DX-MAN

Double-check it; rotate the crank so the pedal is all the way down; put your heel on the pedal -- your leg should be straight.

Has worked for me all my life.

Closed Office

I was using a cane and had to do that for about 3 years. Bad hip that didn't like walking, but the smooth circular motion of the pedals with no impact points was great. Of course on a bike the hip isn't carrying a lot of weight. That was another nice advantage.

Just a couple loops of nylon twine along the top tube made a nice holster to carry the cane.

My doctor said that bicycling is normally good for the knees, as long as it isn't excessive.

flatlander_48

I was 63 earlier this month. I have had arthritis since I was 6. Originally the doctors thought it was rheumatoid, but, by the time that I was in college, they switched to juvenile arthritis. Anyway, most of my joints have been affected in varying degrees. The relatively unaffected joints are both knees, both hips, one ankle, toes on one foot, one elbow and my back.

As a kid, I rode a lot and had very strong legs. In college, I could Leg Press about 325lbs (I weighted about 125lbs at the time). I didn't ride much from midway through high school until I was about 25. I rode sporadically over 1 to 2 years. I started again 10 years ago and have been going ever since.

I don't think that I have had anything bad happen from riding. It did aggrevate my prostate for a while, but my lower body has been pretty good. One of the problems that most arthritics have is poor circulation. Ever noticed how easy it is for your hands or feet (depending upon where your difficulty is) to get cold in the winter? Cycling gets things moving and that is always a good thing. It even seems to help my arms and neck, even though they are not under much load. As has been pointed out, the trick is not to strain anything too soon. If you injure yourself, we take much longer to heal due to age AND health issues.

Also as others have mentioned, bike fit is VERY important. Any physical problems caused by ill fitting can add to our existing health issues. The guy why built my bike did an Excellent job. I took the measurements that he asked for and spec'ed out the parts that I wanted. He put togheter a a bike that just FIT. After riding the bike for about 2 years, I finally decided to have a proper fitting. The fitting verified everything except for a 1/4" difference in seat elevation. Not too shabby...

DX-MAN

Not shabby at all; but I have been AMAZED at how SMALL a measurement can be and still make a noticeable difference!

I remember an old hardtail MTB that was uncomfortable, hard to ride, just felt 'dead'; I put a 2mm spacer under the stem, and the bike came ALIVE!

Also, over the summer, I was forced onto a frame that didn't fit me as well as the one it (temporarily) replaced; the difference was a 20mm longer top tube, and I developed needle-like pains in my neck that are only now going away since I'm off that frame.

pat5319

be sure to learn how to "spin" your pedals in circles, rather than push them (down) very very important, It may take months to learn and you will need to work on it, especailly at the beginning of) every year, I've been dealaing with arthritis and missing (meniscus/ligaments) and damaged parts for nearly 40 years

bwrench

Get on your bike and ride!!! Make sure that your bike fits you and that your saddle is comfortable. I started riding at 62 and with artificial kneecaps in both knees, I feel great after 20 miles, and even greater after 100 miles. This riding is becoming an addictive habit. Drink lots of water and feed your body right and you will have a very enjoyable riding season. It is way cool when you can out-ride people younger than you !!

Experience counts

MarTay6

Thanks for all your inputs here- very encouraging!! I've been riding everyday, about a mile or so, at a fast pace- and it feels good! That's not to say I've got the seat figured out yet- There are so many seats, so many choices- and add to that individual positioning, that it's a maze. And when- as DX Man says, amazing how much difference a small amount of adjustment can make- how do you know which way to try?? I mean- what made you put a spacer under your stem?? I have to go shopping for a seat at my lbs today, (as I have to return the cushy seat off my wife's bike to hers!) I used it to get started, as the seat on the bike was obviously too uncomfortable. I've got new road tires coming for it, to "hybridize" it- (Schwalbe Marathon Supremes) and Ergon grips and pedals...
Pat- I assume that by spinning the crank instead of pushing it down- you mean follow the stroke all the way around the circle, right? Makes sense...
For the first time yesterday, I was able to feel the frame working... the forks working... it felt good!
Wes