Triride
Italian manufacturers Triride are rightly considered the market-leaders for handbikes, a product they specialise exclusively in. Their bikes feature their exclusive electronics and motors that they have developed themselves for their handbike models. This allows their bikes to offer a level of performance - whether that be speed, torque, power or range - above and beyond the competitors.
Each of Triride's handbikes is made to order with a range of configuration options - these are not "off the shelf" products. This ensures they can be tailored to meet your requirements, whether that be matching handlebars and controls to your hand function, tyres and batteries to achieve your lifestyle demands, or frame colours to complement your wheelchair.
Triride handbikes fit to almost every model of active wheelchair on the market, and can be easily mounted and dismounted to allow for quick switching between self-propelling and powered driving, and also to allow for simple transport in a vehicle.
Triride Folding
The Folding model is effectively a variant of Triride's Light model that has a folding tiller to make it more compact for transport. If storing a full sized handbike is an issue, whether in your home or your car, then the Folding model solves that problem, also making your handbike easier to lift than ever. Just fold the handlebars down and your handbike can be zipped up in the convenient travel bag.
It offers the same levels of performance as the Light model with a 540W motor and 12" wheel - versatile for use both indoors and out, and has similar configuration options such as different throttles, mechanical or hydraulic brakes, cruise control, and frame colours.
It must be noted that the Folding model doesn't have the same handlebar stem options as other Triride handbikes, meaning that it won't work so well for every wheelchair configuration. In particular, those with swing-away legrests or a fixed frame that sticks out in front of the chair, may find it hard to get the handlebars close enough to be comfortable to drive.
Our Verdict
The first instinct of many people after a handbike that will regularly go in their car is to assume they need one that folds. However, in our experience, unless a person has severely restricted space to store their handbike in, they are usually able to transport a non-folding one. Triride's Special Light is just as light, and offers significantly better drive performance, allowing it to cope with rougher ground far better. The Special Light also has more handlebar options that allow it to fit comfortably with many more wheelchairs - so unless folding is essential, we would recommend it instead.
Nonetheless, the Triride Folding is still an impressive product, and if you want your handbike to be as compact as possible for travel, it is the most impressive performer. There are lots of handbike models out there, and the best way to make sure you get the best one for you is to try them out - which we can help you with.
