Still Pedaling

My wife and I are enjoying our new folding bikes, but for me, I'm finding that I am unable to ride very far until my knees start bothering me. I have had problems with them for quite sometime now. That's what you get from playing sports when you are young. Cycling is good for them I know, but I would like to go on longer rides and I don't want to find myself too far from home with knee problems and not being able to pedal back. I was thinking of saving for an inexpensive electric folding bike, one that I can pedal alone, or use the motor as an assist and as well use the motor entirely. I love riding, but its boring just riding around the neighborhood. Yes, I can throw the bike in the car and head out somewhere, but as I said I would like to ride it for a reasonable distance while out. Could you give me some recommendations for decent quality electric folding bikes please. As I save I will keep my eyes open for a good used one.

Thanks guys.

Cheers
Wayne

PS. I did post on the electric bike forum, but I thought perhaps you guys here might be able to assist. You have been so helpful in previous threads of mine.

bargainguy

There are inexpensive electric folding bikes, but they're heavy as a boat anchor and not terribly reliable or fixable.

If I were in the market for an electric folder, I'd look at the Brompton Nano conversion, but ain't cheap.

Keep in mind any electric folding bike is likely to tip the scales at over 50 lb., somewhat defeating its usefulness. You can fold it to get it into a vehicle, but it'll be a lot of heavy lifting.

fietsbob

Yes the Battery and motor are a mass gain, no 'throwing it' in the trunk then . will have some grunting and hoisting it..


but folded in half it will take up less room.

these are sold locally ..https://www.emotoev.com/

folding model : https://emotoev.com/products/bicycles...ng/traveler10/ 43 #

Still Pedaling

Thanks for the link. I saw that on craigslist selling for $550 advertised as like new. Its been on there for quite awhile so I assume either they aren't popular or it isn't in as good shape as mentioned. I will have to wait for awhile as my funds are very limited and it will take time to save. Thank you for your help.

Still Pedaling

That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps doing a conversion might work out a bit cheaper. Yes, the weight might be an issue lifting in the car, but hey, I'm a strong old dude.

BassNotBass

First off:
Do you have your saddle raised to the "proper" height and set fore/aft so that your knees never extend fully yet don't bend more than 90 degrees while pedaling? IMHO that's the best recipe for strengthening and not stressing your knees. Also remember to spin, don't mash... maintain a cadence of at least 60rpm... preferably closer to 90rpm.

I injured my knees in a few competitive skiing mishaps when I was in my mid teens. I was advised by my orthopaedist to stop skiing and take up cycling instead. I've been a cyclist ever since and haven't had knee issues in 35 years... in fact I think they've become stronger due to cycling.

Secondly:
How much are you willing to spend? There are a slew of hub motor and controller kits that can be retro-fitted to your folding bike... usually the more expensive ones are reputable, reliable and powerful and the cheaper ones are, well, cheap.

I don't have first hand experience with this kit (or any other for that matter) but I hear it gets decent reviews. https://www.bionxinternational.com/na-en/

As it pertains to a folding bike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JMC6DJwI7k

alhedges

I want to reemphasize this point: basically, it's important to be in a low gear so that you pedal quickly, but with little resistance, rather than being in a higher gear, but where you have to push down harder.

This is sometimes counterintuitive for people, since as kids we mostly got around by pedaling harder, and standing up when necessary. But the idea is to be in a lower gear than you might think necessary, and to pedal faster, but with less resistance. (The overall idea is to always pedal at that speed, and to adjust the gears to whichever one lets you keep spinning at that cadence; that's why racing bikes have gears that are really close together).

Mashing instead of spinning can cause knee problems if you don't have them, and exacerbate problems that you may already have, so definitely try this. (Although there are, of course, other knee problems that this won't help with).

BassNotBass

I can't tell you how many times people, who have seen me ride my small wheeled folding bikes, have commented on how I should get a "normal" sized bike with larger wheels so I can "go faster" and not have to pedal so quickly... despite being able to pretty much keep up with inner city traffic, mind you. People are very strange, stupid and smelly animals.

Still Pedaling

Both you and alhedges make a lot of sense. I will try and adjust my pedaling style. From other bikes I have had, I do adjust it so that on the full extension of the leg there should only be a slight bend at the knee. I'm usually ok until I hit a grade when I have to apply more pressure to the pedals even though I'm in a lower gear. I'm just a bit concerned that after awhile I get difficulties with the knees. I'm out every morning with the bike so perhaps over time I might be able to strengthen the knees some. Thanks guys for your input. I really appreciate it.

Still Pedaling

That's funny when you mentioned about people telling you to ride a normal sized bike. Yes people are very strange, stupid and smelly animals . Now that I am riding my folding bike, I actually prefer it to my "normal" sized bike. I figure if they are going to laugh at me because of the smaller wheels Ill pull this on them




Wayne

BassNotBass

I'm with you. I find larger wheels to be cumbersome and sluggish. I've ridden a few of the latest and greatest carbon framed 700c bloobidyblah and they do nothing for me. Give me a BF Pocket Rocket with decent twentys or a Moulton Speed and I'd be all over it.

bhkyte

My thoughts.
Spend the money having a proper physiotherapy examination.
Any old sporting injuries should be long healed. The effect of wear and tear,ageing and reduced phycial exercise tend to give us problems when we get back to activites. The physio can give you hostistic advice on shoes, your posture and movement patterns that influence your knee problem. There are all sorts of manual therapy techincs that can be applied to the knee. Often the problem is the patella femeral joint. Ie knee cap. The physio might move the patella to give the same discomfort as the problem in a graded way until it is no longer a problem. Longitidal glides of the patella can be preformed yourself in long sitting as a warm up before cycling or as part of treatment. Seea good internet refference about this. Other methods really need to be done by a qualifed person. These treatments are for common for front knee pain and might not address your issue.
You should be able to ride a reasonably set up bike a reasonable distance without pain.

Getting the bike set up better may reduce control symptoms, but get the cause assessed is my advice.
Few ideas on bike set up check list.
1) Tires correctly inflated?
2) Saddle high enough?
3) Play in peddles? Folding peddles are frequently poor. I recommend detachable.
4)Pace yourself,use low gears?
5) Clippless peddles and cleated shoes? like shimano spd are miles more efficent and tend to reduce effort. Mks make a detachable version and mks cleats work with shimano, not other way.

If you opt for 5) make sure cleats alined correctly else you will have sore knees! However they can be set up to be very loose. Also mae sure you pratice unclipping in traffic free area before using clip in peddles on the road.
Lastly, as cycling is a new activity(relatively) you will get used to the action and get fitter quickly. Keep your money for the electric bike and get a taxi home with your folder if really struggling.

You may be aware of all my suggestions, but I feel good to start with basics first.
Good luck and welcome.
Ps where is your knee pain? Front?

Still Pedaling

Thank you for your concern and input. I'm with you on the bike check list. I'm going to start using lower gears for normal riding as was suggested by others. The saddle is at the correct height. Actually that is probably one of the most important adjustment one should make. As far as the pedals are concerned, they are the folding type. Perhaps there are better quality folding ones out there. I'll check into that.

I have ridden off and on with my mountain bike, but not anywhere as often as with the new folding bike. I enjoy riding it more than any other bike I have owned. Perhaps because of the increased frequency of riding and pushing it a bit too hard is irritating the knees. I'll slow it down some with the suggestions made. Especially by using lower gears. I have always been a competitive person playing sports and even while riding I like to push it a bit. Psychologically, I need to slow it down a tad .

The pain I get is on the sides of the knees. I recall a doctor years ago saying something in regards to tendinitis. I guess age and abuse as a youth playing hockey is taking its toll. Anyway, it will be some time before being able to purchase an electric bike, so in the meantime I will be out and about on the folder as often as I can, and perhaps in time I will strengthen those knees of mine.

All of you have been most helpful, and I am very grateful.

Cheers
Wayne

kamtsa

More on saddle height setting from Sheldon himself https://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#height

bhkyte

Ok pain in the side of the knee.
Likely causes
1) Tendonitous of hamstrings or calf
2) Meniscus problems (but usually associated with joint issues also, so maybe not)
3) Tendonitios/tight tibial illicac band ( outter thigh),but tib problems usually associated with anteror knee pain.
4) Co lateral ligaments of knee.
5) Others!

1 and 4 most likely so friction type massage, stretching or elecotherapy could all address likely culpits. However, squating, lowering technique retraining, and increasing spefic muscle strenght might also be used if problems found.
Best guess only, not advice.

Re Bike set up.
check feet well alinged on pedals to spread load
Between mucle groups and liagments symaticaly.