40 replies to this topic

[graphic]

robbo100bike, on Oct 21 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

Either quickie shark model is good, you can get the std shark and upgrade to 27 gears or go for the shark sport which has 27gears as std.

Top End - Force is a cracking bike very low though. The force g relies on u having some trunk control so might not work for you. The Pro has been about for years its not the fastest bike but used to be the bike to have and was raced extensively. Great bike for leisure riding with few faults.

I might know of an XLT for sale will find out more details and let u know.

Thanks Paul,

I spoke to Paul Smith on the phone this evening and he's going to try to arrange for me to try out a few bikes on a track in Cardiff. That way I should have an idea of what I like before looking to buy. I'll let you know how it goes. After speaking to him I'm thinking I might like something with 27 gears so I won't have to upgrade should I like the sport.

Cheers, Clive

[robbo100bike]

graphic, on Oct 21 2009, 11:22 PM, said:

robbo100bike, on Oct 21 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

Either quickie shark model is good, you can get the std shark and upgrade to 27 gears or go for the shark sport which has 27gears as std.

Top End - Force is a cracking bike very low though. The force g relies on u having some trunk control so might not work for you. The Pro has been about for years its not the fastest bike but used to be the bike to have and was raced extensively. Great bike for leisure riding with few faults.

I might know of an XLT for sale will find out more details and let u know.

Thanks Paul,

I spoke to Paul Smith on the phone this evening and he's going to try to arrange for me to try out a few bikes on a track in Cardiff. That way I should have an idea of what I like before looking to buy. I'll let you know how it goes. After speaking to him I'm thinking I might like something with 27 gears so I won't have to upgrade should I like the sport.

Cheers, Clive

Very wise. My first bike was 7 speed Top End XLT Excelerator (a very early model which you dont see any more), it cost £800 secondhand. I ended up spending £200 converting it to 14 speed then realised it wasnt a race bike and wasnt suitable. (You cant polish a t*rd!!) SO sold it within 6months for £800 and bought a new XLT Pro for £2000 (this was in 2001). Kept that for over 2years, then they brought out the Gold and was seduced again....... i now change my bike very regular because i like the new bike feel. like a kid at Xmas

[fenty]

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Varna's.

I have a Varna 2 and it is extremely tough (I use it off road on forest tracks), the 20" wheels and semi-recumbant position give a nice tight turning circle. The crank moves forward and raises the seat at the same time to aid transfer and helps get the perfect cranking position

The semi recumbant seat helps me put power into the cranks and aids balance (I'm a T4 complete para). I can get it into my ford focus estate without breaking it down.

It is plenty fast enough for me, I've had 28 mph out of it on flat tarmac (for a very short period!!) and the components are top notch. I probably wouldn't race on it as it is, but a change of tyres (plenty of choice for 20" wheels) would make it more suitable even for that purpose for a beginner.

I guess the only problem is finding one second hand, though Bromakin do them from new.

Edited by fenty, 22 October 2009 - 08:48 AM.

[greybeard]

Back to clip-on choice for a moment: Anyone got opinions about the Praschberger Challenger?

[robbo100bike]

greybeard, on Oct 22 2009, 10:12 AM, said:

Back to clip-on choice for a moment: Anyone got opinions about the Praschberger Challenger?

Its got a good reputation and is THE clip on i would prefer. Due to gearing and drive wheel size.

[greybeard]

robbo100bike, on Oct 22 2009, 10:20 AM, said:

greybeard, on Oct 22 2009, 10:12 AM, said:

Back to clip-on choice for a moment: Anyone got opinions about the Praschberger Challenger?

Its got a good reputation and is THE clip on i would prefer. Due to gearing and drive wheel size.

Thanks.

[robbo100bike]

fenty, on Oct 22 2009, 09:45 AM, said:

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Varna's.

I have a Varna 2 and it is extremely tough (I use it off road on forest tracks), the 20" wheels and semi-recumbant position give a nice tight turning circle. The crank moves forward and raises the seat at the same time to aid transfer and helps get the perfect cranking position

The semi recumbant seat helps me put power into the cranks and aids balance (I'm a T4 complete para). I can get it into my ford focus estate without breaking it down.

It is plenty fast enough for me, I've had 28 mph out of it on flat tarmac (for a very short period!!) and the components are top notch. I probably wouldn't race on it as it is, but a change of tyres (plenty of choice for 20" wheels) would make it more suitable even for that purpose for a beginner.

I guess the only problem is finding one second hand, though Bromakin do them from new.

I think Varnas are a marmite bike love them / hate them!!

They still race them in Europe too. Varna riders always love them and whilst i can see the advantages of the machine, I have always seen them as agricultural compared to the other avaible machines. i.e. steel frame opposed to ali, low grade components, 20 inch wheels, bit flexy. They cost about the same? as a top end bike but you dont seem to get as much hi tech for your money.

Dont get me wrong i have rode one, thoroughly enjoyed the experience and think they are a good design but I just cant get turned on by them? (weird). They do seem to be very robust and I have seen 10year old ones still going strong, secondhand ones seem to come up regular enough, they hold their value (2ndhand £500-1000) and seem to be very popular. (there was one for sale recently for £800 as i recall)

So i suppose they do have alot going for them and a new rider should consider all the options.

[Chilepepper]

graphic, on Oct 17 2009, 02:31 PM, said:

edlee, on Oct 17 2009, 05:50 PM, said:

Isn't that the problem??? So often, good intentions cause us to buy things that become,, before long,, clothes racks,,, or merely storage problems.

Then, there they sit,, reminding us of what we should be doing,,,, so we throw another coat on top, so we can't make out what they really are.

Yes ed, I seem to have accumulated quite a few unwanted things over the years that seemed like a good idea when I bought them, lol. That's the reason I don't want to spend too much...it seems like a good idea right now with the sun shining but I'll probably feel different come winter. The problem with things like handcycles is that if it's too awkward to get in the car on my own it will just end up not being used, as you said.
Thanks for the tip about Disaboom, I'll check it out.

I have a pickup so it's not to hard getting it into the truck. I just put the hand cycle into the back and turn it sideways. TO close the lid I use a boggy cord and tie it off of the trailer hitch. It can be somewhat awkward when taking it out and putting the wheelchair back into the truck, but it can be done. But most of the time I am usually biking with someone. I've had my bike for now three summer, and this is the first summer that I hardly used it. Not because I didn't want to, it's because of all the rain we have been having this past summer. I'm hoping for some nice fall weather which we are having now. But paying the bills come first(working). Lets hope this nice weather stays with us for awhile and I can enjoy the autumn weather.

[ss770640]

graphic, on Oct 17 2009, 11:01 PM, said:

The carrier that Bike-on sells is like an ordinary bike rack and costs about £200. Here's the link:
http://bike-on.com/p...e-rack-1192.htm

Bike_OnGo1.gif

Graphic

i have the same problem with my shark. i cant use it as i cant transport it!

thanks for posting this bike rack. looks like the solution to my problem!

[JeffYates]

Through various fundraisering and sponsors i managed to obtain a top end Force R, and would recommend this bike over any others, without a doubt.

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[JeffYates]

Bike rack fits handcycle without dis-assembling anyhting, quick and easy.

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