Riding Revolution

The sport has come a long way—from relative obscurity to overwhelming popularity—all in a fairly short period of time. Now, whether you are a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, you can enjoy handcycling.

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Handcycling has been part of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Cycling program for ten years. As expected, tremendous developments have taken place in equipment design and manufacturing. Today, handcycles reap the benefits of the modern cycling industry and cutting-edge wheelchair technology. Some of these include lightweight components such as carbon fiber and systems such as wide-range gearing, hi-tech seating, hydration, and ingenious steering for optimal handling.

Thanks to modern technology, handcycles come in a variety of styles, making them accessible to people of all abilities: individuals who are able-bodied, have a spinal-cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amputations, etc.

For 2007, a plethora of new equipment is on—or about to hit—the market. All the usual suspects have new bikes coming out, and just like the able-bodied cycling industry, some independent builders are starting to surface and help push the envelope of design.

While no guide can include everything out there, we've been on the phone, knocking on doors, and taking test rides to bring you as much information as possible about what type of handcycles are available these days. There is something for just about everyone, and now more than ever, you—the consumer—have many choices.


Read more about the latest equipment on the market today. There's also contact information for the manufacturers.

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