'Bent suitable for arm injury?



SnowBiker

New Member
Jul 12, 2010
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Hello everyone. I'm new to the group, and seeking advice. I'm involved in a project seeking to get riders with disabilities out on real MTB trails. There are a couple of things I'd like to ask for your thoughts on, and I'll put the second under a different title to keep things simple.

So, question 2:
Do you think a 'bent would be suitable for a rider with arm weakness or loss?
One of the riders we have been working with has nerve damage to one arm rendering it fairly ineffective, with very little in the way of grip. He rides a conventional road bike, but find that his "good" arm soon gets fatigued as it is effectively supporting his whole weight. Off-road on a conventional bike is out of the question as it would require him to control and balance the bike, along with supporting his weight with one arm.

If a 'bent can provide a real off-road experience (question 1, different post), I wondered whether the riding position might be more forgiving for riders with this sort of injury. Certainly there seems not to be the need to support the body mass. I imagine that a 'bent with "below the legs" steering (i'm sure there is a correct term) would be a fairly light touch. Do you feel that, with the appropriate positioning of controls, that such a bike could be confidently ridden single handedly?

OK so it was actually more than one question. Anyway, I'd really like to hear from anyone with practical experience of riding off-road, and hear your thoughts on the techniques you use and the practical limits you have experienced in your riding.
 
I'm going to suggesst at least a look at the Hase line of Delta style trikes. They've got armrest attachments that could go on their "Ride" model to support the weakend arm, yet allow full use of legs an other arm. The "Ride" is configured as their SUV of recumbent trikes.
 
Recumbents are primarily road bikes. Some will do light trail work. Trying to control a bent one-armed while bouncing down a trail is not something I'd want to try - regardless of whether the steering was over-seat or under-seat. Best bet might be a tadpole trike with USS, although it would still be limited to easy trails.
 
There is a write up in the following link that discusses an act of great sportsmanship that is extremely rare (in all sports) and is worth knowing about. It's the complete OPPOSITE of doping (which is all one seems to hear about cycling these days). http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/09/masters-national-road-race-championship.html
 
Masters racing doesn't count as bike racing.

You guys missed your chance, take your inflated pay cheques and do something good to build the sport in a country that doesn't have any love for the two-wheelers. Personally sponsor some poor juniors that are trying to race on antiquated gear, do something apart from poaching sponsor and industry dollars that should be going to the next generation of potential stars.

I find the self-absorbtion of masters to be nauseating! Ride your bike, promote the sport, do some good. You're done, old, fat, and slow. Pack it in, old man!
 
Originally Posted by tetevide .
I find the self-absorbtion of masters to be nauseating! Ride your bike, promote the sport, do some good. You're done, old, fat, and slow. Pack it in, old man!
Ouch!.

 
Masters Racing is only a small element of the biking world. And of course we all are allowed to love and hate whatever we choose. (An extreme illustration of this is Jesus Christ himself. Loved by many, but murdered by haters.)

I personally try to lean more to love for others or at least tolerate differring views, or activities.

If any juniors or beginner racers are out there reading this, you may benefit from some of my posts:

bike safety: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/08/bike-safe-my-survival-tactics-for-road.html

bike fit: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/lemonds-sizing-chart.html

crank efficiency: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/08/dude-your-crank-lengths-fine-you-just.html

high speed cornering: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/04/hermann-criterium-17april2010.html

how to be faster on a bike: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/09/aerodynamics-in-cycling-and-how-to-be.html

treating road rash: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-care-for-or-treat-road-rash.html

threshold determination: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-determine-your-lactate-threshold.html

racing in the heat: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/heat-management-or-how-to-race-when-its.html

gluing on a tubular: http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-glue-on-tubular-bicyle-tire.html

Regards from a National Champion who is an "old, fat, and slow"

David Henderson
 
Nice reply, David. Like how you even provided additional information and knowledge...

I find anonomous and ignorant forum bullies to be most amusing. What can you say about an individual that can't even stand up behind their disparaging comments?? It's always so easy to insult when you're hiding behind a veil...
 
Originally Posted by tonyzackery .

Nice reply, David. Like how you even provided additional information and knowledge...

I find anonomous and ignorant forum bullies to be most amusing. What can you say about an individual that can't even stand up behind their disparaging comments?? It's always so easy to insult when you're hiding behind a veil...
Not taking tetevide's comment's to heart are we now..... "old man". /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif
 
Anonomous little person, I'm quite sure this old man could lay waste to you in ANY athletic endeavor/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif...now run along and go do some hip thrusts...
 
Originally Posted by tonyzackery .

Anonomous little person, I'm quite sure this old man could lay waste to you in ANY athletic endeavor/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif...now run along and go do some hip thrusts...
Don't worry Tony, old age affects every one of us sooner or later. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif

Its just unfortunate your time is neigh.
 
I fully understand your avoidance to having this discussion be at a personal level in terms of athletic ability (a misnomer in your respect)...you have my permission to continue with your anonomous pot-shots...end./img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif