Outdoors

Mountain Trike announces two new off-road wheelchairs

Mountain Trike announces two new off-road wheelchairs
Mountain Trike's new MT Evo is designed for riders without full use of their hands
Mountain Trike's new MT Evo is designed for riders without full use of their hands
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Whereas the MT utilizes bicycle-style brake levers that have to be squeezed, MT Evo users just pull their arms in
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Whereas the MT utilizes bicycle-style brake levers that have to be squeezed, MT Evo users just pull their arms in
The MT Push still has the MT's tires, suspension and brakes
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The MT Push still has the MT's tires, suspension and brakes
Mountain Trike's new MT Evo is designed for riders without full use of their hands
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Mountain Trike's new MT Evo is designed for riders without full use of their hands
The MT Push's "pusher" steers and operates the brakes from an adjustable handlebar in the back
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The MT Push's "pusher" steers and operates the brakes from an adjustable handlebar in the back
Mountain Trike's new MT Push is designed ... well, to be pushed
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Mountain Trike's new MT Push is designed ... well, to be pushed
Like the original MT model, the MT Evo features arm-pumped levers that deliver power to the wheels via a geared chain-drive transmission
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Like the original MT model, the MT Evo features arm-pumped levers that deliver power to the wheels via a geared chain-drive transmission
View gallery - 6 images

Last year we heard about the GRIT Freedom Chair, an off-road wheelchair that users propel using arm levers instead of hand rims on the wheels. While it's pretty neat, it isn't the first product of its kind. One of its predecessors is the British-made Mountain Trike, which is now available in two new models to accommodate riders with varying physical challenges.

First up is the MT Evo.

Like the original MT model, it features arm-pumped levers that deliver power to the wheels via a geared chain-drive transmission. This arrangement keeps users from getting wet, muddy or knuckle-skinned hands. The chair additionally includes features such as knobby tires, a Rock Shox air suspension system, and Avid hydraulic disc brakes.

Like the original MT model, the MT Evo features arm-pumped levers that deliver power to the wheels via a geared chain-drive transmission
Like the original MT model, the MT Evo features arm-pumped levers that deliver power to the wheels via a geared chain-drive transmission

Its big new feature, however, is a braking setup designed for riders with limited use of their hands. Whereas the MT utilizes bicycle-style brake levers that have to be squeezed, MT Evo users just pull their arms in – this causes the top part of the levers to pivot inwards, activating the brakes.

As with the MT, both left and right turns can be made with a single hand, using a steering mechanism installed on either of the levers.

Mountain Trike's other new model is the MT Push.

Mountain Trike's new MT Push is designed ... well, to be pushed
Mountain Trike's new MT Push is designed ... well, to be pushed

It still has the original's tires, suspension and brakes, but as its name implies, it's pushed by another person. That "pusher" steers and operates the brakes from an adjustable handlebar in the back, while the rider just sits back and hopes that they know what they're doing ... and yes, it has a seat belt.

The MT Evo is priced at UK £4,550 (about US$7,000), while the MT Push will cost you £3,295 ($5,070) – delivery outside the UK is extra.

Source: Mountain Trike

View gallery - 6 images
3 comments
3 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really great for those who need a wheel chair but want to go off road.
Daishi
You can get unpowered handcycle trikes like FreedomRyder for about $2k but others can run pretty high.
For about 10k you can get an electric Outrider Horizon that would work for going offroad: http://www.gizmag.com/horizon-adaptive-all-terrain-e-trike/31419/ They were about $8k each when they did a kickstarter last year.
unklmurray
I have the knowledge as to how 2 build my own.....Take 2 Hub-drive fat tired wheels ,put a chair between them,and a pivot wheel in back and away we go......I just don't have the $$up front to buy the hub-drive wheels......my brother-in-law would weld the frame for me....LOL