions
The vast majority of bikes that are created by our experienced mechanics are custom-built according to the wishes of our customers. And although they can choose from the standard combinations of components we offer in our configurator, now and again we do get a special requirement, such as to mount the brake levers only on one side of the handlebars, etc. In these cases, we can mount the grip shifters in reverse, or combine a grip shifter with a classic shift lever. We always consult the special requirements directly with the future rider in order for everybody to be fully satisfied. Us with a job well done, and you with your new machine.
F2F - Fold To Flat
The folding mechanism on our tricycles is positioned in such a way that when you start folding the rear of the frame, the trike slowly “turns” and the rear wheel ends up folded flat. You also remove the seat and, if necessary, also the wheels, so the resulting package is remarkably small.
F2F U - Fold to flat ultra
In addition to folding the front part, you can also rotate the rear fork which is designed to fit neatly just below the rear of the frame. This will turn the tricycle into an incredibly small package which you can easily fit into the boot of a small car or into our carry case should you wish to take the trike for example on a plane. And the whole manoeuvre will take you no more than 5 minutes without the need for any tools.
Note
To enable this feature, the rack and mudguards must be removed. Only the Lowrider rack can be folded along with the rear fork. In this case, you will need some basic bike tools and folding the trike may take a little longer.
Folding handlebars
It took us hours and hours of thinking and discussions before we thought up and then designed probably the most sophisticated folding handlebars in the world of recumbent tricycles. We would rather not mention the number of prototypes we have made...
Feel the groove
The principle of the concept lies in the grooves that fit together exactly. The ones in the central part of the stem are made of stainless steel and those on the individual halves of the handlebars are made of chromium-molybdenum steel and are painted.
Always the same position
Thanks to the fact that the grooves are large enough, you will always be able to place the handlebars in the same position as they were before folding whilst keeping them symmetrical.
Ye shall not budge
It does not matter at all how much force you will put on the handlebars when getting on or when braking suddenly. The handlebars will not move, not forwards, nor backwards. They will hold their position like a stubborn mule.
Superb stiffness
The handlebars are made of chromium-molybdenum steel that makes them very stiff and almost impossible to bend.
Internal lines
In order to get the position for the shifters and brake levers ergonomically perfect, we use internal cable
IPS - Ideal Position System
We firmly believe that a bike should adapt to the rider and not the other way round. Therefore, when Aleš designed his first recumbent bike back in 2000, he already tried to make it as adjustable as possible. And today, all our bikes and trikes are like that too. Adjustable features greatly help when learning to ride recumbent. Because when you buy your first recumbent bike, you have no idea if you will prefer sitting more upright or more reclined, you will only be able to decide after many hundreds of miles. With our bikes, adjusting your seating position couldn’t be easier.
Millimetre by millimetre
Two struts with special threads allow you to tilt your seat exactly to the position you want. No matter if you need it set extremely upright or truly reclined. The stability of the whole setup is ensured by two ergonomic locknuts with rubber inserts, and the laser etched markings on each strut make the adjustment very easy.
Smooth adjustment of distance from pedals
The distance between the pedals and the seat can be set not only with the so-called boom, which we usually do according to your height when the bike is built, but also by moving the seat itself. Therefore, when there are two of you taking turns with the bike or when you want to get your friend to try the amazing feeling of reclined riding, you can adjust the seating position on the bike very easily.
Fantastic range of positions for handlebars
The handlebars can be set to an extremely wide range of positions. The way they are set in the stem is the same like in a classic bike. In recumbents with ASS, it is also possible to set the tilt of the stem and the distance of the handlebars from the body, in short, to create the most comfortable seating ever.
Sliding sleeve for the seat
The sliding sleeve is made of glass fibre reinforced plastic. You can set your seat with millimetre precision and it will only take a few seconds as everything is controlled by two red anodized quick releases. Easy, fast, functional.
Short rear construction
The extremely short rear fork is the secret weapon of our tricycles. It not only improves the grip on poor surfaces, but also the riding properties when cornering and the suspension.
Stiffness rules
The stiffness of the rear construction is truly crucial for the trike’s superb riding properties. The more so if you are a heavier rider or if you, like us, love fast twisty descents. That is why our tricycles without suspension have a large rear triangle, designed to be as short as possible to make the rear wheel as close as possible to the seat. The lower legs made from a D-shaped section further contribute to the great lateral stiffness of the entire trike.
Derailleur hanger
If your trike is equipped with a standard size rear hub, that is 135 mm (all tricycles with 20" rear wheel and tricycles with hub motors or hub gears in 26" versions), the rear fork will have a
Rohloff OEM dropouts
There is none other professional solution to fit the Rohloff hub gear than the so-called OEM dropouts. They feature an extended left groove for the hub to which the torque bar is attached. So there no Rohloff Torque Arm or Speedbone gets in the way. Rohloff OEM dropouts are fitted as standard on all our bikes.
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