Lightfoot Cycles

Lightfoot Cycles is out of business as of August 2015. I hate that a lot. One of
my best is the Greenway that I've been riding since 2010. Oh well, I don't have
long to go anyway.

 

The Woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep...
--- Robert Frost

Throw in a motor or small engine, and it turns into thousands of miles.

 

They make great stuff but

1) Way expensive compared to other offerings in the market
2) Heavy overhead: On their website they seem to have tons of employees. Some of the names in manufacturing have only a handful, like two, people (Trident for one).

With that kind of overhead and high prices, low volume...it's a business model that is not sustainable.

 

Wrong again enginear

All that is pure bs. The fact is Japan, China, Mexico and others are eating
our lunch because of our sorry government. In short, dumb politicians. If the government wants to tax, then let it tax imports and at the same time reduce labor and manufacturing tax. A little lady a hundred years ago said labor unions would be the ruin of this country. How can America compete with free labor? And another kicker, 15$ minimum wage. Unemployed enginears would like 15$'s an hour. Health insurance cost likely slammed their doors shut.


"And the trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.—E. G. White Letter 200, 1903. Selected Messages 2:142."

 

All that you said is True Buddy.

But it still means that using US labor (lots of it) with low volumes equals an unsustainable business model. Been there, done that. If you do use american labor be prepared to cut costs in other areas and get creative. Catrike is successful but look at their model. Lightfoot was not doing what Catrike did.

 

Rod Minor needs no lecture

The company is over 60 years old. No lecture needed.

Lightfoot Recumbent Cycles

Our story began
long before Lightfoot’s 1998 incorporation, with design work done by Earl Miner in the 1960’s. Earl designed mechanical systems for industry and the air force, but on weekends and evenings he worked to conceive and develop tools and vehicles for the disadvantaged and handicapped.
Earl Miner’s TRAG vehicle was a compact 5-horsepower, quarter-ton-capacity, 3-wheel truck for developing nations, which converted into both a tractor and a 2-wheel trail bike ambulance. TRAG factories were started in Rhodesia by Earl and in Peru by his son Rodney, and these vehicles eventually found use in 60 countries worldwide.
In 1996, Earl concieved and Rod developed the PET Handcycle for survivors of land-mine explosions. People crippled by war or disease and accident, resigned to dragging themselves through the dust and mud of impoverished rural lands, regained mobility, financial self-sufficiency and social stature through the gift of a sturdy PET (“Personal Energy Transportation”) hand-cranked Tricycle, in which they could carry their small children, tools for their trade and goods for market. Now built by a volunteer corps, about 50,000 PET’s have been distributed (see giftofmobility.org). The World Health Organization estimated in 2003 that 20 million persons in need of handtrikes and wheelchairs worldwide were still without, and the UN has stated that such a vehicle, for these people, is a precondition to enjoying equal opportunity and rights.
Rod built his first recumbent bicycle in 1983–a bike still on the road today–to help him regain the enjoyment of bicycling after a neck injury. Since that time we have designed over 50 distinct human-powered-vehicle models, including velomobiles, quadracycles, handcycles and recumbent bicycle models. Some were for our own line and some were built contractually for other enterprises. We have focused on creating vehicles that combine utility and sport, and that can be used by almost anybody, even those with special physical requirements.
A Little Lightfoot Goes A Long Way! Lightfoot cycles can be found on remote Pacific islands, in Angolan deserts, pedaling happily along dirt roads in Belize, adventuring in the Australian outback and roamin’ in the gloamin’ of Scottish highlands. Our recumbent mountain bikes have traversed the Sierra Nevada range and the Rocky Mountains, plowed through Alaskan snows, and have traveled the US Continental divide. A Lightfoot handcycle has been ridden across the continent. One of our electrically-assisted velomobiles has crossed the 48 states from coast to coast. At least one Lightfooter has circumnavigated the 48 states. Every day of the year, Lightfoot-designed bicycles, tricycles and quadracycles succeed in safely and efficiently transporting thousands of people from home to work and school, across town and far beyond.
It remains our goal to create a socially and ecologically responsible enterprise, and to create a product that enhances the health of people and the living planet.
As a Lightfoot owner, you can enjoy safe and comfortable recreating, efficient cycle commuting, and increased fitness and vigor.
Personal Energy Transportation (PET)
This video tells the story how the PET improves lives for people who have lost their mobility.

 

I mourn the loss of Lightfoot. Another confirmation that no matter what you do, it's very difficult to compete in the new global economy. Since the Clinton administration the domestic bicycle industry has evaporated. No matter what you do, you can't compete with a guy that is making 1/4th (or even less that).

Having been in the world of importing during my stay at CEW I learned that I can buy an entire bike (good quality) for less than the cost of the components I need to build it here.

 

Build it yourself!

Reading your mail here and I agree with all everyone has said.

All that money stuff has caused a non functional economy except for the essentials. And I can't afford a 3000 dollar toy because I am retired on SS.

So a few years ago I started designing my own delta trike and it turned out great. I'm not sure what it cost but maybe 300.00 in parts and materials.

I would have to say that you need to be able to weld or have access to a good welder close by, but that may only ad about 300.00 more.

I would love to see more "bents" on the trails and sure enjoy mine a lot.

Because it is so comfortable I ride it just to be riding it.

And by the way HI from North Idaho everybody!

Thanks for letting me on this great site!

Tillerman6

 

Welcome Earl

Earl, You have found the best place on the web. Thanks to Jon and AD. They allow us to express ourselves in a way that is not always accepted by other such places. I hope you jump in here and post your building experience.