Building a bike for my special needs son

[Wally39]

Otherwise this is what the paracyclists are using to convert normal race bikes into trikes for racing...

 

lonstaff-trike-conversion-kit.jpg

I was thinking along this line as we have had 2 small bikes modified for him with fixed gears that we push him in, to get the legs moving and similar patterning to walking.

 

I want rear suspension as he has very little head control and I am wanting to do jeep and single track.

 

I was thinking of taking 2 identical old 26ers and making a chariot. But now think a single 1 modified into a half wheeler might be a better option to start off with.

 

Where would I find more info about the conversion kit? Is it Ironstaff?

[Wally39]

Hey guys

 

Thanks for all the responses and ideas. I really appreciate them and will certainly keep you posted.

 

Much obliged

[IH8MUD]

I'm not trying to funny. Only trying to help.  

But perhaps it is an option or a base to work from. 

Have you perhaps considered a front loading cargo bike. 

Something like this. 

 

 

It will not be single track shredder.

But with some fatter MTB tires and decent disc brakes you could have good  tar and gravel road rides.

And it is not some weird unstable tricycle thing. 

You'll obviously be in control and monitor him with ease as he is in front of you.

 

From  where you are, phone Nils and go and have a look at the cargo bike  they have at Woodstock Cycle Works. It is not to heavy with good ground clearance.

Nils  is a great guy and always willing to help and you have David Mercer in the Cape if some structural safety mods is needed.  

 

Hope you get to ride with your son man.   Best of luck. 

[dave303e]

On a total tangent, have you thought about him riding shotgun on a side x side quad like Polaris RZR...

As he grows you are gonna struggle more and more with the weight, and bicycle wheels are not gonna hold out forever especially on trails.

 

Side by side gives you something to tinker with all week together and abuse on weekends, you can put a full 6 point harness and helmet with neck brace to help stabilize his head and keep him safe in a roll cage but has the open ness of a bike. You can really get out into the bush/mountains with them and do 4x4 courses etc.

 

The costs are a lot more, but in terms of thrill of ride they get the blood flowing proper and can be very safe.

 

again just my 2c and totally off on a tangent...

your ideas and your drive to help your son are an inspiration.

 

these types stories always tug the heart strings- never let something get in the way of doing what you love and I am sure he loves it too.

 

[Wally39]

I'm not trying to funny. Only trying to help.  

But perhaps it is an option or a base to work from. 

Have you perhaps considered a front loading cargo bike. 

Something like this. 

 

 

It will not be single track shredder.

But with some fatter MTB tires and decent disc brakes you could have good  tar and gravel road rides.

And it is not some weird unstable tricycle thing. 

You'll obviously be in control and monitor him with ease as he is in front of you.

 

From  where you are, phone Nils and go and have a look at the cargo bike  they have at Woodstock Cycle Works. It is not to heavy with good ground clearance.

Nils  is a great guy and always willing to help and you have David Mercer in the Cape if some structural safety modes is needed.  

 

Hope you get to ride son man.   Best of luck. 

Mmm, definately worth a look. Woodstock Cycle Works are 15 minutes from my office.

 

Thanks for this.

[Shebeen]

Wally, you're a total hero - I wish you all the luck in make/finding the BEAST to get this plan over the line. I think you will find a lot of support from here, and don't feel like anything is a silly question/request!

 

Out of sheer interest, what physical capabilities does he have, will he need to be totally strapped in, or can he use his legs to pedal at all? 

 

How much does he weight?

What's his name?

 

regards

Steve

[Wally39]

Wally, you're a total hero - I wish you all the luck in make/finding the BEAST to get this plan over the line. I think you will find a lot of support from here, and don't feel like anything is a silly question/request!

 

Out of sheer interest, what physical capabilities does he have, will he need to be totally strapped in, or can he use his legs to pedal at all? 

 

How much does he weight?

What's his name?

 

regards

Steve

Hey Steve

 

Thanks for the kudos but I am not a hero. I just support one.

 

Keenan weighs about 18 kgs and has very little physical ability and would need to be completely strapped in and unable to pedal. His bone and muscle mass is very low due to inactivity. I am hoping that through getting out onto the trails and getting movement and some light impacts he can lay down more bone and muscle.

[Procrates]

I also vote for the cargo bike. They are the most stable from a centre of gravity point of view.

 

If you dont want to go the route of buying one, you can always build one if you have some time.

 

Very nice walkthough below.

 

http://imgur.com/a/DAijq

[Nancy Drew]

This thread reminded me of the Hoyt story, so I re-watched the video to see what setup they used. Not ideal for what you're looking for, but inspiring nonetheless:

 

 

[Ed-Zulu]

Hey Steve

 

Thanks for the kudos but I am not a hero. I just support one.

 

Keenan weighs about 18 kgs and has very little physical ability and would need to be completely strapped in and unable to pedal. His bone and muscle mass is very low due to inactivity. I am hoping that through getting out onto the trails and getting movement and some light impacts he can lay down more bone and muscle.

Hi Wally, no expert on your subject and again, kudos for being a great dad!

 

The bakfiets design above, or cargo bike as posted by sopbeen will solve all your needs in one go. Especially with e-bike technology to assist you as your son gains weight in future.

 

It has full protection for his body when you put the bike down, the wooden cargo bay already gives you a platform to make a headrest/helmet hold, the bikes are virtually bullet proof and when the time comes for an upgrade, not too difficult to sell. You can fashion canopies for them etc.

 

http://adutchview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/urban-arrow-family-e1426325944316.jpg

[Cyclewizz]

Good luck and all of the very best to you and your son.

Big respect !!!!

 

I think the suggestion of incorporating some E-Bike into is a very good idea.

[SRBVI]

Wally you and your son are both hero's,

 

Perhaps you can contact (for ideas) and draw some inspiration from Kevin and Nikki Garwood, who are now living in the UK.

 

Had the pleasure of riding with them though Houghton in a 94.7 when Nikki was still using the trailer, they however upgraded as Nikki got bigger and they went after their ironman finish.

 

https://www.facebook.com/Team-Garwood-187524370943/

[Shebeen]

Hey Steve

 

Thanks for the kudos but I am not a hero. I just support one.

 

Keenan weighs about 18 kgs and has very little physical ability and would need to be completely strapped in and unable to pedal. His bone and muscle mass is very low due to inactivity. I am hoping that through getting out onto the trails and getting movement and some light impacts he can lay down more bone and muscle.

sure,

 

can I add my name to the "don't know how to help you, but 100% behind you" list!

[popcorn_skollie]

A few years back I read an article about some company in UK who designed a quadricycle intended for people with disabilities. A prototype or 2 later I believe they held an event for gravity racing the machine. The pics looked pretty awesome and it seems like tons of fun for even the most able bodied person. I'm googling but can't find exactly what I'm talking about.

If you could look into the design they used and try incorporating 2 seats you could have a pretty epic adventure on one of these.

[Wally39]

A few years back I read an article about some company in UK who designed a quadricycle intended for people with disabilities. A prototype or 2 later I believe they held an event for gravity racing the machine. The pics looked pretty awesome and it seems like tons of fun for even the most able bodied person. I'm googling but can't find exactly what I'm talking about.

If you could look into the design they used and try incorporating 2 seats you could have a pretty epic adventure on one of these.

Hey Skollie

This is exactly what got me thinking about this project. I have not been able to find plans for them but they are super technical. If you look at the linkages etc they are incredible.

 

The idea I am chasing at the moment is this: My wifes step dad has a 26er hard tail that he has retro-fitted a electric motor onto. This was one of the first crank-driven motors as opposed to the older motors in the front wheel which used to wash out very easily. He sadly has been diagnosed with Parkinsons recently and cannot ride anymore. I am going to "appropriate" this bike and use it as my tow bike. Then get a small dual sus and turn into a half wheeler.

 

Either bolt the tow bracket into the headtube or cut the headtube out and weld the bracket in. I will need to find good seating that can be attached to the seat post and attached through the normal post clamp. Then a roll cage. Idea at the moment is through the BB hole, up over the seat and then also braced forward to the top tube. Also use a smaller wheel to lower the centre of gravity to reduce torsional stress on the mounting bracket

 

I think this is going to be the route for now. Depending on it's success I will see what comes next.

Now just waiting for my SARS payout to buy the frame.

 

Anyone got a small dual sus frame they are wanting to sell in the near future?

[nickc]

Hey Skollie

This is exactly what got me thinking about this project. I have not been able to find plans for them but they are super technical. If you look at the linkages etc they are incredible.

 

The idea I am chasing at the moment is this: My wifes step dad has a 26er hard tail that he has retro-fitted a electric motor onto. This was one of the first crank-driven motors as opposed to the older motors in the front wheel which used to wash out very easily. He sadly has been diagnosed with Parkinsons recently and cannot ride anymore. I am going to "appropriate" this bike and use it as my tow bike. Then get a small dual sus and turn into a half wheeler.

 

Either bolt the tow bracket into the headtube or cut the headtube out and weld the bracket in. I will need to find good seating that can be attached to the seat post and attached through the normal post clamp. Then a roll cage. Idea at the moment is through the BB hole, up over the seat and then also braced forward to the top tube. Also use a smaller wheel to lower the centre of gravity to reduce torsional stress on the mounting bracket

 

I think this is going to be the route for now. Depending on it's success I will see what comes next.

Now just waiting for my SARS payout to buy the frame.

 

Anyone got a small dual sus frame they are wanting to sell in the near future?

 

Are you looking for any drivetrain components - I have some Sram MTB 11 speed stuff I would like to donate to your build if you can use them.