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ROBERT HOENING SPEZIALFAHRZEUGE GMBH he task is complex to say the least: to develop and perfect a safe and exciting vehicle which enables a disabled person and a friend to experience together the pleasure and convenience of cycling. 1500 parts from 50 different suppliers: assembled with skill and care. The Roilfiets, designed and refined by Peter Messerschmidt over six years, is produced and marketed by Robert Hoening. It consists of a rugged, specially designed wheelchair - usable on its own which attaches to half a bicycle, forming a tricycle. Thanks to the use of alloy tubing for the wheelchair, the Roll Fiets is no slouch, on-road or off. It can be ridden wherever a conventional tricycle can go. There is no getting away from the fact that one rear rider needs to pedal for two, but the 7-speed hub gear should help, and this can be combined with the two-speed 'Mountain Drive' bottom bracket gear. Trips to the shops, cinema or cafe become a pleasant experience since the wheelchair simply comes off the bike and can be taken directly into the building. Comfort is crucial for the passenger. The chair is orthopaedically shaped from glass fibre-reinforced plastic and comes with padding and adjustable foot and head-rests. When fixed to the cycle the chair tilts back, lifting the small front wheels off the floor. This gives a relaxed, stable sitting position and makes conversation easier. The chair is separated from the cycle with a quickrelease mechanism. It compares well with standard wheelchairs, with its suspension and light handling. Its off-road tyres are excellent on gravel tracks, especially when the chair is being pushed by hand. Roilfiets production began in 1987, and 750 of them are made each year. They are so popular among their owners in Germany that a Rollfiets Club and newsletter have been set up. Duet, Duetto, Dol-Fijn: the Roilfiets has made its way into many other countries. Robert Hoening is increasing his range of special vehicles, some of which have been designed elsewhere but all of which are tested and further developed at the Hoening factory. The Trio three-wheeled recumbent, formerly produced by Radius, has a relaxed seating position which is ideal for many disabled people.
Another Hoening product is the Co-Pilot, featured in the family cycling section of this Encycleopedia. There are two interesting Roilfiets-based designs which take the machine out of the disabled sphere. The Allegro is a workbike version: sturdy but with lightweight parts and the stopping power of drum brakes. It is being tested by the German Post Office for their delivery services. The Infocycle is a further variation. Designed for the use of campaign groups and the like, it carries a large chest with a hinged lid, and contains a folding display top and two parasols. The lnfocycle allows an attractive stall to be set up virtually anywhere very useful in the many cities which now limit motor vehicle access.
Robert Hoening demonstrates a Duet
ROBERT HOENING SPEZIALFAHRZEUGE GMBH
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Left: The Trio gives recumbent stability Below: The Roilfiets comes apart in seconds