Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (07/19/90)
Index Number: 9313 Hi, For those of my blinky friends that don't have access to Willies BLINKTALK echo, I thought I would share a little neat news with you! As of today, Vixen is the happy mother of a brand new, five speed, Kent Tandem bicycle! The new Kent cost $299.00 and with tax and shipping to the store added, it comes to about $340.00 altogether. The Kent five speed Tandem bicycle is available through Sears in their catalog department and they really are nfity Tandem bicycles. You guys know how much these babies can cost brand new in bicycles shops and stuff. Hell , I have been looking for a Tandem for a long time, but I finally have one of my own! Of course, I will be paying it off for the rest of my life, but I am really happy with it, it is really nice bike! So any of you that have been looking for Tandems at a reasonable price, get yourself to Sears before their stock runs out or something! Keepin' the faith! . Vixen -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org
Ron.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Ron Rothenberg) (07/21/90)
Index Number: 9362 V> As of today, Vixen is the happy mother of a brand new, five V> speed, Kent Tandem bicycle! V> V> The new Kent cost $299.00 and with tax and shipping to the store V> added, it comes to about $340.00 altogether. Hoping not to detract from Vixen's obvious joy, I've had this lying around and have been meaning to post it. This seems like as good a time as any. The following article appeared in the disibilities newspaper GLOBAL OPTIONS March 1990. (PO Box 31, Lynbrook, NY 11563 (516) 599-6770. It describes a tandem that is similar to the Counterpoint. SUNBURST PROD'N PROTOTYPE As a spin-off from the development of the Handbike, the first tandem prototype, called the handbike Tandem, for disabled and able-bodied to ride together was completed. The Handbike Tandem is conceptually a merging of a Handbike and a standard bicycle. In the interest of independence and equality, it is designed to be ridden by one rider alone on either the front or rear position. The experience gained from both the development of the handbike and the Handbike Tandem has led the researchers at the Veterans Rehabilitation Research and Development Center in Palo Alto, California directly to the design of the Sunburst. Although similar to the Handbike Tandem in configuration, the Sunburst combines arm and foot powered recumbent cycling in the front with a standard bicycle in the rear. The back rider steers from a remote linkage from the handlebars to the front wheel, and pedals in a standard bike posture. The front rider sits in a recumbent position and powers with any combination of arms or legs. Both riders have a clear view ahead. The front cranks directly couple, allowing the front rider to assist or passively exercise his or her own less functioning limbs. For those who prefer not to use their legs, a leg rest attaches to the seat. A free wheeling system allows the front rider to rest while the back rider continues to pedal. If a rider is unable to pedal at all he may just go for the ride. When the Sunburst comes to a stop, the front rider can lower a secure kickstand. The front drive system and seat can be detached, yielding a single rider bicycle. An improved version of the Sunburst design has been completed by Keith Bontrager, a custom bicycle frame builder in Santa Cruz, CA. A similar tandem, called the Counterpart, developed independently of the Sunburst, is available from Copunterpoint Conveyance Ltd., Seattle, Washington. ... Be yourself. Who is better qualified? -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460!Ron.Rothenberg Internet: Ron.Rothenberg@f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org