this that
Nimbus kayaks evolve. PHOTO: RAINFOREST DESIGNS
Sprouting Wheels
STEVE SCHLEICHER’S kayaks keep getting faster. His latest creation blows them out of the water
>> NAME A COLOURFUL, streamlined, human-powered vehi- cle that’s built out of composite by your local kayak shop. You’re right if you answered “a velomobile.” A few years ago, Steve Schleich-
er, owner of Rainforest Designs, the company that builds Nimbus Kayaks in Maple Ridge, B.C., de- cided to combine his passion for cycling with his 30-plus years of kayak building expertise. He set out to mould a composite fair- ing—a lightweight and streamlined shell—for his recumbent bike so he could stay dry while riding to work on the rainy West Coast. That fairing has morphed after
a few prototypes into the Aurora, a head-turning velomobile with advanced unibody construction and a gull wing door. The com- posite shell made of graphite, Kevlar and fibreglass provides all the structural support for the wheels and drivetrain, which are installed by Vancouver bike shop Cambie Cycles. Schleicher’s goal is to go into production soon as one of the
first commercial velomobile man- ufacturers in North America. The Aurora would sell for about $6,000 and be comparable in quality to European imports, which cost $8,500 to $15,000 after shipping and taxes. “I think after I’ve put in all this
effort, if I could sell a couple and get some money back that would be good,” says Schleicher. The Aurora has LED headlights,
turn signals and tail lights, and about 100 litres of cargo space. On flats and downhills, where the weight doesn’t slow you down, it’s a bit faster than a normal bike. The main advantage is being able to climb in and go for a ride on any day of the year without having to dress for the weather. “I have a cover that goes overtop
for when it’s really snotty out,” said Schleicher. “We had a little spell here in January where it rained 28 days in a row. I was riding every day and I didn’t get wet. It’s like a car in terms of functionality. You just get in and go.” Now for the obvious question: How is it in the surf? —Tim Shuff
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| ADVENTURE KAYAK fall 2006
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