All-wheel drive for the handbike: The RESET Scout becomes a “4×4” for off-road terrain.
What happens when an already high-performance handbike suddenly gains drive to two wheels? More traction. More control. Better climbing ability. And above all: significantly greater off-road potential. With its additional, engageable rear-wheel drive, the RESET Scout transforms into an all-wheel-drive handbike, opening up a new dimension of adaptive mountain biking. Drive at the front, drive at the rear—or, to put it more casually: Quattro for handbikes. Best of all, the additional drive isn’t a permanent fixture; it can be engaged as needed and even mechanically disconnected without tools.
When “uphill” suddenly becomes “we’re heading uphill!”
Anyone riding a handbike off-road knows the crucial question: how much traction do I have right now? On firm ground, a single drive system usually works without issue. However, the situation changes as soon as the terrain gets steeper, the surface becomes loose, or roots and uneven patches come into play. This is precisely where the additional rear-wheel drive demonstrates its strengths. The RESET Scout comes standard with a powerful front-drive system; the addition of the Bimotal drive introduces a second motor. Both motors deliver a rated power of 750 watts each. The effect is immediately noticeable off-road: more forward drive, less wheel spin, and significantly greater control. This can make all the difference, especially on inclines.
Here, technical specifications turn into a real-world test: the Scout battles its way up an off-road incline—with rear-wheel drive engaged.
Two driven wheels, but no complicated system.
From a technical standpoint, the concept is as interesting as it is simple. At the front, the Photon Gen2 operates with a rated power of 750 watts. It is controlled via a torque sensor: the harder the rider pedals, the more assistance the motor provides. At the rear, a Bimotal drive—also delivering 750 watts of rated power and 60 Nm of torque—comes into play. This unit is operated independently of the front drive using a handlebar-mounted thumb throttle, allowing the extra power to be engaged precisely when needed. And why is only one of the two rear wheels driven? Because the Scout is designed as a trike, and all three wheels maintain contact with the ground on rough terrain; consequently, driving both rear wheels is unnecessary. The driven rear wheel provides extra propulsion without causing the Scout to pull uncomfortably to one side.
The result is a genuine all-wheel-drive handbike concept that is intuitive to ride.
When navigating rooty sections suddenly becomes fun
Steep climbs are one thing; technically demanding terrain is another. Roots, embankments, loose surfaces, or varying ground conditions demand not just power, but—above all—traction. With a single drive system, a bike can quickly reach its limits in such situations: the wheel spins, and energy is wasted. The additional rear-wheel drive gives the Scout another way to transfer power to the ground. This doesn’t mean that every obstacle suddenly becomes automatically navigable, but the point at which traction becomes the limiting factor shifts significantly. And that is precisely what makes this concept appealing to anyone who wants to take their adaptive mountain bike beyond just paved paths. The best way to see how the additional drive performs in challenging terrain is to experience it in action.
All-wheel drive for the handbike – and suddenly, off-road terrain becomes great fun.
Of course, mountain biking isn’t just about getting from A to B as efficiently as possible. It’s about the experience. About trails. Gravel. Climbs. Little challenges. And sometimes, it’s simply about not being able to wipe the grin off your face. The additional rear-wheel drive not only provides extra reserves of power but also opens up entirely new ways to play with the Scout. Gravel? No problem. Corners? Bring them on. And when a trail suddenly turns into a playground, you can even pull off some donuts. A bit of tech. A bit of physics. And a whole lot of fun.
Who would be interested in the all-wheel-drive upgrade?
Essentially for any Scout rider who wants to take their handbike where paved paths end.
These can be:
- steep uphills
- Forest tracks and gravel paths
- Root passages
- Embankments
- loose substrates
- challenging trails
- Tours in alpine terrain
- and, of course, plenty of terrain where the focus is simply on having fun.
The all-wheel-drive upgrade is not primarily intended as a solution for everyday use. It truly comes into its own where a handbike is put to the test: off-road.
750 watts – but only 6 kg of additional weight
Extra power often brings to mind extra weight. In this case, however, that effect is surprisingly minimal. The entire additional drive system adds just around 6 kg to the total weight. And even those six kilograms don’t have to stay on the Scout permanently; the auxiliary motor and battery can be mechanically detached without tools. If you don’t need the extra rear-wheel drive for a particular ride, you can simply remove the system. This makes the concept exceptionally flexible: all-wheel drive when you need it, less weight when you don’t.
Existing Scout models can also be retrofitted
The concept is not intended exclusively for newly ordered vehicles.
Every RESET Scout can be retrofitted with the additional rear-wheel drive. This means that anyone already riding a Scout who wishes to expand their range of use does not need to switch to a completely new handbike. The additional drive is available as an upgrade and can be configured via the RESET configurator or the corresponding options.
A new dimension for adaptive mountain biking
The additional drive system transforms the RESET Scout into something more than just a handbike with increased motor power; it creates an entirely new drive concept. A powered front wheel. A rear-wheel drive that can be engaged as needed. 1,500 watts of rated power. More traction. Better climbing ability. Greater control. All combined in a system that offers flexible use and can be detached without tools whenever required.
All-wheel drive for handbikes is therefore no longer a thing of the future.
It’s an upgrade for anyone who wants to do more than just ride their Scout—they want to experience it. RESET Scout 4×4: Ready for more rugged terrain? If you want to see what your Scout is capable of with added rear-wheel drive, you can include the all-wheel-drive upgrade right when configuring your bike—or have your existing Scout retrofitted. After all, tackling the next trail doesn’t always require more courage; sometimes, you simply need more traction. And that is exactly what the all-wheel-drive system for the RESET Scout delivers.
