For anybody racing Handcycles this looks pretty good Top End Force R

Curt Leatherbee · 04-01-2009, 06:52 PM

I think these just came out Recently, first I've seen of one of these. Looks like it would be hard for most getting on and off. Its big $$$ too. I'm sure I'd fly on one of these even faster than my FRH, but I don't race very often at this point anyhow and I'm sure the FRH is more comfortable. I'd be a little nervous about being down so low on this top end, a flag would be a necessity on this handcycle. Although I'm sure if you did get run over you'd probabley sail right under the car or truck that went over you

http://bike-on.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=1196

Keep in mind the Zipp wheels shown in the pic are optional. This is one expensive handcycle, it lists for over 6 grand. Scotts selling them for $4995 . As I remember the Regular Force is around $3500.00, about the same as the Freedom Ryder FRH1 like mine. If I were really competive about racing I'd think about one of these top end R's. The problem with Freedom rider is you cant recline it back far enough for racing, although even in a fairly upright position its still pretty fast. Those way low lay back bikes can get pretty scary going down steep hills when you get over 30 mph. I hit 45 once on my old Varna and that was a trip.

cavemuscle · 04-02-2009, 02:08 PM

Force R is their Schmicking clone. Top End was fast losing pro's to Schmicking, despite costing twice as much.

Even at that price it's still 3 grand under a Schmicking, so if you live and die racing, I'd say it was good deal. I still want to try a Draft from the UK sometime.

arndog · 04-02-2009, 03:45 PM

Brock - what do you know about 'Draft' handcycles.

About being low to the ground, it makes turning safer since your center of gravity is lower. My AWON handcycle has me 2.5 inches off the ground - I like that aspect for both better aerodynamics - your body is protected from the wind by the front wheel and safer turning and better drafting off other handcyclists.

I think that Force R would be great for racing. But the body position is so radical that it may not be as 'fun' as your FRH, Curt. I had to face the fact that no one is paying me to ride so I don't have to be totally efficient except for having to keep up with my friends on handcycles. No matter how you cut it we are always slower than able bodied riders.

Hey, I think that everyone in a handcycle should have a flag (unless you are racing).

Here is a picture of the DRAFT bike:

cavemuscle · 04-02-2009, 04:23 PM

Not that much Arn aside from they are the preferred bike for the UK Paralympic team and they do a sweet longseat.

If I do go into triathlons with either "Getting2 Tri" or "TeamInTraining" I'll look into them further.

B

Curt Leatherbee · 04-03-2009, 11:13 AM

Heres a review of the handcycle done by Scott Pellet http://bike-on.com/page.cfm?pageID=258

arndog · 04-03-2009, 11:44 AM

Thanks Curt . I got the email from bike-on this morning. I guess the email takes longer to travel across the country to Nevada

I emailed them to learn what it actually weights too.
I still think the FRH looks great....

Curt Leatherbee · 04-03-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arndog

Thanks Curt . I got the email from bike-on this morning. I guess the email takes longer to travel across the country to Nevada

I emailed them to learn what it actually weights too.
I still think the FRH looks great....

I agree, the FRH is awesome. But the fact is at least in my situation being a high level para, a recline cycle like the Force R is much faster. But the way I feel I'm just going to use my FRH for racing anyhow, I'm probabley just as fast, if not faster on uphills although on the flat and downhills I'm sure I'd be much faster on the Force R. How I look at it is I dont stand a chance against lower level Paras and even those racing handcycles who are walkers, so I might as well just race for the fun of it, not to win. I cant see investing anymore money in a sport I know I cant win in. From the looks of it, the Force R would not be a very good daily rider, at least in my opinion. It looks like it would be very hard to get on and off. Doing general pleasure rides on a lay back handcycle in not as much fun as on a handcycle your sitting on more upright in my experience.

04-01-2009, 06:52 PM	#1
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,329	For anybody racing Handcycles this looks pretty good Top End Force R I think these just came out Recently, first I've seen of one of these. Looks like it would be hard for most getting on and off. Its big $$$ too. I'm sure I'd fly on one of these even faster than my FRH, but I don't race very often at this point anyhow and I'm sure the FRH is more comfortable. I'd be a little nervous about being down so low on this top end, a flag would be a necessity on this handcycle. Although I'm sure if you did get run over you'd probabley sail right under the car or truck that went over you http://bike-on.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=1196 Keep in mind the Zipp wheels shown in the pic are optional. This is one expensive handcycle, it lists for over 6 grand. Scotts selling them for $4995 . As I remember the Regular Force is around $3500.00, about the same as the Freedom Ryder FRH1 like mine. If I were really competive about racing I'd think about one of these top end R's. The problem with Freedom rider is you cant recline it back far enough for racing, although even in a fairly upright position its still pretty fast. Those way low lay back bikes can get pretty scary going down steep hills when you get over 30 mph. I hit 45 once on my old Varna and that was a trip. __________________ "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

04-02-2009, 03:45 PM	#3
arndog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NV Posts: 2,867	Brock - what do you know about 'Draft' handcycles. About being low to the ground, it makes turning safer since your center of gravity is lower. My AWON handcycle has me 2.5 inches off the ground - I like that aspect for both better aerodynamics - your body is protected from the wind by the front wheel and safer turning and better drafting off other handcyclists. I think that Force R would be great for racing. But the body position is so radical that it may not be as 'fun' as your FRH, Curt. I had to face the fact that no one is paying me to ride so I don't have to be totally efficient except for having to keep up with my friends on handcycles. No matter how you cut it we are always slower than able bodied riders. Hey, I think that everyone in a handcycle should have a flag (unless you are racing). Here is a picture of the DRAFT bike: Attached Images

04-03-2009, 11:13 AM	#5
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,329	Heres a review of the handcycle done by Scott Pellet http://bike-on.com/page.cfm?pageID=258 __________________ "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

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04-02-2009, 02:08 PM	#2
cavemuscle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 364	Force R is their Schmicking clone. Top End was fast losing pro's to Schmicking, despite costing twice as much. Even at that price it's still 3 grand under a Schmicking, so if you live and die racing, I'd say it was good deal. I still want to try a Draft from the UK sometime.

04-02-2009, 04:23 PM	#4
cavemuscle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 364	Not that much Arn aside from they are the preferred bike for the UK Paralympic team and they do a sweet longseat. If I do go into triathlons with either "Getting2 Tri" or "TeamInTraining" I'll look into them further. B

04-03-2009, 11:44 AM	#6
arndog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NV Posts: 2,867	Thanks Curt . I got the email from bike-on this morning. I guess the email takes longer to travel across the country to Nevada I emailed them to learn what it actually weights too. I still think the FRH looks great....