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Cycling
Sept 13, 2009 8:13:52 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 13, 2009 8:13:52 GMT -7
Cycling is great. You can go distances in minutes that would take you for ever on foot, without the pains. The effort is different, particularly if you're in a hilly part of the world, but the rewards are enormous.
The practicalities:
Ordinary bike, ordinary leg If you are 'lucky', you might be able to get on an ordinary bike with your ordinary leg/legs and cycle off into the sunset. I know a couple of people who've done this, including our newest member, Fiona (although 'lucky' wouldn't exactly describe Fiona, whose story started when The Tsunami of 2004 amputated her leg, and continued recently when she fell and broke her hip).
Anyway, Fiona got on a bike and cycled up and down south-east Asia raising money for charity, she did one of the hard English rides, crossing the country from west to east across the Penines, and so on, and on. An ordinary bike, an ordinary prosthesis. (And one extraordinary woman...)
The 'cycling leg' If you are less lucky (viz a viz bikes) then you either need to modify your body, or your bike.
Body modification normally involves a 'cycling leg', wearing which you can't walk too well. The foot will be pointed differently (to avoid the frame), the leg itself will be longer or shorter than normal (depending on your amputation), and even if it's the right length, then the bit behind the knee (for bkas) will be cut away. Cycling will be much easier, but walking not so. Talk to your prosthetist, and work out what sort of cycling you'll be doing. If you start from home, ride a few miles, and finish at home, then maybe the 'cycling leg' is for you.
Modify your bike instead My choice was to modify my bike, so that I can ride it with my normal walking leg.
This involves fairly minor modifications to pedals and saddle-height, but I'll put those on a different message, with photos. Nothing major, relatively inexpensive, and it gives you a whole new perspective on independent movement.
Enough for an introduction.
Allen, bka, occasional cyclist!
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Cycling
Sept 14, 2009 9:17:13 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 14, 2009 9:17:13 GMT -7
So, if you want to modify your bike, these are some of the things that can be done. (Refer to the pics on this link: www.getdropbox.com/gallery/1503128/1/crank%3Apedal?h=79e6c4which might explain things). Keeping your feet on the pedals.Proper cyclists use toe-clips (metal and/or leather straps), or 'cleats' (a metal 'clip' which is on your pedal, and then you have to wear special shoes with cleats attached). Both scare the crap out of me, but I know at least one other amputee cyclist who happily uses cleats (Rikk, who is a Big Time Cyclist), so it must be safe. The alternative that I use is this. I use very big pedals, which you can buy for $15 a pair upwards, plus 'terror pins', silly name for little screws that you put in four corners of the pedal. Then, your trainers (or any rubber-soled shoe) will stick into those pins, and while your foot CAN move about, in practice it doesn't very much. Both the pedals and the pins are just ordinary mountain-bike items, nothing special, and not expensive. Feet at odd anglesWhile on the subject of feet, you might well find that your toe or ankle bangs into the frame of the bike. Not a good thing. Way round it is a pair of 'Knee Savers', (see the picture), which move the pedal 20-30mm away from the frame, so that your prosthetic foot can sit at its 'funny' angle and not get in the way of your cycling. Again, they're not made for amps, just people who need to put their feet on the pedals at an angle ('proper' cyclists put their feet in nice straight lines). Bending your kneeOr not, in our cases. Having to bend your knee puts a lot of people off cycling. A lot of amps, anyway. Using a thing called a 'crank shortener' means you can REDUCE the amount you have to lift your knee by 70mm up to (about) 150mm. I use a crank shortener with 3 positions. I started off with the 'number 2' position, but gradually my leg softened up so I now use the 'number 1' position. I still can't use the 'normal' position. Having a shortened crank also helps at the BOTTOM of the cycling stroke, because it means that the pedal is higher off the ground than normal - and 'proper' cyclists point their foot at the bottom of the cycling stroke, something few of us can do! You do lose a bit of power in the downstroke, as your leg doesn't go up or down as much as non-amps, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I've got to go and finish doing the dinner, so I'll come back later and post some links for buying this kit. Tomorrow, the Saddle, and how to make it go Up and Down... (bet you can't wait). Allen.
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Cycling
Sept 15, 2009 8:12:37 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 15, 2009 8:12:37 GMT -7
Websites for buying the bits (these being just some examples - you can buy many of them in many other places). I think all the sellers will send their stuff overseas, but do check. KNEESAVERS. www.kneesaver.net/PEDALS AND ' TERROR PINS' www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3177www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=27581CRANK SHORTENERS (some are different from the ones I use, but they'll give you an idea of what's available) www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=251&src=frooglewww.wizzbike.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=245&products_id=1017www.cippsites.com/Merchant4/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CRNKSHORT&Category_Code=COMFORT&Store_Code=ANGLEThis one shows another crank shortener, plus a PENDULUM CRANK (see note below) www.kinetics-online.co.uk/html/specials.shtmlAn American site, with kneesavers, different crank shorteners. Looks a helpful place www.angletechcycles.com/notsausage/pedals_shoes.htmNOTESSome of the different crank shorteners are for different types of crank, so either read the descriptions thoroughly, or phone/email and ask, before sending off your money. The 'Pendulum Crank', or 'swing crank', is for people who can't bend their knee very far at all. I used to have one, but couldn't get on with it (it doesn't really give you a 'smooth' pedalling action), and when I came to measure properly, found that a simple crank shortener was the best thing for me. But it is another option. Tomorrow, the saddle that goes up and down. (Sorry for the delay. My dear wife has broken her arm, so I'm chasing round organising things at the moment). Allen.
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mitchee
Female Member
LBKA - 2006
Posts: 55
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Cycling
Sept 15, 2009 9:36:00 GMT -7
Post by mitchee on Sept 15, 2009 9:36:00 GMT -7
If you have lots of spare change, you can also purchase Rotor components. They eliminate the dead spot in the pedal stroke. www.rotorbikeusa.com/They're on my wish list.
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Cycling
Sept 15, 2009 13:43:55 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 15, 2009 13:43:55 GMT -7
Just a rider to Mitchee's comment:
you don't NEED that rotor technology to ride a bike if you're an amp, not in the same way as you might need the crank shortener. Rotor technology will help amps, as it helps non-amps, in terms of increased power from legs to pedals, but when she says spare change, she means spare bills, and large ones at that!
Allen.
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mitchee
Female Member
LBKA - 2006
Posts: 55
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Cycling
Sept 15, 2009 18:22:07 GMT -7
Post by mitchee on Sept 15, 2009 18:22:07 GMT -7
Just a rider to Mitchee's comment: you don't NEED that rotor technology to ride a bike if you're an amp, not in the same way as you might need the crank shortener. Rotor technology will help amps, as it helps non-amps, in terms of increased power from legs to pedals, but when she says spare change, she means spare bills, and large ones at that! Allen. Allen is correct. You do not need the Rotor system to ride a bike as an amputee. I just wanted to post the link in case it might benefit someone. Michelle
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Cycling
Sept 16, 2009 8:58:17 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 16, 2009 8:58:17 GMT -7
While you're at it, (and I know I haven't posted the saddle up and down reply yet), have a look at these: day6bicycles.com/www.crankforward.comwhich might mean that you don't need ANY extra bits on your bike. It's a brilliant concept, and you in the States are lucky to have so many dealers (very hard to get in the UK). Basically, you SIT in the bike, rather than perch on top, and because your pedals are in front of you, rather than beneath you, it makes knee-bending less of a problem. Allen.
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mitchee
Female Member
LBKA - 2006
Posts: 55
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Cycling
Sept 16, 2009 10:43:20 GMT -7
Post by mitchee on Sept 16, 2009 10:43:20 GMT -7
Hi Allen. Thanks for posting the links. I hadn't heard of either company but I found their websites very interesting. It looks like a good concept. I'd love to demo one.
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Cycling
Sept 16, 2009 15:38:48 GMT -7
Post by cherylm on Sept 16, 2009 15:38:48 GMT -7
Oh, now those look interesting, Allen! I keep trying to figure out how to best adapt my bike, and I keep reaching the point where I think, "I'll just have to be one of those little old ladies on an adult tricycle," which is a rather depressing thought. I'll have to try and find a dealer for one of these "pedal-forward" ccreatures!
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Cycling
Sept 16, 2009 23:46:35 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 16, 2009 23:46:35 GMT -7
Well, the Day6 people seem to have dealers in most states. And the amazing thing is that these bikes are well under $1000. You could spend a few hundred dollars buying the bits I've listed above (the saddle up/down thing, the Gravitydropper, is $300 on its own). But with one of these Day6 bikes, I don't think you'd need any add-ons.
As soon as some bright company starts importing them to England, I shall be on one, as they seem to solve so many of the problems of conventional bikes.
Allen.
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Cycling
Sept 17, 2009 19:21:17 GMT -7
Post by pegleg1az on Sept 17, 2009 19:21:17 GMT -7
I go out most every Sunday morning early in the AM with the dogs out on our dirt roads and make an hour of it so the dogs can run and chase Jack rabbits and sniff other markings. I like to get a power run on the bike but I do not that the leg to be able to stand and power peddle, I guess I am stuck power peddling sitting on my back side....
Can or do any of you stand and peddle? My stump is to short also, I tried years ago and came right out of the socket.
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Cycling
Sept 20, 2009 12:17:55 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 20, 2009 12:17:55 GMT -7
I have to lift myself out of the saddle to operate the Gravitydropper (of which more during the week, I promise!) but no, I can't pedal standing up. Possibly could, but it's one of those risks I choose not to take.
We have a paralympic cyclist on the LA forum - I'll ask her to join us and tell us what she can do on her bike.
Allen.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Cycling
Sept 20, 2009 19:06:47 GMT -7
Post by ann58 on Sept 20, 2009 19:06:47 GMT -7
'allen' this is really a great job reporting on bicycles..just regular and the advanced. This I can understand. Thanks
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Cycling
Sept 21, 2009 0:12:43 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 21, 2009 0:12:43 GMT -7
Hello ann58. Thank you. And no need for the inverted commas; Allen is my name in both real life and cyber world (although I will admit that the 'uk' bit wasn't there when I was Christened).
Allen.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Cycling
Sept 21, 2009 6:31:35 GMT -7
Post by ann58 on Sept 21, 2009 6:31:35 GMT -7
Question: can you ride just a normal bicycle with no changes? I would like to try, but am afraid I'll mangel myself.
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Cycling
Sept 22, 2009 0:15:48 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Sept 22, 2009 0:15:48 GMT -7
Hello Ann.
I know it's bad 'form' to quote your own messages, but...
"Ordinary bike, ordinary leg If you are 'lucky', you might be able to get on an ordinary bike with your ordinary leg/legs and cycle off into the sunset. I know a couple of people who've done this, including our newest member, Fiona (although 'lucky' wouldn't exactly describe Fiona, whose story started when The Tsunami of 2004 amputated her leg, and continued recently when she fell and broke her hip).Anyway, Fiona got on a bike and cycled up and down south-east Asia raising money for charity, she did one of the hard English rides, crossing the country from west to east across the Penines, and so on, and on. An ordinary bike, an ordinary prosthesis."
So, yes you CAN ride an ordinary bike with no modifications. As a test, get on an exercise bike first. If you can turn the pedals on that, you should be okay on a proper bike. Choose a slight downhill path/road, stand with your best leg on the ground, swing your worst leg over the saddle (making sure FIRST that the saddle is LOW enough), get yourself comfortable, and just glide for a while. Then pedal if you feel able!
In the longer term, the saddle will need raising to a 'better' height for riding, but just for now, keep it low so you can touch the ground with both feet.
Let us know how you get on.
Allen.
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Cycling
Sept 23, 2009 8:02:05 GMT -7
Post by pegleg1az on Sept 23, 2009 8:02:05 GMT -7
I would go to a good bike shop and have them fit you to the bike.. I ride a Haro comfort bike (I think is the spelling on it) and the top tube has a dip in it for the larger frame bike I ride so I can get the full motion peddling, I also have my seat and handle bars raised up also. The bike shop will take the time to get you fitted to a bike that is best for you, They would like to see you riding also. Were is a brake down of a bike so you know what we are talking about also.. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bicycle_diagram-en.svg
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Cycling
Sept 26, 2009 18:45:28 GMT -7
Post by kapteenkoukku on Sept 26, 2009 18:45:28 GMT -7
I used to ride normal mountain bike, no modifications to anything, I just changed the pedal to metallic one with teeth on it so I had good hold for my foot on pedal.
I have not been riding for couple of years because I must bring work home all the time, but when I was cycling, I did 50 km every Sunday.
I should find time to start cycling again, my stomach is getting a bit too large and cycling is enjoyable too.
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 4:44:45 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 14, 2009 4:44:45 GMT -7
I'm really not a great fan of expensive extras - they drive you mad, and send you broke. But this particular device really is a good 'un: So... Saddles, plus getting your feet on the ground.1) Riders with 2 ordinary legs and feet often stop, seated on their saddle, with their tip-toes just touching the ground on either side. Then, to start off again, they push down on one pedal, lift their other foot off the ground onto the second pedal, and they're away. Riders with less than 2 ordinary legs can't do that. 2) Riders like us want to stop, and start off, with both feet pretty firmly on the ground. Not a problem - all you have to do is lower the saddle a few inches, and there you are. Trouble is that when you get going, you are far too low for proper pedalling. You CAN get away with it, but ride more than a mile and you'll do damage to your knees (if you've got knees), as they will be sticking out at funny angles left and right. 3) A solution is this: a saddle that goes UP and DOWN. DOWN for when you stop and want it low, so your feet can both touch the ground. UP for pedalling, so your legs are almost straight (at the bottom of each pedal stroke), which means your knees will be straight, -ish, as you go along. Have a look at: gravitydropper.com/They sell various models, and it is worth spending a few hours with a tape measure and a friend to see which one suits you best. (Get your saddle in your favourite 'low' position, i.e. the one that's best for you when you stop. Mark that with a bit of tape on the seat-post, then undo the saddle and lift it two inches. Try pedalling a hundred yards or so. Then try 3 inches, or 4, and decide what 'lift' suits you best.) The 2 inch lift is probably best for shorter people (5 foot or so), and the 4 inch lift for tall (over 6 foot). I started with a 2, and then bought a 3 (only an extra $25). There is another model which gives variable lift, I think, and that might be a good solution. The device is brilliantly made (precision US engineering), fitted within an hour, and is operated by a lever on the handlebars. [Before you order, make sure you know what size SEATPOST your bike has - it is stamped onto the post, usually towards the bottom, so you'll have to take it out of the frame to see the figure. It'll be something like 25 or 26 or 27.2 and so on). So, you start off in the down position, pedal a few yards, then lift your bum (butt?) off the saddle, operate the lever, and whoosh, it lifts 2 (or 3 or 4) inches. I thought that the lifting off the saddle was going to be a Big Deal, but it wasn't. You don't have to stand on the pedals - all you have to do is take the weight off the saddle enough for the Gravitydropper's spring to push the saddle up, where it will lock very firmly into the UP position. Not cheap, but I think it was the best $200 I've ever spent on 'aids'. (Might have been $300, but even so it was still well worth it, as it changed me from a 'disabled' rider back into a (fairly) normal one). Please ask for explanations. As soon as I've got past a few current difficulties, I'll get a video made and posted so you can see it/me in operation. Allen, London.
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 8:25:12 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 14, 2009 8:25:12 GMT -7
Hi Allen,
I was wondering if it is far more difficult for an above knee amp to ride due to their socket being so high and having a knee unit to contend with? Does anyone have any solutions to the sockret issues for AKA's riding a cycle. I know of one guy who has had a socket especially made for cycling but I am not in touch with him so cannot ask him about it.
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 9:32:34 GMT -7
Post by oneblueleg on Oct 14, 2009 9:32:34 GMT -7
Hi Allen, I was wondering if it is far more difficult for an above knee amp to ride due to their socket being so high and having a knee unit to contend with? Does anyone have any solutions to the sockret issues for AKA's riding a cycle. I know of one guy who has had a socket especially made for cycling but I am not in touch with him so cannot ask him about it. Go to Facebook Amputees, Glenn Johnson...
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 12:38:44 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 14, 2009 12:38:44 GMT -7
Lynne: I haven't got a clue! AKA mechanics are a whole different world.
The place oneblueleg suggests, 'Facebook Amputees', is a closed group, like our Facebook amputee-online, but it is probably well worth joining particularly if you can get some specific information about AKA/cycling solutions. If you do, bring it back here and tell us, too...
Allen.
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 14:04:18 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 14, 2009 14:04:18 GMT -7
Thanks OBL and Allen, Glen was the guy I met and I will try to contact him. Figgered I could try to ride cause it hurts too much to walk! Not giving up yet! Maybe he'll pop in here and give some advive on cycling for AKA
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 14:29:41 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 14, 2009 14:29:41 GMT -7
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 14, 2009 14:31:44 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 14, 2009 14:31:44 GMT -7
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