Bicycles

Horizon opens up off-road biking to disabled enthusiasts

Horizon opens up off-road biking to disabled enthusiasts
Horizon can be had with nine different control setups
Horizon can be had with nine different control setups
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Horizon lets people get off the beaten track, regardless of any disabilities
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Horizon lets people get off the beaten track, regardless of any disabilities 
Horizon can be had with nine different control setups
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Horizon can be had with nine different control setups
There are pure electric, pedal electric and handcycle drivetrains available
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There are pure electric, pedal electric and handcycle drivetrains available
The Horizon pure EV model
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The Horizon pure EV model 
You're able to add panniers, lights and phone chargers to the base model, at extra cost
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You're able to add panniers, lights and phone chargers to the base model, at extra cost
Off-road tires and a suspension system give you grip over all kinds of terrain
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Off-road tires and a suspension system give you grip over all kinds of terrain
You can spec the trike with a 1, 2, 3 or 4 kWh batteries
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You can spec the trike with a 1, 2, 3 or 4 kWh batteries
Outrider has on-road options too
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Outrider has on-road options too
Outrider demonstrating some of the trike's off-road capabilities... Sort of
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Outrider demonstrating some of the trike's off-road capabilities... Sort of
You'll pay $140 for a headrest
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You'll pay $140 for a headrest 
Outrider can be specced with pedals, handcycle controls and a pure EV version
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Outrider can be specced with pedals, handcycle controls and a pure EV version
The three-pin control for the Horizon trike
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The three-pin control for the Horizon trike
With four inches of travel, the suspension should be able to soak up the roughest of off-road conditions
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With four inches of travel, the suspension should be able to soak up the roughest of off-road conditions
A quick look at the Horizon's setup
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A quick look at the Horizon's setup
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Outrider's eBikes have earned themselves quite a following in recent years, among sensible commuters who want a little boost, and among speed freaks who love the mini-motorbike feeling you get from a fast eBike. Having run a successful crowdfunding campaign in early 2014, Outrider's off-road capable Horizon is now available to buy, regardless of whether you're disabled or able-bodied.

As is the case with the road-going Outrider models, there are a number of different configurations available on the Horizon. The first model is all-electric with a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h), and combines a 2 kW motor with batteries ranging from one to four kWh. Range for the base model is between 25 and 40 miles (40/64 km/h), and goes up in 25 mile increments with every kWh added to the battery capacity.

According to its creators, the high-torque motor is able to handle 15 percent grades, and the 4-inches (102 mm) of suspension travel is enough to smooth out rutted, rough terrain. On big downhills, the aluminum and chromoly frame is pulled up by 7 inch (180 mm) hydraulic Shimano disc brakes, which should be plenty powerful enough to stop 250 lb (113 kg) worth of rider and their tricycle.

Off-road tires and a suspension system give you grip over all kinds of terrain
Off-road tires and a suspension system give you grip over all kinds of terrain

Those same motor and battery combinations are available with a regular pedal electric drivetrain, and a handcycle electric drivetrain, making it configurable for people with different disabilities. In fact, there are nine different combinations of pedals, footrests and tri-pin electric controls which can be customized based on the user's individual needs. The seat can also be raised up to better suit different body types and shapes.

Moving away from the basic drivetrain, there are a number of accessories available to buyers who want a fully-loaded trike capable of crushing trails in any conditions. Savvy buyers are able to add everything from a hardwired LED headlamp to waterproof panniers and off-road tires, although some of the prices seem a little bit steep. US$140 for a headrest? Really?

Then again, the potential for this trike to give disabled cyclists a taste of the great outdoors is huge, and people are generally willing to pay for the privilege of making their car, bike or trike a true reflection of their needs.

A quick look at the Horizon's setup
A quick look at the Horizon's setup

Pricing starts at US$12,985 for the all-electric Horizon, while jumping to the pedal-electric version will set you back $13,985. The price jumps up to $15,985 for the combination electric-handcycle.

Source: Outrider

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1 comment
1 comment
Markmalfoi
The Ride is so amazing. FInally peoples got the option for enjoying the off road ride who are not physically dissable.