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| Lightfoot Cycles - Adaptations for Special Needs |
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Adaptations for Special Needs
We can create custom variations on our standard models to permit riding by persons who would not otherwise be able to enjoy bicycling.
Single-sided controls for persons who can only use one hand
Hand-power conversions
Safety pedals
Asymmetric crank lengths for persons with restricted leg use
Extra stability for those with balance difficulties
Seat belts or safety harness
Hand/foot hybrid Tandems
Wheelchair-Carrying
Electric motors for those without the strength to pedal
"Dad is enjoying his mobility. He is just amazed how well the trike coasts and how little effort it requires of him." --Larry W., IN
-Ellyn at speed
"I LOVE IT!" -- Ellyn M., MT
CUSTOM HAND-POWERED CONVERSIONS
HAND POWER CONVERSIONS: Lightfoot trikes can be converted to hand crank or combined hand-and-foot crank with the addition of our handcrank option. The removable handcrank module installs in place of the optional linkage handlebar. This custom option can be retrofitted by the user, or can be installed by LFC. At any time the handcrank can be removed and standard handlebars re-installed.
The handcrank option is still relatively early in its development and is subject to change and refinement. We are working to extend the life of the cables and to find a simple way to for the user to simply realign the hand and foot cranks if they need to be worked on. This system, though proven, is not yet maintenance free.
-Two hands and two feet
Brakes levers and grip shifters are mounted to the handgrip; they are always "at hand" for ease of shifting and quickness of braking.
The handcrank does not steer as effortlessly as do the standard handlebars, and is not recommended for persons with significant balance difficulties, especially on our narrower Greenway trike.
Persons under 5' (150cm) may be crowded by the tiller bar, may have some knee interference with the linkage steering rod and may have to rock back and forth a bit in the seat as they pedal.
Persons using the handcrank on smooth pavement may prefer to have the hand cranks in line with each other, rather than opposite. Off-road use requires a more constant torque which is provided by opposite cranks; this can be combined with the two-wheel drive option for very good off-pavement performance.
We can set up the transmission to handle either one or two legs working in concert with the hand cranks.
-One leg and two hands.
Persons with partial or full use of their legs may also set up the handcrank for "rowing" action, with the foot pedals side-by-side, and positioned to be fully extended when the side-by-side hand cranks are closest to the chest. This roughly replicates the rowing motion of a "racing shell" wherein the legs, arms and upper body together provide power in large pulses.
The hand crank limits the front crankset to its lowest range, as only the smallest sprocket can be used. This gives our trikes and quadracycles 8 x 8 gears, with a compound low gear of about 7 gear-inches and a compound high of approximately 85. We can increase the high to 106 gear-inches by using road cranksets; this is an additional cost.
Very heavy persons may not be able to use the handcrank with the cranks opposite each other, as the radius of the crank may contact the chest even when installed at the furthest forward position that the person's arm-length can reach. Heavy persons may be able to better use the cranks if both hands move together.
"The riding has enabled me to increase the range of motion in my hips... My legs are much stronger than when I started riding." -- John K., SC
If ordering a handcrank, we will need a measurement of your arm reach (back against wall, measure wall to fist), torso height (sit in chair, measure seat surface to shoulder socket) and leg x-seam (sit on floor with back against wall, measure wall to heel).
Lightfoot bikes (two-wheelers) can be converted to hand-cranks, but require a custom Mid-Drive or special-order Dual-Drive or Rohloff hub in order to preserve the full range of gearing; a bike conversion is not recommended for anyone with balance challenges.
WHEELCHAIR CAB
The Wheelchair Cab is a custom Pedicab trike with a ramp/tailgate to accommodate a wheelchair. Contact us for more information and pricing.
TANDEMIZER
Our Tandemizer Hitch connects a Lightfoot trike behind another cycle, creating a temporary tandem. The towed trike remains quickly available for fully functional solo operation. The front rider steers, both or either rider pedals, and each controls their own choice of gearing and chooses their own preferred pedaling cadence. The towed rider has no steering responsibility. The Tandemizer is available in two versions, one allows the towed trike to be pulled by a bike (either upright or recumbent), the other connects the towed cycle to a lead Lightfoot trike. Using a Lightfoot trike as the towing cycle is recommended, as the three point stance and all-wheel disk braking provides a lot of control for the two cycles; this becomes especially important on hills and in emergency situations. Using a Lightfoot RoadRunner or Courier as the towed cycle is recommended, since the towed cycle has no ability to make steering movements to control balance and the towed rider has to anticipate turns and braking over which they have no control; the extra stability of the wider trike provides a margin of safety, especially if operated at higher speeds.
SINGLE-HANDED CONTROLS
Dual brakes can be actuated by one lever, and multiple derailleurs can be controlled by one hand. Any Lightfoot model can be outfitted with single handed controls.
"I'm doing very well with my RoadRunner....The gears and brakes on the one side are working perfectly for me too." -- Mick O., WI
We can also set up the brakes and gears to best make use of the rider's abilities, but also to permit others with full hand function who may share the cycle to use the full range of the cycle's gears and full braking.
"The bike is great and (my son) really loves it." -- Joseph C., WA
SHORT OR ASYMMETRIC CRANKS
We can provide crank adapters that shorten the crankarm length, creating a smaller circle of pedal rotation for legs that have limited movement. This can be done on one side or both.
We can also provide pedal blocks if one leg is shorter than the other or restricted in its ability to extend.
"(W)e want to let you know that this new crank adapter works! (Our daughter) feels like a "normal" person for the first time in many, many months!" -- Karin T., SC
SAFETY PEDALS
Toe Clips can be used with most street or cycling shoes that have relatively smooth soles. They help to keep the foot centered and positioned on the pedal.
The Heel Plate helps to keep the foot in the pedal but is relatively easy to exit (when the strap is not too tight and the heel plate is a little loose) by twisting the foot and pulling out. The Heel Plate (now available in light-weight aluminum) can also serve to keep street shoes firmly on the pedal when using our models with the higher crank position.
Toe Clips can be used on bikes. Most of the other systems are appropriate for trikes, but, because of the speed and coordination necessary to exit them quickly, may not be appropriate for persons with balance or muscle challenges who are balancing on a bicycle.
"My wife is very happy with the bike..." -- Richard F., TX
Cycling shoes with cleats to fit "clipless" pedals are another option for keeping the foot securely on the pedal. These pedals and shoes are available at any bike shop, and the clipless pedals can be installed on any of our cycles. Clipless systems require a good degree of coordination to put the shoe into the cleat, keep it in the cleat, and exit when necessary. Clipless systems are subject to occasional malfunction and fouling by dirt, gravel and mud.
LINKAGE STEERING
Linkage steering is an optional replacement for the "tiller" steering that is standard on our trikes. Since the handlebar moves from side to side, the standard tiller steering does not support the upper body as well when getting on the cycle, during sharp turns, or in emergency maneuvers. The linkage option provides a stable, always-centered handlebar which does not move side to side. It is adjustable up and down for best fit, and the length of the handlebar stem can be changed to suit different preferences.
"(Ms. J.R.) is a patient of mine with Muscular Dystrophy...her ambulatory ability is moderately impaired. I have advised her to begin an aggressive exercise program. I (prescribed) the three wheeled cycle as a treatment...She purchased a Lightfoot...and is doing well in her therapy." -- Dr. Robyn S., M.D., OH
SEAT BELTS AND SAFETY HARNESS
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