Has anyone found a way to weight the front of the Firefly so it gets more traction and can go up hills better? Mine seems to have lots of power and battery time, but it spins out going uphill and really limits me. Thats my only disappointment. I'm thinking of just hanging wristweights on it to see if that helps.
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My son got very good at pushing one rear wheel with one hand while still keeping the Firefly accelerating with the other hand. And he would zigzag up grassy hills, which helped.
You could try changing the angle of the Firefly - bring the front wheel towards you will put more weight on it.
(FYI the Dragonfly has significantly worse traction than the Firefly. My son was able to hire one for a week...I think he only used it once!).Gordon, father of son who became t6 paraplegic at the age of 4 in 2007 as a result of surgery to remove a spinal tumour.
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How would u make it closer? Would I attach it higher on my wheelchair?http://www.laughwithmecrywithme.com
my website & blog
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You are not going to want to hear this, but changing your cog to put more weight on your casters is what is needed to add weight to the Firefly wheel. Chas went so far as adding a second axle to his wheelchair so he can move his wheels to the rear axle when he wants to use his Firefly.I have had periodic paralysis all my life. I lost my ability to walk in 2011 beginning with a spinal block, which was used for a hip fracture caused by periodic paralysis.
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Originally posted by darlagee22 View PostHow would u make it closer? Would I attach it higher on my wheelchair?
I imagine you can do something similar with the newest model, but I've not adjusted one of those before.Gordon, father of son who became t6 paraplegic at the age of 4 in 2007 as a result of surgery to remove a spinal tumour.
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Originally posted by nonoise View PostYou are not going to want to hear this, but changing your cog to put more weight on your casters is what is needed to add weight to the Firefly wheel. Chas went so far as adding a second axle to his wheelchair so he can move his wheels to the rear axle when he wants to use his Firefly.Gordon, father of son who became t6 paraplegic at the age of 4 in 2007 as a result of surgery to remove a spinal tumour.
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Originally posted by Gordy1 View PostI think Chas owns a Dragonfly, not a Firefly? Which, as I mentioned below, is far worse for traction than the Firefly. (But I agree with what you are saying, but it's not always possible to do!).I have had periodic paralysis all my life. I lost my ability to walk in 2011 beginning with a spinal block, which was used for a hip fracture caused by periodic paralysis.
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Having the second axle (mounted on amputee adapters) works absolutely wonderfully with my Dragonfly!!! Up steep (paved) hills, across parks, soccer fields, cemeteries
Loose gravel remains a killer though (because of tire width).
NO batteriesChas
TiLite TR3
Dual-Axle TR3 with RioMobility DragonFly
I am a person with mild/moderate hexaparesis (impaired movement in 4 limbs, head, & torso) caused by RRMS w/TM C7&T7 incomplete.
"I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but what I don't think you realize is that what you heard is not what I meant."
<UNKNOWN AUTHOR>
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I own a Dragonfly too, but my solution can help a firefly rider if he has the same 4 arms rigging.
To put all the weight possible on the front wheel without using a 2nd back axle (It's the best solution I agree, but I should have it removable to still use my ZX-1?) I've made 2 legrest, very similar to handbikes.
They are made of aluminium bent tubes and nylon straps. To mount the tubes on the arms, we used 2 BMX stems with 2 adapters specially machined to fit the diameter. I bought the stems on eBay 6$ each, and 50$ for the tubing and work.
It gives a very noticeable amount of grip, now my front wheel is stuck to the ground !
Of course I can understand this solution is a bit tricky and doesn't fit for you Darlagee. A friend of mine as a very powerful front wheel too, and when it starts spinning he leans on the handlebar as much as he can. It seems to work...
Here are picts of my rig : (-edit- I don't understand why my picts have turned on the side ??)Last edited by robotnik; 2 Sep 2017, 10:57 AM.C6-7 since mid 2002, no hand control nor triceps.
my website & my job (in France): Accessibility advisor www.acceslibre.eu
Also working on a French research about Peer counseling and Empowerment.
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I used my Firefly to get around a campus on a pretty steep hill where I just lived for 3 months in Kona, Hawaii. The front wheel ended up wearing out quickly because it would spin out a lot. I replaced the wheel with their knobby wheel and wrapped a 5# ankle weight on each side of the front bar so there was 10# extra weight on either side right below the battery. I also learned to lean forward and kind of lift up on the handlebars a bit (the same motion you do when you are attaching it and lifting up the front castors to clamp it in place). This help tremendously and the weights are just part of it now. Its what made it possible for me to be there and get around independently. I'm so glad I found it! It was a little cumbersome getting on the airplane with it and they were a little hard on it, but it was well worth having it.http://www.laughwithmecrywithme.com
my website & blog
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I do not have the same attachment but all have the same problem. I use a Quickie GPV with my attachment and they have an axle plate with about a 4-inch long opening where the wheels can be adjusted frontwards and backward. I got an extra set of axle sleeves and set them as far back as possible which is about 2 or 2.5 inches further back than I normally run my wheels on my chair. This way before I put my attachment on I just pull my chair up on one side and move the wheel in the air to the back position and then do the same on the other side and I am ready to go. You might be surprised how much difference that 2 or 2.5 inches make. If you look through to the other side you get a better idea of the distance between the two positions
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