Kalahari Vegmot Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 I guess a bit of a backstory might be in order for this one... So I was involved in a bit of an accident in September of 2019 which ended up costing me my left arm and elbow. I got my first(body-powered) prosthesis late December, and upon getting back home I started tinkering to see if cycling is still an option... There wasn't much info available on the web, so this is me getting some content on the web... There seems to be a few mountain-bikers shredding trails as well, so go check out these guys for some inspo: Thomas BannisterTom Wheeler(1)Tom Wheeler(2)Tom Wheeler(3)No Front BrakesNow in an ideal world(and maybe in the future) you'd have a cycling-specific prosthesis made up. This isn't an option for me at the moment due to the atrophy in the residual limb, and you'd have to get insurance authorization etc which takes time. It's to be noted though that you do get screw-in attachments like these, or these. You have to go through a prosthetic company to get them though(time...), and my initial tinkering simply worked well enough that I haven't yet felt the need for anything else. Also, using the hook means that you have your helping hand with you for roadside maintenance. These then are the "modifications" I made to my road bike: #1: Piece of inner tube on the handlebar to keep the hook from chafing through the tape, and a re-purposed bar end for aeroness... #2: El Cheapo friction-shifter found in the garage to control my front derailleur. #3: Lezyne Micro Floor Drive. Shiny foot-pedally goodness.... #4: Gatorskins instead of whatever's on special since punctures now suck even more than they used too. #5: TT bag since fiddling in my pockets, especially the outer left, is meh. Really handy it turns out... Now concerning the brakes, I just switched them around so it's MX-style without the rear. I need one of these; just haven't gotten around to it. For now the one brake works just fine. That's it. I've still got enough control with the hook to grab my water bottles and take mid-ride pics, so hey, it works! JohanDiv, Tatt, V12man and 17 others 20
BSG Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 I guess a bit of a backstory might be in order for this one... So I was involved in a bit of an accident in September of 2019 which ended up costing me my left arm and elbow. I got my first(body-powered) prosthesis late December, and upon getting back home I started tinkering to see if cycling is still an option... There wasn't much info available on the web, so this is me getting some content on the web... There seems to be a few mountain-bikers shredding trails as well, so go check out these guys for some inspo: Thomas BannisterTom Wheeler(1)Tom Wheeler(2)Tom Wheeler(3)No Front BrakesNow in an ideal world(and maybe in the future) you'd have a cycling-specific prosthesis made up. This isn't an option for me at the moment due to the atrophy in the residual limb, and you'd have to get insurance authorization etc which takes time. It's to be noted though that you do get screw-in attachments like these, or these. You have to go through a prosthetic company to get them though(time...), and my initial tinkering simply worked well enough that I haven't yet felt the need for anything else. Also, using the hook means that you have your helping hand with you for roadside maintenance. These then are the "modifications" I made to my road bike: #1: Piece of inner tube on the handlebar to keep the hook from chafing through the tape, and a re-purposed bar end for aeroness...Modification 1.jpgModification 1(1).jpgModification 1(2).jpg #2: El Cheapo friction-shifter found in the garage to control my front derailleur. Modification 2.jpg #3: Lezyne Micro Floor Drive. Shiny foot-pedally goodness....Modification 3.jpg #4: Gatorskins instead of whatever's on special since punctures now suck even more than they used too.Modification 4.jpg #5: TT bag since fiddling in my pockets, especially the outer left, is meh. Really handy it turns out...Modification 5.jpgModification 5(1).jpg Now concerning the brakes, I just switched them around so it's MX-style without the rear. I need one of these; just haven't gotten around to it. For now the one brake works just fine. That's it. I've still got enough control with the hook to grab my water bottles and take mid-ride pics, so hey, it works!Sjoe Kalahari Vegmot, groot respek vir jou deursettings vermoë, ek het al van die videos gesien en ek dink dit is absoluut asemrowend dat mens so sterk kan wees en jou bes probeer doen om aan te gaan met dit waarvan jy hou. Sterkte met jou planne. Blokman, intern, DJR and 4 others 7
ChrisF Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 There is a gent in the Tygerberg MTB club that rides with a prosthesis. Some significant work done to the handlebar to all the controls. Sadly I dont have his details. Sure he could give you some pointers. Maybe other Hubbers can assist in putting you guys in contact. and yes, RESPECT !! Kalahari Vegmot, DJR, BSG and 2 others 5
DJR Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) Very impressed with your approach! About the punctures that really suck. I ride with one of these when I do long and lonely roads or dodgy places where you don't want to be caught with a flat and have to walk home. I started carrying it as a last ditch thing for when I ride tubbies, but one year at Eroica it helped my son home after multiple punctures. You just stick it over the valve and it injects both a foamy sealant and inflate the tyre at the same time. You then spin it to distribute the sealant and off you ride. I have been amazed at how well it works. It sure beats changing tubes or patching a tube. It's a bit expensive, about R130, if I remember right, the last time I bought one, but if it saves my bacon on the odd occasion, I feel it is a bargain. Edited February 15, 2020 by DJR Kalahari Vegmot and Prince Albert Cycles 2
Kalahari Vegmot Posted February 15, 2020 Author Posted February 15, 2020 Very impressed with your approach! About the punctures that really suck. I ride with one of these when I do long and lonely roads or dodgy places where you don't want to be caught with a flat and have to walk home. I started carrying it as a last ditch thing for when I ride tubbies, but one year at Eroica it helped my son home after multiple punctures. You just stick it over the valve and it injects both a foamy sealant and inflate the tyre at the same time. You then spin it to distribute the sealant and off you ride. I have been amazed at how well it works. It sure beats changing tubes or patching a tube. It's a bit expensive, about R130, if I remember right, the last time I bought one, but if it saves my bacon on the odd occasion, I feel it is a bargain.Sweet, I'll try get some thanks:-)
Thomo Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 We also have a similar left arm amputee in our group.When I first met him he was riding with very similar setup.He has since got himself a di2 bike with the electronics personalised for him.He's now pretty much able to control everything from the one shifter. DJR, Kalahari Vegmot, ChrisF and 1 other 4
Hairy Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 You are Rock and Roll Kalahari! Give Stoke Suspension boys a shout out .. they have a client with similar challenges, and have managed to sort him out. ChrisF, BSG and Kalahari Vegmot 3
Kalahari Vegmot Posted February 17, 2020 Author Posted February 17, 2020 You are Rock and Roll Kalahari! Give Stoke Suspension boys a shout out .. they have a client with similar challenges, and have managed to sort him out.Droo?
Hairy Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 Droo?yebo yes ... you can speak to Andrew or the other Andrew at Stoke. Kalahari Vegmot 1
The Ouzo Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 RESPECT !!I read stories like this and Cois and wonder to myself if I'd have the motivation and positivety that guys like you have. One day if you ever feel up to it I'd love to hear the full story, purely for my own morbid curiosity. And if you never feel like telling it I can understand, so please dont feel obligated. Kalahari Vegmot 1
Jewbacca Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 If you decide to ride your MTB again, check this out from Hope; https://bikerumor.com/2019/11/25/hope-tech-3-duo-lever-pulls-2-hydraulic-brakes-with-1-hand-tech-3-x2-uno-does-too/ I'm sure the longer you use everything the more adapted YOU will become, so what is difficult now becomes loose change in 12 months time. Good luck. I had an accident almost 20 years ago that cost me the use of my left arm for nearly 9 months. Being left handed, this was an issue. I learned to write (albeit badly), throw, pour, stir etc with my wrong hand within a few months. I was lucky enough to gain the use of my left arm again though, after a few surgeries and a lot of frustrating rehab.. My condolences for your loss but it looks like you're moving forwards in the right frame of mind! Upwards and onwards! splat, Tatt, DJR and 4 others 7
Slowbee Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 Your silence since last year is now explained. Good to have you back. A year or three back there was a guy who did Sani2C with a prosthetic. Basically after chatting to him, it turned out he had the prosthetic attached directly to the bike. Where it joined his elbow was a pressure type release system that if he fell would allow him to part from the bike. Have you given thought to this kind of system ? EDIT:Cost may be an issue here - but just trying to offer "out the box" ideas Kalahari Vegmot, Hairy, DJR and 1 other 4
dave303e Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 Clake also has a few options that could work for hydraulicshttps://www.clake.com.au/ Kalahari Vegmot 1
Dadbod Racing Posted February 17, 2020 Posted February 17, 2020 Massive respect to you! Kalahari Vegmot 1
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