BionX Review from a non technical person: I have written extensively about the use of our BionX on the Terra Trike Tandem Pro IPS we own. As a stoker, I have never actually piloted a trike using a BionX. Yesterday was the first day I have ever actually been at the controls of the BionX!!!
We enjoyed the BionX so much on Deuce (our tandem), I decided I was going to have BionX put on our two Catrike Speeds. One of the Speeds, the Pugtrike (the trike that my Service Dog, Sweet P, rides on) has a lot of weight to power with a “well endowed” rider and a “well nourished” Pug plus her basket. And I wanted the other one to have a BionX so I could keep up with Greg and Sweet P! So yesterday was my first time ever to ride when I was the one working the BionX.
Three words: OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!
We rode a trail in Austin that is best described as “moderate” in terms of the challenge level. It had some pretty challenging climbs. Where I normally ride has NO climbs, and as you know – if you don’t get practice climbing, they will kick your rear every time.
I cannot give you the game plan for shifting the level of assist needed. I cannot see the dial. Greg just told me to hit the top button when I needed a little help, and the lower button when going down hills. I know. Kind of pitiful, isn’t it? But that is all I needed to know!!!!
For the first time EVER I had 100% TRUE ENJOYMENT with the ride experience. Let me repeat – the BionX does NOT work unless YOU WORK. No siree – it does keep you honest. You still have to do the pedaling, and you still have to work at it. The HUGE difference is, when faced with those hills that made you die a slow death trying to get up them, made you have to get off and pull your trike up, or scared the pants off you thinking your cause of death was going to be “could not climb that hill” on your death certificate, you CAN get up them without fear or dread. This takes that very unattractive aspect of riding that we all KNOW, but few ADMIT, out of the equation.
Another added benefit is knowing that you can keep up with whatever pace is necessary. How many times have you ridden with riders that are just flat out FASTER THAN YOU? It gives you a complex and makes you feel embarrassed when they have to stop and wait on you all the time. With the BionX – this is not going to happen. You CAN easily keep up with those 15 mph averaging people with a BionX. And if you have a little devil in you, go ahead and PASS them up those hills wink emoticon You can do it with that BionX!
The BionX is NOT for everyone. I am fully aware some people, no matter what, are going to call it cheating. Whatever. And many refuse to consider it because “old people” use BionX. That is like a young person that plays tennis should play tennis with wood racquets, because that new technology in racquets is “cheating.” New technology is the cutting edge. Granted, for the professional cyclist, they can’t have a BionX. But since 99% of us ride for enjoyment – DUH. Why not use a tool that GREATLY increases enjoyment. It is NOT a scooter you are riding. You can choose the level of assist you want. Don’t WANT any assist? Don’t turn it on. But if you don’t enjoy those excruciating climbs, then why on earth do it?
I would like to address the BionX in an area that is close to me, personally. The BionX has taken a very real, underlying terror out of the equation for me. I was in a very near fatal accident when I was 22 that left me with MASSIVE head injuries. Everything in my head was broken – except my nose. My skull was pieces. It ripped everything to shreds inside. I managed to hang on, but I have always been nervous that excessive physical strain was going to set off a bomb in my head. I was told that excessive stress could ruin my cochlear implant, because my cochlea was 3 mm from being punctured from the injuries. And a punctured cochlea will not work with a cochlear implant. I do not ever want to be totally deaf again. So I am not real big into physical stress. I am not alone. If you think about it, the majority of us have some physical issue we really don’t need to push. The BionX relieves a HUGE amount of this worry, since we do not have to ask our bodies for something we really should not. Bottom line: the BionX took a MAJOR health concern out of the equation for me.
Now, on a superficial and vanity aspect, this BionX looks KICK REAR GOOD on the Pugtrike. My jaw dropped when I saw it for the first time. Oh my goodness. The configuration of the mounting and placement with the BEST RACK EVER on the Pugtrike was just the proverbial icing on the cake. Easy Street Recumbents went above and beyond the call of duty to mount the BionX on the trike in a fashion where it looks SOOOO slick and high tech. If you have Easy Street mount a BionX on your trike, ask them to do it like the “the.Pugtrike”.
Yes, once again I am singing the glory of the BionX from the rooftops. It has truly elevated recumbent riding the THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!
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BionX on a Catrike Speed (Read 2032 times)
