Trikke: Have Fun Away From Your Mac, Watch The Videos In QuickTime

by , 11:00 AM EDT, July 31st, 2003

Warning:Viewing the info and QuickTime movies on the site referenced in this article may cause a sudden deficit in your checking account.

This isn't exactly computer related, but I found this device and the videos so cool that I felt obligated to tell you about it.

Some of you may have seen the commercials on TV. The device in question is called the Trikke and it is one of the coolest devices I've ever seen. Trikke.com has several QuickTime videos of the Trikke in action, and the videos are fun in themselves. Just watching the guys in the vids swooping around and doing tricks on the 3-wheeled wonder is mesmerizing, for about 5 minutes; that's how long it will that you to decide if you'll buy a Trikke or not.

I was wondering just where this bit of tri-wheeled coolness came from, so I contacted Bill Schlueter, Vice President of Sales and Content for Trikke Tech Inc., and asked him how the Trikke came into being.

"The Trikke three wheeled vehicle was invented by a Brazilian automotive manufacturing engineer some 12 years ago," Mr. Schlueter told me. "It really found its place in the states where people are perpetually looking for something new and fun. Trikke is a completely new riding experience that took 12 years to perfect, and the technology opens doors to a whole new world of possibilities with all terrain and motorized versions to come. Unlike the old time scooter, which has actually been around for well over a hundred years, the Trikke propels itself via a skiing/inline skate type of motion rather that kicking off the ground. You carve and shred for miles and miles without touching the ground."

Watch the QuickTime videos and you'll agree, it looks like the people on the Trikke are gliding almost effortlessly.

I was also curious about why Trikke Tech Inc. picked QuickTime to show off the Trikke, especially since this provided my excuse to write up this tip for TMO.

"We knew that the only way the world was going to catch onto the Trikke was through visual media," said Mr. Schlueter, "because it looks like a mutant Razor scooter in a static display. Because we wanted visitors to the Trikke.com site to get the best possible impression of the Trikke and all that it can do, we picked QuickTime for our Web based video playback. You can make your viewing window huge and still be able to see the detail. No postage stamp size playback on this site."

Absolutely! The vids are big and watching them makes you want to grab a Trikke and head for a boardwalk.

Check out the Trikke.

Yeah, I know this is a bit of a stretch even for a Tip, but check out the videos anyway. The still I provided just doesn't do the Trikke justice. Hopefully, one of the TMO staffers will get a chance test one out in a review. When I do...errr...when we do, we'll give you the low-down. In the meantime, if any of you have a Trikke drop me a line and let me know how you like it.

Trikke Tech Inc.