Double Partial foot amputee with amputations to 3 fingers needs help deciding.

[johnny8fingaz]

Hi all, I am a noob cyclist with half of both my feet amputated(so use my heels to peddle) half of my left middle,left ring and right ring fingers amputated. I am looking to buy a road bike(unless a touring bike s better suited to my needs) with a budget of up to 3k(British Pounds) I currently own a Specialized Sirrus Hybrid which is uncomfortable on the long rides(back more than feet.)

Obviously I would like to spend a lot less as the risk of me not being able to use it are extremely high(I currently have 4 bone fragments in my right foot, with one shaped like a dogs fang on the sole and very prominent bones which surgeons have told me should be operated on, I'm not doing this as I will bed bound for at least 6 months due to the fact that my feet are 100% scar tissue so I have told them no, unless it's life or death.

Anyway enough of the tales of woe. The bike needs to be very,very comfortable(for long distances also, as I am planning on cycling from Edinburgh-London next summer) Very reliable and very peddle efficient (if there is such a thing). Can anyone help I don't know if I have missed anything out in my requirements but all the help I can get of you guys will be priceless.

Side note I don't want a recumbent or trike. Also what are the comfiest cycle shoes I could get. I need squishy(ish) soles as I use inserts. It's practically like walking on my elbows.

[runner pat]

By definition, cycling shoes will have stiff soles. Try running shoes.

Since you're planning to ride long distance, a touring bike should be right. Any bike in your price range from a major manufacturer will do fine. Getting a proper fit is the biggest factor in long term comfort.

[Neil_B]

By definition, cycling shoes will have stiff soles. Try running shoes.

Since you're planning to ride long distance, a touring bike should be right. Any bike in your price range from a major manufacturer will do fine. Getting a proper fit is the biggest factor in long term comfort.

Second the suggestion of a genuine touring bike. They are designed for long days in the saddle and carrying gear. A road bike strikes me as a poor choice in comparison.

I can't even imagine what to suggest for shoes.

And your planned ride sounds wonderful. One day I'll ride my bike in that blessed plot, that earth, that realm, England.

[chasm54]

Wow. I'd struggle to know what to suggest for footwear, but it might be worth talking to an orthotist and seeing if you can get them interested in the problem? As for the bike, I agree with others that a touring bike is the answer. And with £3k to spend, my first stop would be a specialist custom frame builder such as Bob Jackson in Leeds. They build superb bikes and while they may not have addressed precisely your issues before, they know exactly what they are doing and would have ideas on how to tweak the geometry so that pedaling with your heels was easier - I'm thinking a steeper angle than usual on the seat tube, so that the bottom bracket was set slightly back, but I'm no frame builder. Whether they could build you the perfect bike for that money I can't say, but at worst, a consultation with them will leave you much better informed about what would work best for you.

[Rona]

I'd also check with Mercian. They make lovely Reynold tubed bikes. http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/complete-bikes

The Audax looks really comfortable-- it's a cross between a touring and road bike, meant for long distance.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

You might also consider a recumbent trike, just for the sheer comfort. Something like the Greenspeed, or TerraTrike tadpoles.