Varna Handcycle

[Curt Leatherbee]

Anyone here ever tried a Varna? I Tried out a Varna Speedbike yesterday and was pretty impressed how fast the bike is, but man, what bad handling, took a hell of spill going into a corner at 20mph, for this reason I kind of like the Freedom Ryder better in that you can really corner fast. I guess the Varna is made in Canada. Real wierd looking bike, on the straights I was even passing most really good Bicycle riders, what a great feeling. If anyone is interested this one is available from Scott at www.bike-on.com (http://www.bike-on.com) (no damage to the bike amazingly enough in the spill) I ended up with just a bruised and scraped up left hip, no biggie.

[ptamom]

Hey Curtis,
That's what my new bike is. It is a Varna II. I just got it a couple of weeks ago. I have not tried any other bikes...so I can't compare it to anything. I decided on this bike for a couple of reasons though. First of all, it's built in Canada, and being Canadian, wanted to support Canada. Secondly is the price. It was $1800 US, or converted to Canadian $2400. For us Canadian Folks check out http://www.varnahandcycles.com/
The steering is a little touchy, but for our rough roads, (and a bit of off roading) this seems to be a tough bike. So far I love it, and go about 4 miles a day. I am slowly working up the strength and endurance to go farther with my husband and son. So far, I am doing well on the flats, but I just crawl up the hills.
Question for you Curtis...where do you put a mirror on your bike? Haven't quite figured that one out. Thanks and happy cycling!

[Curt Leatherbee]

Seems like a real built bike and nice and smooth. I guess the reason I crashed is that I am so use to the lean steer at this point.

Best place for the mirror is on the left footrest end, works great there. I am real tempted to buy the varna I rode, but have a couple bikes already.

[pixyvixen]

I'm SO INTERESTED in these handbikes! Do you know if a C4-5 quad with triceps could use one? He doesn't have any grip with his hands. What about steering? Is it done more by leaning (like a regular bike) or by turning the front wheel? I would LOVE to see my friend become more active. How can we try out one of these bikes before deciding to purchase one?

[Chris Chappell]

Pixy, where are you located - specifically?

Geographically, if we know where you are perhaps we can give you someone or some place to go and check out the bikes.

With biceps (most important) and triceps a C4-5 quad should be able to ride. Hand attachments (grip)can be modified.

Onward and Upward!

[ptamom]

I never thought about the footrest. Will try that.
Thanks.

[pixyvixen]

I'm in the Dallas area.

[Curt Leatherbee]

I would think the best bet for an injury this high would be a Tandom Cycle like the one designed by Charlie Croteau and his friend Bob Hicks (he was my Rehab counciler 21 years ago, he is a c-6 quad and about the most amazing person I have ever met) which consists of a a/b on a bicycle riding behind the Handcycle portion of the bike. I believe my Friend Loren Quinn has a link for this bike on his site at www.quinntecentral.com (http://www.quinntecentral.com)
Just found the Direct link, it is http://www.quinntecentral.com/handcyclebicycle_tandem.html
"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[This message was edited by Curtis on Jul 24, 2002 at 03:04 PM.]

[-scott-]

i was just looking @ varna's site... they have a tandem similar to the one curtis provided a link for:

http://www.varnahandcycles.com/handcycles/handcycle.htm#Varna Hybrid Tandem Handcycle/Cycle

$5k though http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif