MX_2_Spandex

I ride a road bike and do roughly 150/225 miles a week. My daughter wants to start riding with me and I am excited about the idea, but there are physical limitations.

Due to a MX accedent a few years back she is paralyzed on her right right side from the waist up. She has no muscle, feeling, nada... Because of this she can not ride a bike solo. For those riding tandems; would this be safe? are there any modifications I can do to the bike to make the ride possible / more effective. We are looking at a tandem since I would be the rider in front and could control the main operations of the bike (shifting/braking etc.) I appreciate your input and advice. ~ Roger

Tom Spohn

You could experiment by having someone hold a single bike rock steady while she sits in the saddle. See if she can turn the pedals backwards and has sufficient balance with her left arm only.

zonatandem

Suggest you rent a tandem first and see how it plays out.
You do not state age of daughter; proper fit is a necessity.
Pedaling should not be a big issue as she can pedal with left foot which will automatically bring along the right (paralized) leg.
Have ridden with folks with limited abilities; one young man could not walk at all, but was able to do a short ride on tandem. His huge smile was worth the effort!
Have ridden with kids recovering from chemo, folks with Parkinsons and also with blind stokers.
Willingness to try is 50% of the battle!
Pedalon TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

DubT

How about one of the many recumbent tandems that have a nice seat.

MX_2_Spandex

Sorry, I left out some important information;

She is 16 now. Has full movement of both legs. Had a brachial plexus injury where she lost all the nerves serving her right side. As a result she lost all movement, feeling, everything form the waist up (right; arm, shoulder, back and chest).

She has tried running, but with the loss of the intercostal muscles in her ribs, she has problems taking deep breaths and fatigues quickly. I like the idea of renting a bike to give it a try. I am from the Dallas area, any suggestions on a place to rent one? I just called RBM and Plano cycling and they do not have tandem road rentals available...

zonatandem

We live in AZ.
However, Richardsons Bike Mart is a big tandem dealer in your area.
Give 'em a try!
If they do not rent, then ask to do a demo ride on a new tandem.
At age 16 it will make the fit issue easier than if she were only half that age.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out for the 2-of-you!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

tredlodz

Yes, Bike Mart should be able to help you. I believe you can still rent, but even if not they will help you set up and test ride a tandem. Plano Cycling also has tandems.

My (able-bodied) stoker often holds on with one hand and is able to sit as upright as she wants, even when go fast.

chichi

I will second the suggestion of a recumbent. It should make it much easier for her to find a way to contain her right arm.

Bent In El Paso

How about something like the Bilenky ViewPoint Tandem.

Good luck!!

steve53mg

A recumbant might be easier to mount and dismount, as well. One of the guys that rides with our club just got a Bilenky https://www.bilenky.com/viewpoint_main_page.html to ride with his brother who has Parkinsons. The stoker sits up front. Pricey, but very nice.

apage4u

Here is another link to a half recumbent that puts the captain in the rear to keep a close eye on a challenged stoker.
https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...andem-09-34644