pushingthelimits.com

One of the most accessible ways of keeping fit in a wheelchair is handcycling, the cardio benifits are only outweighed by the sense of freedom brought by being able to explore further than you would in an everyday wheelchair. Plus you can go fast, we like going fast.

With rental opportunities not easily available in most areas it makes sense to invest in a good handcycle, and once you have one then you will gradually explore further afield. Before you know it you will be planning a cycling holiday in some far-flung exotic landscape. Or you could just use it to give the dog a run for his money on the daily walk. It’s up to you.

Here is our current list of handcycles we would plan adventures around:

Superbike LC-1 by Freedom Rider (US$3595)

The bike Keane West used to set a new endurance world record of 322.4 miles in 24hours. Lightweight, sleek and sexy. Perfect for dedicated road cycling and marathons. Designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, with cables channeled through the body and out of the riders field of view.

Superbike LC-1

Top End Force by Invacare (US$3295)

The newest handcycle from Top End and Invacare. Designed for long distance road cycling and racing, the Top End Force is fitted with on hand gear shifting and breaking, meaning that you dont have to take your hands off the pedals to make adjustments and loose momentum. It also has front wheel pivot, giving greater control when turning and the ability to lean into corners with less risk of rolling over. Which is good.

Top End Force by Invacare

Quickie Shark S by Sunrise (US$2840)

The racing handcycle from Sunrise medical. The Quickie Shark S is another great road bike with a low center of gravity and full supplement of gears. Looks great, moves fast, and has a fully adjustable seating position with reclining back support. Shimano Ultegra gears and Quickie’s history in making wheelchairs mean that this hand-cycle is comfortable and functional.

Sunrise / Quickie Shark S Handcycle

S-1 Overdrive by Schmicking (US$6995)

This really is our favorite road bike and a true pioneer in handcycling. The S-1 is a race and marathon bike (it’s the bike featured in the title image of this post) that can easily handle long touring holidays by carrying equipment and saddle bags. A fully reclinable seat means you can set your preferred riding position, and lay the back support completely flat for transferring from your chair. Not only can you choose to ride in the normal sitting position, but you can also ride in the kneeling position too, really getting weight over the pedals and cranking up those hills with more ease.

All this and it weighs in at almost half the weight of some other handcycles. It’s by far the most expensive on the list, but easily the most versatile and pretty much two bikes in one.

S-1 Overdrive by Schmicking

GTH Hand Trike by Greenspeed ($4395)

Greenspeed are an australian firm with huge experience in recumbant bicycles and trikes. Their handcycle may not look as pretty as some of the race models from Quickie and Invacare, but this thing is a work horse designed for touring. A larger and way more comfortable seat mean spending days in the saddle wont kill you, and the GTH is fitted with the SRAM Dual Drive and Schulmpf Mountain Drive. That basically means you have a ridiculous amount of low gears to choose from, making getting up hills while carrying all your kit much easier than on any other bike. This thing was made for adventures, not races.

GTH by Greenspeed

Kettwiesel Handcycle by Hase (US$4995)

Another handcycle dedicated to touring and light off-road action rather than racing. The Hase Kettwiesel stands apart from over road cycles with it power feeding the rear wheels rather than the front. Making the likelihood of loosing traction on loose ground or inclines minimal. On hand brakes and gears mean easy adjustment and control, and it can be fitted with the Mountain Drive for extra low ration gearing. You can even connect two (or more!) of these together to make a tandem/train affair. choo choo.

Kettwiesel Handcycle by Hase

Flyer by One-Off Titanium (US$5000)

If you want to spend most of your time off-road then this is without a doubt the handbike for you. A leader of the field in all-terrain hand-cycles, the One-Off has been to the summit of Kilimanjaro and is the only bike competitors use in the annual Off-Road Handcycle World Championships. Making use of the kneeling position for the rider, and with drive going to the rear wheel (provided by the Schulmpf Mountain Drive), the One-Off is really the only handcycle that can lay claim to being a mountain bike too. With big knobbly tires to add traction in loose ground the One-Off can go pretty much anywhere you want to take it, but is still a great bike for everyday riding on roads and parks.

Flyer by One-Off Titanium

We promise that if you do get a handbike, it really isn’t mandatory to wear skin tight lycra all-in-ones, although if that’s what floats your boat then go for it. However you decide to fashion yourself while rocking your new handbike, just make sure you wear a helmet and get some lights. OK kids, go on and play safe now.

Continental Grand Prix 4000 Road Tires Continental Grand Prix 4000 Clincher Road Tires, Lycra suit not included.