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Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent

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Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent

Spinergy wheels, Cane Creek Double Barrel Air and coil shocks, Schwalbe rubber – no it’s not a new down hill bike, it’s supposedly the first ever full suspension hand cycle from Lasher Sport! Now, before you go making a fool of yourself, this isn’t some crazy new trend – it’s a way for someone who doesn’t have use of their legs to actually mountain bike. For years, Stacy Kohut, Tara Llanes, and others have used essentially 4 wheel mountain bikes for down hilling, but those lack a drive train so they are gravity-only. I’m guessing the 4 wheel bikes will have the trike beat in the cornering department, though.

The Lasher ATH-FS combines full suspension with the hand cycle front wheel drivetrain to bring some XC into the mix. I would imagine it would require some super low gearing and massive upper body strength to ride a lot of trails, but the idea of getting someone back out onto trails under their own power is pretty rad.

Jump past the break for some action shots of the ATH-FS.

Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent

Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent

In spite of its long wheel base and smaller wheels, the ATH-FS still appears to be fairly competent off road.

Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent

Like most hand cycles, the rider’s legs are strapped down in the leg cradles to keep them in place.

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18 Comments
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Walter
10 years ago

Wow. This must be great news for a lot of people who are until now confined to road riding.

your face
your face
10 years ago

Shouldn’t this be on TrikeRumor?

NotAMachinist
NotAMachinist
10 years ago

This is very cool. A quick look at Lasher’s website shows the previous (non-suspended) off-road version can use anything from 650c road to 29er and fat bike wheels. Nice engineering. I can’t wait to see people riding these.

syadasti
syadasti
10 years ago

First, eh?

Biff Chadwick
Biff Chadwick
10 years ago

Amazing photos of an amazing bike! How do I order one?

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
10 years ago

That’s it. Someone nail the coffin for 26″ two-wheeled bikes shut and bury it. Clearly, there’s no room for 3 wheel sizes and FS hand cycles.

(This is sarcasm BTW)

RUSTYDOGG
RUSTYDOGG
10 years ago

Put a roll cage on it and I am in.

Namath
Namath
10 years ago

So cool. Love to see that they’re making quality stuff for people with that condition. Hope the rides are amazing.

TJ
TJ
10 years ago

+1 for the roll cage/bar. Although, I’m sure Lasher is accustomed to making rider specified modifications.

Dan E
Dan E
10 years ago

I remember the birth of the 3 and 4-wheel versions at Snow Summit and the Kamikaze back in the early 90’s…some of those allowed suspension in the gravity versions well before it became mainstream with the 2-wheeled set…looks like a narrow-enough track to be able to roll some double-track and maybe even some wide single-track.

I see quite a few hand-cycles in my neck of the woods (SoCal-Central OC Area), and many of the trails here would be great for this type of rig. Maybe set up a few demos with the CAF or Wounded Warriors at a local MTB race/event would help get the word out.

Great option for those who can’t take advantage of leg prosthetics.

Robert
Robert
10 years ago

last week i asked for adult trike reviews. this week i got a trike review.! thank you bike rumor this looks sweet!

ccolagio
ccolagio
10 years ago

Two Cane Creek DB Air shocks and 1 Coil – this thing is the bees knees! This makes me so happy to see

MBarton
10 years ago

Thanks for posting this. I was paralyzed (chest down) last summer in a MTB race and have been itching to get back out there. I’ve actually stopped reading this site because seeing all the new stuff usually bums me out, but this is a nice change. Cheers.

Arnie
Arnie
10 years ago

@syadasti, the title is “Lasher Introduces First Full Suspension Hand Cycle Mountain Recumbent”. The trike in your video isn’t a recumbent, it’s a kneeler. There is a lot of difference between the two rider positions, though they are both full suspension.

I also found more photos at their Facebook site… http://www.facebook.com/LasherSport Apparently I just missed out on their free t-shirt giveaway too. Darn!

fuzzbuzz
fuzzbuzz
10 years ago

Sweet – this is totally rad. I would be so stoked to see someone ripping our single track on one of these…and MBarton – get back out there, we want to see you on the trails!!!

bin judgin
bin judgin
10 years ago

i can’t hate on this. doing the good work. i’m grateful every day for my legs.

ascar larkinyar
ascar larkinyar
10 years ago

great product but it looks kinds low. hope it has a good skidplate

Bob
Bob
10 years ago

It’s great to see this review here. There is a lot more need for these machines than most people probably realize.

swedishstile
swedishstile
10 years ago

As an engineer and bike enthusiast, this is full of fail. The rear wheels should be driven, not the front. It needs a rear drive with an open or 1.5 way differential, a couple of CV joints and a traditional gear box. It would manage to be low friction, drive the appropriate wheels, allow acceptable climbing and allow a traditional fork suspension set-up up front. You could utilize industry standard rear shocks on each rear wheel with a 4-bar design. It would drive down price and allow riders to spec the components they want because of the standard hardware.

This is very half baked. To completely fix the design it needs two wheels in front, one in back, the four bars up front with a faux bar/single pivot rear. All done with three industry standard rear shocks. THen it would not only be simple, elegant and efficient, but it would be SAFE!!

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