Lower leg adaptations?

[WhatABean]

I'm a wheelchair user but have use of my upper legs. I want be able to cycle (using my legs not a handcycle) but would need something to attach my right knee/upper shin to the pedal in order to do so (I have chronic pain so can't have my foot on the pedal).

I have no idea if such a thing exists or where I could look for one so any ideas would be appreciated.

I feel like this might be possible to DIY so, if you have any ideas for that, it would be good too.

 

[Sharky]

A firm like this might have a suggestion
https://highpath.co.uk/

 

[I like Skol]

This might be something for @mickle to comment on as I believe such adaptations are his speciality.

 

[Tigerbiten]

Are you thinking bike/trike, upright/recumbent, motorized/not ??

I've found that Hase does a special pedal with a calf support which will hold your leg in place.
But you'll probably want some type of leg brace with a knee joint if you want to remove all pressure off your foot.

Luck .........

 

[WhatABean]

Are you thinking bike/trike, upright/recumbent, motorized/not ??

I've found that Hase does a special pedal with a calf support which will hold your leg in place.
But you'll probably want some type of leg brace with a knee joint if you want to remove all pressure off your foot.

Luck .........

Thanks. I'm not sure exactly what would work but it's definitely given me a good jumping off point.

I have a non motorised upright bike and a bike trainer so I can learn to cycle stationary before trying anything more.

 

[mickle]

I'm a wheelchair user but have use of my upper legs. I want be able to cycle (using my legs not a handcycle) but would need something to attach my right knee/upper shin to the pedal in order to do so (I have chronic pain so can't have my foot on the pedal).

I have no idea if such a thing exists or where I could look for one so any ideas would be appreciated.

I feel like this might be possible to DIY so, if you have any ideas for that, it would be good too.

I'm pretty certain that no such thing exists. I think it would be very tricky to find; 1. An interface betwixt your lower leg/knee and the crank which will allow you to deliver decent power in comfort. 2. It's the articulation of one's knee which allows the pedal (on a regular bike) to follow a circular motion. If you can conquer hurdle #1. above, you physically wouldn't be able to turn it - so you'd need a linear drive of some kind. Very few linear bicycle transmissions have ever existed, and almost never got beyond experimental/prototype stage. Which means you'd have to find someone clever enough to invent it and then to build it.

What's your budget?

 

[classic33]

Something like this @mickle?
https://newatlas.com/maynoothbike-linear-drive-bike/31989/

 

[mickle]

Kind of. But in our machine the linear action would need to travel in an arc perfectly centered on the rider's hip joint.

 

[WhatABean]

I'm pretty certain that no such thing exists. I think it would be very tricky to find; 1. An interface betwixt your lower leg/knee and the crank which will allow you to deliver decent power in comfort. 2. It's the articulation of one's knee which allows the pedal (on a regular bike) to follow a circular motion. If you can conquer hurdle #1. above, you physically wouldn't be able to turn it - so you'd need a linear drive of some kind. Very few linear bicycle transmissions have ever existed, and almost never got beyond experimental/prototype stage. Which means you'd have to find someone clever enough to invent it and then to build it.

What's your budget?

Because I assumed I would only need to adapt the bike I already have, I only budgeted a few £100 for it.

Thank you for your suggestion. When I have more saved up, it'll definitely be something interesting to look into

 

[mickle]

Because I assumed I would only need to adapt the bike I already have, I only budgeted a few £100 for it.

Thank you for your suggestion. When I have more saved up, it'll definitely be something interesting to look into

What's your objection to riding a hand crank?

 

[WhatABean]

What's your objection to riding a hand crank?

I was looking to get into cycling as a way to exercise my legs and try to maintain function in them

 

[mickle]

I'm a plumber now, but when I sold bikes to people with disabilities I was really quite good at finding the right bike (trike or quad) - with or without custom adaptations - which allowed people to get into cycling. Given the nature of your disability I'm really struggling to even imagine a machine which would meet your criteria. Personally, I think you should do what you can exercise wise to maintain or improve your leg function, but probably not expect cycling to meet that need. And maybe look at a specialist hand-crank trike (or clip-on wheelchair hand-crank unit) to get you into cycling, to help you maintain cardio-vascular fitness, upper body strength and all that.

On Tuesday (CoVi restrictions permitting!) I'm meeting up for a socially distanced pint with the young man who is now doing my old job. I'll rack his brains. Before he's had too many. And let you know if he has any bright ideas.

In the meantime I'd be very happy to chat with you if you wanted to talk it through in more detail. PM me your mobile number and I'll give you a bell. If you think it might be useful.

 

[WhatABean]

Thanks to everyone, especially @mickle for their help. I now have a (maybe temporary) solution and wanted to share incase anyone has the same problem.

I've attatched some 120mm guttering to two 40mm pvc pipes that I've flattened and stiffly bolted to each other. It's zip tied to the pedal and attached with velcro to my leg, just under the knee.

 

[Legs]

Hi @WhatABean, that looks interesting. Do you have full function in your left leg/foot? If so, it'd be worth considering using a clipless pedal system so that you can more easily get the left pedal back up to the top of the pedal stroke.

It would be worth speaking to your GP about a referral to prosthetics/orthotics to enable you to have something made to suit your needs.

I did my university Masters project on the fabrication of a lower-limb prosthesis for an amputee racing cyclist. The workshop staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital were really understanding and helpful.

 

[shelbilito]

Hello! I have a question about adaptations similar to the original poster. Although I am not an amputee, I have had severe issues with my Achilles tendons of both feet for years. Prior to my injuries, I was, and remain, and outdoor enthusiast. I would like to get back into biking, but I need some sort of adaptations.

My legs are perfectly capable of biking, all the way through my ankles. The issue is with my feet --I can't press down on the pedals. I need to some sort of adaptation that straps around my calf and transfers the thrust to something attached to the pedal while bypassing my foot. I have done quite a lot of searching online, and most of what I find is cycling prosthetics for amputees. Do you know of any company interested in this kind of adaptation?



Thank you so much!





Kathryn