Something you do not know about the weight for handbike
For handbikes used outdoors, it is not feasible to only pursue lighter weight from the perspective of functionality and safety.
Do you have a lighter handbike(power assist of wheelchair)? I get this question many times when I discuss parameters with my partners. I often wonder why dealers are obsessed with lighter handbikes? Is the Handbike really the lighter the better?
From desktop computers to laptops, from heavy-duty wheelchairs to foldable electric wheelchairs. People always seem to gravitate towards lighter products. I think the key reason is that light weight means the product is more portable. For handbike, this is also beyond doubt. But this reason is not enough for me to conclude that lighter handbike is better. What I'm trying to say is that a product usually sacrifices some functionality for portability.
Kevin, the founder of MIJO, believes that Handbike is designed for disabled people to travel at medium distances. Disabled people can use wheelchairs for short-distance travel, and cars can be used for long-distance travel. The handbike is to fill the gap of medium-distance travel tools. This means that handbikes need to have faster speeds and longer range than electric wheelchairs. And also need to adapt to more road conditions.
Faster speeds are provided by a more powerful battery. Longer distances require larger capacity batteries to support. A more powerful motor will add weight, as will a larger capacity battery. There is also an easily overlooked factor, friction. The appearance that differentiates it from other handbikes also requires added weight.
When driving on flat roads, all handbikes on the market can easily accomplish its mission. But things changed when climbing a hill. When climbing, the user's center of gravity is almost always on the wheelchair. At this time, the user's weight can no longer provide sufficient pressure between the handbike and the ground. And the steeper the slope, the less pressure the user can put on the handbike and the ground. We all know that the pressure on the contact surface is an important factor affecting friction. Too little pressure will result in too little friction, causing the handbike to fail climbing. So is there any way to provide enough friction for the handbike? The answer is simple, the weight of the handbike itself. Under other conditions being equal, the heavier the weight of the handbike itself, the stronger its climbing ability. Similarly, when driving on snow or bumpy roads, the handbike needs to have enough weight.
For rehabilitation medical devices, the most important prerequisite is always safety. Our products must not cause secondary damage to users. Is it possible that the handbike's own weight is too light to cause a back roll when climbing a slope? When driving on bumpy roads, will the handbike bounce off when it hits a large rock? Will a rollover occur while cornering while driving fast? These are all accidents that may occur when the handbike is in use. I believe that a heavier handbike will definitely reduce the probability of these accidents.
In fact, the handbike doesn't require you to lift it during use. It's not like a foldable electric wheelchair, which requires you to stand it up when folded. The only scenario I can think of that requires lifting the handbike is when it's being put in the trunk. But for an adult person, it will not be difficult to put a handbike less than 25kg in the trunk. Maybe you would say that it is difficult for disabled people. Wake up bro! ! ! Most manual wheelchair users exercise their arms every day. Maybe their arm strength far exceeds yours.
For handbikes used outdoors, it is not feasible to only pursue lighter weight from the perspective of functionality and safety.