De La Vega now has a working prototype of his HXC Wheelchair, which he compares to a freestyle BMX street bike, as opposed to a standard bicycle built for the general public. “They look the same,” he explained, “but there are many subtle differences that make it a tool rather than just transportation.” Like a BMX bike, the HXC’s frame is made from round tubing, and maintains rigidity through angular, straight lines. More like a mountain bike, it also has a multi-link suspension, with dual coil-over shocks. Although it may not look radically different from a traditional wheelchair, it has some other special features that set it apart. For one thing, its front casters are integrated directly into the frame, instead of sitting on potentially-bendable outriggers. They are also located farther forward than is normal, providing a longer wheelbase and a faster ride. Like other sports wheelchairs, its seating area is open and unrestricted. BMX-inspired handlebars beside the legs keep the rider from falling out when doing mid-air flips, welded wheel guards keep tire burns to a minimum, and a rear crash bar prevents damage to the backrest in the event of a rear tip-over. The foot rest has a protruding front lip, allowing the rider to push the front of the wheelchair down for doing stunts such as nose stalls.
(Source: Gizmag) |
