Adaptive cycling equipment

Universal Access program has a variety of adaptive cycling equipment available for riders to use at adaptive cycling programs on rail-trails and in Massachusetts state parks.

Table of Contents

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

Three Frank Mobility Duet Wheelchair Tandem Bikes lined up next to a brick building

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)

 

 

 

Two riders on a Sun Bicycles Brickell Tandem Bike on a rail trial.

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
Two riders on a Terra Trike Rover Tandem peddling on a rail-trail near a grassy field.

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
Person sitting on Invacare Bike next to person standing and smiling at the camera

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

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