Borealis Velomobile Shell

If you like the idea of a recumbent trike, but are on the fence about owning a velomobile, the Rainforest Designs Borealis velomobile shell is a great new option. Built by veteran kayak designer and builder Steve Schleicher of Nimbus Kayaks in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, the Borealis is a removable shell that fits over the Trice QNT trike. The Borealis gives you the choice of riding a bare trike or converting to a fully faired velomobile when the weather turns foul or an aerodynamic advantage is desired.

The Trice QNT is made by Inspired Cycle Engineering, a very experienced recumbent bike and trike manufacturer in the UK. The QNT is a well-regarded touring trike in its own right, featuring quality construction, zippy handling, rear suspension, and quick (3 minute) folding for easy transport.

ICE Trice QNT recumbent tricycle

Ice Trice QNT - Folded

. This versatile combo was one of the top contenders in my final velomobile selection, but unfortunately wasn’t quite ready at the time. Now Rainforest Designs is working on Borealis #14 and it’s sounding like a successful model.

The Borealis shell can be installed on or removed from the Trice frame in about 40-60 minutes – not something you’d want to do on a daily basis, but manageable if you wanted to change up your weekend ride. Of course, once you experience cutting through the wind with minimal effort in a velomobile, you may not want to take the shell back off again.

The Borealis has many of the same options as my TEAM such as a full lighting package, removable roof, and 20 different paint colors. The next time I make it up to B.C. I hope to take one of these machines for a test ride and write up a hands on review. Who knows, if my next velomobile isn’t a Quest, it might be a Borealis.