Mainframeguy

Hi there, been away from the forums for a while... largely due to an enforced break from tandem riding since May when my stoker and wife underwent a total knee replacement surgery. After this surgery it takes a lot of physio work and so forth to achieve the required degree of "flexion" (degree to which the joint can be bent) to enable cycling to even be considered.

Stoker thinks she is very close to being ready to (gently) resume cycling,,,, which I think should represent good further physio workout for the knee.

Just wondered if any other members had been through similar surgery and had any tips for things that helped them get back in the saddle as painlessly as possible? Have thought about raising her saddle a little, but she is adamant she would rather move her hips to ease into the action, and I know and overly raised saddle can have all sorts of other undesirable effects longer term.

Bornco

You might consider using shorter cranks. This will decrease the range of motion her knee goes through. My wife has had knee surgery (fortunately not a knee replacement). We switched her from 170's to 130's (along with a few other tweaks). She has a 30 inch inseam.

Her knee is much happier with the short cranks. We didn't lose any speed from the shorter cranks and the plus side is that she is much better at spinning now. The only time I notice she's on short cranks is if we are really pushing up a hill, her power seems to pulse a little bit.

Good luck, I hope you all are putting in long, pain free miles soon!!

Jack

B. Carfree

Here's a recent thread on the subject by the Pope of the Road Forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...kr-update.html

And the wrap-up thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...r-wrap-up.html

Hope that helps.

WillFam-Reno

I agree with Jack. Unless her range of motion is fine, reduce the total motion required for awhile. My suggestion is to get crank shortners that allow you to change the position of the pedals and can slowly increase the equivalent crank arm length by choosing different holes for the pedals.

Tandems East Cranks & Pedals

Half way down page will be a picture of a couple of child crank shorteners. They add a bit more to the width of a normal crank arm.

Ease in to it.

Tailor

Another thing you might look into, if your bike is capable of having this upgrade, is getting an IPS system. If your stoker isn't compelled to match your cadence, it will be easier for her to be comfortable.