Firefly Electric Attachable Handcycle for Wheelchair

Orig review for 24 volt model: I just purchased this last week from Rio Mobility on Amazon for $1995 so I am not sure why the price has suddenly gone up. Assembling and mounting the Firefly onto your wheelchair is pretty straight forward although the included user manual did not exactly match the model that I received. I am a paraplegic with some use of both legs and I was able to assemble and mount the Firefly by myself (even though they recommend two people). The Firefly works extremely well on hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt, etc.). I had no problem with climbing long, fairly steep asphalt roads even though the combined weight of me and my chair is about 260 lbs. The speed understandably did drop down considerably while climbing steep hills to about 3 mph. They were no traction issues and I did not have to lean forward to insure good traction (a problem I had read about in researching the Firefly). The performance in grass however is very poor on anything but a very flat area. Much to my disappointment, it stalled out on even a gradual slopes in my yard (much less severe than slopes on streets it was able to climb). The battery life appears to be good. I went 4 miles the other day (up and down hills) and still showed 60-80% battery remaining. It took some trial and error to figure out the best way to connect and disconnect the Firefly from my chair without assistance. The technique shown in the manual initially did not work for me because it required too much force to push the handle bar forward while trying to attach the upper arms (you can find videos of this technique on You-Tube - just search for Rio Mobility Firefly). Finally I figured out that if I leaned back in my chair (moving my center of gravity more over the rear wheel of my chair) I could satisfactorily lift the chair with one arm (pushing the handle bar forward) while attaching the upper arms. I am having an issue making changes to the LCD based controller using the techniques described in its separate user manual. This has led me to my only concern and caution about this product/company. I have emailed them and left voice mails but have not gotten any response to date. I notice that they have not posted on their FB page in many months and there are questions posted on the page that have gone unanswered. One post on their page complains of also not receiving responses to email and voice messages (and they did not respond to that post). I also notice that they just recently have started selling on Amazon and many of their products state "Only x Left in Stock". One of the products is out of stock and states that it is unknown when it might be available again. All of this leads to my concern that the viability of the company (and therefore product support) may be in question. If I get contacted by the company, I will update this review. I initially loved the Firefly but its inability to work in my yard has me considering returning it.

I DESPERATELY want to love this item. So far, I'm frustrated and disappointed.Received this item yesterday and spend several HOURS trying to assemble it. If I hadn't had someone to help me, I never could have managed the effort required to assemble this. A healthy person with only limited/restricted leg use would surely do fine, but for someone who needs this due to severe fatigue, lack of strength, etc., this would have been impossible to do for myself. That's not encouraging in terms of an assistive device.After hours of work this still is not working. At least one screw was completely RUSTED, which seems unreasonable in a new, expensive item. The tube supporting the handlebars telescopes into the lower section to allow adjustment for any chair/user. After smoothly sliding one tube into the other the completely jammed. We've tried for additional hours and cannot get the handles loose. This makes for a time, energy, and space sucking paperweight that's not going to help me at all on my upcoming vacation.I'm incredibly disappointed in the poor quality in the video instruction (doesn't show nearly every step, leaves pieces unaddressed, hard to see, etc.), the requirement of a great deal of assembly even in an item that's supposed to be user-friendly and accessible, and still won't work.If I can somehow get this item working and it is helpful, I will update this review. So far, I'm crushed. I was willing to invest this much money into being able to be involved with my family on vacation, taking the kids to the mall or the zoo, not having to be pushed around everywhere but finally regain some autonomy, even when I'm hurting too much to walk. To find rusted screws, jammed tubes, lack of clear instructions, etc. is a huge disappointment.

I have had the bike for a few weeks now and am really enjoying it. I keep the connector clamps on my wheelchair and can hook up the bike to be on my way with no assistance in a few seconds. It goes a little over 12 mph, which is about right. I have read that you can take the governor off and go around 20, but I wouldn't want to have to turn at that speed. I haven't fully tested the range, but have gone 6 miles and only used what appears to be less than half the charge.It took us about an hour to set it up originally. The written directions are weak, but the YouTube videos were helpful. The only issues we had was figuring out how to make it go faster than 3 mph. There are two arrows next to the screen. Just push them up to level 5 for 12+ mph. Also couldn't figure out how to keep the light on. Just hold the same up arrow until the light comes on.

On receipt of this item there are no instructions, only a link to a video which has no audio whatsoever. after a couple of calls to the seller and also an email, I received a very lengthy tip list and was told that they are working on a new video that is easier to understand. Which tells me that the present video is not understandable. After taking this to several mechanics, we were told not only that it doesn't work but it is unsafe . My original correspondence to the seller was immediately after receiving it. And they were no help. After reaching out to them again , they have told me that a refund was not available. Do not purchase this item, look for another alternative.

I bought and am using until now. Wil not go up a ramp that is no steep. Front wheelgoes around but does not grab to the floor

A handcycle is a bicycle or tricycle you pedal with your hands. This is an electric wheel chair

Life changing!!! What an amazing invention. I just love it. I use it everyday. Now nothing is stopping me. I have more freedom then I have had in the last 18 years. I could not be happier!!!