12/07/2026
- Postcard from the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail -
This past week I’ve had the opportunity to do some quality field testing on our Back O’ Bourke full suspension recumbent trike. I’ve covered some 190km all off road on the BVRT. The goal the BoB has always been to create a true back country recumbent trike tested and capable of Australian conditions. A true ‘off the beaten track’ recumbent cable of going places previously only accessible on MTB’s.
My current BoB is a relevantly recent build having passed on my production prototype to Ken some 7000km young. My new build features duel battery, Rohloff gearing, carbon rims and a host of small refinements. Some available to customers, some currently under evaluation.
The choice of BVRT was somewhat serendipitous as Bec and I literally just chose the dot on the map during an enforced mid year break. However it proved to have all the attributes of a trail needed to put the BoB to through a proper evaluation. Much of this trail is too rough for non-suspended trikes and a challenge without electric assist with a full touring load onboard.
On board I had around 20kg of gear to better assess the trikes handling and electric range. I also has an EggRider display synced a phone app enabled me to reprogram motor settings on the go as well as a shock pump for suspension settings. I rather brazenly left the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires on which are a bit light on for such a rocky trail and high wheel loading.
The first day I rode the trike on my standard configuration which was pleasant but did feel a little more sluggish than I had anticipated. That night I put it down to my lack of fitness but I the morning I re-assessed. I felt that the ride quality was “almost too good” and decided to bring my tires up to 35psi. This was dramatically better…the simple things. From here the real tuning could begin.
Being a lifelong rider I’ve always had a good cadence. The Bafang’s stock settings are a little of my my liking as you find it’s always trying to slow your cadence in order to access the torque in climbs. The opposite to what your legs need. I opened up the EggRidder app and adjusted the max motor speed to 100% at all levels of assist, not just the highest. MUCH better. I felt like I was working a little harder, but the efficiency improved considerably and the torque was still there in the climbs when I really needed it.
Next up suspension tuning. BoB’s suspension features 130mm front and rear (to most of any trike currently available) managed by DNM dual air shocks on each individual wheel. BoB’s super power is how it smoothly glides over dirt road corrugations and cattle grids. The BVRT has some 20-30 cattle grids spread across its some 160km length. After enjoying hitting over them for the first day or so I noticed there was a “sweet spot” speed where traversing them was smoothest. A sign of suspension tuning needed. With the tire pressures up a little, I brought the shock pressures down a little and increased the dampening pressure. This lead to wonderful smooth ride and a nice subtle “squat” over the cattle grids indicating more correct dampening. Very cool to be able to dial this in!
With this I stopped tinkering and started riding! And just in time as the section between Lowood and Toogoolawah was perhaps the roughest section of the trail. Featuring fist sized rocks and no clear line for a trike to take, I would not recommend taking on this section on a trike without suspension. This was the point where I thought my less durable (but faster) tire choice might catch me out. However it turned out to be where the BoB’s suspension really came into its own. I’ve come to learn this past few years that when the suspension is on point, the need for larger and more durable tires is largely negated. We get requests for 4” tires on BoB all the time and unless you are riding specifically on sand or snow, they are unnecessary and actually reduce the suspension performance (by increasing unsprung mass). Which, btw why I have carbon rims and lighter tires on this machine. If you blind folded me and told me to ride over a bumpy section I could tell you if there were light or heavy wheels fitted. It’s quite noticeable.
Ah yes the Rohloff hub. This is the first time I’ve fitted a Rohloff to one of my own trikes in some 15 years. I can say without doubt it’s so great to have one again. When combined with the Bafang mid drive motor it provides every gear you could ever need. Lovely effortless winch like gear out of steep pinches. Wonderful high gears for flat land cruising. Any gear, any time!
The BVRT
An awesome trail with great facilities along the way. I found everyone I met very friendly and accepting. If your trike is not suspended or assisted I would recommend caution in taking on the entire trail. There are some extremely rugged sections in parts. However there are also some extremely pleasant parts enjoyable by all. Do your homework, ask the friendly locals. The Back O’ Bourke was completely in its element on this trail and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I come away with both praise for this machine as well as ways to continue to improve it. One of my best. If I say so my self 😊
Happy Trike Riding To You All! ❤️
