The Duet Wheelchair Tandem Allows Everyone A Biking Experience

Chauncey McCarthy assists DCR's Universal Access Program as a summer seasonal equipment specialist. He maintains our adaptive recreation equipment and supports participants at programs with his helpful presence, physical strength, mechanical ability and tool kit in tow. In this Guest Post, he offers info and tips on the use of a popular tandem bike that allows passive riders to have a front row experience of cycling.

The Duet is a wheelchair tandem bicycle that allows for someone to sit in the front as the person in the back pedals and steers. It is manufactured in Europe and distributed in the U.S. by Frank Mobility. Well-engineered, the retail price starts at $4,750 so it is not the most affordable bike, which is one reason DCR has made it available at cycling programs.

This front seat of this bike is a great fit for anybody, child or adult, who is non-mobile but wants to enjoy the outdoors. The front seat does haves a weight limit of 275 pounds. The front end of the bike is a wheelchair with a padded seat made in one size. I would recommend using padding around someone that is smaller then the seat to avoid the rider from sliding around and secure legs if desired. The wheelchair seat also offers a headrest, leg rest, chest harness and a safety belt. Wearing a rounded skate board style helmet or a bike helmet without a pointed back prevents the headrest from interfering with head and neck comfort.

The back of bike has a regular seat with a shifter attached to the frame under the seat. The bike pedals like a regular bike and the rider can slow themselves down by pedaling backwards for the coaster brake or pulling up on the break lever. The handbrake on the bike is different from many other bikes. It is attached underneath the handlebar, which is a piece of round tubing attached to the back of the wheelchair seat. recommend that the rider pull the brake with both hands widely spaced. If you break on just one side it will cause the bike to brake unevenly and stretch the cables.

The bike is easy to pedal and is pretty stable when riding on flat and moderate hills. The Duet works great on bike trails and paved paths. Cross slopes can make this bike feel unstable but if the rider can counterweight the bike by leaning opposite from the tilt, it is not a large concern for minor angles and dips. The driver should stop and get off the bike for severe drops or rough edges. The Duet has a large turning radius so you need a lot of space to turn around. Hopping off and picking the back of the bike up and pivoting it the rider can turn the bike around in a very small space.

New Duet drivers should test ride first by riding it with no one in it so you can feel how the bike reacts before you place someone in the front seat. The next step would be to ride with an able-bodied passenger to get used to riding with weight up front. The bike performs better if the person in the back is bigger then the person riding in the front.

Another feature that makes this bike friendly is that it can break down, without the use of tools, into two parts making it easier to transport and smaller to store. When out riding, you can park and lock the rear bike end, then wheel the passenger to a store or restaurant, return and reconnect the two parts and ride on! The Duet is a great way for a family member or caregiver to get out side and go biking with their loved one or friend.