Riding With Shiny New Titanium Joints! - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-01-2004, 07:37 PM

Hi,
I've started riding - for the first time since childhood - not too long ago.
I started as a means of exercise. I'm limited as to the methods of exercise
in which I can participate because of a total hip replacement two years ago.

I've been advised that riding and swimming will be kindest to the prosthesis
as far as maintaining long-term viability. So, I'm (attempting to) ride. I
have a way to go in the endurance department.

To the bicycle question. Because of the prosthesis, I was advised to
purchase a hybrid/comfort style bike in order to stay within the parameter
of keeping at least a ninety-degree angle between my torso and thigh while
riding. I did and have been as true to this restriction as possible. After
a great two-year checkup, I've been told I could lower the angle to around
80 degrees and above.

Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.

I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.

Thanks,
Gary

08-01-2004, 08:39 PM

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:37:26 -0400, "GaryT" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
>bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
>extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
>lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
>increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.
>
>I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>

Seems pretty possible to me. Many road bikes are set up with a more
upright position- usually called' sport' or 'comfort' or some such
name, a level or two below the full race models. Looking at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

looks like it could be adjusted to fit your needs. With a long steerer
tube and spacers and various stems, it is possible to raise the bars
and bring them back to lessen the amount of forward tilt in your
pelvis. Look at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and imagine the stem from the 1800 on the 1500. An easy swap to make
at purchase, and then you can change the stem again as you are able to
tilt forward more. (if you open the pages in two separate windows and
click back and forth, you can see the changes pretty clearly- why I
choose the trek site, but other companies have fine bikes)

Sounds like you could use a really good bike shop that knows how to
fit people and how to go over your position on a bike. And is willing
to swap parts and make adjustments. Maybe remind them that more and
more of their market is going to be people with limits just like yours
as the population ages?

08-01-2004, 08:39 PM

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:37:26 -0400, "GaryT" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
>bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
>extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
>lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
>increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.
>
>I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>

Seems pretty possible to me. Many road bikes are set up with a more
upright position- usually called' sport' or 'comfort' or some such
name, a level or two below the full race models. Looking at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

looks like it could be adjusted to fit your needs. With a long steerer
tube and spacers and various stems, it is possible to raise the bars
and bring them back to lessen the amount of forward tilt in your
pelvis. Look at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and imagine the stem from the 1800 on the 1500. An easy swap to make
at purchase, and then you can change the stem again as you are able to
tilt forward more. (if you open the pages in two separate windows and
click back and forth, you can see the changes pretty clearly- why I
choose the trek site, but other companies have fine bikes)

Sounds like you could use a really good bike shop that knows how to
fit people and how to go over your position on a bike. And is willing
to swap parts and make adjustments. Maybe remind them that more and
more of their market is going to be people with limits just like yours
as the population ages?

08-01-2004, 08:39 PM

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:37:26 -0400, "GaryT" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
>bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
>extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
>lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
>increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.
>
>I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>

Seems pretty possible to me. Many road bikes are set up with a more
upright position- usually called' sport' or 'comfort' or some such
name, a level or two below the full race models. Looking at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

looks like it could be adjusted to fit your needs. With a long steerer
tube and spacers and various stems, it is possible to raise the bars
and bring them back to lessen the amount of forward tilt in your
pelvis. Look at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and imagine the stem from the 1800 on the 1500. An easy swap to make
at purchase, and then you can change the stem again as you are able to
tilt forward more. (if you open the pages in two separate windows and
click back and forth, you can see the changes pretty clearly- why I
choose the trek site, but other companies have fine bikes)

Sounds like you could use a really good bike shop that knows how to
fit people and how to go over your position on a bike. And is willing
to swap parts and make adjustments. Maybe remind them that more and
more of their market is going to be people with limits just like yours
as the population ages?

08-01-2004, 08:39 PM

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:37:26 -0400, "GaryT" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
>bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
>extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
>lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
>increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.
>
>I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>

Seems pretty possible to me. Many road bikes are set up with a more
upright position- usually called' sport' or 'comfort' or some such
name, a level or two below the full race models. Looking at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

looks like it could be adjusted to fit your needs. With a long steerer
tube and spacers and various stems, it is possible to raise the bars
and bring them back to lessen the amount of forward tilt in your
pelvis. Look at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and imagine the stem from the 1800 on the 1500. An easy swap to make
at purchase, and then you can change the stem again as you are able to
tilt forward more. (if you open the pages in two separate windows and
click back and forth, you can see the changes pretty clearly- why I
choose the trek site, but other companies have fine bikes)

Sounds like you could use a really good bike shop that knows how to
fit people and how to go over your position on a bike. And is willing
to swap parts and make adjustments. Maybe remind them that more and
more of their market is going to be people with limits just like yours
as the population ages?

08-01-2004, 08:39 PM

On Sun, 1 Aug 2004 23:37:26 -0400, "GaryT" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>
>Generally speaking, is it feasible/practical to attempt setting up a road
>bike to honor these restrictions? I'm tall (6'3") and currently have an
>extra-large frame size Diamondback hybrid. However, I would like to get a
>lighter bike, more suitable to riding longer distances as my endurance
>increases Hence, the investigation into a road bike.
>
>I appreciate any information and/or help with my question.
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>

Seems pretty possible to me. Many road bikes are set up with a more
upright position- usually called' sport' or 'comfort' or some such
name, a level or two below the full race models. Looking at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

looks like it could be adjusted to fit your needs. With a long steerer
tube and spacers and various stems, it is possible to raise the bars
and bring them back to lessen the amount of forward tilt in your
pelvis. Look at this Trek-

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

and imagine the stem from the 1800 on the 1500. An easy swap to make
at purchase, and then you can change the stem again as you are able to
tilt forward more. (if you open the pages in two separate windows and
click back and forth, you can see the changes pretty clearly- why I
choose the trek site, but other companies have fine bikes)

Sounds like you could use a really good bike shop that knows how to
fit people and how to go over your position on a bike. And is willing
to swap parts and make adjustments. Maybe remind them that more and
more of their market is going to be people with limits just like yours
as the population ages?

08-01-2004, 09:25 PM

"Dan Daniel" wrote: (clip)I appreciate any information and/or help with my
question.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had my right hip replaced last September, and I was urged to ride a
stationary bike as part of the recovery therapy. As you know, there are a
number of restrictions on your hip during recovery--the 90 degree angle is
one of them. I was given to understand that this limit is relaxed as your
hip heals and the muscles become strong again. It has nothing in particular
to do with bicycles--it applies to tying your shoes, bending over to pick
things up, and your movements in general. It seems to me that by now, after
two years, you should be able to do just about anything you want. Of
course, your case may be different than mine, so you should go by what your
surgeon says.

But, a couple of things I was warned about are worth mentioning. DO NOT
take any bad falls. Your replacement hips are more easily broken than the
originals. If you damage one of your new hips, the repair may be very tough
For this reason, I no longer use my SPD pedals. I think it is important to
be able to use your feet in an emergency.

If you are required to observe the 90 degree limit, be sure your seat is not
too low, and your crank arms are not too long.

Ain't it wonderful to be back on a bike? And no more pain!

08-01-2004, 09:25 PM

"Dan Daniel" wrote: (clip)I appreciate any information and/or help with my
question.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had my right hip replaced last September, and I was urged to ride a
stationary bike as part of the recovery therapy. As you know, there are a
number of restrictions on your hip during recovery--the 90 degree angle is
one of them. I was given to understand that this limit is relaxed as your
hip heals and the muscles become strong again. It has nothing in particular
to do with bicycles--it applies to tying your shoes, bending over to pick
things up, and your movements in general. It seems to me that by now, after
two years, you should be able to do just about anything you want. Of
course, your case may be different than mine, so you should go by what your
surgeon says.

But, a couple of things I was warned about are worth mentioning. DO NOT
take any bad falls. Your replacement hips are more easily broken than the
originals. If you damage one of your new hips, the repair may be very tough
For this reason, I no longer use my SPD pedals. I think it is important to
be able to use your feet in an emergency.

If you are required to observe the 90 degree limit, be sure your seat is not
too low, and your crank arms are not too long.

Ain't it wonderful to be back on a bike? And no more pain!

08-01-2004, 09:25 PM

"Dan Daniel" wrote: (clip)I appreciate any information and/or help with my
question.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had my right hip replaced last September, and I was urged to ride a
stationary bike as part of the recovery therapy. As you know, there are a
number of restrictions on your hip during recovery--the 90 degree angle is
one of them. I was given to understand that this limit is relaxed as your
hip heals and the muscles become strong again. It has nothing in particular
to do with bicycles--it applies to tying your shoes, bending over to pick
things up, and your movements in general. It seems to me that by now, after
two years, you should be able to do just about anything you want. Of
course, your case may be different than mine, so you should go by what your
surgeon says.

But, a couple of things I was warned about are worth mentioning. DO NOT
take any bad falls. Your replacement hips are more easily broken than the
originals. If you damage one of your new hips, the repair may be very tough
For this reason, I no longer use my SPD pedals. I think it is important to
be able to use your feet in an emergency.

If you are required to observe the 90 degree limit, be sure your seat is not
too low, and your crank arms are not too long.

Ain't it wonderful to be back on a bike? And no more pain!

08-01-2004, 09:25 PM

"Dan Daniel" wrote: (clip)I appreciate any information and/or help with my
question.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had my right hip replaced last September, and I was urged to ride a
stationary bike as part of the recovery therapy. As you know, there are a
number of restrictions on your hip during recovery--the 90 degree angle is
one of them. I was given to understand that this limit is relaxed as your
hip heals and the muscles become strong again. It has nothing in particular
to do with bicycles--it applies to tying your shoes, bending over to pick
things up, and your movements in general. It seems to me that by now, after
two years, you should be able to do just about anything you want. Of
course, your case may be different than mine, so you should go by what your
surgeon says.

But, a couple of things I was warned about are worth mentioning. DO NOT
take any bad falls. Your replacement hips are more easily broken than the
originals. If you damage one of your new hips, the repair may be very tough
For this reason, I no longer use my SPD pedals. I think it is important to
be able to use your feet in an emergency.

If you are required to observe the 90 degree limit, be sure your seat is not
too low, and your crank arms are not too long.

Ain't it wonderful to be back on a bike? And no more pain!