Limitless cycling with a Van Raam adapted bike
When cycling on a regular bicycle is no longer possible, limitless bikes can offer a solution. Van Raam has several adapted bicycles in its assortment. Read more about our bikes in this article.
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Van Raam produces uniquely special needs bicycles and specializes in tricycles, transport bikes, scooterbikes, wheelchair bikes, tandem bikes, double rider bikes, and low step trough bikes (also known as comfortbikes). Each model is also available as an electric bike (Pedelec).
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The drive system on Van Raam special needs bicycles
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To be able to move forward, every bicycle has a drive system. On the Van Raam special needs bicycles this is a fixed gear or freewheel. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the drive system on a Van Raam special needs bicycle.
Types of drive systems on a bike
Van Raam uses different types of drive systemson its special needs bikes. With many bicycles it is possible to choose which drive system you want. At Van Raam we have two types of drive systems. Below you can read more about them.
Fixed Gear
The fixed gear is used in almost all Van Raam tricycles as the basic drive system. This bike drive system ensures that the pedals continue to make the rotating movement, even if you no longer pedal. With this type of drive system you make a constant movement. Especially for people who need to be stimulated in their own movement, the fixed gear can be very useful, for example for children or for someone with one leg. It is not possible to combine the fixed gear with the Van Raam electro system andgears.
Van Raam bicycles with fixed gear drive system
Below you can see which Van Raam tricycles are supplied as a fixed gear. Optionally it is possible to choose the freewheel drive, possibly with gears, back-pedal brake or electro system.
Freewheel
With the freewheel, you have the same drive system on your bike as with the fixed gear. However, there is a big difference: you can keep your pedals stationary. When you stop pedaling, the pedals don't continue to turn as they do with the fixed gear. You pedal with a constant movement, the same as with the fixed gear.
Optional gears or a back-pedal brake are available with the freewheel. With gears, you can adjust your pedaling motion to match the speed. With the back-pedal brake, also called reverse brake, you can brake by moving the pedals backwards. If you don't have a back-pedal brake, you automatically use the hand brake.
Van Raam bicycles with freewheel drive system
Check out the Van Raam bicycles below that come standard with freewheel drive system:
Unique switchable freewheel hub
With the side-by-side tandem Fun2Go and side-by-side tandem trailer FunTrain it is possible to choose a unique drive system, called the switchable freewheel hub. You can even choose a separate drive for the driver and passenger. With this switchable hub, you can choose different cycling modes for the passenger:
The co-driver must pedal along. The pedals continue to move and fucntion like the drive system in a fixed gear.
The co-driver can independently cycle along in a self-selected gear. The pedals of the co-driver move independently of the pedals of the main driver.
The pedals run freely and the co-driver cannot cycle. This is often chosen in combination with a footplate, so that the co-driver can keep his feet safely in place while cycling.
Read more about this in the article: ‘Combination of gear hub and disengagement hub Fun2Go’
Gears and brake systems on a Van Raam bicycle
Want to know more about gears? Read in the article ‘Gears on adapted Van Raam bicycles’ everything about the gears on a Van Raam bicycle. In the article ‘Brake systems on adapted Van Raam bicycles’ you can read more about the brakes on the bicycles.
Extra drive on your bike?
Do you need extra support while cycling? Then it is possible with almost all Van Raam bicycles to choose pedal support. With this electrical system you have a second type of bike drive and cycling becomes easier. The drive for your electric bike takes place as a fixed gear or freewheel and with the pedal support. The Van Raam electro system is specially designed for Van Raam bicycles.
Some unique features of the Silent System include:
- 3 pedal support stands
- Starting aid
- Nearly noiseless motor
- Very powerful electric motors
Read all the features and benefits of this system on the pedal support page.
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Recommended articles
Riding backwards with pedal support on a custom bike
Many bikes from Van Raam have an electric motor, so they are an e-bike. You can cycle backwards with Van Raam custom bikes that have pedal support. Find out in this article how this works and watch our video about it.
Gears on adapted Van Raam bicycles
Almost every Van Raam bicycle has (optional) gears. Find out all about gears on an adapted van Raam bicycle in this article.
Backwards cycling with wheelchair bikes, tricycles and tricycle-tandems
More and more Van Raam bikes leave our factory with electrical assistance/ pedal support (e-bike). The electric pedal support increases the reach of the cyclist enormously. With wind or a hilly area the driver can easily cover large distances. We notice that many people still do not know that with all our electric Van Raam bikes with three wheels you can also cycle backwards.
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