Renaissance?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: lakewood co
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Renaissance?
Have not been on the road for 10 yrs-have occasionally ridden wind trainer. Used to be avid touring
cyclist and commuter. Decided recently that I need to feel the joy again in spite of arthritic knees
and mangled ligaments... have "renovated" my 30 yr old Trek. Find that I can't use left leg toe clip...
something "pops" behind knee so my position on pedal not classic! Guess whatever works is OK!
cyclist and commuter. Decided recently that I need to feel the joy again in spite of arthritic knees
and mangled ligaments... have "renovated" my 30 yr old Trek. Find that I can't use left leg toe clip...
something "pops" behind knee so my position on pedal not classic! Guess whatever works is OK!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Green Valley AZ
Posts: 3,770
Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Welcome back to cycling. It only gets better.
Just three years ago at age 58 I resumed serious riding. My legs are now at least ten years younger.
There are some clipless systems, Frogs come to mind but there are others, that give you considerable latitude in foot angle.
Just three years ago at age 58 I resumed serious riding. My legs are now at least ten years younger.
There are some clipless systems, Frogs come to mind but there are others, that give you considerable latitude in foot angle.
#3
OM boy
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,368
Bikes: a bunch
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 517 Post(s)
Liked 644 Times
in
438 Posts
Welcome back to cycling. It only gets better.
Just three years ago at age 58 I resumed serious riding. My legs are now at least ten years younger.
There are some clipless systems, Frogs come to mind but there are others, that give you considerable latitude in foot angle.
Just three years ago at age 58 I resumed serious riding. My legs are now at least ten years younger.
There are some clipless systems, Frogs come to mind but there are others, that give you considerable latitude in foot angle.
ditto on the frogs. They 'float' thru the entire range without any tension, so however you 'wobble' when you pedal, they won't resist. A pretty nice design for us wobbly knee guyz (I use Crank Bros cause my wobble is within their float range and I got them before tryin the frogs...)
#4
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Those knees will improve with practice. Not certain when you will get back to commuting or touring but Things do improve
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I don't use clips. I'm okay with that. I'm 57 and have never stopped riding (other than a month or two here and there when life got in the way.) I say start easy and ease into longer rides and see what happens. It seems the odds are good that you'll be fine.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 3,811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As others have said, Frogs may help, but I've never found any particular advantage in clipless pedals (I know, I'm a minority of one, but I have 30 years experience to back up my opinion). My knee problems were solved by riding with the toe clips loose enough that my foot can swivel freely. the clips still keep your feet from slipping off, and us old guys don't pull up on the pedals enough to matter anyway.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles area (SoBay)
Posts: 280
Bikes: DiamondBack Edgewood// Raleigh M20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 59 and back at it after a few years away. Coming back about 5 years ago I learned the hard way about a lesson.
Use both brakes. Front and rear. Particularly going down hill.
dc
Use both brakes. Front and rear. Particularly going down hill.
dc
#8
Banned.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Southern california
Posts: 3,498
Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I found if you have been away for any real period of time you have to work slowly to get back into it. The first things to remember is spin don’t push. Stay in lower gears as much as you can and your knees will thank you. At least that was what worked for me.