Triride
Italian manufacturers Triride specialise exclusively in handbikes, and are rightly considered the market-leaders. Their products feature their own electronics and motors that they have developed themselves for their handbike models. This allows their handbikes to offer performance levels - 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. This allows them to be tailored to meet your requirements, rather than being "off the shelf" products with a "one size fits all" approach. The wide range of options includes matching handlebars and controls to your hand function, tyres and batteries to achieve your lifestyle demands, or frame colours to complement your wheelchair. Electronic options include adaptive cruise control that can even keep you at a constant speed going downhill and Intelligent Braking System, and both mechanical and hydraulic disk brakes are available.
Triride handbikes fit to almost every model of active wheelchair on the market, including those with swing-away legrests, 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. Optional T-stands can aid with mounting and demounting, depending on your core strength and experience.
Triride Special Light
Triride's "Special" handbikes are their performance ones featuring their more advanced electronics and more powerful motors, compared to the entry-level Light and Folding models. The Special Light - as the name would suggest - is the lightest of their Special models. Weighing just 8.9 kg (with battery removed and attachment arms detached), it is incredibly light to lift into and out of a car for travel.
The Special Light features a 1000W motor, range of up to 31 miles, and a choice of 10, 12 or 14 inch wheels. This makes it a great option for people needing a versatile handbike that can cope with both city and country terrain. The smaller wheel sizes are best for city and indoor use, being both lighter and more manoeuvrable.
Our Verdict
The Special Light is second only to the Compact HT in popularity of Triride handbikes. It offers a clear and significant step up in performance over the Light, and we find that many people who initially considered the Folding will opt for the Special Light due to its improved performance, and because its handlebar options make it easier to fit to chairs with swing-away fronts.
If your focus is on rougher ground and you can cope with a little extra weight, then we would recommend the more powerful Compact HT, which is the most popular Triride model. Since we have both, the obvious solution is to try them both out and see which works best for you!
