Anyone have any experience of handlebar/grip modifications suitable for a child who is without fingers and unable to use either hand for grip. My sister-in-law, an occupational therapist, is attending a child keen to cycle, who is currently managing with a back pedal brake (she is unable to use gears or a ping bell), and is looking for ideas to help with handlebar security. Motocross style hand guards have been suggested (which would prevent slipping off the front but would they stop her hands from slipping off sideways?), and I have suggested cycling mitts with velcro (although fit may be a problem due to her hand shape).
Hope you can help. Cheers!
There's someone on here who's better half has one arm, and is riding using some kind of modification. Name escapes me though!!
Ah yes, I remember those posts now Woody -I'll do a search. In the case of this child, it's more a case of keeping her hands in position for stability rather than modification to controls, as I believe she has little function in either hand.
TN is the person you need to speak to. Her husband had his arm removed due to cancer. She's great.
Thanks Mark! I'll pass the link to her posts on to my sister-in-law.
There we go! 🙂
most adapted bicycles seem to presume that the person has the use of their hands for control, unless its a safe environment to strap her hands to the bars via splints and velcro (on tricycle perhaps) then maybe a specialist tandem where she could sit on a seat at the front of a two wheeler and pedal (recombent style) and the stoker steers, brakes and gears changes would allow the freedom of cycling - all be it in tandem???
[img] 
[/img]
i have access to a machine shop maybe myself and some of our other engineers can help! e-mail in profile.
I have a friend with one arm who uses a ball type device attached to the bars and a cup on his prosthetic arm which is shaped so release is possible
I am thinking that the mitt with velcro is a good idea. Perhaps stick some ergon type grips on the end of the bars to stop the gloves sliding off sideways - either those or old skool bmx grips that have a, for want of a better word flange, on the end.
Cheers all 🙂 . I'll pass the ideas on along with a link to [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/for-those-interested-parties-one-armed-rider-update ]TNs post[/url]