Racing & Velomobile Research & RecordsTri-Sled's HPV research has culminated in the development of our current racing and velomobile models. Below is a brief history of these models, and a list of the achievements and records they hold. FastBack 1998A refined version of this model is commercially available as the Fast Back Racing HPV and the FB10 Racing HPV
On road date: December 1997 The 1998 Fast Back was the 'mother' model to most of the machines we build today. It represented a major step forward in layout, refinement of handling and steering geometry. We still manufacture an improved version of this machine for school racing teams, as it offers great peformance, reliability and safety. FastBack 1999
On road date: 1999 FastBack Tandem 2000
On road date: 2000 Sorcerer Series I
On road date: August 2001 The Sorcerer Series I fairing was Tri-Sled’s first composite-bodied machine. It was also the beginning of a new direction for Tri-Sled in aerodymamics and windscreen configuration. We had a new aim: to go racing on Sunday and ride to work Monday with the same machine. The Sorcerer Series 1 vehicle was our first attempt at achieving a balance between practicality and speed. We also managed to stumble across the most weather-resistant racing format. By putting the windscreen just over the rider's head, fogging and ventilation could be better managed with minimal speed penalty. Sorcerer Series IICommercially available as the Sorcerer Racing HPV.
On road date: September 2002 Testing of the Sorcerer I fairing revealed opportunities for major improvements in both aerodynamic frontal area and chassis performance. More than 15 per cent of the frontal area was cut away and many of the aerodynamic transitions were softened. A new chassis was developed with improved geometry for the disc brake front end, which became the prototype for the Sorcerer Racing HPV and Apex recreational trike models we offer today. Many other smaller innovations were tested, such as live axle front wheels, a soft top hatch, moving wheel covers, rear wheel fairings and an openable windscreen. Sorcerer Series III
On road date: February 2007 Following the success of the second Sorcerer there were two areas Tri-Sled wanted to investigate further. One limitation of most HPVs is the limited ventilation and general visablitiy for road use. The obvious solution to this issue was to maximise the aerodynamics of a head-out fairing by designing the hatch around the rider’s head. The second area of investigation was wheel camber. The aim was to cowl in the wheels for maximum aerodyanamic benefit, while still maintaining a good turning circle and handling. A unique triple kingpin cross-member was developed which used a linkage to create a virtual kingpin axis allowing the wheel to be cambered at 22 degrees. Although effective, this development was abandoned as it was unable to match the handling and performance of the Sorcerer Series II development. Sorcerer Series IVCommercially available as the Sorcerer Series IV Velomobile
On road date: September 2007 On reflection of the progress made with MK III, the next direction was clear: take all of the best elements from the three versions to create a machine with great road-use possibilities as well as maintaining enough speed to hold its own on a race track. Development returned to the Apex chassis with some improvements made to seating position. Following aerodynamic testing, refinements were made to the shape and frontal area. Wheel arches were added to the front wheels for weather protection and improvements to the entry hatch were also explored. As a result of this development, the series IV Sorcerer is Tri-Sled’s current practical velomobile model. AvatarCommercially available as the Avatar SuperVelo
On road date: August 2008 This unique design represents a new era of development and manufacturing for Tri-Sled, drawing on automotive methods for improved precision and performance. Avatar was designed with CAD software and the molds were five axis routed on an NC machine. This allowed for more design freedom to optimilise the format and improve accuracy. Combined with Tri-Sled's experience in the workshop, this model promises some exciting potential. |
