|
Is the Recumbent Bicycle an Option?
They're hard to miss, those low-riders on which cyclists pedal into the world feet first. You've probably seen a few of these bikes and wondered, "What is that thing and why would anyone ride one?"
Recumbent means reclining, and these riders are in a seat (rather than a saddle) with their legs stretched out in front. This riding position works for some cyclists seeking to avoid neck, back, and wrist pain that the upright position can cause or aggravate.
Comfortable Position
John Edwards, a Group Health member since 1969, switched to recumbents after a friend encouraged him to try one about six years ago to relieve pain from two herniated disks.
"Besides my back, I don't have to worry about padded shorts or even padded gloves when I ride, because there are no issues with pressure and numbness in those areas. My bike is as comfortable as a worn pair of slippers!" Edwards said.
An asthma sufferer, Edwards found the added bonus of improved breathing with a recumbent, where the riding position opens the chest more than with a diamond-frame bicycle.
Edwards, who is retired and lives in Olympia, has ridden a recumbent as far as Ogunquit, Maine. He said that recumbent bikes are especially stable for packing the long-haul gear needed for touring, another reason he's pleased with his low-slung two-wheelers.
| John Edwards's riding tips: |
| • |
Don't use toe clips or clipless pedals at first; just use flat pedals and focus on the riding and balance. |
| • |
Find a quiet street or parking lot, preferably featuring a grade of about 2 percent to 3 percent so you can coast as you find your balance. |
| • |
Don't have the crank (pedal) positioned too high. If too high, it's difficult for blood to flow to the feet and your feet can feel like they're falling asleep. "The crank should basically be lower than the heart," Edwards said. |
Not for Everyone
Group Health physical therapist Kari Donald says it's critical that a bike be properly adjusted to fit the rider.
"We typically encourage people to try and stick with an upright bike, but in some circumstances recumbents are more of an option," Donald said.
Donald, however, is concerned with lower back issues with recumbent bikes.
"With the recumbent, the rider is in a sitting position, which can place a larger stress to the lumbar spine," she said. "But if you have a lot of issues, an upright may not work for you. If you get a fit, but still have symptoms in the upper extremities, a recumbent could be a good option"
Eased Neck and Hand Pain
Recumbent rider Jim Dougherty's pain eventually nixed his enjoyment of conventional bikes. Dougherty, 49, gave up riding uprights nine years ago after more than a dozen childhood surgeries on his head and neck caught up with him. "I developed pretty bad neck pain, and I would also have numb hands," Dougherty said.
An outdoorsy field biologist, Dougherty is a lifelong bicycle nut who enjoyed racing in his 20s and now commutes on his tangerine-colored, short-wheelbase recumbent. Often combining his ride with the bus, Dougherty rides an average of 17.6 miles each way between his Renton home and his job in Seattle. He estimates that he's logged thousands of miles on recumbents as a commuter and for recreation, including riding in the Group Health Chilly Hilly.
"You almost can't hurt your knees, because you're not putting pressure on them. If you have knee pain, I think a recumbent is a good way to go," he said. "Recumbents are also good for people with wrist problems, and there is less stress on the neck. On a really nice model, you can get a multi-use, multi-position head and neck rest."
| Jim Dougherty's riding tips: |
| • |
Find a place like Seattle's paved Burke-Gilman trail and ride very early in the morning so you'll have it to yourself. Remember that starting and stopping are very different! |
| • |
Consider using clipless pedals. It can be difficult to keep your feet positioned because gravity doesn't assist you as it does with a conventional bicycle. Clipless pedals mean your shoes are attached to the pedals, and that connection allows for pulling as well as pushing the pedals. |
Visibility Issue
Dr. Matt Handley, who practices family medicine at Group Health's Family Health Center at the Capitol Hill campus, agrees that recumbents are a good option for some riders. "They're good for people with carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar nerve issues."
But Dr. Handley, an avid cyclist who uses diamond-frame bikes, cautions, "Recumbents are awfully hard to see out on the road!"
Although the rider sits lower than the conventional cyclist, Edwards doesn't worry about visibility. "I think visibility is better for the recumbent rider. And as far as being seen, they look so strange that people see them."
Like all cyclists, bright clothing can help ensure that motorists will see you. Since recumbent bikes are lower, some riders fly a bright banner from the bike.
For physical therapist Donald, the bottom line is for people to be active, regardless of the type of bike or activity they choose. "As physical therapists, we're looking for a form of exercise that works. The goal is for them to get out and get moving."
By Gretchen Konrady
Group Health staff writer
TOP OF PAGE
|
|
| The low down on low-riders |
|
| Recumbents come in short and long wheelbases. With a short wheelbase, the distance between wheels is about 6 to 10 inches greater than on a diamond frame. |
|
| Long-wheelbase recumbents often have their cranks (pedals) lower than the seat. Short-wheelbase models, especially those meant to be high performance, have cranks set higher than the seat. "When the crank's higher than the seat, you use more muscles. You really put your quads and hamstrings into it," said Conrad Plyler, who manages Gregg's Aurora Cycle in Seattle. |
|
| "The long wheelbase is best for trails and long, flat rides," he said. "They're comfy and stable. The short wheelbase is city-friendly and easier to steer. It turns fast, and the shorter wheelbase makes it agile, like a sports car." |
|
| Steering options range from under-seat steering to a stationary bar similar to conventional handlebars. |
|
| Still considered a specialty item, recumbents are a bit more expensive than conventional bicycles. A popular starter model with steel-construction cost about $550 in 2005. It has 21 gears and weighs 39 pounds. |
|
| Plyler has seen customers seek out recumbents for pain issues, including a rider who had hip surgery. But, he said, "People also just like them because they're different." |
|
|
