Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other Needs - Not perm. Disabled, but now Aware!

After my bad accident 2 months ago, I started looking into ways I could get back into cycling while recovering from major femur surgery. I was shocked at how much there was out there for people with physical challenges! (to a lesser extent, I was also shocked by the sticker price of tadpole trikes) It awed me, and in some way, inspired me to start thinking about cycling in a different way. I have a very good friend who was diagnosed with MS a couple of years ago, and ironically because of my injury I won't be able to ride the MS 150 in her honor this year. When I started thinking about building a trike for myself, I thought "why wouldn't she want one too?" And of course, she lives near the beach, which got me thinking.

I'm currently building a tadpole trike from scratch, and what I learn from that, I plan on using to build more for specific purposes. I have seen tons of trikes and handcycles for road riding, but almost nothing for the "alternative" cycling genres. Do you think such an animal would have a place in the Adaptive cycling world? I'm thinking mountain-trikes, maybe with suspension. What about fixed-gear trikes? I don't think any of the current ones are capable of a fully tensioned chainline. What about Fatbikes? None of the ones I've seen could handle a 4" rear tire. It would be great for riding in snow or sand, or even mud.

I hope you folks understand where I'm going with this. I want to contribute to the adaptive cycling world! I just don't know if building such machines would be worth the time. I can build them, but would anybody care? Are there people out there who would use them? I can't be the only crazy one out there! Okay, maybe, but still...

Any thoughts on this?

Yes, there are people who would use them.

Build it, they will come!

Oooh, a Fat Tadpole? I'd imagine you could find some interesting niche markets out there- beach resorts, snow country, drunken frat parties...

Not to mention how much smoother riding on rough asphalt would be!

Could also morph into a project similar to Kona's Africabike.

Build it, they will come!
I think you're right, we will see!


Oooh, a Fat Tadpole? I'd imagine you could find some interesting niche markets out there- beach resorts, snow country, drunken frat parties...

Not to mention how much smoother riding on rough asphalt would be!

Could also morph into a project similar to Kona's Africabike.

Absolutely. No reason we should get left out of the fun. The hardest problem will be sourcing suitable fat 20" tires, but I wil do my best. I couldn't help but think how much more stable a fat trike would be in snow. I'm sure many people like me had to give up winter riding because a 2-wheeler on ice is too dangerous.

After my bad accident 2 months ago, I started looking into ways I could get back into cycling while recovering from major femur surgery. I was shocked at how much there was out there for people with physical challenges! (to a lesser extent, I was also shocked by the sticker price of tadpole trikes) It awed me, and in some way, inspired me to start thinking about cycling in a different way. I have a very good friend who was diagnosed with MS a couple of years ago, and ironically because of my injury I won't be able to ride the MS 150 in her honor this year. When I started thinking about building a trike for myself, I thought "why wouldn't she want one too?" And of course, she lives near the beach, which got me thinking.

I'm currently building a tadpole trike from scratch, and what I learn from that, I plan on using to build more for specific purposes. I have seen tons of trikes and handcycles for road riding, but almost nothing for the "alternative" cycling genres. Do you think such an animal would have a place in the Adaptive cycling world? I'm thinking mountain-trikes, maybe with suspension. What about fixed-gear trikes? I don't think any of the current ones are capable of a fully tensioned chainline. What about Fatbikes? None of the ones I've seen could handle a 4" rear tire. It would be great for riding in snow or sand, or even mud.

I hope you folks understand where I'm going with this. I want to contribute to the adaptive cycling world! I just don't know if building such machines would be worth the time. I can build them, but would anybody care? Are there people out there who would use them? I can't be the only crazy one out there! Okay, maybe, but still...

Any thoughts on this?

Even though your disability is temporary, keep building the trike.

While I have a racing road bike that I am able to ride despite having been disabled since birth, I know there are not many like me(either they can't, or don't want to ride a bike).

So, In a matter of speaking, you have 'jumped the fence' and gained an appreciation for life on the other side. Keep doing the good work!!!!

Even though your disability is temporary, keep building the trike.

While I have a racing road bike that I am able to ride despite having been disabled since birth, I know there are not many like me(either they can't, or don't want to ride a bike).

So, In a matter of speaking, you have 'jumped the fence' and gained an appreciation for life on the other side. Keep doing the good work!!!!

Thanks... I needed to hear that. :)

Thanks... I needed to hear that. :)

My pleasure!:):thumb:

For some peopel a trike would for sure be the best. I know that for quite a lot of peopel the price tag would be a problem and also trying to build one for themself or a friend could be a challenge.

I just want to tell about the guy in my area that made a living out of adapting ordenary bikes to peopel w special needs. He often puts heavy duty "training wheels", I think 12" and 16" and they are atached with really strong suspended "arms".

For peopel who can use this system this could be a fairly cheap but good solution since the bike could be one that is already owned and a friend or a relative could do the fitting without much knowledge.

The hardest problem will be sourcing suitable fat 20" tires, but I wil do my best. I couldn't help but think how much more stable a fat trike would be in snow. I'm sure many people like me had to give up winter riding because a 2-wheeler on ice is too dangerous.For 20" fatties, try here:

http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/3/71/Rims-Only/
http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/3/16/Tires/

Georgi Georgiev in BC, Canada designs and builds some of the most unique adaptive HPV's I've seen. Just clicking through his site can be vastly informative.

http://www.varnahandcycles.com/

After my bad accident 2 months ago, I started looking into ways I could get back into cycling while recovering from major femur surgery. I was shocked at how much there was out there for people with physical challenges! (to a lesser extent, I was also shocked by the sticker price of tadpole trikes) It awed me, and in some way, inspired me to start thinking about cycling in a different way. I have a very good friend who was diagnosed with MS a couple of years ago, and ironically because of my injury I won't be able to ride the MS 150 in her honor this year. When I started thinking about building a trike for myself, I thought "why wouldn't she want one too?" And of course, she lives near the beach, which got me thinking.

I'm currently building a tadpole trike from scratch, and what I learn from that, I plan on using to build more for specific purposes. I have seen tons of trikes and handcycles for road riding, but almost nothing for the "alternative" cycling genres. Do you think such an animal would have a place in the Adaptive cycling world? I'm thinking mountain-trikes, maybe with suspension. What about fixed-gear trikes? I don't think any of the current ones are capable of a fully tensioned chainline. What about Fatbikes? None of the ones I've seen could handle a 4" rear tire. It would be great for riding in snow or sand, or even mud.

I hope you folks understand where I'm going with this. I want to contribute to the adaptive cycling world! I just don't know if building such machines would be worth the time. I can build them, but would anybody care? Are there people out there who would use them? I can't be the only crazy one out there! Okay, maybe, but still...

Any thoughts on this?

Worksman is one of the few bicycle companies that builds for the handicapped world. They offer several trikes ,built to order, for those with special needs.

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/specialneeds.html

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/pav3.html

For 20" fatties, try here:

http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/3/71/Rims-Only/
http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/3/16/Tires/

Georgi Georgiev in BC, Canada designs and builds some of the most unique adaptive HPV's I've seen. Just clicking through his site can be vastly informative.

http://www.varnahandcycles.com/

I'm familiar with ChoppersUS, but all the 20" fatties they have are street/slick tread. I was hoping somebody made a 3" or wider off-road 20" tire, but I haven't been able to find any.



Worksman is one of the few bicycle companies that builds for the handicapped world. They offer several trikes ,built to order, for those with special needs.

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/specialneeds.html

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/pav3.html

I don't think they make fat/snow bikes.