Advice on bike for older lady

[katkave]

Hi, Im in my late 50s, live in a small but slightly hilly country town and have decided to do away with the small car and go pedal power. I have done some cycling when younger with my husband, who did road racing in the 70s and early 80s. I still have a mountain bike but haven't biked in more than 5 years due to back pain. I usually walk for exercise, play badmington and swim at the river in the summer months. I recently fractured my ankle and was in a cast for 8 weeks. My normal weight is 72kg an Im 5ft 10, but I gained more than 10kg while convalescing and Im now 82kg. Due to Crohns Disease I have osteoarthritis in all my joints, with further complications associated with Crohns. My specialist and physiotherapist have both recommended I discontinue Badminton and walking for exercise, but continue swimming in the summer and take up cycling. I really need some good advice regarding what sort of bike to purchase that is suitable for me to use everday that doesnt cause back pain and is reliable. Any advice would be greatly appreciate. Regards Kat

[Derny Driver]

Hi Kat
I would recommend an ELECTRA TOWNIE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmuNXdnkyjM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Watch the video and see how great they are for your back. The 7 speed gears would be great for the hills.

There are other Electra bikes such as the ELECTRA AMSTERDAM which has a 3 speed hub gear. This is also a wonderful ladies bike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQod88jccx0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The advantage of the 3 speed hub gear is that there is no adjustments ever required and they are bullet proof. The 7 speed gear bike needs cable adjustments occasionally.
I love these bikes. They are great to ride and excellent quality. You can find them second hand on Ebay for around $350-$400. I think they are just over a thousand dollars new.
Worth considering.
Good luck

[katkave]

Thank you so much for the advice. Just about to have a look at youtube. Best Wishes, Kat

[zebee]

One thing about the townie.. it is heavy!

So it is slow up hills. Friend of mine had one and used it for a while then got a lighter bike of similar design.

I do think recumbents are the best for people with back issues but they are pricey. If you have money (meaning at least 2 grand) then a trike might be worth considering. 2nd hand Greenspeeds come up now and then.

Trike advantages include full back support, and not needing to balance when going slowly. Disadvantages are vision in traffic - meaning you can't see as far ahead as you can on a taller bike.

People who tour on them say cars have no problem at all seeing them on country roads as they trigger the "Say What" reflex rather than the "bloody cyclist" one...

Zebee

[katkave]

Thank you so much Zebee. Pushbikes have changed so much in the last 50 years. There is such a wide variety of bikes all designed for diffrent things. Im about to google your suggestions now. Best Wishes, Kat.

[OldBloke]

Kat, if you can afford it a recumbent trike has a lot of advantages and can be fitted with electric assist if needed. Sites of Australian companies to look at include http://www.greenspeed.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, http://www.recumbent.net.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, http://www.mrrecumbenttrikes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, http://www.trisled.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, http://a1adventuresports.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (they have a trike with suspension for around $2000). My wife (late 50s) and I (early 60s) really enjoy our trikes.



OB



If I'm wrong blame Tapatalk.

[katkave]

Hi OldBloke, Andy and I looked at recumbent bikes online last night and we both think this could be a great solution to my problem. I will get Andy to look at the sites you suggested when he is home tonight. Best Wishes Kat

[RonK]

Since you are selling your car, and given your medical history, I would suggest you might like to consider a Gazelle bicycle, and in particular an electric Gazelle.

Yes, they are quite expensive - but not as expensive as the cars they replace.

And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get any 'attitude' from dealers who sell this kind of bike.

Gazelle Bikes Australia

[crazioldjane]

or something like this,,, http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/noranda/ ... 1086006679" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ,, i'm in my late 50s have back and neck issues and strangely no one can see me anymore either...but i am pretty sure i am still here

[zebee]

For trikes, Greenspeed, MR, and Trisled are in Vic, recumbent.net are in NSW, I am not sure about adventure, I think they are NSW.

IF you want to try trikes there may be a triker near you.... Ask on the recumbent forum here on bna to see if anyone within travel distance has a trike they are willing to show you. If you are near Canberra I know of quite a few bods there.

All the trike places know about electric assist. If you are looking at hills and have joint issues you may find that is a very sensible route to take three wheels or two. Electric can be used just to help up the hills and turned off otherwise if you want to keep the heart rate up. It does add weight to the bike though.

Zebee

[OldBloke]

A1adventuresports are in Qld, north west Brisbane, according to their Gumtree ads.


OB

If I'm wrong blame Tapatalk!

[katkave]

Hi Crazioldjane, Laughed for ages when I read your post. So true, so good. Thank you! Also had a look at the giant bike you suggested and love it. I can see this as a good transition bike and compromise before going completely recumbent and spending alot of money or buying anouther bike that is unsuitable for my needs. Best Wishes, Kat.

[gcouyant]

can see this as a good transition bike and compromise before going completely recumbent and spending alot of money or buying anouther bike that is unsuitable for my needs. Best Wishes, Kat.

Kat, here is one that will initially seem a bit left of centre but I do hope that it helps....

With your condition, you do need to keep low impact load bearing on *all* of your bones and muscles - and certainly major muscle groups and most importantly core. You also need to take care to avoid with injuries....

So, let's rule out anything that is powered - even pedal assist because you tend to relax the core and just turn pedals lightly and steer.

Given the hilly terrain, something with low low low granny gear so that you keep the work rate up without overloading muscles and joints. At any speed, you also need stability so you need to be careful with bicycle geometry selection. More on this later.

Given a rural location, roads and road verges can be challenging and frightening with passing traffic if you can't safely move off the road proper as you wander up a hill in granny-one gear....

So if I put myself in your situation I think that the perfect bicycle will be something like a new generation fat bike like this: http://www.murucycles.com/#!witjira-trail-fatbike/c1zst" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not all fat bike are the same though and the reason I suggested this one is that the geometry is very stable and the head stem height fairly tall so that you end up with lots of flexibility to get the cockpit just right and balance the load between core, legs and arms. You can ride on pretty much any surface and can configure with very low gearing. Depending on whether your back is sensitive to moderate loading or freezing in one position, you may also consider something like a Thudbuster seat post. This is essentially a four bar linkage that moves the saddle down and back as it compresses. This is a natural movement for the body and back with gentle activation of the relevant muscles to stabilise the torso.

My wife and I are of "that" age and with a lifetime of sports activities - and a stronger sense of self preservation, fat bikes have been an absolute Godsend and allow us the flexibility and freedom to travel anywhere we like by bike - albeit slowly but surprisingly efficient.





Good fun too.....

Hope this helps.

[katkave]

Hi, One and All. Thank you to everyone for all your enlightening comments and advice. I live in Country WA, my closest major town is Bunbury. If anyone can recommend a good bike shop, retailer or bike mechanic that is willing to take the time to size and fit out a bike suitable for me down this way it would be greatly appreciated. My budget at the moment is around $1,200.

[zebee]

Heh, second person near Bunbury this week! My mother had very polite and helpful service from Fitzroy Cycles in Spencer St. They have a wide range of bikes and seem very much into customer service. I can't speak for any of their other expertise but they did seem to be friendly and helpful people.

[Maureen Waters]

I live south of Kojonup WA and ride a recumbent tadpole trike every day for exercise. I love it even with the rough dirt roads here.
My first one was second hand, a Greenspeed GT1. I now have a Greenspeed GT20, a wonderful machine. I am 80 yrs old.
Good luck. Maureen

[zebee]

Good to know I'll likely be able to ride my GT20 when I'm 80! Might have to raise the seat a bit I suppose.

Lovely lively things aren't they!

[Maureen Waters]

I have a Greenspeed GT1 recumbent trike for sale is anyone is interested. The only reason for sale is that I have a GT20 and a mountain bike.
I am 80 years young and do short rides every day in hilly country on dirt roads

regards Maureen

[NomadicNest]

Hey Kat! For comfort and to reduce back pain, go for a hybrid bike with an upright riding position. Consider an e-bike too, as it’s easier on your joints and hills. Make sure it has a cushioned saddle and good suspension. Test ride a few and get a professional bike fitting to ensure the best fit.

[Thoglette]

Consider an e-bike too, as it’s easier on your joints and hills.

E-bikes weren’t a thing in 2015,

[NomadicNest]

Consider an e-bike too, as it’s easier on your joints and hills.

E-bikes weren’t a thing in 2015,

Ohh yeah sorry

[Thoglette]

E-bikes weren’t a thing in 2015,

Ohh yeah sorry

Oh, we've all done that. Several times

[g-boaf]

Consider an e-bike too, as it’s easier on your joints and hills.

E-bikes weren’t a thing in 2015,

Seems they were:

"8 Great Electric Bikes for 2015" - https://momentummag.com/gear-guide-electric-bikes/

I'm pretty sure I saw a few when riding back in those times. But certainly not as many around as there are now.