Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

chris
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Date Joined: November 2013
Injury: C7 - Incomplete Tetraplegia
Date Injured: June 23, 2012

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8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 21, 2014 15:53:41 GMT -8

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Post by chris on Jun 21, 2014 15:53:41 GMT -8

Hi guys,

I'm not sure if any of you have ever seen something like this, but I have been using it for the past year and a half and it is amazing. I found it on eBay a while ago when I was looking for a hand cycle. It attaches to four brackets on the front of your wheelchair and allows you to go pretty much anywhere. I paid around $1200 for it(+ $200 in surprise import fees from UPS at the door) and it has been worth every penny. I just recently used it in a 5K race and it performed perfectly.

On their website, you can buy gloves for anyone who doesn't have hand function so that they can keep a good grip on it. There are locks on the gloves that click in to the handles on the handcycle. I have attached a picture of me using it in the race.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask!

(I'm not a pro at this, so DJ let me know if these attachments didn't work haha)

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Without hard times in life, we would never know the true feeling of happiness.

Lαrα Global Moderator STAFF Posts: 7,350 Post Likes Received: 3,100 Date Joined: August 2013 Injury: CES Date Injured: March 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 21, 2014 19:24:49 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lαrα on Jun 21, 2014 19:24:49 GMT -8 looks great chris To be honest...Im not sure where everyone is tonight lol

DJ Administrator STAFF Posts: 8,162 Post Likes Received: 2,829 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: C6 - ASIA B Date Injured: June 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 21, 2014 19:51:32 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DJ on Jun 21, 2014 19:51:32 GMT -8 Thanks for sharing that chris! It's definitely a great useful little device. I saw you using it at the 5K for the first time and it performed great!

wavewolf
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Injury: T9 incomplete + other neurological
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8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 21, 2014 20:04:12 GMT -8

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Post by wavewolf on Jun 21, 2014 20:04:12 GMT -8

chris, for the uninitiated, could you say whether hand cycling is easier than pushing with rims? Or is it just different? Do the brackets on your chair get in the way when hand cycle is not attached? How heavy is it to lift into car? Where do you put it in car?

Glad to hear you are enjoying racing!

Hoea ra!

chris
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Date Joined: November 2013
Injury: C7 - Incomplete Tetraplegia
Date Injured: June 23, 2012

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8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 22, 2014 7:45:33 GMT -8

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Post by chris on Jun 22, 2014 7:45:33 GMT -8

Hi wavewolf , thanks for the questions! I find handcycling with this device incredibly smooth and enjoyable I have full use of one tricep(the other not at all) and I only have trouble on one part of the rotation when I'm completely stopped.

The only time that I would find handcycling harder than pushing by rim is when you're trying to start on an uphill. One of the great things is that you can put a few pushes and coast for quite a long time!

The brackets are just four clips that go around your frame and tighten on like an allen key. Putting the dragonfly on takes about 20 seconds once you get the hang of it! The unit weighs about 25 pounds and you can just load it in the trunk or in the backseat of a vehicle.

I've attached a couple pictures of the brackets for you. They don't really get in the way with transfers. You just have to be careful that you don't rest your leg on them if you don't have sensation. They are on the side of your frame so that shouldn't be an issue.

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Without hard times in life, we would never know the true feeling of happiness.

wavewolf
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8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment Jun 22, 2014 21:09:22 GMT -8

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Post by wavewolf on Jun 22, 2014 21:09:22 GMT -8

chris, Thanks so much for the photos! They really clarify a lot. I don't have sensation, so would have to pad upper brackets because I do rest my legs outward against frame. Riomobility provides way too little information on their site. Their 6yo YouTube video is better

A much better YT video about the Dragonfly includes some nice service dog footage!

Unfortunately, the price of these new has increased dramatically. I am not sure that I can use a manual handcycle because of my rheumatoid arthritis, but it would be wonderful to have the braking capacity when I am walking my service dog. I have been considering the Freewheel, but felt that in order to exercise my dog effectively, I risk "burning" my hands if I have to suddenly brake, even with gloves. Perhaps I will consider the Firefly, the electric version of a handcycle by Riomobility, or something similar. These electric versions are heavier to load, so would love to try a manual to see how it works! Going to try to see about that...

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Hoea ra!

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8-Speed Dragonfly Handcycle Attachment

Post by chris on Jun 21, 2014 15:53:41 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Jun 21, 2014 19:24:49 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Jun 21, 2014 19:51:32 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Jun 21, 2014 20:04:12 GMT -8

Post by chris on Jun 22, 2014 7:45:33 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Jun 22, 2014 21:09:22 GMT -8

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