FREEDOM RYDER. On handcycles of today, the low center of gravity and body position, the means of supporting the legs, the cambered rear wheels, the side by side crank position and the adjustment of the crank assembly were all Brike Int. Ltd. "design firsts". The one thing they didn’t copy because of our patents was the "body lean steering design." The ability to lean your body to counteract centrifugal force during a turn, and the ability to pedal throughout the turn are the two most important aspects of a high performance handcycle.
The FREEDOM RYDER uses a two piece articulating frame design. You sit on the front section that houses the seat, the front wheel and the crank assembly. The rear section houses the rear wheels and the handlebars. The front part of the frame articulates on two pivot points between the two frame pieces. As you lean your body towards the apex of the corner, the front wheel, the seat, and the cranks tilt and turn with you. To steer a FREEDOM RYDER you simply lean your body in the direction you wish to turn, the more you lean the more you turn. The FREEDOM RYDER also uses self-centering steering geometry so after you complete your turn it will want to return to center. This lean to steer design counteracts centrifugal force just like a bicycle, and is the most efficient way to execute a corner. It feels almost exactly like snow skiing or water skiing. It also feels a lot like flying. Not only is this feeling a lot of fun, it feels totally natural.
Every time a new rider gets on a FREEDOM RYDER and carves his first turn, you can see a big smile light up his face, and he will comment "wow, now I understand!" The best thing is that this feeling never goes away. If anything it gets better as you get more proficient on the bike. How often do you get tired of carving a perfect turn on your bicycle?
A unique thing about a FREEDOM RYDER is you can easily continue pedaling throughout the corner unlike the other designs that use a bicycle type headset. On a headset design the crank assembly must turn with the forks during a turn making it awkward to pedal throughout the corner. Also, as you turn the front wheel your legs don’t turn with it. So if you turn anything beyond a gentle turn the tire will contact your inner thigh. With a FREEDOM RYDER the whole front frame section moves and follows your body.