# The handcycle is dead, long live the handcycle **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466 "2024-01-01T20:56:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/1 "2024-01-01T20:56:29Z")
In short, my now previous bike had several failures that left me stranded. Fortunately, the person I coach with was able to get me home but I don’t want to have to depend on him as he’s regularly out of town. The new bike is an Invacare Force 3, bought from [How I Roll](https://howirollsports.com/). I had originaly tried to purchase a demo model of a different bike they were selling but due to a mixup, I was charged for a bike that was already sold(by a few hours). Prompt refund and an offer of an additional discount by the owner. Offer accepted. 1x10spd drivetrain, disc brake(cable), shift triggers and brake lever mounted on the right handpedal. It feels substantially more solid than the last bike ever felt and is much lighter. It actually feels eager to accelerate. [![](https://i.imgur.com/Ey4QkEU.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Ey4QkEU.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/ihBHM5I.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ihBHM5I.jpg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/6PwjcM2.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/6PwjcM2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/2 "2024-01-01T21:08:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It actually feels eager to accelerate. I guess the explains the wheelie bar on the back. Don’t want any backflips under hard acceleration. 😁 Seriously … That looks like an awesome ride and I expect you’ll get a lot of happy and low-effort miles out of it. Amazing how strong and light we can make things these days compared to the vehicles (and especially cycles) of our youth. Nothing better than getting a new “toy” for Christmas. No matter how useful or practical it may be. Happy trails! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/3 "2024-01-01T21:11:46Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I guess the explains the wheelie bar on the back. Don’t want any backflips under hard acceleration. 😁 It’s actually a drafting bumper. Why it comes standard is a puzzle but it does provide some utility. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/4 "2024-01-01T21:22:40Z")
A mighty handsome and regal looking steed. May you have _many_ trouble-free miles on her. The one try I had at a handcycle … let’s just say … was extremely humbling. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/5 "2024-01-01T21:32:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s actually a drafting bumper. I like the wheelie bar explanation better. 😛 Seriously though, it looks great. And more importantly, it looks to be sturdy and well-built. I hope it gives you many long and trouble-free miles. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/6 "2024-01-01T21:34:45Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > The one try I had at a handcycle … let’s just say … was extremely humbling. My first ride on a handcycle put me in my place. > [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Seriously though, it looks great. And more importantly, it looks to be sturdy and well-built. I hope it gives you many long and trouble-free miles. - My first handcycle was from Invacare and it went 14 years before breaking a discontinued part. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/7 "2024-01-01T23:48:58Z")
That’s a fine set of wheels you got! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/8 "2024-01-02T00:03:01Z")
Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/9 "2024-01-02T00:31:58Z")
Carry a rope for tows. 🙂 Congrats on the new hand cycle. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/10 "2024-01-02T00:34:03Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > **Carry a rope for tows**. 🙂 > > Congrats on the new hand cycle. - Wouldn’t work on the previous bike. The part that broke repeatedly also affected the steering. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/11 "2024-01-02T21:20:13Z")
Forgive me if I’ve missed this before, and also please tell me to mind my own business if you’d rather not share: Why the handcycle? With your username, I always pictured a runner and thought that was a recumbent as your avatar. I guess “arms of steel, leg of jello” gives indication of handcycle usage 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/12 "2024-01-02T21:26:23Z")
No prob. I started running in high school(1976, grad '78) I was hit bicycling to work in 2004, tore up my leg pretty thoroughly. I can walk with a cane but cannot bear full weight or pedal a regular bike. I coach cross-country and track at a local high school. Handcycles are recumbents except for a few like [this.](https://livingspinal.com/power-assists-and-handcycles/invacare-top-end-excelerator-stock-handcycle/?setCurrencyId=1&sku&gad_source=1) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/13 "2024-01-03T16:24:10Z")
Glad you survived and can still be active, with modifications. Both my wife and I have been hit by cars: I was hit while commuting on my bike and my wife was ran over while crossing a street in a crosswalk. I was pretty much uninjured (couldn’t say the same for my bike), while my wife ended up in the ICU, then normal hospital room, then a recovery center (three weeks for all of it). She has recovered amazingly well but has some ongoing issues that will always be there. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/14 "2024-01-03T16:34:52Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > She has recovered amazingly well but has some ongoing issues that will always be there. - I hope there’s not too many limitations. It’s amazing what the human body can survive. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/15 "2024-01-03T16:41:29Z")
Her rebuilt leg is a bit painful at times, but we’ve done large backpack and hiking trips, and she still is able to run multiple times a week. The real issues are from the brain injuries including a total lack of smell from severed olfactory nerves. Not being able to smell sucks. And I agree that it is amazing! I was worried she might die and she not only survived, but recovered to a huge degree. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/16 "2024-01-03T16:49:59Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > The real issues are from the brain injuries - Only three weeks from incident to home? Amazing. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/17 "2024-01-04T19:32:27Z")
Many foot powered recumbent trikes are tadpole (two wheels in front) are there any/many tadpole handcycles? or does that make routing the chain(s) too tricky? Thanks, Brian ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handcycle-is-dead-long-live-the-handcycle/995466/18 "2024-01-04T19:45:25Z")
The one I just replaced was a tadpole. The only other that I found was [this](https://www.ti-trikes.com/t-450/) for a grand more. Way out of my finances.