3 Wheels & Upside-Down Gears! How Does A Handcycle Work?

A few weeks ago, we tried hand cycling for the first time. Of course, with our weak cyclist’s arms, we weren’t very good at it, but it was great fun and we found all the tech really interesting. Alex met with Luke Jones from Team GB to take a close up look at his handcycle and find out how this three-wheeler with upside down gears works!
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[@gcntech]

Do you do hand cycling or would you ever want to give it a go?

[@Phexkind]

I think it's realy awsome, that these bikes exist! I would definitely give those a try, if I get the opportunity. What comes to my mind is, especially when I think of going uphill with my recumbent bike x.x (a hp-velotechnik "Streetmachine GT"; It's for comfortable travel, not for racing. ^^), how would it be to have a bike, that lets you use both techniques at once? 🤔

[@ChrisCapoccia]

it would be interesting to try. i think i'd enjoy arm exercises more in a bike format. but the entry point is pretty pricey. it's not like you can find a used bike for $500 or anything

[@janeblogs324]

At least you're calling it what it is, a hand cycle. Unlike that other channel calling them mountain bikes

[@ayehtunohn]

I am a handcyclist. In fact, I have a very similar setup as Luke. Except, I have SRAM eTap, with 36/51 chainring and 11-42 Cassette.

[@Sandcat87]

@@ayehtunohn Luke said most people on handcycles are moving over to eTap (from Di2 like him I guess). Is there a particular reason for this in your view? Wish GCN had asked the question.

[@livibam]

My dad is a pro handcyclist, cycled from SanFran to NY in 6 weeks. Amongst many other achievements including wheelchair racing. The shoulder strength this sport takes is obscene. But the aero gains are impressive

[@gcntech]

Wow, what an achievement!

[@Alan_Hans__]

Smaller wheels are used for trikes as they provide stronger construction for side loading. With a bike you tilt the bike to turn and you don't need an especially strong wheel to handle side loading. With a trike when you are cornering at high speed there is a fairly significant side load and 650c and 700c can be turned into tacos.

[@charlesphilli]

Excellent video. Great to get an insight into an area of cycling that we don't see enough of. More of this please! 😁

[@gcntech]

Thanks Charles, it's important to show that cycling isn't just men on expensive carbon bikes!

[@taufikabidin412]

@@gcntech this is even more expensive

[@jameswitte5676]

Aerodynamic suggestions: An automotive style rear diffuser at the end of the frame and shoes covers that make the bottom of his shoes aerodynamic.

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

Screw shoe covers, full leg fairings.

[@livibam]

Not easy for someone who’s paralysed to put their feet in. Almost impossible. That’s why it’s not something you’ll see. Obviously an able bodied person can do as they please

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

@@livibam really good point

[@davidmilner5966]

I actually met Luke this evening while on holiday In Lanzarote. Had a good chat about his bike, training and other elements of his training. Top bloke who was happy to chat and answer any questions. All the best and I’ll be keeping tabs on your career now. Don’t let me down 😂👍🏻

[@cfalkner1012]

As with the video about handcycling in general, this is a much appreciated showcase on adaptive sports in general. I will be reaching out to Draft Wheelchairs for one of these trainer setups. It looks loads better than my current setup. Thanks for the video!

[@larrylem3582]

They could have pointed out that the rider has to drag the brake cables around while they're turning the cranks. It will be glorious for handcyclists when wireless, electronic brakes are developed.

[@MikeS-iy7kb]

Brings a whole new meaning to "chain drop protection"!

[@renegadetenor]

I've wanted to do this for years, but never could find any good information. Excellent start, thank-you.

[@basibazouk]

Beautiful looking machine.

[@gcntech]

Certainly is!

[@JesusSesteagaCORENUTRITION]

Thank you for the opportunity to have this hand bike explanatory video, all my respect and admiration for this Athlete!

[@gcntech]

Glad you enjoyed this!

[@matthewbaynham6286]

If he wants to make it more aerodynamic then surely disk wheels would be critical and having a aerodynamic headrest to smooth the air behind him would be the obvious thing to come to mind, surely.

[@slofty]

Hambini has covered the topic of disc brakes being less aero; have that a gander mate.

[@matthewbaynham6286]

@@slofty not disk brakes, but disk wheels. I think Ollie might have covered the subject of disk wheels being more aerodynamic.

[@karstenmeinders4844]

I think it was mentioned that the wheels shown in the video are the training wheels and that he uses disc wheels for the rear and a deep rim wheel for the front. For the 650 wheel size, I assume the availabiity of disc wheels is limited. I agree with idea to have an aerodynamic headrest - it depends if regulation allows it. Two improements not mentioned include: - A fairing for the front derailleur cage. For regular bikes, I guess the benefit is too tiny because of turbulent air behind the feet. But on a handbike, the air stream meets the derailleur cage and pulley wheels directly. - The feet are placed upright in the air. Maybe a footrest that brings them in a more horizontal position can be beneficial. It is also a question of mobility, of course.

[@slofty]

@@matthewbaynham6286 Time to buy new eye drops, heh.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

That‘s seriously light! I wonder if the skin suits are from athletics or something like that. TT suits don‘t look like you want to move your arms a lot in them.

[@richiejames928]

big shoulder and chest workout? triceps too??

[@db146]

There are 2 movements to the crank, at the top you pushing so triceps and at the bottom you pulling the crank, so biceps and some how your deltoids are in a constant burn :)

[@jason200912]

the cranks should be alternating not on the same side. and there should be a headrest to see where you're going instead of looking at the sky

[@cfalkner1012]

No, and no. The hand pedals of all competitive handcycles are on the same side to allow for cranking while turning. And there is a headrest, which is exactly where he needs it to be in order to see what he needs to see. If you push the head more upright, it puts the neck in a very uncomfortable and damaging position.

[@LuccaT10T11]

é meu sonho ter uma *handbike* dessa sou cadeirante a 13 anos se compro cadeiras de rodas e mofadas anti escaras , mais essa *handbike* é o sonho de todo Cadeirante do Mundo aqui no Brasil não tem a vende só em outros Pais , são muito caro o preço de uma nova pode chegar a 50.000,00 Mil Reais ou mais caro , espero comprar uma no futuro para se divertir um pouco

[@RoScFan]

I still dont understand exactly how it steers.

[@larrylem3582]

They should have spent more time pointing out the head tube, where a line drawn through the head tube intersects the ground compared to the tire contact patch (trail), and they should have rotated the front end side-to-side to show how the steering works.

[@DerelictusAnima]

You turn the crank left or right? >_>

[@joeletua92]

#Goahead

[@aeneas116116]

Really cool how they modified the technology for para-athletes.

[@taufikabidin412]

Actually hand cycle trike was invented before bicycle was invented

[@102.7-w7f]

"Tell us what you think about this contraption " ..........really! Oh dear.

[@kristopergriffin9774]

Wouldn't it be a trike not a bike due to it having 3 wheels?

[@RoScFan]

"People have different disabilities"... makes it seem like only disabled people use handcycles.... is that true? Do only disabled people use handcycles? Ordinary people dont? Seems to me like a great workout for the arms, is no one interested is working up the arms?

[@RoScFan]

@@_Zane__ Well, that wouldnt be the case if they made an aluminum version.

[@RoScFan]

@@_Zane__ I thought about handcycles for the purposes of training your upper body the way you do in the gym for the past 10 y. But my version would be upright and use feet for steering and gear change and everything else. Why would it be a good kickstarter for paraplegics? What about abled people!??! I am abled and i want some sort of handcycle. I like doing full body workouts. I sometimes do x h of cycling and then another x h of kayaking. Imagine doing handcycling instead.... it would be intersting to compare to kayaking.... seriously, this is in no way like wheelchairs. This is NOT just for handicapped people.

[@RoScFan]

@@_Zane__ That's too "vanilla". Idk. The few times ive done eliptical exercise it didnt seem like an intense workout. Barely felt anything especially in the arms.

[@taufikabidin412]

No, there is a meeting in some places where able bodied people also ride

[@db146]

I think i can answer this, i would say it comes down to 2 reasons. 1 Why use a hand cycle when a normal bike burns more calories and is significantly easier, try use a hand cycle up a hill you don't even notice on a normal bike, it feels like you trying to get up a Mountain on a hand cycle. 2 The price to get into the sport is sadly insane and influenced too much by disabled people getting some sort of compensation from Goverment/ medical insurances. I have a hand cycle attachment for my wheelchair, cost almost €4000 and its nothing special.

[@princeedmunddukeofedinburg]

third ?

[@slofty]

Thrice, my lord.

[@DazzlingCake]

I think Alex forgot the freehub sound check 😅

[@larrylem3582]

The front is a 650c, not 650b. It's got a Conti 4000 S2, no longer made. Now the choices for "fast" 650 tires are severely limited to Vittoria Corsa G2.0 and Schwalbe One.

[@taufikabidin412]

Very sad indeed, as many would benefit from 650c

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

I've been waiting for this video

[@matthewbaynham6286]

Does it actually work after the GCN crew crashed it in the other video?

[@gcntech]

Yes but that was Hank's final warning! 😂

[@kylianvraalte]

Very nice video and a very nice carbonbike.