Recumbent Bicycles And Arthritis

I always thought that a recumbent bike was geared more for people with back problems, so they can sit further in and more comfortably in a formed seat. But I think that it could be an answer to your problem. It does alleviate a lot of stress off of the wrist. Getting on and off would be the only strain on her arms. So yeah, it could work.

Oh, I am so sorry to know about your mother’s arthritis. Its pain is the worst that I have gone through. But I got treated with acupuncture. My cousin is the acupuncturist at acupuncture lorne park clinic and she did my treatment.

Related to this, I have RSSI and hand numbness has been an issue from resting on the handlebars. I'm curious if other riders with RSSI problems found switching to a recumbent helped with this kind of issue?

delmars said:

Related to this, I have RSSI and hand numbness has been an issue from resting on the handlebars. I'm curious if other riders with RSSI problems found switching to a recumbent helped with this kind of issue?

On a recumbent bike you are no longer holding body weight on your arms , wrists, or hands. Your back is cradled in a comfortable backrest and while you may get sore muscles you won't get any pains. There is an un-learning curve to to go through as you no longer use your handlebars for anything other than something to hold onto lightly.

From what I know, arthritics should also have regular physical activities and biking may be one of those perferred activities. Speaking of wrists, I don't think the type of bike is that relevant because what's important in the wrist movement is the steering and all bikes have the handlebar for steering. But with the pains, I cannot comment on that because some people have a low threshold of pain.

srock said:

Hello recumbent bikers,

My mother suffers from arthritis in her wrists but would like to cycle so I suggested a recumbent bicycle. I ride a road bike for commuting, exercise and pleasure. So I don't know much about recumbent bicycles. Is there any reason that a recumbent bike would not work for someone with wrist pain? What are the lighter models that would be easier for her to handle?

Thanks for your advice!

Oddly enough if you can find a Rans Wave or Tailwind ( both are out of production ) which are relatively cheap you will find that they are very comfortable with the only downside being tired muscles at the end of a ride. Lighter does not mean much if you are not enthusiastic to ride it. Both of these recumbents are putting you in a more upright position with your arms out on a handlebar that does not require you to hold any body weight on it. You do not have to hold your head up to see where you are going . Just because they are no longer in production does not mean when they break you are in trouble , like any other bike on the market you can buy components to fix it. I own a Rans Rocket short wheel base at the moment that I use for commuting / groceries, and it is quick and comfortable. I have had two Rans Waves and they have passive suspension through the frame and are very comfortable. They are also a long wheel base , but when you come to a stop you can put both feet flat on the ground vs tippy toe on a regular bike . There will be a learning curve to riding a recumbent as it does have a slightly different style of riding. The following is a interesting perspective on riding a recumbent, however this guy is a racing type person not your normal recreational " lets go riding to see the sights" person.
http://bicyclepatents.com/road-biker-tries-recumbents/2067/ I tend to be the latter.

I'm interested in getting a recumbent bike because I use a stationary recumbent cycle at the gym. I have degenerative disc disease in my back, arthritis in my back and hands, plus carpal tunnel in my right wrist. The stationary recumbent in the gym has made my cardio portion of my work out so much better. Any suggestions of where to start looking for a good bike and information on how others with arthritis have fared with this kind of bike would be appreciated!

I always thought that a recumbent bike was geared more for people with back quandaries, so they can sit further in and more comfortably in a composed seat. But I cerebrate that it could be an answer to your quandary. It does alleviate a plethora of stress off of the wrist. Getting on and off would be the only strain on her arms. So yeah, it could work.

LeonasSword said:

I always thought that a recumbent bike was geared more for people with back quandaries, so they can sit further in and more comfortably in a composed seat. But I cerebrate that it could be an answer to your quandary. It does alleviate a plethora of stress off of the wrist. Getting on and off would be the only strain on her arms. So yeah, it could work.

Actually I have found that they aren't that difficult to get on and off of. I have carpal tunnel in my right wrist and arthritis in my fingers and I find it to be easy to get on and off the recumbent bike. You are correct that they are often used for back issues, and I can attest to the fact they do help.

Bikes will help out with your arthritis big time! They put less pressure and weight on the back and joints and can really help you out!

ZXD22 said:

Bikes will help out with your arthritis big time! They put less pressure and weight on the back and joints and can really help you out!

Did you mean Recumbent Bikes? Because bicycles in general wont do this.

Are recumbent bikes easier on the tush? Even compared with having a large soft spring seat on a road bike? The main problem I'm referring to is tush numbness on long rides. I'm in my average weight range for my height and I haven't gotten a big soft spring seat yet, but I'm wondering if the seat will alleviate the numbness or if I should continue looking into a recumbent.

Dear Srock:
I commute by bicycle and use four bicycles for my commute. 10 miles one way.

Two of my bicycle are recumbents and two are regular diamond frames.

I choose between a recumbent and a diamond frame based on the condition of my tailbone, neck, upper body, and wrists, IE, if I am sore in one of those areas, I generally select a recumbent. With respect to my wrists, I can assure you that the recumbents remove a majority of the pressure on your wrists and make bicycling fun when my wrists are sore from riding the conventional bicycles. I have both under seat steering and above seat steering. Either one will work.

I would recommend you search for a recumbent gathering. There is one every year by me and I have attended a couple. Met a lot of fun people and was able to ride a number of bicycles to try them out, also had mine test ridden as well. There are vastly different recumbents out there so a test ride of a prospective purpose is essential. Love my recumbents and encourage you to try them out. Please do not buy sight unseen.

If you have specific questions, feel free to send me a pm. Would be more then happy to assist you!

Sincerely,
George

Just to add, a recumbent trike may be more suitable, especially one with underseat steering. The relaxed arm and wrist position should work better for someone with arthritis, and you won't have to get used to the start and stop 'wobble' associated with learning to ride a regular recumbent; trikes allow you to come to a more graceful stop / rest - just don't go hurling it around corners ... 😉

Absolutely, recumbent bikes are a fantastic option for those with wrist pain! The reclined position takes the pressure off the hands and wrists, reducing pain and discomfort. As for lighter models, the TerraTrike Rambler or the Bacchetta Corsa are both excellent choices. The Rambler is known for its comfort and ease of use, while the Corsa offers speed and agility. I would encourage you to do some research and maybe even visit a local bike shop to see these models in person. Recumbent bikes can open up a whole new world of cycling for your mother, and I'm sure she'll appreciate the thoughtfulness you've put into finding the best option for her. Happy biking! 🙂

"Recumbent bikes can be deceiving, wrist pain may be alleviated, but back and neck strain may arise, investigate models with adjustable seat and handlebars to find the perfect balance, darkness lurks in the shadows of ignorance, beware."

That's really interesting! I wonder if the reclined position and ergonomic design of a recumbent bike would actually reduce strain on her wrists?

You think a recumbent bike is a no-brainer for wrist pain? Not so fast! While it's true that recumbent bikes can reduce pressure on the wrists, some models can still exacerbate the issue. The laid-back riding position can put strain on the wrists, especially if the handlebars are too far away or too high. And what about the weight? Lighter models might be easier to handle, but they often come with a higher price tag. What's the budget here?

Are you kidding me? Recumbent bikes for wrist pain? That's like saying a unicycle is the perfect solution for a balance disorder! Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of getting your mom back on two wheels, but you need to rethink this approach. Recumbent bikes put your hands in a fixed position, which can exacerbate wrist pain, not alleviate it. What about mountain bikes with specifically designed handlebars that absorb shock and vibrations? Have you considered those? The Trek Fuel EX or the Specialized Rockhopper could be great options. They're not as pricey as you'd think, and the wider grips would provide more comfort for your mom's wrists. Don't write off mountain bikes just yet!