Adaptive bikes allow anyone the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. There are many different kinds of adaptive bikes that cater a variety of riders. There are four different styles of adaptable bikes:
- Tandems allow for two riders to bike together.
- Recumbents are more ergonomically designed to keep pressure off of wrists and knees.
- Handcycles offer riders with SCI or limited to no leg function the ability to enjoy biking.
- Trikes allow for a more stable ride.
Many of these bikes are offered in different sizes, ensuring that the bike is properly fitted to the rider. When using adaptive bikes it is important to follow the posted weight limits. It is also important to always wear a helmet when biking.
Universal Access Program Adaptive Cycling Equipment Guide
Tandems
Frank Mobility Duet Wheelchair Tandem
Features:
- 3 wheels
- 2 in front and 1 in back
- The wheelchair front detachable
- It can be used independently.
- Adjustable
- Lap/chest belt
- Footrest
- Headrest
- Traditional backseat
- Coaster Brakes
- Handbrake
- Long bar underneath handlebar
- Breaks into 2 parts
- Each part can stand separately
- 7-speed grip shift internal gear hub
- Located below rear seat
Weight Limit: 275 lbs for front seat
Benefits:
- Stable - low center of gravity
- Wheelchair seat is highly adjustable
- Wheelchair can be detached for mobility at a stop (e.g. lunch, ice cream)
Sun Bicycles Brickell Tandem
Features:
- Traditional 2 Wheel
- Step through frame
- Adjustable handlebars
- Disc Brakes
- Handbrake
- 7-speed internal hub
- 26” tires extra-wide
Benefits:
- Rides like a traditional bike
- Wide tires allow smooth and easy roll over bumpy and rough paths
Terra Trike Rover Tandem
Features:
- 3 Wheels
- 2 in back 1 in front
- Reclined seats high off the ground (adjustable on a track)
- Disc Brakes
- Handbrake
- 8-speed Internal gear hub
Benefits:
- Offers a recumbent style bike in a tandem
- Seats are higher off the ground then traditional recumbents
Recumbents
Greenspeed GTO
Features:
- 3 Wheels (2 in front 1 in back)
- Reclined seat low to the ground
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Breaks into 2 parts via coupler joint
- Bar end shifters
- 27 Speed
- 9 speed cassette
- 3 speed crank
- Sram Dual Drive
Weight limit: 350 lbs
Benefits:
- Low to the ground
- Stable
- Durably built
- Ergonomic design keeps pressure off of wrists and knees
Hase Lepus
Features:
- 3 Wheels (2 in back 1 in front)
- Reclined seat
- Disc brakes
- Gripshift
- 8 speed internal
- Adjustable boom
- Rear suspension
- Air shock
- Quality parts
Weight Limit: 240 lbs
Benefits:
- Higher off the ground
- More comfortable for riders who cannot use or aren’t comfortable with low to the ground seating
- Design keeps pressure off of rider's wrists and knees
- Rear suspension absorbs shock providing more comfortable ride
Handcycles
Invacare Top End Excelerator
Features:
- 3 Wheels (2 in back 1 in front
- Adjustable upright seat
- Seatback height adjustment
- Seat Slides back and forwards
- Coaster Brake
- Parking Brake
- 7 speed internal gear hu
- Rapid fire shifter
- Adjustable footrest
- Height adjustment
- Angle adjustment
- Velcro straps to secure foot
- Adjustable crank height with chain tension system
- Top speeds of 15 MPH
Weight Limit: 250 lbs
Benefits:
- Higher off the ground
Invacare Top End XLT
Features:
- 3 Wheels (2 in back 1 in front)
- Adjustable lowered seat
- Seatback angle adjustment
- Coaster Brake
- Parking Brake
- 7 speed internal gear hub
- Rapid fire shifter
- Adjustable footrest
- Velcro straps to secure lower leg
- Adjustable crank height with chain tension system
Top speeds of 20 MPH
Weight Limit: 250 lbs
Benefits:
- Lower to the ground
- faster
- more sport oriented
- Stable due to lowness and cambered tires
Invacare XLT Pro
Features:
- 3 Wheels
- 2 in back 1 in front
- Adjustable lowered seat
- Seatback angle adjustment
- Coaster Brake
- Parking Brake
- 27 speeds
- 9 speed cassette
- rapid-fire shifter
- 3 speed crank
- lever shifter
- Adjustable footrest
- Forward and backwards adjustment
- Velcro straps to secure leg
- Adjustable crank height with chain tension system
- Top speeds of 25 MPH
Weight Limit: 250 lbs
Benefits:
- Lower to the ground
- faster
- more sport oriented
- Stable due to lowness and cambered tires
- Fastest handcycle in fleet
Trikes
AmTryke Pro Series 1516
Features:
- 3 wheels (2 in back 1 in front)
- Adjustable handlebars
- Adjustable upright seat with harness (4 different positions)
- Push handle with steering
- Handbrake
- Parking Brake
- Positive Drive
- If bike is pushed forwards the pedals will rotate forwards
- Changeable steering radius
- 0 degree
- 20 degree
- Full radius
Benefits:
- Allows caregiver to walk behind and control bike
Freedom Concept Push Trike
Features:
- 3 wheels (2 in back 1 in front)
- Adjustable handlebars
- Independent adjustable handle loops
- Adjustable upright seat with harness
- Push handle
- Handbrake
- Parking Brake
- Direct Drive
- If bike is pushed forwards the pedals will rotate forwards
- If bike is pushed backwards the pedals will rotate backwards
Weight Limit: 150 lbs
Benefits:
- Allows caregiver to walk behind and control bike
Worksman PAV
Features:
- 3 wheels (2 in back 1 in front)
- Adjustable handlebars
- Adjustable seat
- Armrests
- Parking Brake
- Drum brake
- Coaster brakes
- 3-speed internal hub
- Rapidfire shifter
Weight Limit: 550 lbs
Benefits:
- Design keeps pressure off of wrists and knees
- High to the ground
- Stable
- Handlebars swing up to allow easier transfer
- No flat tires
Traditional
Specialized Expedition
Features:
- Traditional 2 Wheel
- Step through frame
- Handbrakes
- 27 speeds
- 9-speed cassette (grip shift)
- 3-speed crank (grip shift)
- Front Shock
Benefits:
- Provides a traditional style ride with an easier step through frame design
Zize
Features:
- Traditional 2 Wheel
- Step through frame
- Handbrakes
- 7 speeds
- 7-speed cassette (grip shift)
Weight Limit: 550 lb
Benefits:
- Provides a traditional style ride with an easier step through frame design
Biria Easy Boarding Cruiser
Features:
- Traditional 2 Wheel
- Step through frame
- Handbrakes
- Curved handlebars
Weight Limit: 215 lbs
Benefits:
- Provides a traditional style ride with an easier step through frame design
Handcycle Grips
C5 Handgrips
Features:
- Adjustable glove
- Two part design
- Glove detaches from post to allow rider to use hand to shift while riding
- Left/right specific
- Post is threaded and screws in
Who this might work well for:
- Someone with a grip weakness
Ergo Light Handgrips
Features:
- Ergonomically design rubbery handgrip
- Left/right specific
- Post is threaded and screws in
Who this might work well for:
- Someone who experiences hand fatigue when riding
Quad Cuff Handgrips
Features:
- Rubbery handgrip
- Design allows rider to slide hand into place while riding
- Keeps hand in vertical position
- Post is threaded and screws in
Who this might work well for:
- Someone with limited grip strength
Vertical Ergonomic Handgrips
Features:
- Plastic vertical handgrips
- Attached via aluminum spindle
- Post is not threaded and is mounted with a screw
Who this might work well for:
- Someone with a strong grip that wants freedom of hand while riding
Foam Covered Ergonomic Handgrips
Features:
- Foam covered angled handgrips
- Post is not threaded and is mounted with a screw
Who this might work well for:
- Someone with a strong grip that wants freedom of hand while riding