I’m hoping someone can help provide my Dad (63years old) with some advice. He would like to bike more often but finds that in his current bike he has to put too much weight on the handle bars and as a result ends up losing circulation in his hands and even pinching up to his neck and shooting pain up and down. He considered a recumbent bike but then found out about a trek naviagtor 3.0 which makes him sit more upright and is less money. He wanted my advice but my gut was that he was just poorly fitted on his current bike. He is a big man and needs to excercise soooo does anyone have any thoughts on a recumbent vs this trek 3.0? Thanks
Is the nose of his saddle tilted down? That will throw weight on your hands.
My Dad is the same age and had the same problems. A few things you have to consider. Where is you’re Dad going to ride and what is the terrain like? A recumbent is nice but they are longer, so it’s harder to transport them to a bike trail, sometimes heavier to put away at home and can be more expensive since they aren’t a mass produced.
I’d start with Electra bikes, look at the pictures of them online. http://www.rei.com/gear/feature/rei_home/Electra+Bikes/4500003_Bicycles?cm_re=4pack*4pack*Electra_Bikes&vcat=REI_HP_LD
See how the seat is behind the cranks, or bottom bratcket a good bit? This allows for a nice relaxed riding style. You can get these with triple chain rings if your Dad lives near hills or a simple internal gearing if it’s mosty flat.
I got both my parents their bikes and put slime tubes in the tires and gave them slime inflators to take along with them. Nothing will end the desire to ride quicker than a flat and a long walk home.
My Dad had been riding a good bit now and is just starting to look at the more aggressive seating of a hybrid but I know he’s glad he started off on something easier on the body. You also have to consider the fact that they are not as flexible as they once were. The Electra bikes and similar frames lets them get a leg over the seat easier and it’s easier to stand when stopped.
Good luck
How about wearing some gloves to relieve the pressure on the ulnar nerve. For example…
http://bicyclesportshop.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=1&id=7819
Another suggestion… Double wrap the handlebars with tape. It makes a huge difference. Put spacers on the stem to raise up the handlebars and get a stem that puts the bars higher. What he needs is a more upright position. You may also want to switch him from a bent roadie bar to a flat bar.
A friend of mine with back problems just bought a Specialized Sirrus (Women’s). She has been very pleased with it. It cost her around $615. It’s a road bike but you sit up and it has flat handle bars.
Specialized Sequoia is another good choice for a comfort bike. Upright geometry, adjustable stem, shock absorber in the seat post.
Great info. I will give him all of the advice. Really appreciate the posts! Will keep you posted.