Chain Management & Idlers

The new Volae front idler is made by T-Cycle from high quality delrin. This durable idler has an o-ring which provides great performance. It has an 6mm bearing and is 40mm in diameter.

When switching from the old Volae idler to the new Volae idler, you will need a Volae Front Idler Conversion Kit.
May also work on old Vision Recumbents, but will probably require hardware adaptation.

The TerraCycle Sport Dual Idler Kit for Catrikes is what comes standard on all current model Catrikes.

With aluminum cog and steel bearings, the Sport idler is a long-lasting idler that will deliver great performance.

The Catrike Dual Idler Kit is for older Catrikes that didn't come with a T-Cycle idler. The Sport series comes with a Sport Power Idler, Return Idler, and a Stainless Single Chain Keeper, and all the necessary hardware to make it work beautifully. This kit essentially replaces your stock Catrike parts with high-end T-Cycle idlers. Many times, you can completely eliminate the need for chaintubes with the Dual Idler Kit. Now comes with a Floating Chaintube Holder!

Note: This kit does not fit older Catrike Villagers, TerraCycle does not have a complete kit for this model.

The Catrike Chain Tensioner from TerraCycle allows you to move your boom without adjusting the chain length. This is a great accessory if multiple riders with different x-seams will be using your Catrike. X-seam's must be within four inches of each other.

Works with all Catrike Models

For those who prefer the Over/Under Idler concept. Kit consists of an Over/Under idler with an aluminum power side cog, a special Stainless idler bolt, a very trick CNC machined clamp on chainkeeper, and a new clamp on idler mount. The new clamp on idler mount attaches to the main tube in front of the seat and provides a simple, solid mount for the idler at the midpoint of the bike. You'll appreciate the smooth simplicity of this idler kit.

The TerraCycle Sport Power Idler is the second best power idler on the market (second only to the Elite Power Idler). With aerospace grade ballistic nylon side plates, tough metal core, durable aluminum cog and top of the line ABEC-7 steel bearings, this rugged, workhorse idler will give you years of trouble-free improved drivetrain performance. It's solid and, quite frankly, it's beautiful. For miles and miles, the Sport Power Idler will prove itself a reliable, quality addition to your recumbent.

For product details, see Specifications.

The Easy Racers Return Idler Kit allows you to get rid of that old stock S bend jockey wheel setup or fixed chaintube, and mount a high quality TerraCycle Return Idler directly to your existing idler tab. You'll find the upgrade is smooth, easy to maintain and ultra durable. Installation is super easy, especially if you're only replacing a chaintube. The tensioner has more parts to take off, and you should do a quick chain length check. On most bikes, you won't need to change anything, but on bikes that were set up with a bit of extra chain, you may want to shorten it by 1 or 2 sets of links. A quick shift into the big-big combination and you'll know.

• The Elite version uses an Elite Series return idler, with a see through CNC machined aluminum core and hybrid ceramic bearing.
• The mounting hardware on all kits is made from CNC machined aluminum, anodized black. All the hardware is stainless steel. The idler shaft is a precision ground stainless bushing supported on a 6mm bolt. The chainkeeper is made from a special abrasion resistant molybdenum disulfide impregnated nylon supported on a 5mm bolt.
• No particular maintenance is required. Wiping down the idler every once in a while is a good idea. As long as you take a little care to keep solvents and detergents from getting into the bearing, everything will last for a long time. If you ever do want to replace the bearing, it is very easy to do. It is a standard sized 608 bearing (skatewheel bearing) which is very common and easy to find.  This idler will last tens of thousands of miles. This is a very durable, basically carefree idler kit.
• Compatible with all known versions of the Tour Easy, Gold Rush, Ti Rush, Fold Rush, S&S coupled Ti Rush, and Taiwan (Sun) Tour Easys. We can also do idlers for the C-Rush, etc. if you don't already have a T-Cycle idler stock on your bike.

TerraCycle's floating chaintube holder allows you to use short sections of chaintube which will have the ability to move up and down, left and right with the chain, while staying in place fore and aft to protect your frame from chain rub. Traditional methods of fixing chaintubes to recumbents usually result in the tube fighting the chain, causing friction and noise since the chaintubes are fixed in place or minimally movable.

This new system follows the same philosophy as their floating idlers- it's best to allow movement as you change gears and let the chain go where it needs to go. This is proving to be the solution for many bikes/trikes that need some frame protection without adding additional idlers. Hostel Shoppe offers the mount in a "Universal" version that attaches to the frame with Zip Ties. It's possible to put this version almost anyplace.

Chaintubes have a reputation for being noisy, draggy, and prone to filling with chain crud. While this can be true, it doesn't have to be. It's possible to have a chain tube that is almost friction free, and unlikely to get gunked up.

Here's how to do it:

• Let the chaintube float with the chain. You want the chaintube to cover the chain, not tell it where to go.
• Use the right chaintube material. TerraCycle uses a special low noise, extra slippery plastic.
• Keep the chaintube as short as possible. The longer the tube, the more it will gunk up and the more the chain can vibrate inside. Shorter is better, down to about 3" (75mm).
• Flare the ends. The entry end is most important, of course, but the exit end makes a big difference too. TerraCycle flares both ends with a special process that thickens the ends as well as shaping them for smooth chain flow. These are supplied with two small zipties for attachment to the mount. Some applications may require two floating chaintube holders. 30cm long

With beautifully machined side aluminum side plates and a pair of "Ceramic Bearings" that are machined to the tightest tolerances, this is the top of the line idler that outshines the competition by such a wide distance. A 15t titaniuum cog is standard on this idler. The only idler even close to being as good is the TerraCycle Sport Power Side idler. This upgraded Elite idler has proven both durable and functional with thousands sold and has provided day to day improvements in performance for many makes and models of recumbent bicycles.

For product details, see Specifications.

The T-Cycle Sport Over/Under Idler is the second best over/under idler on the market (second only to the Elite Over/Under Idler). With aerospace grade ballistic nylon side plates, tough metal core, durable aluminum cog, tough urethane chainbed, and top of the line ABEC-7 steel bearings, this rugged, workhorse idler will give you years of trouble-free improved drivetrain performance. It's solid, it's quiet, and, quite frankly, it's beautiful. For miles and miles, the Sport Over/Under Idler will prove itself a reliable, quality addition to your recumbent.

The Clamp-On Double-Sided Chain Keeper is designed to maintain your chain on an Over/Under Idler. The double-sided and single-sided Clamp-On Chain Keepers are TerraCycle exclusive products. Nowhere else will you find a chain keeper that clamps onto the head of an idler bolt. Clamping on means freedom to float your chain keeper side to side with the chain and the idler, and it means super easy setup and maintenance. The abrasion resistant nylon arm, stainless steel fasteners and high quality machined aluminum means your Clamp-On Double-Sided Chain Keeper will be with you a long time.

These clamp on chainkeepers were developed to enable idler float and to make everyone's lives simpler. Since the chainkeeper attaches itself to the head of the idler bolt, it is completely independent of everything else. That means the idler bolt can be tightened without squeezing the idler or chainkeeper. This allows the idler to float side to side with the chain for better efficiency. Also, since this chainkeeper clamps itself on, you don't have to put it on until everything else is done- very handy for maintenance. Install the idler and any spacers needed to keep it from rubbing on things and tighten the idler bolt. Lay in the chains, and THEN install the chainkeeper. How easy is that?

• The chainkeeper is machined with a clamp sized for the head of an 8mm Socket Head Cap Screw (the standard idler bolt). Super abrasion resistant nylon arms, with 5mm stainless bolt all the way through them, keep the chains from getting any ideas of going places they shouldn't. To install the chainkeeper, simply slide it onto the head of the 8mm bolt and tighten.
• 6061T6 aluminum, CNC machined and black anodized. MDS Nylon chainkeepers supported by M5 stainless bolts. Clamp designed for 8mm Socket Head Cap Screws with 0.52 inch (13mm) diameter heads. These chainkeepers can be used on other sizes of bolts, but larger bolt heads need to be turned down to 13mm and on smaller bolts or shafts a shim is needed to get up to 13mm.

The Universal Boom Adjust Chain Tensioner allows you to move your boom without hassling with the chain. It automatically compensates for changes in chain length when you adjust the seat for different riders. Perfect for anyone that would like to share their trike with different riders. The installation is simple, design is sleek and materials are strong. If more than one person rides your trike, then a Universal Boom Adjust Chain Tensioner is perfect to eliminate the worries of whether the chain is too long or too short!

This kit is designed for the Volae with adjustable boom and other bikes with a 2" diameter main frame and a 1.885 inch diameter boom.