#42306 - 04/08/06 11:16 AM
?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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This T7 para is looking for a way to get some exercise and this looks like fun. The problem is how do you know which make is the best for me?
I can't transfer far, which would take out the low riders. I need to be able to try one out for a week to see if I can endure the excerise on my shoulders. I have had them both replaced, so don't want to fork out $1,400 and realize it is too hard on the joints.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I live in S.W. Lower Michigan.
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#42307 - 04/08/06 12:48 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Doug
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 4529
Loc: Charleston, SC, USA
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I'm a T4 para and I bought the Quickie Mach 2 from Sportaid:
Quickie Shadow Mach 2 Handcycle
The transfer is pretty easy since the seat is the same height as your wheelchair. It doesn't have the cornering stability of the low riders, but I wasn't interested as much in speed as I was exercise. I bought the 7 speed option with the quick release axle to make it easier to transport. I've had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder and I never ache after handcycling. The pedaling motion is a little different than wheeling a manual chair. But I use a power chair now almost exclusively.
In bad weather you can also try something like a Saratoga for indoors. I use the Saratoga Colorado Sport Cycle found when you scroll down this page:
Saratoga Colorado
The pedaling motion is different than the outdoor handcycle, but it makes my shoulder feel good anyway.
I grew up near SW lower Mich - around Battle Creek.
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#42308 - 04/08/06 03:07 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Liisa
Junior Member
Registered: 09/16/00
Posts: 15
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I'd look at the Quickies if you're looking to transfer. Mine is a Greenspeed GTH, which my local gear geek got for me from bike-on.com. I can't transfer myself, so the 11" seat height is not really an issue for me. But I'll bet you'll find your shoulders can handle it, if you build up some stamina. I'm a C5/6, so I had to get a lot of mods to the grips and other things. I stick to low gear and I'm not exactly a Paralympian in that thing, but it's great exercise and a great feeling.
P.S. IF you ever happen to build more transfer strength, hard-core handcyclers do like a lower profile seat than the Quickie Cyclone and Mach 2's, because it makes a big diff in speed and effort - the more recumbent you are the better. Good luck.
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#42309 - 04/08/06 05:13 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Doug,
How did you come to choose the Quickie? Had you tried others? I've looked at the Quickie and thought it would be best, from a transfer standpoint. I'm wondering if you have to lean forward quite a bit to propel the unit. I would like those pedals to be as close as possible so my back would still be against the seat, I think, for stability. By the way, I live next to Saint Joseph...a little town Stevensville.
Liisa,
I see what you mean by being closer to the ground, but I just have a 76 yr old mother that I don't think is going to be able to get me from the cycle to my chair too often. I wanted something I could get in & out of myself.
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#42310 - 04/09/06 12:59 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Doug
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 4529
Loc: Charleston, SC, USA
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skip:
I didn't try any models, but I did get to see some of the low riders up close. I agree they are the better ride and faster, but I chose the Quickie from the picture alone because I could see it as was the same height as my manual Quickie chair. I knew I could do that transfer without too much shoulder stress.
When I'm pedaling the bike I don't lean forward at all. In fact I'm sort of in a slightly reclined postion and have to reach up a little for the pedals. The picture on the Sportaid site is pretty accurate in that you can see that you tilt back a little. Notice the front of the seat is a little higher? So I kinda lean back, relax, and pedal. It's a surprisingly comfortable position for me.
The guys at Sportaid (if you use them) are very knowledgable and some of them are competitive racers with their cycles. I think the guy I ordered mine from was "Jimbo". I'd ask for him. You'll need some accurate measurments, but if you can give him the dimensions of your current chair, he'll give you a good fit. By the way, I don't work for them, just a satisfied customer.... lol
One thing I realized after I got mine, I needed a cushion for it just like I did my regular chair. Luckily I had an old spare Roho I could use.
Have you ever seen a little kid using a tricycle turn a corner too sharp and spill over? That can happen with the Quickie too, so I reccomend taking it easy at first. Within 10 or 15 minutes you'll have the feel for it and you'll see what I mean. I know the first time I got up to any real speed I felt a little uneasy. It doesn't bother me now though. I never flipped mine.
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#42311 - 04/09/06 07:04 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Doug~
You already answered some of the questions I had. I also use a roho quadtro and that would be a must after 20yrs of using.
I also was looking at the order form and thought to myself "how the heck to you figure out how to fit one of these bikes". Sounds like they have knowledgeable reps at "SportAid" and if I do go ahead, I will see if a "Jimbo" works there.
A couple other ?'s if a may:
1) Did you set up your pedals in a rowing motion?
2) Do you bind your legs together?
3) Did you opt for the fold down back?
Thanks,
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#42312 - 04/09/06 08:18 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Doug
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 4529
Loc: Charleston, SC, USA
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Originally posted by skippy:
Doug~
You already answered some of the questions I had. I also use a roho quadtro and that would be a must after 20yrs of using.
I also was looking at the order form and thought to myself "how the heck to you figure out how to fit one of these bikes". Sounds like they have knowledgeable reps at "SportAid" and if I do go ahead, I will see if a "Jimbo" works there.
A couple other ?'s if a may:
1) Did you set up your pedals in a rowing motion?
2) Do you bind your legs together?
3) Did you opt for the fold down back?
Thanks,
1) I have the pedals in the standard setup I believe, so that both pedals are in unison. It's different, but I like it that way.
2) I bought a leg binding strap from Sportaid too. It's weird because sometimes when I use the bike my legs wanted to flop out so I needed a strap. I don't usually need one now and I'm not exactly sure why!
3) I didn't buy the fold down back. If I want to transport mine I have a van and it just didn't seem necessary. I did opt for the quick release axles though because removing the rear wheels takes up less floor space in the van. Also, I have a few sets of old w/c wheels with quick release axles and I figured I could use the spares on the bike if needed. The axles on the bike are a different length than w/c axles, but all the wheels fit/work fine if I use the axles that came with bike.
That order form made me very nervous! The crew at Sportaid can help though and it's not as hard as the form makes it look. Everything about my bike was just right when I got it.
If you think of anymore questions I'll be glad to try and answer!
Oh yeah, I graduated from HS in Union City...
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#42313 - 04/10/06 04:32 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Doug~
Thanks, if I have anymore questions I will email you. I lived in Coldwater for a year, while working in Quincy at Southwind factory. I think Union city was next to Burlington?
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#42314 - 04/10/06 06:48 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Doug
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 4529
Loc: Charleston, SC, USA
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Yeah real close to Burlington, about 4 miles I think. I still have family in that area and we visit once or twice a year.
Good luck with the cycle.
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#42315 - 04/12/06 12:11 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have a Action Top End Accelerator. I have been biking a few times week - love it!
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#42316 - 04/13/06 08:23 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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jcrew~
Are you are para? What made you come to your decision to go with Top End?
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#42317 - 04/14/06 07:47 AM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Art Vandelay
Junior Member
Registered: 12/16/03
Posts: 26
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Skippy - I am T4 and use the Top End. The transfer isn't to bad.
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#42318 - 04/14/06 01:38 PM
Re: ?'s about handcycles
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Art~
What made you go with Top End? Did you shop other brands?
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