Nihola - Flex - Nexus 8 - Wheelchair Cargo Bike
Nihola believes that cycling is for everyone. The Nihola Flex allows people who use wheelchairs to enjoy long rides with family and friends. The Flex is a cargo bike with a flat wh eelchair platform that accommodates chairs up to 66cm wide and 106cm long (26" x 41"). The rider accesses the 18cm high platform with a 36-degree pneumatic-pistoned ramp and their chair is secured with ratchet straps similar to those used in trains, buses, and cars. The Flex is capable of carrying a combined weight of 220kg / 485lbs - a 120kg / 265lbs passenger with chair, and a 120kg / 265lb pedaler. The adjustable handlebar stem and seat accommodates riders from 5'4" to 6'4". The Nihola Flex is constructed of a strong lightweight steel frame coupled with fantastic independent steering - this gives the bike the stability of a three wheeled cargo bike but the agility, responsiveness, and handling of a two-wheeler. Supplied with maintenance-free components and durable materials throughout, the Flex keeps repairs to a minimum. A Shimano V-brake on the rear and two (yes, two!) Sturmey Archer Drum Brakes on the front are strong and dependable, while the brilliant Shimano Nexus 8 speed internal geared hub means no worries year-round whatever the weather. Questions? Book a consultation with one of our Cargo Bike experts Lightweight, fast, maneuverable "Bakfiets" cargo bike for wheelchair users Independent steering creates a fast, stable and very maneuverable bike Upright “Dutch” riding position for all day comfort and visibility Passenger platform allows wheelchairs with maximum measurements of 66cm x 106cm (26" x 41") 18cm tall platform is accessed by pneumatic piston ramp Two ratchet straps secure the wheelchair to the platform with quick-release hard mounts similar to those used in trains, buses, and cars Tough Hi-Tensile galvanized steel bike frame with a chip-resistant powder-coated paint finish Shimano Nexus 8 internal gearing is pretty much maintenance free Sturmey Archer drum brakes and rear V brake are both powerful and low maintenance Parking Brake for peace of mind Designed for perpetual outdoor storage Half-enclosed chain guard to keep clothing looking fresh Maximum Capacity: 220kg / 485lbs (Passenger platform = 120kg / 265lbs, Rider = 100kg / 265lbs) NIHOLA FLEX FRAME Handmade Danish steel with black powdercoated finish PLATFORM Lightweight slip-resistant diamond steel base with pneumatic piston access ramp - accommodates wheelchairs sized 66cm x 106cm (26" x 41") RAMP SLOPE 36 degrees SEAT BELTS Two ratchet straps with quick-release hard mount points on platform HEADSET Alloy STEM Alloy high rise - Quill HANDLEBAR Alloy City GRIPS Comfort Rubber SEATPOST Alloy micro-adjust - 25.4mm SEAT Gel - Double sprung SEAT CLAMP Quick Release BRAKES Sturmey Archer Drum brakes front & Shimano V-brake rear BRAKE LEVERS Magura resin with built in parking lock SHIFTER Shimano Nexus 8 Revo shifter FRONT HUB(S) Sturmey Archer Drum Brakes REAR HUB Shimano Nexus 8 Internal Gears SPOKES Stainless Steel - 13G RIMS Alloy, double-walled 20" front, 26" rear TIRES Schwalbe Marathon Plus BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Sealed cartridge CRANKS Alloy forged - 170mm - 38T COGSET Shimano Nexus - 19T CHAIN KMC PEDALS Alloy with rubber top PARKING BRAKE Built in with easy access, easy pull lever RACK Optional FENDERS Lightweight, unbreakable Chromoplastic LOCK AXA Cafe Lock STEERING DAMPER Yes BIKE DIMENSIONS 215 x 99 x 110cm BOX DIMENSIONS 106 x 66 x 25cm RIDER CAPACITY 120kg / 265lbs BOX CAPACITY 120kg / 265lbs NIHOLA FROM TO FLEX 5' 4" 6' 4" How much can the Nihola Flex carry? The Nihola Flex can carry 120kg (265lbs) on the platform, plus the rider weighing no more than 120kg / 265lbs themselves. Will the bike tip forward when loading? Nope! Two wheels on either side of the platform provide stability when a wheelchair user rolls onto and off of the platform. Will this take up a lot of space on the road? Not really, most bike lanes are 1.5 – 2 meters wide and the Nihola is only 110cm wide, leaving plenty of room for other transport users to pass. Can I store it outside? You sure can! The Nihola is built for perpetual outdoor storage. It’s pretty rare that someone in Denmark would have indoor storage so bikes just get parked in the street. Plus, they salt the roads just like Toronto does in winter. The frames are painted with a highly chip-resistant powder-coat, and beneath the powder-coat lies a thick rust-resistant undercoat. Of course, the gears and front brakes are internally sealed so they will keep operating no matter the weather. What is the maintenance like? Very low! Because the Nihola uses internal gears and internal drum brakes the intervals between tune-ups are few and far between. We recommend oil on the chain and air in the tires every three weeks. All Nihola bikes come standard with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires; the most puncture-resistant tires on the market. How does this compare to other trikes? Nihola makes the lightest, most stable and best handling cargo bike on the market. While other brands steer the entire box, the Nihola’s front wheels steer independently. And, while competing brands add high-performance tilt steering, Nihola questions the practicality and safety of such systems. Finally, by using high-impact Lexan plastic rather than wood, the Nihola is up to 40% lighter competing brands, less maintenance (at some point all wood will rot) and significantly safer. Can I put a childseat on the back? Yes. It is a very common sight in Denmark to see a family with three children to put the oldest one on the back. We recommend the Yepp Junior, which can take a child up to 80lbs. We do not recommend a front-mounted childseat since the footrests can get in the way of the wheelchair). What's the rear wheel lock good for? The rear-wheel lock is a clever design built for short in-and-out errands where finding a locking-pole may take longer than the errand. The rear-wheel lock lets you momentarily lock the bike to itself. It’s great if you need to quickly dash in and out to grab a coffee or at the park having a picnic. This is expensive! Will it get stolen? Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and this (unfortunately) makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good U-lock or a chain and your bike will be safe. You can read more about bike theft here. What’s the warranty? Two-year warranty for manufacturer defects on frame and fork, one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear. THINKING OF BUYING A NIHOLA? READ OUR BLOG POST CARGO BIKE FACEOFF