22nd March 2019
The Mountain Trike Company produce and manufacture all terrain wheelchairs from their premises in Cheshire, in the UK. These all terrain wheelchairs enable those less able to enjoy the freedom and independence to get out and about to enjoy the outdoors.
The current wheelchair product range includes three models - the self propelled Mountain Trike and MT Evo - using the unique lever drive system the rider can power the wheelchair whilst keeping their hands clean and dry. The PT Push is an attendant wheelchair where the steering and braking takes place by the riders buddy using the push handle located behind the rider. All these products come with high end components and a similar specification to that found on a mountain bike. All products are fitted with hydraulic brakes and air suspension so riders can travel over uneven terrain in comfort and safety.
At Naidex 2019 the Mountain Trike Company launched a very exciting new product to the mobility market which compliments the existing range. The eTrike - an electric assist all terrain wheelchair. The eTrike has been designed for a wide range of users - those who would like some assistance to travel off road or active users who want to go further, faster or tackle more challenging terrain.
The eTrike is unique to the electric wheelchair market and has the flexibility to be ridden in three different ways: Manually by pushing the drive levers allowing the rider to have clean dry hands; Power assist by twisting the throttle; Hybrid by pushing the drive levers and twisting the throttle simultaneously.
This revolutionary all terrain electric power assist wheelchair can combine manual power and electric assist as and when you want which gives an excellent range. The distance range will depend on conditions, user weight, speed and terrain.
Designer and Managing Director at the Mountain Trike Company, Tim Morgan, was keen to ensure that all products were modular to ensure customers get the best value for money and long term purchase. eTrike kits can be fitted to the Mountain Trike in the same way that the lever drive kit can be added to the MT Push. The full range of adaptations are highlighted on the website.
The all terrain wheelchairs are very technical in design and the eTrike is no different - fitted with hydraulic brakes for excellent control and braking, air suspension providing a stable, smooth and comfortable ride over any terrain and direct steering means you can steer with one or both arms. In addition the eTrike comes with a throttle twist grip or thump lever which can power the eTrike up to 8mph. The hub motor weighs 6kg and fits neatly under the seat of the eTrike and has 5 power settings (level 5 full power), a 12.8Ah, 36V Lithium Ion battery which comes with mains charger is easy to remove and recharge. The electric assist settings are displayed on a LCD screen and shows the speed, distance, average speed, max speed and power settings. Keen to limit the overall weight, the eTrike only weighs in at 25kg, which means it remains highly practical and folds to fit in the boot of most cars and is compact and manoeuvrable enough to go for a country ride and pop into the pub for lunch or head around town to the shops.
Talking about the new product, Mountain Trike’s Managing Director, Tim Morgan, says, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be launching the eTrike - it really compliments our existing all terrain wheelchair range and will broaden our appeal in the mobility wheelchair sector. Throughout the design and product development process of all our products we have listened to customers and taken onboard their feedback. I have been working on the design for a good 18 months - a little longer than I envisaged it would take to get it to market. I initially had challenges sourcing the right parts and it was very important to ensure that this product passed all the testing and certification requirements, and in particular, it was user tested. I’m happy to say the prototype has had hundreds of miles clocked up by a customer and their feedback has been invaluable and extremely positive. The Mountain Trike Company is all about inclusive access - the new model will compliment our existing three models and enable more wheelchair users to enjoy the outdoors independently - those that would perhaps require a little more help!
As with all our off-road wheelchairs quality, comfort and safety is at the forefront when I’m designing and again this has not been compromised. I’ve also been giving all our models a facelift, using new chassis parts and making the whole range modular and upgradeable. Another main aim as part of the eTrike development was to ensure that anyone who already has a Mountain Trike can benefit from the improvements and an electric power assist kit (eKit) is available which can be back-fitted to the Mountain Trike in the same way that the lever drive system can be added to the MT Push model. It is exciting times for myself and the team at Mountain Trike as we keep moving forward and innovating.”
Stephen Hughes, long time Mountain Trike customer and advocate of their products has been clocking up hundreds of miles using a loan prototype for nearly 12 months - testing its durability, battery life and fed back to Tim along the way so tweaks and redesigns could be undertaken.
Talking about the eTrike, Stephen says,
“I have had my Mountain Trike for about 8 years and try to get out on it daily, so when Tim asked if I would be interested to test ride the eTrike I was more than happy to help. As soon as I could I was out on this new eTrike and it didn’t disappoint - what a game changer! Tim has managed to keep all the cross country ability and added power. What is genius is the flexibility to drive it - you can use no power, a combination of power and the drive, or all power. I’ve travelled miles, testing in rain, snow, mud and even through floods and it just keeps going. Hills, curbs, uneven pavements when combining the power of the drive with the electric motor is amazing and can cope with anything - with the simple twist throttle you can choose your own speed to help power you forward.
Recently my condition has deteriorated which has meant me losing some strength and gaining some pain, but thanks to the eTrike I can still get out everyday with the dog or on a walk with my wife knowing that if I’m having a bad day the motor takes me around and if its a good day its all me, however, most of the time its a combination of the motor and me. This flexibility gives me the confidence to go further and push harder knowing I have the eTrike motor to fall back on. I really don’t think I could do with out it now - all the advantages of the old Trike but on steroids and I’m told it’s cool too!”
The eTrike will retail for £6,795.00 and the eKit can be purchased for £2,295.00 which can be fitted to the standard Mountain Trike - 0% finance packages are available. As with all other models the eTrike also comes with a 3 year warranty, choice of any colour frame and adaptations which are listed on the website, can be made on request.
Initially the Mountain Trike company will offer demonstrations to customers in the UK at specific events.
Full detail, specification and a detailed ‘how to ride’ video can be accessed via the company website, www.mountaintrike.com.
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