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General Category >> rbent Lobby >> Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
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Message started by Tiger_Mike on Oct 6^th, 2021, 8:13pm

Title: Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
Post by Tiger_Mike on Oct 6^th, 2021, 8:13pm

I have a new neighbor with a really cool 10 year old daughter, and they are looking for a special trike for her. Or maybe a bike. Her difficulty is that she has only one arm and one leg. They got her a delta trike about a month ago that has rear wheel steering and a coaster front hub. It works good for her, and she can go pretty fast for short bursts on it with a pedal cadence over 100, but she really wants something with some gears where she can keep up on neighborhood rides. The limitation on her rig is it’s basically a direct drive 16” wheel with short cranks.
Anybody got any ideas on what they ought to look for? My first thought was a small cattrike, but brake steer would be a big problem with that unless someone knows how to make it actuate both brakes from one brake lever. Maybe a kid sized two wheeler bent with training wheels would be better, but I’d want it to roll nice. Any suggestions that won’t break the bank?

Title: Re: Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
Post by jayg on Oct 7^th, 2021, 6:23pm

Regarding the question about a dual-pull brake lever: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113191100905?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1-h1R8zLuTBaD3DIWeEUjbw26&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=113191100905&targetid=4581046488761455&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418640322&mkgroupid=1239149842233245&rlsatarget=pla-4581046488761455&abcId=9300602&merchantid=51291&msclkid=c094842bf2bf14316bdbe57486fe2994.

I don't think there is a cheap solution. My recommendation would be a used Catrike Pocket with a 1x12 drivetrain, bar end shifter, and a Sun dual-pull brake lever.

A really nice, but expensive solution would be a Pocket w/250w motor drive, electronic shifter, and dual-pull brake lever.

Title: Re: Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
Post by rmillay on Oct 7^th, 2021, 6:52pm

The WindCheetah uses joystick steering with a single lever controlling the brakes, which is a good solution to a problem like this. Unfortunately, its not cheap or particularly available. But it could be a model for a fabrication job. KMX makes a child-size recumbent trike--still not cheap, if you you can find one. Lots has changed in the last two years.

Title: Re: Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
Post by Phantom Rider on Oct 8^th, 2021, 2:03pm

These folks do great work for folks like you described, I believe there is a chapter in grapevine. May be worth checking out and sharing Information with the family.

https://ambucs.org/

Title: Re: Need a trike recommendation for a special kid
Post by Tiger_Mike on Oct 8^th, 2021, 11:18pm

Three good ideas, thanks gents!