TerraCycle was founded in 1996 in Portland, Oregon as a manufacturer of innovative and sporty recumbent bikes. In order to achieve the performance that company founder Pat Franz was aiming for, however, various components, for example in the area of the chain guide, had to be developed and manufactured in-house. Word quickly got around about the quality of the accessories and demand was high. Soon TerraCycle was mainly concerned with making accessories and components for other recumbents rather than developing and building its own models.
Today, company founder Pat Franz and his team in the bike-friendly city of Portland are completely specialized in the development and production of special solutions in the recumbent and tricycle sector. TerraCycle has long been an integral part of the recumbent and tricycle scene in the USA and enjoys cult status there. But in Europe too, the name TerraCycle is now firmly linked to high-quality and well thought-out products.
Today, company founder Pat Franz and his team in the bike-friendly city of Portland are completely specialized in the development and production of special solutions in the recumbent and tricycle sector. TerraCycle has long been an integral part of the recumbent and tricycle scene in the USA and enjoys cult status there. But in Europe too, the name TerraCycle is now firmly linked to high-quality and well thought-out products.
"We love making things: real, three-dimensional, functional things. We love the craft and the challenge of making things that work exactly as they're designed. And we appreciate the assurance that in every part we... produce, a piece of ourselves is stuck."
TerraCycle Product Manager Casimir Covert-Keefe
The TerraCycle team consists of many young employees who are enthusiastic about cycling and every product sold is guaranteed to have passed through their hands beforehand. As a responsible businessman, Pat Franz offers his employees above-average social security, fair wages and good health insurance, which is not always a matter of course in the USA.
All products are developed by Pat Franz and his dedicated team and manufactured on site in Portland. Only aluminum tubes in various diameters and solid blocks made of aluminum and titanium are delivered. From this, the many high-quality products are created in many careful manual steps and with precise support from an impressive machine park. By using its own CNC machines, TerraCycle can also produce small series. This approach is ideal for the recumbent and tricycle world.
We are pleased that TerraCycle's elegant chain idlers, front fairings, accessory holders, fairings, luggage bags and luggage racks are now also available from us. As the exclusive importer for Europe, we are continuously expanding our TerraCycle range and would like to offer more and more accessories for European recumbents and tricycles in the future.
The Story of TerraCycle
2023
TerraCycle was founded over 25 years ago. Since then, the company has become the global market leader for recumbent accessories. Now the next chapter is being written and the business is being handed over to long-time employees Caz and Quintin. The two recumbent enthusiasts will continue to run the company as usual with the proven product quality and excellent customer service. We can look forward to innovative new products. TerraCycle founder Pat Franz will continue to be available to the company as a contact and advisor.
2019
Pat Franz travels to Germany with his team to exhibit for the first time with his own TerraCycle stand at the SPEZI special bike show in partnership with ICLETTA. TerraCycle is also taking over the Finer Recliner brand headrest range and introducing a new pedal swing, crank shortener and luggage rack.
2018
TerraCycle introduces the WINTR and a short time later the SPRING mounting system for recumbent front fairings. The WINTR mount is promptly named Accessory of the Year 2018 by BentRider Online. The TerraCycle team grows to seven full-time employees.
2015
TerraCycle announces the acquisition of Purple Sky Flags. From the sun and weather-resistant fabric material to the 3M-branded reflectors and black fiberglass poles, every flag component is made in the USA, making it a TerraCycle flagship product.
2014
A series of new TerraCycle products called the SeatSide Mount System is launched. In addition, the universal battery holder is developed, which accepts almost every battery on the market and fits almost every bicycle or trike.
2011
TerraCycle acquires Velogenesis and begins production and expansion of the Velogenesis seat stay clamps. Pat travels to Germany and the Netherlands to do research and have a nice recumbent trike tour: "The beer was good, but I liked the bikes better." After that trip, Pat and his team completely redesigned the Elite Series pulleys to reduce weight and make them even more durable.
2010
The new Sport series of TerraCycle chain idlers is voted Bent Rider Accessory of the Year.
2009
The range of chain guide rollers has been expanded to include a more cost-effective sport version. TerraCycle acquires windwrap fairing manufacturer and begins developing the highest quality weatherproof fairings in the recumbent industry.
2008
Pat takes a trip to Germany to the SPEZI trade fair to explore the European cycling scene.
2007
TerraCycle reinvents the chain guide and develops the Clamp-On Chainkeepers. ICLETTA is appointed as TerraCycle's official European distributor.
2006
The range of accessories from TerraCycle is expanded to include the family of accessory holders. The range of chain idler sets is expanding, as is the line of underseat luggage racks. The TerraCycle website goes live, serving the needs of recumbent riders worldwide.
2005
The first model-specific chain idler sets for Easy Racer, RANS, Bacchetta and others are introduced. Pat later rents a larger area for his modest production facility.
2004
Brand new, high quality idler and over/under idlers and a range of chain guide systems are being developed to take recumbent chain management to a new level. Later, the TerraCycle line of underseat racks is expanded to fit many types of recumbents.
2003
TerraCycle develops the GlideFlex stem for carbon handlebars and optimizes production. TerraCycle's focus shifts to recumbent specific parts and accessories. In the course of focusing, the TerraCycle TailSok system and universal steering masts are introduced.
2002
TerraCycle expands its workshop to make room for a brand new Mori Seiki CNC vertical milling machine. Later the Easy Reacher Underseat Rack is born. This innovative luggage rack allows recumbent riders to transport panniers under the seat, increasing stability and storage capacity.
2001
Using his own computer, Pat refines his design for a foldable stem; he calls it "GlideFlex". Unlike all other foldable stems, there is no metal-to-metal contact in the hinge or friction system, so it's quiet, has little wear and tear, and is almost completely weather independent. There's a company down in Florida called Bacchetta Bikes. They order GlideFlex stems to use on their new bikes.
2000
Pat develops chain idlers with 8mm bearings for the Terra-Za. When others took notice of the longevity of the product and the precision of the workmanship, he received the first inquiries for his special parts.
1999
Pat Franz introduces the TerraCycle Terra-Za. A stylish small wheelbase recumbent, the Terra-Za has been praised by recumbent enthusiasts around the world, including by Recumbent Cyclist News: "This is the way we want to see recumbents built, the way more should be built and the way many high-end bikes need to be built in the future."
1996
TerraCycle founder Pat Franz moves into a leaky roof one-room shop in South East Portland, equips himself with a CNC mill, lathe, weld bench and desk and begins working on recumbents. Drafts, redesigns and prototypes litter the office. "It had everything I could ever have wanted," he will later say, "except for all the stuff we have now, I guess."
