We are putting together a trike for a gentleman with a neurological condition that inhibits "pulling" action with his hands.
He has settled on an ICE Sprint 26 recumbent trike and we have determined a configuration that will allow him to operate his trike with "pushing" actions.
The pictures show a prototype solution. We intend to mount the brake levers backwards so they operate with pushes rather than pulls. Trigger shifters mounted upside down and on the "wrong" side allow the paddles of the shifters to be actuated with pushing action using the palms of his hands.
The cost to configure this is nominal.
Using the Shimano Nexus internally-geared 8-speed hub on any trike gives you the enclosed reliability of planetary-geared hubs, but it's a bit slim on gear range -- particularly with a small 20" wheel on
In a sight that's becoming quite common at the shop these days, some bluebirds tried out a Catrike 700. [In reality, only one bluebird tried the trike while the others watched.]
He liked the color and the lines, but found it too difficult to shift. Also, the headrest was too big.
We just got some Bionx 350W electric-assist systems in!
A little creative work, and we found a great spot to mount it on the HP Velotechnic Scorpion (tight spaces.)
