[Chilepepper]

I've been using this Quickie Shark demo and find that I get a sore neck when wheeling for a long distance. If you look at the design you can tell that the back has a deep indent in the back rest. For what reason I'm not sure of. You would think that the back would be straight and not curved. Does anybody know why the back is designed that way and what is the best way to positon it.

http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/Handcyc...ie_Shark/3093p0

[russ1]

Shark S or Standard one. Have you got the low profile block-style backrest for riders who involve their entire torso in the propulsion process (shown in picture) or the ergonomically designed multi-adjustable contour back for hand-cyclists who need greater trunk stability?

This post has been edited by russ1: 06 November 2006 - 10:28 AM

[Chilepepper]

Hi Russ1

It's a standard hawk. It looks like I have ergonomically designed multi-adjustable contour back. I find it curves far to much in to be comfortable. When I ordered the bike she did not even ask me these questions so now I'm concerned I might get this back that I am now using.

[russ1]

Looks like you're going to have to play with the backrest angle then to find a more comfortable riding position?

Either that or possibly like me you're tensing up your neck muscles when cranking to get more power and you're just going to have to try to develop a more relaxed cranking action for the longer distances.

It's most likely a combination of both of the above though.

The curve looks to be much more ergonomically correct and I suspect that it's just a case of finding the correct position - it may not be just back angle you may be a bit too far away from the cranks too which might put more stress on your shoulders and stress your neck.

[Chilepepper]

You could be right about the distance from the wheel crank. I had a hard time trying to configure the bike to me. Myself I'm 6'2 feet tall and the person who had the bike prier to me was a lot shorter, so I had to move the back further from the crank and the foot rest further from the seat. Once this was finally done, I could not figure out what was most comfortable in setback angle. It just felt like the inward arch to the back did not feel natural, if you know what I mean.

I've tried anther hand bike called the Top End Accelerator hand bike, and their backs were straight, and I really liked that, I just did not like the way the frame was built and it sucked in trying to climb a medium hill. The Quickie Shark over all is a very nicer bike; it’s just that damn back rest. It’s too bad Quickie did carry straight backs as another option instead of just the arched backs.

So it looks like its back to the drawing board in finding the right position for this bike. But I’ll try and see if I figure out what is most comfortable. Russ1 if you don't mind, could you possible send a picture of you in the bike, just so that I've got some kind of an idea as to how you’re positioned on the bike? I hope that this could give me an idea of how it should be positioned. I've checked the net and found nothing that I could to help me out.

[russ1]

Probably not a huge amount of help as I ride an XLT pro with a straigtht back but I know I've spent quite a while playing with all the adjustments to try to find the best seating configuration and I'm not even sure I'm there yet.

[Chilepepper]

Well Russ1 it looks like I'm supposed to sit back, not forward like I have it set up. If you look at the lbrocher, it shows a couple of pictures with guys leaning way back and up close to the crank. So it looks like I'm going to have to configure the bike that way and see what happens.

http://www.sunrisemedical.com/media/produc...D=1163011477557

This post has been edited by Chilepepper: 08 November 2006 - 06:45 PM

[MargaretWilson]

You know I like everything about that bike except for the seat. I've seen better seats out there and so I'm really not sure why they did this here. Too bad you can't put a new seat on it LOL

[Chilepepper]

Well since viewing the brochure and talking to Sunrise Medical(where the bike comes from), I decided to changed the backrest distance closer to the crank, and moved the foot rests even further up. I also farted around with the angle of the back, until it felt good. When all these changes were done, I have to admit that it felt comfortable and relaxing. Now I just have to wait for some good weather to test the bike out. I'm pretty sure it will now feel fine.


PS

I lost count in how many times I had to transfer in and out of that bike before everything fitted well. This was a good thing because now it is a breeze to get in and out. At first I had a problem in getting that technical down, but was good now.

This post has been edited by Chilepepper: 09 November 2006 - 06:04 PM

[keeptrukin]

You'll have to let me know if this worked for you. I am in the market for a hand cycle and can't decide whether to get the shard or the XLT. I like the shark design better.
KT

[Chilepepper]

keeptrukin I would have to say that the quickie shark if a better bike. At first I had a hard time in trying to get a proper position in which I would be most comfortable while sitting in the Quickie. But now after some time I've gotten this problem resolved.

I've tried the XLT last year while testing out the demo and though it is a fine bike, I think the quickie is a better bike. I really like the way you sit into the bike and when taking corners it just grabs the corner.

If you are going to buy a bike, make sure it is a 27 speed. If you decide to go with a 9 gear bike you will not get the full expectation out of it, and in a short time you will wish that you had spent a few hundreds bucks more for thoughs extra gears.

[keeptrukin]

Chilepepper, on Jan 5 2007, 03:46 AM, said:

keeptrukin I would have to say that the quickie shark if a better bike. At first I had a hard time in trying to get a proper position in which I would be most comfortable while sitting in the Quickie. But now after some time I've gotten this problem resolved.

I've tried the XLT last year while testing out the demo and though it is a fine bike, I think the quickie is a better bike. I really like the way you sit into the bike and when taking corners it just grabs the corner.

If you are going to buy a bike, make sure it is a 27 speed. If you decide to go with a 9 gear bike you will not get the full expectation out of it, and in a short time you will wish that you had spent a few hundreds bucks more for thoughs extra gears.

Thanks for the advice. I find the shark is cheaper anyways. I like the look better as well.
Thanks agian.
KT