15 replies to this topic

[Lucydog]

This is posted on YouTube. The guy actually has 3 vids but absolutly no tips on how to put this together or whats needed. I was wondering if you would cast your eye over it and for the technical minded maybe suggest whats needed. There is no way I can afford a commecially made one.
thanks
L

Edited by Lucydog, 18 April 2010 - 09:01 PM.

[greybeard]

If you look closely you can see that the black bars are rollers mounted on a frame. If you've got a light engineering place near you, they could probably mount some bearings in metal tubes. Bolts through a wooden frame could serve as axles on which to mount the bearings. It doesn't have to look pretty, but obviously the rollers need to rotate freely and be correctly spaced to hold the wheels clear of the floor/frame base.

[FROG]

Lucydog,

I think GB is on the right track here to try to duplicate what we see. But, I wonder if a set of rollers made for indoor training for cyclists would be an easier solution. Two rear rollers hold the rear tire of the bike and it seems that a chair could use the rollers with minor effort to secure and level the chair. I saw a set of rollers on sale at Performance Bicycle for $179 US last week. And I am sure that you could find one on Craig's list, E-Bay etc for much less. Good luck with the project.

Edited by FROG, 19 April 2010 - 08:16 PM.

[edlee]

I just now googled "roller UK" and there are lots of companies offering various sized rollers. They are normally used in conveyer sysrems, but I'm sure could be used for your own purposes,, simply by drilling the appropriate sizes holes in two pieces of wood and inserting the rollers between them.

Getting on and off of the above apparatus might be a chore,, but one thing at a time.
ed

[greybeard]

Lucydog, I assume, as you haven't added a response, that none of our suggestions were of use. Sorry we couldn't help.

[Lucydog]

greybeard, on Apr 25 2010, 01:56 PM, said:

Lucydog, I assume, as you haven't added a response, that none of our suggestions were of use. Sorry we couldn't help.

With 4 kids under 6 I hardly get chance to reply to anything much these days. But thankyou for your replies.

[robbo100bike]

The proper wheelchair racer rollers are sold by companies like Bromakin and cost a few quid. McCain(?) i think also make them.

If you wanted to create something a pair of Tacx Cycle Rollers for cyclists might be a good start. But I think you need to raise the weight of the wheelchair slightly or i am told it puts alot of strain on joints (yours not the chair). Perhaps use axle stands intended for cars? Or Scissor jack? Not easy.

If you wanted something created i could get a welder / home mechanic friend to look at the problem.

My advice dont bother and go realtime pushing!!!

[guido]

People's invention always intrigues me - had a good discussion in chat room the other night about a counter-balance lift system (sounding geeky, CT feel free to jump in at any time) but looking at that video makes me wonder why you would put yourself through that mind-numbing boredom, Lucy?? The country is SO beautiful in your part of the world, I'd have thought getting out would have been most of the pleasure in training for an event?

[robbo100bike]

guido, on Apr 26 2010, 06:52 PM, said:

People's invention always intrigues me - had a good discussion in chat room the other night about a counter-balance lift system (sounding geeky, CT feel free to jump in at any time) but looking at that video makes me wonder why you would put yourself through that mind-numbing boredom, Lucy?? The country is SO beautiful in your part of the world, I'd have thought getting out would have been most of the pleasure in training for an event?

I agree. For a serious athlete this type of training is necessary for technique and overall fitness in all weathers / lighting. like exercise bikes this is the type of equipment that tends to end up a clothes horse and very dusty!!!

But like some people who use treadmills some will take to it.

I use a turbo trainer thro winter on the handbike, so i can train indoors but i watch DVDs or use my IPod for stimulation!!

[edlee]

Obviously you guys don't have to look after four,,, count em,,, four kids under the age of six,,, from a wheel chair.

Lucy gets plenty of exercise from that, I'm sure. The idea of being able to get in a mile or so while still being close enough to keep the little urchins out of trouble probably sounds pretty good to her.
ed

[robbo100bike]

I have 4 too ..........i prefer getting away from them!!!!!

[bigfatgoth]

My husband and I made this - if you want specifics I will try to help but basically it involved;
Ringing up a conveyor belt company and getting them to ship us 4 industrial rollers for £5 each.
Attaching the rollers to a piece of scrap wood (10p from B&Q) using angle brackets at the right distance apart (£20 for the lot)
Adding a Sofa caster on a bracket on each side to prevent accidental sliding off (£3)
Putting the front wheel up on bricks to prevent the feeling of going downhill (Free)
Adding a car jack under the frame to make it easier or more difficult to push (Also free- from freecycle)
It works like magic - the only drawback is that it is fairly noisy.

This is mark I, will let you know how the next version goes.

[Lucydog]

This is just what im looking for!!! Do you remember which company you use for the rollers, would you be able to let me see some close up photos?

thanks
L

[bigfatgoth]

Here is a close up of the basic roller thing without the jack.

[robbo100bike]

Thats very inventive. I am going to do likewise!!!

[Ratticis]

Princess Auto has everything you need