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Welcome to Velo Vision, the practical cycling magazine.Print edition: Subscribe and/or order sample copies, back issues, PDFs, T-shirts etc...here! Digital edition: details or subscribe! The current issue is Issue 35. The next issue is out in December 2009.
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Stability and mobilityInnovations in balance, the swinging trike, mobility resources and a call for help... Sue Archer writes: To stabilise or not to stabilise? To many non-cycling adults, stabilisers are the normal way to teach a child to ride a bike, although they have little adjustability, and the only way to alter them is to angle the wheels further and further up from the ground, often leaving the child riding at an angle. David Good has invented the Adjustabilisers to provide a system that gradually reduces the help the stabilisers give. As well as being height adjustable, the wheels are width adjustable, so that they provide less and less additional width as confidence grows. There is also an adult sized version for later learners or those with balance problems. If you prefer not to use stabilisers there is a more high-tech solution, spotted on Cyclechat. The Gyrobike replaces the front wheel of a child's bike, and contains a battery-driven internal flywheel, the gyroscopic effect of which helps to keep the bike upright when the rider starts to wobble. The speed of spin, and therefore the amount of steadying force, can be reduced as the child becomes more confident. The Gyrowheel is currently available in a 12" size, with a 16" available soon and an adult sized wheel in development. Among keen cyclists, many favour the scooting method of introducing a child to balance, on bikes like the Likeabike we recently featured in Issue 35. By scooting along just as if they were running, kids learn to balance and steer without the complication of pedalling, and often make the transition to a 'real' bike very easily. Getting into the swing of it Rick Rowland sent us a link to the Swingtrike, a folding, tilting, upright three-wheeler. The manufacturers say it is ideal for anyone with balance or confidence problems, and the upright seating position and short cranks are also ergonomically beneficial. Front wheel drive means that no heavy differential is needed, and that the rear swingarms can be folded, making the trike compact enough to fit in a car boot. Videos of the trike in action show off both its sedate and sporty sides. Mobility for all Apart from being great fun, trikes are often an accessible means of mobility for those who struggle to ride a bike, and the Manual Mobility website has an impressively complete guide to the pros and cons of the various types of trikes and quadricycles available, with links to manufacturers, dealers and other information. The website is based in Canada, but the links are international. Wheels for Wellbeing: call for help Finally, flagged up on Cyclechat, a suspected arson attack on Wheels for Wellbeing at Brockwell Park. Cycles of all kinds, tools and other equipment were destroyed, and although insured, many of the cycles will be hard to replace quickly. Wheels for Wellbeing are now looking for new premises in London, and a shipping container for storage - if you know of any possible sites, or a container going spare, do get in touch with them. Posted on 26 October 2009 Your comments ...
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