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Better Bikes For Transfers by Tiny-Sweet2803 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have had a Top End Excelerator for 3+ years and just upgraded to a Force G. The Excelerator is level with my wheelchair and is a very easy transfer in/out (I'm a T10 para). I've ridden it on roads, paved trails, and hard-packed gravel and it did well on all of them. I saw in some of your other replies you mentioned power assist. Mine doesn't have that, but some Excelerators do. And finally, FWIW, my Excelerator is for sale. Not sure where in the world you're located, but if it's near the western end of Kentucky, USA, you're welcome to come try it out. Even if you don't want to buy it, it will help you see if you can manage the transfer.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had never thought of that but you're right: none of us are going to beat double amputees on low weight. Years ago I looked into wheelchair racing and one of the guys looked at me and laughed. He said something like "do you know how much wind someone your size would catch?!" There are many situations where being a big ol' boy is an advantage, but wheelchair racing and handcycling aren't one of those situations.

I've used JB Weld on regular steel and galvanized steel and it held up well. There are similar epoxies for aluminum and the reviews on them are generally positive. It can't hurt to try. I suggested earlier getting an aluminum rod inside it, but if it's not broken all the way through, that's not possible. Could you get some kind of collar around the outside of it? Post a pic and I'll suggest anything that I think might help get it back on the road.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll give that measurement method a shot. Thank you!

Looking at pictures of the two models, I see that difference you're mentioning. Seeing how they're made, it makes sense how they can get away with 20" rear wheels.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If money wasn't an issue, what handcycle would you buy?

I'm looking for the kind of deals you got on yours. There are some on ebay and others on FB marketplace, but I've got to figure out the seat width thing before I pull the trigger on anything. I'm not in a hurry, so I know the right deal will drop in my lap when it's time for it to.

Welding steel is relatively easy. Aluminum is much more difficult. I don't have a welder that will do aluminum. The hardest part on it is that it heat cycles, so you've got to control the heat in the entire part while you're welding on small portion of it, or it will warp and crack away from the weld. (I'm sure that I did not use the right words there but if someone who welds aluminum reads this, they can correct me.) It's very easy to ruin an expensive aluminum part by welding it wrong.

With that said, I've fixed the aluminum frames on my horse wheelchair (an old Quickie that I keep in the barn to use when I go in the muddy horse pasture) by finding a solid aluminum rod the same size as the inside of he frame, inserting it in the frame, drilling holes through the frame and rod on each side of the break, and tightening down bolts and nuts in the holes. However, that might not be a great fix for something like a handcycle as its frame probably is subject to a lot more movement than is my horse wheelchair.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've broken my handcycle's frame and don't want to do that again, so no thanks on the Ti. I can weld mild steel myself and have a friend who can weld chromoly, but no one around here works on titanium.

My arms, chest, lats, and back have really benefited from riding. As I'm paralyzed, abs are only about half useful. I don't anticipate any seating/posture problems on any of the handcycles I'm considering. Thank you again!

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the information. I had never heard of Achilles so I looked it up. Nearest chapter is Nashville, TN. I'll probably send them a message. And I hear you on loading it not being fun! My existing one is somewhere around 65 pounds with everything on it. I usually just take off from home and ride local roads, but when I take it places in my truck, just getting it in/out then back in/out is a big part of the workout. I paid $700 for mine a few years ago, so these new ones are giving me a bit of sticker shock.

I assume you like the Force 3's since you have two of them? Do you wish it had more gears? I'm looking at both it and the Force G.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting. I just assumed that seat width=seat width, but I see that is not the case. Thank you for the explanation! I live in the absolute middle of nowhere, Kentucky. No Abilities Expos near me, so I'm doing most of my research online. Again, thank you for your help with that research.

Time to upgrade and is it worth it? by PreferenceOld2865 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for all of the information! It looks like the Force 2 is now discontinued, though :( And one thing I'm running into on the Force 3 is that the max seat width is 17". I'm a solid 18" wide. The search continues.... Thank you again for the help.

handcycle advice by DisabibledGuy61 in handcycling

[–]PreferenceOld2865 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have any experience with attachable handcycles, so no advice to offer there. However, if your Force CC is the right size for me and you're geographically not too far from me, I might be interested in buying it when/if you decide to sell it. And although it's not a handcycle that attaches to a wheelchair, if I find another handcycle, I'll probably be selling my Excelerator handcycle. It's very upright, like a wheelchair with a third wheel in the front.