The Tomcat Silver Bullet and Silver Arrow are low-sitting, fully independent trikes designed for individuals with a wide range of physical difficulties, from simple confidence or balance issues to complex physical conditions. These trikes are inventions with a social purpose, manufactured in Gloucester, UK, by Tomcat SNI Ltd, a "Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation" winning company. The Silver Bullet is suitable for teenagers to adults, while the Silver Arrow caters to children and teenagers aged 7 to 14 years.
Function Description
Both the Silver Bullet and Silver Arrow are equipped with a Shimano Inter 8 (8-speed hub) and a differential drive to both rear wheels, ensuring a smooth and responsive ride. An optional pedal assist (electric drive) is also available. A key design focus is transportability, leading to innovative features like "Quick Release" frame separation, removable seating, and "Quick Releasing" drive wheels, making them highly transportable.
The trikes feature self-centralizing steering, a Tomcat innovation that smoothly returns the steering to "straight-ahead" after a turn, providing stable and positive steering feel at all speeds. This system is factory-set for an average adult male rider on Silver Bullet versions and an average 14-year-old on Silver Arrow versions.
Braking is managed by a front drum brake as default, with an optional front caliper for certain specifications. Rear brakes may be a disc brake or a Shimano Nexus coaster brake built into the Inter8 Hub. All brakes are selected and paired for balanced braking under normal conditions.
The differential drive system ensures smooth power delivery and even braking to both rear wheels, contributing to accurate, positive, and responsive steering at all times and speeds.
For models with power assist, the system includes a motor, battery, and charger. The display controller provides battery condition, power output buttons, and a "non-pedaling soft start" button. The battery display automatically lights up when the main switch is on, showing remaining capacity with four LED diodes. Power levels can be adjusted in six stages using "plus" or "minus" buttons. The "A" button engages a start power aid, limited to 6kph, without needing to pedal.
Usage Features
The trikes offer adjustable seating positions for precise handlebar "reach" and telescopic cranks for perfect leg length adjustment. Seating is cushioned (or optional bucket type) and set at an optimum height for ambulant, semi-ambulant, or wheelchair transfers. "Height and Reach" adjustable handlebars and a folding handlebar column further enhance user comfort and adaptability.
Optional extras significantly enhance usability and comfort:
- Swivel Seat: Aids in getting on and off the vehicle with greater safety, offering three self-locking positions (Left, Right, and Central). The seat is operated remotely by a small trigger lever.
- Sliding Seat: Provides 150mm of smooth front-to-back movement, used with adjustable handlebars to achieve a comfortable arm "reach."
- Removable Seat: A transportation feature, allowing the seat to be easily lifted off after rotating it to the central position and releasing a lever beneath the front of the seat.
- Two-Piece Frame Separation: Facilitates easy transportation by allowing the frame to be disassembled. This involves deploying a kickstand, lifting an interlock plunger, and shifting a release lever to separate the front section.
- Trike to Trailer Conversion: Allows the trike to be converted for towing.
- Quick Release Removable Wheels: Significantly reduces storage and transportation space. Each wheel comes with its own protection and transport bag, with plastic sleeves for axles.
- Battery Power Assist: Includes a 250W motor, 9Ah battery, and Li-ion charger.
- Puncture Proof Tyres: Enhances durability and reduces maintenance.
- Front and Rear Lighting Set: Improves visibility and safety.
- Road-Ready Safety Pack: Includes wheel reflectors, pedal reflectors, a rear reflector, and a flag.
- Self-Levelling Pedals with Straps: Provides additional foot support, preventing feet from slipping off the pedal.
- Strapped Foot Supports (with optional removable Leg Supports): Offers secure foot placement.
- 4-point Chest Harness: Enhances rider security.
- Removable Mudguards: Essential when using removable wheels.
- Removable Basket and Carrier: The carrier quickly releases for transport or when not needed, and the basket can be used independently. Maximum cargo weight is 5kg.
- Recoil Safety Lap Strap: Adds an extra layer of safety.
- Custom Building Service: Allows for tailoring to specific user requirements.
Maintenance Features
The manual provides comprehensive instructions for maintaining the trikes:
- Customer Service: Tomcat offers product aftercare six days a week (10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday) for technical advice, spare parts, service, and general assistance. Onsite visits, local authorized repairs, or returns to the Gloucester factory are available.
- General Safety Instructions: Emphasizes observing highway regulations, wearing a helmet and protective clothing, using all safety devices, avoiding carrying passengers on the rear axle/basket, using the park brake, and not riding over kerbs or off-road on steep/uneven ground.
- Before Each Use: Users should ensure lights, reflectors, flags, and warning devices are in working order, check tire condition and pressure, confirm sufficient battery power and charger disconnection, and test braking/steering functions. All removable components must be correctly assembled and interlocked.
- Setting Up Pedals and Seat: Instructions are provided for adjusting the seat position by slackening hexagon screws and sliding the seat. Pedal adjustment involves removing the chain, slackening the sliding bottom bracket clamp, and adjusting for comfortable leg stretch, then re-clamping and ensuring correct chain tension. For models with a sliding seat, a knob is pulled outwards to adjust the seat position.
- Self-Centralising Steering Adjustment: If the return force is too great for very slightly built persons or those with low arm strength, softer springs can be fitted. The manual details steps for removing lockplate screws, circlips, buffer rings, and cap screws to access and replace springs. It also covers greasing working parts and checking screw alignment.
- Aligning the Steering: Instructions are given for adjusting individual spring compressions to ensure the steering is dead ahead. This involves checking steering head bearings, blocking up the front wheel, and adjusting screws to correct left or right steering pull.
- Brake Maintenance and Adjustment:
- Sturmey Archer Front Drum Brake: Adjustment involves slackening the locknut, turning the adjuster until the brake is applied, then slackening until the wheel turns freely, and finally tightening the locknut.
- Front Caliper: Periodical checks for pad thickness (replace if less than 3mm), ensuring full surface contact with the rim, and setting an even gap of 1.5-2mm between pad and rim.
- Promax Rear Disc Brake: Setting up involves adjusting the moving anvil close to the disc, locking the caliper, adjusting the fixed anvil, and finally adjusting the brake cable. Detailed steps are provided for slackening/tightening alignment screws, adjusting nuts, and checking for free disc spin.
- Water-resistant Seat Cushions: Covered in nylon-coated polyurethane, impervious to liquids. Can be dried with towels and cleaned with mild household detergents. Avoid pressure washing or continuous exposure to elements to prevent mold.
- Folding Handlebar Column: Instructions for folding the handlebars by aligning the wheel, pulling the latch lever, and sliding it sideways to release the interlock. Reversing the process resets them.
- Removable Mudguards: Must be removed before disassembling wheels by pulling out a plunger and lifting the mudguard.
- Removable Wheels: Pit-Stop™ wheels require cleanliness. Users are advised to use provided bags and sleeves for transit, disassemble in a clean environment, and wash immediately if exposed to grit/grime. Removal involves supporting the frame, pressing the central release button, and pulling the wheel. Refitting requires sliding the wheel onto the axle, pressing the release button, and rotating until fully engaged and flush.
- 8-Speed Shimano Nexus Geared Hub: Good practice is to "coast" when changing gears. Regular checks and adjustments are needed to ensure the two yellow lines coincide in 4th gear. Slippage in gear five indicates poor hub adjustment and requires immediate attention.
- Battery Care (Power Assist): Ensure the battery is fully charged before first use. Cover the charging socket with a sealing plug after charging. Recharge the battery if out of service for 12 weeks. Check charge level by pressing the button on the battery pack. Turn the main switch OFF after use. Recharge after riding. Do not exceed permitted user and cargo load.
- General Product Care: Keep the product clean, store in a dry, moisture-free environment, avoid re-routing mechanical control cables, keep the battery charged, do not pressure wash electrical wires/components, maintain correct tire pressure, lubricate chains monthly, protect metal parts with spray oil, and do not use if parts are loose or defective. Check all safety devices before each journey.
- Routine Service:
- Self-Centralising Steering: Investigate poor performance, offset alignment, or noise. Inspect components, replace corroded springs, and check lock nut tightness.
- Removable Seat: Annually inspect the bayonet latch between the seat and trolley for free rotation and interlock. Check the spring-loaded knob for free sliding and damage. Inspect the bayonet turret for wear, damage, or loose components. Adjust seat wobble by tightening/slackening a nut in the turret. Lubricate the turret with Vaseline.
- Folding Handlebar Column: If loose, adjust the hinge by tightening the lever screw. Lubricate hinge and screw mechanisms. For QR adjustable stems, operate the interlock and release lever, adjusting clamp pressure with a screw.
- Transportable Frame: Lubricate all working components of the two-piece frame mechanism monthly with light spray oil.
- Chains: Lubricate all chains monthly with cycle chain oil. Adjust chain tension if it becomes slack as components bed in.
Need help?
General
To Next Page