MuddyTrails
06-10-2011, 03:08 AM
Hola, Everyone:
I'm not sure if this thread belongs here, but I didn't know where else to put it.
Here's my issue:
My dear friend R was afflicted with polio as a child, which has left her with very weak legs, and she has to walk with crutches and occasionally a battery-powered cart. Nevertheless, in her chest beats the heart of an athlete, and we've found ways to compensate for her legs by focusing on swimming and kayaking. We spend most of our summer weekends kayaking when I'm not out riding.
Recently, however, we discovered a state-sponsored program in a city relatively close to us (~100km), that rents hand-cranked bikes to encourage folks like my friend to ride. She tried it with her sister about a month ago, and, of course, is now hooked on biking! It makes perfect sense... she can feel the sense of speed from moving her own body over land (not water), something she's never felt before (can't run), and she finds it exhilarating.
She's now interested in buying a hand-cranked bike, but we want to look at all the available options. The one she rented was custom produced by a local shop (we live in Southern Spain), and it sounded heavy from her description. In any case, we have decided to contact the local manufacturer, but before doing that we wanted (OK, I wanted) to be better informed. I have done my obligatory visit to Ms.Google, and found plenty of places in the US and Europe that make trikes and quads that can be adapted for hand cranking. But they don't really tell me anything about how they FEEL, or compare powering methods, trike shapes and other design issues... So, here are my questions:
1. What is the difference between a trike and a quad when it comes to hand-cranking? (Beyond the stability question)
2. What is the difference between having front-wheel power or rear-wheel power, beyond length of chain?
3. What about a trike... Two wheels up-front, or two wheels in rear?
4. Gearing... or how "looow can you go"? :D After all, we have massive hills and mountains in our area, and we're looking to ride off-road too.
I have a zillion more, but I think these are good enough to start.
Thanks for helping me help my friend!
MuddyTrails
I'm not sure if this thread belongs here, but I didn't know where else to put it.
Here's my issue:
My dear friend R was afflicted with polio as a child, which has left her with very weak legs, and she has to walk with crutches and occasionally a battery-powered cart. Nevertheless, in her chest beats the heart of an athlete, and we've found ways to compensate for her legs by focusing on swimming and kayaking. We spend most of our summer weekends kayaking when I'm not out riding.
Recently, however, we discovered a state-sponsored program in a city relatively close to us (~100km), that rents hand-cranked bikes to encourage folks like my friend to ride. She tried it with her sister about a month ago, and, of course, is now hooked on biking! It makes perfect sense... she can feel the sense of speed from moving her own body over land (not water), something she's never felt before (can't run), and she finds it exhilarating.
She's now interested in buying a hand-cranked bike, but we want to look at all the available options. The one she rented was custom produced by a local shop (we live in Southern Spain), and it sounded heavy from her description. In any case, we have decided to contact the local manufacturer, but before doing that we wanted (OK, I wanted) to be better informed. I have done my obligatory visit to Ms.Google, and found plenty of places in the US and Europe that make trikes and quads that can be adapted for hand cranking. But they don't really tell me anything about how they FEEL, or compare powering methods, trike shapes and other design issues... So, here are my questions:
1. What is the difference between a trike and a quad when it comes to hand-cranking? (Beyond the stability question)
2. What is the difference between having front-wheel power or rear-wheel power, beyond length of chain?
3. What about a trike... Two wheels up-front, or two wheels in rear?
4. Gearing... or how "looow can you go"? :D After all, we have massive hills and mountains in our area, and we're looking to ride off-road too.
I have a zillion more, but I think these are good enough to start.
Thanks for helping me help my friend!
MuddyTrails