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Noomad Pics

(27 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from Uberuce

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  1. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    This is really... Odd... Noomad contacted me a while back asking for an address to send something to test/review for citycycling. I'd forgotten about it, till a huge box arrived yesterday.

    Basically all you have to do is remove your front wheel and brake, then the frame fits into the fork dropouts with a quick release bar. The axle for the wee wheels is positioned a bit below this, the whole thing having been designed for 26" wheel bikes, so the geometry is maintained.

    Costs about £300, which is a bit steep - oh, and they threw in a nice Ortlieb as well...

    The wheels lean on a pivoty bar thingy, so both remain in contact when turning (though I tried a few sharp turns and things slid). Going to make sure everything is secure over the weekend, since I had to have a wee workaround with not all the fixings in the box, stick a slick tyre on the back, and take it commuting next week. Expecting some very odd looks...


    Untitled by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr


    Untitled by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr


    Untitled by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. RJ
    Member

    *snigger*

    It's a trikey stabiliser thing ;)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. ExcitableBoy
    Member

    Saw these in a vid I think chdot posted recently. Looks fun(ky), but when you can put two panniers (and more) on a rear rack I'm not quite sure why you'd bother?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I think it's if you've already filled up the rear panniers and still need space. Although you could just get front panniers.

    Because the wheels pivot it's not free-standing for better balance and the like either...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. thebikechain
    Member

    I like the idea for people with limited mobility. Makes a normal bike a real option for them in some cases.

    Also, kid carrying and general shopping would be fun.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I'm thinking of the advantages when it comes to winter.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. wingpig
    Member

    "I'm thinking of the advantages when it comes to winter."

    You could rig up a hopper for the front out of a big bag or box and some kitchen funnels, fill it with rock salt and trundle around the off-road paths to save the council the bother...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    What did the cat in the photo think?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. retrodirect
    Member

    It looks absolutely mental. Would love a shot of that. Is it some sort of brake splitter up front too?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. LaidBack
    Member

    It's like a 'bike hod' on the front (pre carryfreedom trailer design).
    It's almost logical.
    If it makes a tilting trike then it might just sell in limited quantities.

    Downside
    • price
    • people want to conform and this is is like the tilting scooter I see around town
    • two tyre sizes - but less wear per tyre
    • three wheels have three tracks hence potholes cannot be avoided (not that this deters recumbent trike sales)
    • mudguards needed or does the spray go round you?
    • Scotrail will not like it
    • parking in bike space - then again it stands alone?

    Upside
    • tram track and ice proof?

    Look forward to your review...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Instography
    Member

    Looks like a solution in search of a problem.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Noomad is getting its first commute tomorrow (Tuesday). Solved the mounting problem (it came with a couple of screws to screw into the V-brake bosses - 'cept I had none, blanked off since that bike runs discs, then realised the bosses were still on the cx bike forks, so removed them, bunged them on the MTB fork, away ye go).

    Too it for a spin to make sure everything was as it should be - bit rattly, not figured out where that's coming from, but actually a total blast. There are some lovely little things that happen. For instance if only one wheel goes over a speed cushion it stays level as that wheel just pivots up. Same for bumping down kerbs. Going 'up' little kerbs, though, is a bit hairier, as it tends to snatch the steering to the side. Quite looking forward to the commute now (specially cos I'd fogotten the be-slicked MTB is actually quite quick - which is making me look forward even more to sticking a lightweight rigid fork on, and some flat pedals for it to be shop/fun bike).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. crowriver
    Member

    Instant cargo-ish trike!

    I can see how it keeps the centre of gravity lower, but then so do lo-riders. I guess this doesn't affect steering/stability in the same way?

    Will be interested in the write up but I don't think I'll be getting one myself.....trailers and a cargo bike are enough for me.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Right, impressions from the ride to work today...

    I need to find the rattle, it's really irritating.
    I turned back after 200 yards to remove the daft little mudguards which were wobbling about all over the place.
    With a fully loaded bag on the front it weighs an absolute tonne - the Innocent Tunnel was a slog (though I did manage to pass someone) and you start to resent any time you have to stop.
    Filtering is... Interesting. A lot of places I didn't bother - the wheels aren't as wide as the bars, but if you lean the bars out the way of something the wheels are still tracking the same so it's awkward.
    I had a HUGE load in the front this morning, and I can safely say it's less noticeable on the handling (more of which anon) than the same, or even lesser, weight mounted on panniers - I presume this is down to low centre of gravity and split over two wheels.
    It feels 'planted' in a straight line - rough surfaces are smoothed a touch by the fact the wheels move up and down. Independent suspension would obviously be great, but this pivoting bar arrangement works well.
    Turning is... To be learned - it actually feels okay, but once a bit faster can understeer, and hit any bump in the middle of the turn and there's definite understeer, which also feels odd cos on a normal bike this means you're off, on this it just understeers till it grabs again, but it's disconcerting.

    Overall (so far), I can actually see some of the benefit. It's more stable than higher mounted panniers, and out of the saddle honking you get now swaying weight behind you at all. It goves an additional load carrying option if you already have panniers. Still not sure I'd put a child seat there.

    Tonight it gets a viewing at TBC; Thursday at PY; then the end of next week the kit is handed over to retodirect, who has offered to give it a courier workout. Now that should be interesting.

    Probably get some more/better pics from the ride home tonight. Trying to think how to show off the various capabilities/benefits/drawbacks. Will be using the rest of the week, and possibly into next week, to get a real feel for it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    p.s. it's still reasonably ugly...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. wingpig
    Member

    Shout when you're about half an hour from leaving if you want to be filmed for some of the way back.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. SRD
    Moderator

    Certainly handy to have a front carrier if childseat on back precludes panniers.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. Min
    Member

    "
    With a fully loaded bag on the front it weighs an absolute tonne - the Innocent Tunnel was a slog (though I did manage to pass someone) and you start to resent any time you have to stop.
    ----------
    I had a HUGE load in the front this morning, "

    What exactly was it that made it weigh a tonne, the wheel things or the weight you put on it? My panniers aren't heavy but even if I put loads of stuff in to make them heavy, it still doesn't mean the panniers themselves are heavy.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    The kit itself is pretty heavy. The ortlieb bag this morning was loaded with clothes for work, lunch, two cameras, toolkit and an iPad (and was damned heavy to lug up the stairs). The two of them combined must have been literally a tonne.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Additional:

    The point I was trying to make (hence the need for a full review) is that the weight distribution is different. Two panniers on the back could carry the same amount of stuff, which would be noticeable in the handling (certainly from my experience of panniers/Carradice). Whereas adding weight to the front of this didn't change how it handled or felt when the pannier bag wasn't on there.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. SRD
    Moderator

    I'm finding the preoccupation with weight slightly baffling. Anyone who routinely carries a child, or does their groceries by bike, or carries exam papers/books for work, is used to carrying heavy loads by bike, and I can't see that they would find it an issue.

    I can't imagine someone investing in this bike adaptation being worried about riding weight. Weight to carry upstairs, or load into car maybe. But I just don't think that discussion of weight makes the same sense here as in someone who wants a nippy road-bike.

    EDIT: sorry wc, we overlapped in posting. distribution makes sense.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Weight distribution.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    My poor explanation....

    I need to look at the adaptor again to put a childseat up front. Just seems a little... dangerous. Not from a 'first thing to impact' kinda way, but little hands right next to spinning wheels...

    The fancy pants version of the kit has 26" wheels up front, rather than the teeny ones. Not sure how this would affect the handling.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. Min
    Member

    Okay I understand now.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Trying to think how to show off the various capabilities/benefits/drawbacks

    Try a tour of some of the council's finest bicycle infrastructure.

    The two of them combined must have been literally a tonne.

    In the same way that Hugh Porter described Jason Kenny as being "literally on fire" in the mens Olympic individual sprint?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Exactly the same way kappers. I was literally channeling Hugh Porter.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. Uberuce
    Member

    *dresses up in frilly gingham and pigtails and says, innocently*

    Does this mean your blood really boiled when you were writing up the Trambles, Kappers?

    Posted 12 years ago #

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