!

Great stories!

2010-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

We wanted to give a big time thank you to Appalachian Today and The Appalachian Newspaper for doing great stories on FFR!

http://today.appstate.edu/trikes/

http://www.theappalachianonline.com/campus/6875-electric-tricycles-ausherman-invents-new-way-to-get-to-class

Introducing the solar tandem...

2010-07-14T12:18:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots of our newest creation, a solar powered social tandem recumbent trike which was recently piloted across North Carolina from Kitty Hawk to Sparta by Tommy Ausherman and Jesse Lee.

Our story makes the paper

2009-07-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

**Click Here to Read the full article**

The Video:

Website is UP! Woo wee!

2009-06-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Finally.

www.FFRtrikes.com

She needs a little fine tuning but is indeed up and running!

More info about my Prototype, built off the KMX Typhoon.

2009-06-22T13:48:00.001-07:00

On the charger.

For more info and specs about the prototype I built off of KMX's Typhoon platform, see this page:

EV Album

I now also have a Facebook page:

FFR on Facebook

FFR Transition One. Proposed specs.

2009-06-21T21:10:00.001-07:00

I've decided on a name for my first FFR model. I'm going to call it the Transition. Transition Bike Company (www.transitionbikes.com) is my inspiration for this model name. They are an awesome mountain bike company out of Bellingham, Washington that have served as a great model for what I want my business to become. They are a rider-owned company started by 2 guys that just have a love for mountain biking. I recently visited them at their shop while doing some downhill riding in the area, and they couldn't have been a cooler group of guys. Brad Walton (a well known rider that graduated from Appalachian State in Boone, NC) showed me all around the office, shop, warehouse and dirtjumps, making us feel right at home. Before I knew it one of the guys there was offering his brand new Transition Bottlerocket for me to ride over the weekend! It was easily the most beautiful bike I've ever ridden, nearly causing me a heart attack as I steered the expensive bike through the steeps, rocks, and trees at Whistler. Anyway, this company has been an inspiration for me, and I feel that Transition is a great name for our first trike in this very fresh new category of vehicles.

The number following the model name will classify what build level the trike is equipped with. The Transition One will be the nicest of the nice, with ample batteries and fast charging capabilities. The Two and Three will be builds of lesser cost, but will still use the same KMX frame, just slightly lower end componentry.

I've recently been finalizing the build for the Transition One, enough that I was able to make a spec sheet that shows just what this first FFR has to offer.

FFR Transition One Fast. Far. Real.

Motor

Type: Brushless 3-phase permanent magnet AC electric

Peak Power: Output adjustable, 750 to 4,000 watts (1-5 HP)

Top Speed: Gearing-limited at 30 mph, can be geared differently for off-highway use

Power System

Battery Type: Environmentally-safe Lithium Iron Phosphate

Capacity: 1.5 KWh (36volts @ 40 Ah)

Range / Battery Life: 30-50 miles, 1000+ cycles

Recharge Time: Less than 2 hours from empty (850 watt charger)

Input: Standard 110V outlet

Human / Electric Drivetrain

Electric Side: Single-speed clutchless chain drive

Human Side: 24 Speed with SRAM componentry

Chassis / Brakes

Frame: KMX TIG-Welded Chromoly Steel / Aluminium boom

Brakes: Dual 6" Tektro Mechanical Brakes

Wheels and Tires: 20" front, 24" rear Jetset wheels, Kenda K-Rad tires

Dimensions

Weight: 98 lbs

Ground Clearance: 5.5 inches

Economics

Cost to recharge: 20 cents @ 12 cents per KWh rate

Cost of electricity per mile of FFR Transition One 1/2 of one cent

Cost of gasoline per mile of 25 mpg car @ 2.50 a gallon: 10 cents

That's it!

Killer Cobra

2009-06-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

I decided that I want to make the first build an awesome performer and eye catcher, so I've changed my mind and I will be using KMX's Cobra for the first build.

With 20" front and a 24" rear wheel it offers more ground clearance so it can be driven in more places. This will also make handling more stable at higher speeds. It also has a 24 speed drivetrain so it will be able to pedal anything.

The Cobra has a beautiful burnt orange color that's going to look killer in combination with the anodized black motor and drive assembly.

I'm ordering the Cobra today, so this build should be done and for sale in about 4 weeks. Stay tuned!

Pictures

2009-06-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

A better view of the prototype trike that I'm driving in the video:

KMX's awesome platform that these are built on:

New video

2009-06-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'm now a certified dealer of KMX karts. Big thanks to Dave Faulkner at KMX for being a great guy to deal with!!

And here's a short video I put together yesterday with my original overpowered, Etek-equipped trike:

The first FFR that will be up for sale will be built off of the KMX typhoon platform, and will have an all black anodized motor and black anodized aluminum reduction unit that will likely be the only of its kind. It's going to look awesome! It will be equipped with a 36 volt nominal, 40 Ah Headway LiFePO4 pack (almost 1.5 kWh) with a battery management system and a 1000 watt onboard Zivan charger for extremely fast charging! This blacked-out FFR will be our first trike for sale, and I'm aiming to release it in late July if all goes as expected.

Thats all for now,

Tommy

FFR Trikes is born...

2009-06-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

Today I applied to become a dealer with KMX Trikes (www.kmxus.com). I intend to convert their three wheel, tadpole configuration tricycles into lightweight, high performance electric trikes. My builds will offer a low weight of about 100 lbs, about 4,000 watts of power, LiFePO4 batteries, and very fast onboard charging. I'm sticking to this blogspot address until I get all of the development work for these trikes hammered out, then I will move to a nicer .com address. I'm not yet taking money or orders, but if you are interested in one of my builds, give me your name and number and I will put you at the front of the line for the first builds and test drives.

That's all for now,

Tommy