Price: $19.95
Available at: MJM Magic (Click Here)
Effect: The logo on a Bicycle card box visually morphs into the name of a selected card.
There are also numerous other reveals possible with the Tricycle card box, including a reveal in the bar code, reveals on the sides of the box, and a brilliantly out-of-the-box (pun intended) reveal on the box flap.
What You Get:
1 Tricycle Card Box (must be easily constructed, packed flat for shipping)
1 11 page instructional booklet with the basic routine, all required moves, and extra ideas.
Thoughts: Since I first purchased Tricycle several years ago it has always been a personal favorite of mine. It is truly an epitome of maximum impact for minimum work. You can literally take Tricycle and add it into your close-up set without adding any props or giving up any pocket space. The gimmick simply sits in waiting as your usual card box, set to go whenever you need it.
After getting hooked on this effect I used it nearly every time I performed, and always had great experiences with the routine. I stopped using the effect after my gimmick was nearly destroyed from constant use and I was unable to find the effect anywhere. Luckily, I recently found Tricycle at MJM Magic (many other stores also carry the effect, MJM is simply my personal favorite) and am adding it back into my card work.
One of the largest complaints that I have heard is the fact that you are paying $20 for a card box that, with use, will break down over time and will have to be replaced. However, if you take care of the box (no card clips, kids), and are simply careful with it, it will last you quite a while. As I said, the box that I purchased over 2 years ago is, though raggedy, still completely usable. $20 every few years, or even every six months if you were brutal with these things, is absolutely nothing for a strong workhorse routine like this is. I see it no different than having to pay $20 every time you run out of Elastic Thread.
After Tricycle was released, a huge amount of controversy arose. Luke and Danny were blasted for releasing this effect that "could never work" or was "too bold". Those claims, however, were nothing but unfounded opinions from desk jockeys who never performed the routine. True performers greatly appreciated the effect, and were, in part, responsible for keeping this gem an almost underground success.
Take it from myself, someone who has performed this effect many times, it works. The gimmick is beautifully bold, and the entire effect hinges on your ability as a performer. Essentially, nothing actually happens. You take something that is already there and simply show the magic that it holds, which is a wonderful concept. If you are at all worried, however, about someone spotting the reveal too soon, let me calm your fears. Out of all of my performances, this has only happened once. The guy who spotted it literally had a hyper active brain and takes in every detail he sees. I am not even kidding. I have had others stare at the box, burning it because of a previous effect, and they never spotted the reveal. The psychology behind the way the reveal is written plays on people's expectations and familiarity with Bicycle card boxes, it is extremely solid.
Though I typically do not gauge an effect on the possibility of David Blaine style screaming reactions, I would be ignorant to not mention how hard this effect hits on spectators. You are taking something permanent, the very ink in the card box, and manipulating it. The impact this has on an audience is huge, not to mention that you are also revealing their card as well. The included booklet includes an idea for a routine where you fail to send the card to the box during a card to box routine, and then do the reveal as making the card go "to the box" instead of inside the box. This handling just further deepens the mystery and impact.
All in all, I cannot recommend this effect enough. It is truly a workhorse routine that you can pour your creative juices and performing prowess in to. If you are a card worker, give this routine your highest consideration.
Thanks for reading, feel free to ask any questions you have.
C
Last edited by a moderator: