Handcycles--Freedom Ryder, Top End, Halls Defiant

Craig T · 06-22-2002, 11:22 AM

Several have posted the joys of handcyling. Top End, Halls Defiant and Freedom Ryder offer interesting handcycles, but I am having difficulty finding models to try. Would the handcyclists among us post the models they have ridden and their likes and dislikes? Please also include sources (Scott at Bike-on has several favorable references at this site). Also, the Freedom Ryder appears to have unique lean steering, but the website does not address any difficulties someone without trunk muscle control might have with lean steering. Can the Freedom Ryder be ridden by someone without trunk muscle control?

Chris Chappell · 06-22-2002, 11:31 AM

I'll try and get Curtis to post here. He's a rep for a handcycle manufacturer.

Onward and Upward!

Curt Leatherbee · 06-22-2002, 01:32 PM

I just e mailed you, I'll copy and post the e Mail here for others who might be interested in handcycling. The lack of trunk muscle control really should not be a problem on the FreedomRyder, I ride one and am a complete t-4.

Hi Craig;

I just rode with Scott this mourning, every Saturday we have a get together where we do a 30 mile run on the East bay Bike path here in Barrington. Scott was a distributor up until last November for the Freedom Ryder line of Handcycles, Freedom Ryder changed its distribution plan and now only deals factory direct through Individual sales reps, infact I have just become a Sales Rep in the Northeast here for the Freedom Ryder line of Handcycles.

In answer to you're question, the Freedom Ryders are harder to ride at first than the non lean steer bikes ie, the Top End. I rode a Top End bike since 1997 and switched to the Freedom Ryder this past Spring, a lot of folks told me once you switch to the Freedom Ryder you will never get back on the Top End, they were right. The Freedom Ryder is a lot more interesting to ride as you feel a lot more connected to the Handcycle rather than just sitting there cranking away with you're arms and you can keep on pedaling even in Corners whereas with the non lean steer you have to back off from pedalling in corners. The drawback of the Freedom Ryder is that it does not not turn as sharply as the Top End in tight sections when going slow and like I said, harder to ride at first till you get the hang of it, usaully just for the first day. Transfer on and off either bike are not bad once you get the hang of it, I know a few Quads who transfer on and off these bikes independantly.

If you want to ride a Freedom Ryder and compare it to a Top End I would be more than happy to let you try my bikes if you ever can make it up here to R.I. You might want to check out the Freedom Ryder Web site which is www.FreedomRyder.com and if you were interested in the Top End or Varna, Scott would be the man to talk to at Bike-On.com. If you Can't get out here to Rhode Island, talk to Steve Ackerman at Freedom Ryder and he should be able to set you up with someone in you're area that should be able to let you demo the bike there.

Glad you're getting involved with Handcycling, it is a great Sport and will get you out of the Wheelchair and in better shape.

Sincerely, Curtis

"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 Jun 22, 2002 at 04:54 PM.]

Polett · 06-22-2002, 02:48 PM

Just be aware of the quad cuffs nightmare.
I got my bike a short while ago and the Invacare quad cuff r a joke... so r the quickie one in my opinion. However, I just got it working but could only use it once thanx to Florida's weather. I have a Top End and, like everyone else, think Scott is the best...
Good luck

...It's the heart afraid of breaking,that never learns to dance... It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance... It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin'... That never learns to live...

Curt Leatherbee · 06-22-2002, 05:42 PM

http://www.handcycle-friends.org/

Polett, check out the Quad Cuffs of my Friend Loren in the Slideshow, they seem to work really well for him.
"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

Polett · 06-22-2002, 06:00 PM

I didnt see anyone with quad cuff and/or named Lorem. What I did anyhow was attach a pair of wrist braces used by roller bladers (has a loop that we hooked in the regular handles) thing is, Someone has to close them on for me but, then again, I gotta be transfered in and out and can't wheel to far yet so, I'm hoping that as I get stronger, I'll be able to figure a way around Quikie quad cuffs. Im still in the proccess of keeping my balance on it.

...It's the heart afraid of breaking,that never learns to dance... It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance... It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin'... That never learns to live...

Curt Leatherbee · 06-22-2002, 06:47 PM

he is listed as Quinn, his last name. is picture 4 of the slide show, I think Scott sells those type of Cuffs through Bike on. If you ever talk to Scott, just ask him what type of Cuffs Loren uses, I know Loren really likes them, plus he wears real sticky gloves (that does'nt sound right, lol) that really seems to help out.

Curtis

"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

Chris Chappell · 06-23-2002, 01:44 PM

Thanks for your help on this.

Onward and Upward!

Craig T · 06-23-2002, 02:41 PM

Curtis, Chris and everyone, thanks for your help.

I emailed Hancycling Friends and Freedom Ryder, have not heard yet aboout handcylists or sources in my area, but expect I will soon.

Thanks again.

Curt Leatherbee · 06-23-2002, 05:45 PM

I took a spin on my Top End today around the neiborhood, first time riding that bike in quite awhile over the Freedom Ryder. I think I hit the nail on the head in saying that you do not feel as connected to the bike as you do on the Freedom Ryder, I much more enjoy riding the Freedom Ryder. For someone just trying out the Freedom Ryder for the first time, you may just like the Top End better as it is infact easier to ride at first and you really have to get the hang of riding the Freedom Ryder, once you do get the hang of it, I think you may find that you like the Freedom Ryder better. If you can swing it, definately consider the CB1, it is a great bike. You will be the envy of other riders on this bike and be at a clear performance advantage.

"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

06-22-2002, 11:22 AM	#1
Craig T Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA Posts: 30	Handcycles--Freedom Ryder, Top End, Halls Defiant Several have posted the joys of handcyling. Top End, Halls Defiant and Freedom Ryder offer interesting handcycles, but I am having difficulty finding models to try. Would the handcyclists among us post the models they have ridden and their likes and dislikes? Please also include sources (Scott at Bike-on has several favorable references at this site). Also, the Freedom Ryder appears to have unique lean steering, but the website does not address any difficulties someone without trunk muscle control might have with lean steering. Can the Freedom Ryder be ridden by someone without trunk muscle control?

06-22-2002, 01:32 PM	#3
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,310	Hi Craig I just e mailed you, I'll copy and post the e Mail here for others who might be interested in handcycling. The lack of trunk muscle control really should not be a problem on the FreedomRyder, I ride one and am a complete t-4. Hi Craig; I just rode with Scott this mourning, every Saturday we have a get together where we do a 30 mile run on the East bay Bike path here in Barrington. Scott was a distributor up until last November for the Freedom Ryder line of Handcycles, Freedom Ryder changed its distribution plan and now only deals factory direct through Individual sales reps, infact I have just become a Sales Rep in the Northeast here for the Freedom Ryder line of Handcycles. In answer to you're question, the Freedom Ryders are harder to ride at first than the non lean steer bikes ie, the Top End. I rode a Top End bike since 1997 and switched to the Freedom Ryder this past Spring, a lot of folks told me once you switch to the Freedom Ryder you will never get back on the Top End, they were right. The Freedom Ryder is a lot more interesting to ride as you feel a lot more connected to the Handcycle rather than just sitting there cranking away with you're arms and you can keep on pedaling even in Corners whereas with the non lean steer you have to back off from pedalling in corners. The drawback of the Freedom Ryder is that it does not not turn as sharply as the Top End in tight sections when going slow and like I said, harder to ride at first till you get the hang of it, usaully just for the first day. Transfer on and off either bike are not bad once you get the hang of it, I know a few Quads who transfer on and off these bikes independantly. If you want to ride a Freedom Ryder and compare it to a Top End I would be more than happy to let you try my bikes if you ever can make it up here to R.I. You might want to check out the Freedom Ryder Web site which is www.FreedomRyder.com and if you were interested in the Top End or Varna, Scott would be the man to talk to at Bike-On.com. If you Can't get out here to Rhode Island, talk to Steve Ackerman at Freedom Ryder and he should be able to set you up with someone in you're area that should be able to let you demo the bike there. Glad you're getting involved with Handcycling, it is a great Sport and will get you out of the Wheelchair and in better shape. Sincerely, Curtis "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 Jun 22, 2002 at 04:54 PM.]

06-22-2002, 02:48 PM	#4
Polett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Florida, U.S.A. Posts: 1,033	Craig Just be aware of the quad cuffs nightmare. I got my bike a short while ago and the Invacare quad cuff r a joke... so r the quickie one in my opinion. However, I just got it working but could only use it once thanx to Florida's weather. I have a Top End and, like everyone else, think Scott is the best... Good luck ...It's the heart afraid of breaking,that never learns to dance... It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance... It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin'... That never learns to live...

06-22-2002, 05:42 PM	#5
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,310	Here is another Resource http://www.handcycle-friends.org/ Polett, check out the Quad Cuffs of my Friend Loren in the Slideshow, they seem to work really well for him. "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

06-22-2002, 06:00 PM	#6
Polett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Florida, U.S.A. Posts: 1,033	Curtis: I didnt see anyone with quad cuff and/or named Lorem. What I did anyhow was attach a pair of wrist braces used by roller bladers (has a loop that we hooked in the regular handles) thing is, Someone has to close them on for me but, then again, I gotta be transfered in and out and can't wheel to far yet so, I'm hoping that as I get stronger, I'll be able to figure a way around Quikie quad cuffs. Im still in the proccess of keeping my balance on it. ...It's the heart afraid of breaking,that never learns to dance... It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance... It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin'... That never learns to live...

06-22-2002, 11:31 AM	#2
Chris Chappell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 7,035	I'll try and get Curtis to post here. He's a rep for a handcycle manufacturer. Onward and Upward!

06-22-2002, 06:47 PM	#7
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,310	I'm sorry he is listed as Quinn, his last name. is picture 4 of the slide show, I think Scott sells those type of Cuffs through Bike on. If you ever talk to Scott, just ask him what type of Cuffs Loren uses, I know Loren really likes them, plus he wears real sticky gloves (that does'nt sound right, lol) that really seems to help out. Curtis "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

06-23-2002, 01:44 PM	#8
Chris Chappell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 7,035	Curtis Thanks for your help on this. Onward and Upward!

06-23-2002, 02:41 PM	#9
Craig T Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA Posts: 30	Curtis, Chris and everyone, thanks for your help. I emailed Hancycling Friends and Freedom Ryder, have not heard yet aboout handcylists or sources in my area, but expect I will soon. Thanks again.

06-23-2002, 05:45 PM	#10
Curt Leatherbee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 9,310	You're welcome Craig I took a spin on my Top End today around the neiborhood, first time riding that bike in quite awhile over the Freedom Ryder. I think I hit the nail on the head in saying that you do not feel as connected to the bike as you do on the Freedom Ryder, I much more enjoy riding the Freedom Ryder. For someone just trying out the Freedom Ryder for the first time, you may just like the Top End better as it is infact easier to ride at first and you really have to get the hang of riding the Freedom Ryder, once you do get the hang of it, I think you may find that you like the Freedom Ryder better. If you can swing it, definately consider the CB1, it is a great bike. You will be the envy of other riders on this bike and be at a clear performance advantage. "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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