both my knees are wearing-- out we are now riding a tandem, but will a recumbent be any easier on my old bones before they are completely gone and is anyone riding with replaced knees, i do not want to quit cycling

Well, yes and no. When you push against the back of a bent seat, if you're a "gear and grind" sort of person you have the potential for it to be more harmful. If you're a smart enough guy to gear down and spin, then a bent may be just what you're looking for, especially if you go with short cranks and q-rings.

I dont really have a lot of knee problems but i dont want to make anything worse so:

Short Cranks - promote spinning and lower the angle of joint flex. I run 80mm cranks, short i know, but i get tendonitis in my hip adductor and having such short cranks helps with that too.

Pedals with lot of float - You might wanna consided non centering free float ones like BeBops or Speedplay Frogs. I have Time Cyclo which use their Mtb atac system. Cant remember excatly how much float they have but its a decent amount with and also has lateral float.

I dont have a lot of knee problems but i dont want to make anything worse so:

Short Cranks - Promotes spinning and lowers the amount angle of joint flex. I run 80mm cranks, short i know, but i get tendonitis in my hip adductor and having such short cranks helps that too.

Pedals with lots of float - You might wanna consider non - centering free float ones like Bebops of Speedplay Frogs. I use Time Cyclo's which use Times mtb atac system. Cant remember how much float they have but it's a decent amount and some lateral too

Mygul - 80mm cranks? Where in the world did you find anything that short? Did you find them for a kid's bike? That is only 3 1/8" long, about half the length of 155mm cranks that are considered about as short as someone would ever want.

Mygul - 80mm cranks? Where in the world did you find anything that short? Did you find them for a kid's bike? That is only 3 1/8" long, about half the length of 155mm cranks that are considered about as short as someone would ever want.

LOL - I have crank shorteners on 170mm cranks. They reduce the cranks by 30mm,60mm and 90mm and i have the pedals on the 90mm reduction. I got em from a place here in the UK called Highpath Engineering (google em if you want to know a bit more) they also do 20mm/40mm/60mm shorteners or they shorten your cranks permanetly for you.

I like my 80's, the only downside is cuz the cranks are so short when "kicking off" from a standing start its little bit harder because of the reduced leverage.

Powercranks make adjustable cranks (85mm to 220mm).

They're available with lockout too, should you feel that necessary. I wouldn't recommend the lockout though as that will just go back to putting more pressure on your knee joints in one section of the pedal stroke.

http://www.powercranks.com/
http://www.powercranks.com/v4pages/videos-list.htm

http://www.powercranks.com/assets/images/products/basicadj2.jpg

LOL - I have crank shorteners on 170mm cranks. They reduce the cranks by 30mm,60mm and 90mm and i have the pedals on the 90mm reduction. I got em from a place here in the UK called Highpath Engineering (google em if you want to know a bit more) they also do 20mm/40mm/60mm shorteners or they shorten your cranks permanetly for you.

I like my 80's, the only downside is cuz the cranks are so short when "kicking off" from a standing start its little bit harder because of the reduced leverage.

Cool! I have 140's on two of my bikes, since BMX cranks that short are pretty easy to find. Day before yesterday I took my new-to-me Counterpoint Presto out for its first ride, and after 70 miles or so the long crank arms (170's) were killing me; but it wasn't the knees, but rather the upper thigh / butt.

Another set of 140's is on order.

By the way, BikeSmith Design and Fabrication will also shorten your crank arms for you.

I ride an EZ Sport because I like the upright position. I switched from 170mm cranks to 160's and it relieved my knee pain. However, if you do go with shorter cranks, YOU MUST gear down and spin. If you continue to use stiffer gears, it will just increase the pressure on your knees. If you can, switch to flatter trails. Hills are tough on knees. bk

However, if you do go with shorter cranks, YOU MUST gear down and spin. If you continue to use stiffer gears, it will just increase the pressure on your knees.

I swapped out my crank set as well from 30/42/52 to 22/32/42

Interesting. I started riding again (after my 'youth') back in 95 because of knee problems. Dr. told me it was try riding (low impact) or plan on knee surgery for both in about a year. Too many years pounding the pavement and sand running in the Marines.

Riding eliminated my knee problems - gradually.

both my knees are wearing-- out we are now riding a tandem, but will a recumbent be any easier on my old bones before they are completely gone and is anyone riding with replaced knees, i do not want to quit cycling

I still have my original knees, but they are also wearing out from carrying too much weight for too long. My dear wife did the research and found that recumbent cycles are recommended. I did talk to my Dr. about the cycle and he said "go for it!" previously he had advised against golfing as that would be too hard on my knees.

I've only had my recumbent trike three weeks so I am no expert, just an enthusiastic newbie. Heck I don't have any idea what half the replies to your question are about. Pedals? I thought the choice was black rubber or shinny chrome? ( I went for the black ones because they have little studs that help hold the feet on the pedals - I guess that's what they are for?)

The dealer (Bentley Cycle in Bentley Alberta) installed "knee savers" which extend the pedals out about one inch more. I tried it with and without these extenders. I decided not to spend the $80.00 for the extension as I didn't feel any difference.

While I was at the shop there was a lady there who did have "new knees" and her Dr. had recommended she try out the recumbents. The dealer said they do get lots of people using recumbents for "theraputic reasons".

Anyway, do the research and see what your Dr. says.

I do know that the rest of the bones will thank you, and it is very doubtful you will ever fall when on your Recumbent so that can save your knees and other bones from a painful fall. (you can trip over the cycle though - don't ask).

FKD

I have had arthritis in the knees and hips since my early 20's. (I'm 40 now.) I've found that the best thing I can do is ride a bicycle, whether upright or recumbent. It seems to strengthen the muscles around the joint, which reduces wear and tear. If I've been "off" for a while, I feel some soreness when beginning to ride again, but it goes away in a few weeks.

My main knee issues lately have been with knee-buckling when I try to haul my bicycle up and down steps. I have to be careful to get sure footing and keep weight balanced by putting more of the bicycle weight on my arms and shoulders.

I agree with the others about gearing down and spinning on hills. I'm fortunate to live in a relatively flat area, though.

I If I've been "off" for a while, I feel some soreness when beginning to ride again, but it goes away in a few weeks.

MMMmm. This is something for me to think about with my hip problem. Thanks :thumb:

Came across this artice on knee pain on another bike forum

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/health-knee-care-and-maintenance-17010

both my knees are wearing-- out we are now riding a tandem, but will a recumbent be any easier on my old bones before they are completely gone and is anyone riding with replaced knees, i do not want to quit cycling


for 6 years now, and I had both my knees replaced back in June of '01. I gear down as far as I can, before going up a hill.....spinning all the way, and have NOT had any problems with my knees.