The reason for getting one with three wheels is because my balance is not as good as it used to be, and I thought that a bike that was stable would be easier for me to ride. I used to have a bicycle when I lived in Idaho; but it had to be left behind when we moved away, and I have really missed having one since then. The problem was that my bad knee had deteriorated a lot over the last 15 years (since we have been gone), and it just would not bend enough for me to be able to pedal correctly, and without exceeding pain. It was not that I had any problem remembering how to ride the bike, like happened with Corie. My "plan B" is to keep exercising that knee , and bending it when I am doing my water exercises until it gets well enough that I can pedal the exercise bike at the fitness center. Once I can do that; then I can think about getting on a real bike again.
Riding a bike is very good exercise and I'm so glad for Yvonne that she sold her bike. I declare some people have tunnel vision when it comes to driving and the cars are so quiet it's down right creepy too. I was walking to the neighborhood store to get some groceries. I was concentrating on the sidewalk flowers when all of a sudden there was a car on the side of me for I was at the end of the sidewalk, but cars park there and as I neared the road there was a car there already and I hadn't heard it at all. The driver was young and I jumped back in between the two parked cars on the road. I guess I should pay attention when I walk and now I do for the cars are so quiet that it's hard to gauge where they are when you're walking.
This reminds me of my mother-in-law who had a bad knee since she was 65 I think. When she was past 70, my husband brought her to a bone specialist for a checkup because she was afraid that it was something serious. Fortunately it's an arthritic knee. Despite the continual pain, she still went to her usual activities that included going to the market and cooking. She got used to that bad knee until the time she fell ill and died at age 82. In her hospital bed, the nurse noticed that her legs were not of the same size. The one with the bad knee had atrophied. So I'd say keep on exercising that knee.
My knee is also very arthritic, @Corie Henson , and it has lived a hard life. That is the knee that was injured in the car wreck, and also in a horseback riding accident. Plus (if that weren't enough troubles), it is also the same leg that got broken in (another ) horse accident, and the leg is now shorter than the other leg, due to missing bone fragments from the riding accident. So, no matter how much I exercise, it will never be truly right; but I was able to ride my bike before, so I am determined to be able to do that again. Ordinarily, they would look at a knee replacement; but because of my heart failure, and having had the blood clot in my legs recently, the sports med doctor said that a replacement was too dangerous. They gave me a cortisone shot, and that helps the pain, so if I can get the exercising going enough before the shot wears off, I will be able to do a lot more things.
Here's my Trike: 21-speed Derailleur, Disc Brakes on the Rear Drive Axle, Caliper Brake in Front. I like not having to put my foot on the road when I stop. You ride it as though you were in a Recliner ! Hal
I like that bike and seriously considered one of these. Just for baby-stepping up to a two-wheeler after getting more leg strength built up. I wouldn't have the balance issues to fear. I saw recently that they are offering these now in the e-bikes with batteries. I was getting really impatient because I was trapped at home for so long. When I looked at the bikes I was interested in they weren't going to be shipping until well into the new year. I needed out now for my own sanity! I just happened to meet someone during a walk, who knew someone locally that was selling e-bikes and 24 hours later I had taken the plunge. I think I did the right thing by going with the e-bike because I definitely need help sometimes when my legs get too sore to keep going or to get back home if I go too far. I can pedal as much as possible but when I need help it's right there with the touch of a button. Not to mention needing help with the hills. I'm not going to like having to learn to make repairs on it. I'm glad your Sweetie Pie was there to rescue you and that your incident wasn't worse. I like those beach cruisers too!
I wish I had a better (bigger and with back support) seat on mine. Someone here locally tried to sell me one with the lumbar support piece but we could not get it to fit my bike at all. My seat has to fold up to access the battery. The bigger seat would not do that. The seat on my bike is not good for tailbone pain. This bike looks like it was made for extremely long legs. Did you build this bike? @Hal Pollner
Bikes are OK, but you really have to be careful. A dear friend rode his bike to work, along Chicago's lakeshore, everyday. When he told me he was doing this, over dinner, I complimented him on what great shape he must be in. Not more than three months later, he fell over while riding to work. A nurse was pedaling behind him. She started CPR. He was rushed to one of the best hospitals in downtown Chicago, only three minutes away. His sil is head of a department, there. He was taken off life support three days later. It was Sudden Cardiac Death. Two wheeled bicycles require you to exert yourself just to keep going. The same week my friend died, at 63, the heir to the Ferrero candy empire also died while pedaling on his bike. He, also, rode frequently. A heart attack was suspected. He was 47. Trikes are better, I believe, for us older folks, as you can rest or even stop pedaling without falling over. I have a bike, but I wouldn't think of taking on anything other than level land, with zero traffic. Be careful, y'all.....
I rode my bike all over the place when I was a kid and in Europe as well. Today, I wouldn't dare get on one. First of all, my balance, like Yvonne is messed up due to neuropathy and middle ear issues and secondly, I have cardiomyopathy and my cardiologist would lock me away were I to begin pedaling a bike again.
When I was younger I rode a lot with my usual route being about a 14 mile round trip on a narrow rural two lane road with traffic. The destination was a dirt road along a beautiful creek. I would not do it now. I still have the bike and I drag it out of the basement every summer but seldom use it, I think because from where I live now, the ride would only be around town with the view being houses as opposed to a country setting. I'm looking at bike racks so I can get out where the riding is better.
They're all too heavy. I don't want anything over 20 lbs - remember if you go down a hill, you have to come back up. I'm looking for one that is lighter than mine at 18 lbs. Also I want to get a conversion to e-bike for my bike, then I'll be happy since they are now allowed on greenways. For example the Merida Scultura Superlite Ltd weighs just 10 lbs. Now you're talking!
That's terrible news. I feel so bad for them. Yes, I agree the trikes would probably be better. I may end up with one yet, who knows? I figure I will try my bike out for a bit and if it doesn't work out I'll have to sell it and shoot for a trike. Either way, I finally got myself out into a small piece of the world again & that didn't come easy or quick. It's taking everything in me to push myself into mobility that actually leaves my home and yard. Fortunately, I do live in a pretty small town so the traffic isn't like something you would see in the city. I do understand everything you are saying though and I do appreciate the input. You have a beautiful day! @Trevalius Guyus