Knees and a Cruzbike

[Biscuit]

I have bad knees and my Dr. just informed me that I will be needing new knees and that I have arthritis.
He then indicated that I need to get the weight off my knees, just about a hundred pounds.

Hence the name Biscuit since I am a biscuit shy of 300.

In his next breath he said the two exercises I can do without any further pain would be to get on an underwater treadmill or ride a bike, specifically a recumbent.

From what I have read in the last week I am leaning toward a Cruzbike conversion, but I want to hear from some recumbent experts how a Cruzbike compares, stacks up etc. I currently have a Gaint, but I think it will be too large for the conversion.

Thank you,
Rod

 

[JonB]

Biscuit wrote: I have bad knees and my Dr. just informed me that I will be needing new knees and that I have arthritis.
He then indicated that I need to get the weight off my knees, just about a hundred pounds.

Hence the name Biscuit since I am a biscuit shy of 300.

Stop eating biscuits ;-) and other stuff like it. I was at 225 myself, and now at 216, i lost most from simply eating less. Get a smaller plate. No seconds, ...

Biscuit wrote: In his next breath he said the two exercises I can do without any further pain would be to get on an underwater treadmill or ride a bike, specifically a recumbent.

You can do both, which will exercise different muscles.

Biscuit wrote: From what I have read in the last week I am leaning toward a Cruzbike conversion, but I want to hear from some recumbent experts how a Cruzbike compares, stacks up etc. I currently have a Gaint, but I think it will be too large for the conversion.

Cruzbike is a good choice, but i dont understand what you want to compare it with?

 

[Biscuit]

My Dr. indicated to ride a recumbent.
I just wanted to know to differences from a Cruzbike to other. i.e. Rans, Sun etc.
Without riding one it is hard to get an opinion from one to another.
I live in North Central Illinois and without driving a long distance I will not be able to ride a recumbent.

I know about the eating portion, just need to work on the exercise portion.

Thanks for your input.
Rod

 

[trapdoor2]

Howdy Biscuit! Welcome to the Cruzbike forum.

Although I have no knee problems, I am also "in the biscuit range" of 300lbs. I've been riding recumbent for about 8 yrs, starting with a trike (Catrike) and then moving to a low-racer (Optima Baron) and then most recently, a Cruzbike Conversion (actually I'm riding phase II, I upgraded by finding a better frame, components, etc.). I haven't lost much weight (body fat ratio has dropped a good bit)...but my cardio results are excellent. Last checkup, I was able to go 'steady state' on the cardiologist's treadmill...at its highest setting (never exceeding my peak HR). My resting heart-rate has dropped to the 50's and my BP is down to 120/70 (though it was never over 140/80). Doc sez I'm "in great shape for a fat man".

So, what can I say about the Conversion? I find it to be very comfortable, fast, and easy to ride. Since all of my previous rides were quite low to the ground, I'm enjoying the view from the conversion...and really feel quite a bit safer, esp. at intersections. I put 45mi on her last Sunday and 25mi today. Having full suspension is another great quality, the previous bikes all rode like buckboards and though they were/are fun, it is so much nicer to have some compliance. The local suburban streets have all gotten "traffic tables" (speed-bumps) and hitting them at anything over walking speed is inviting disaster on the other bikes. The conversion just soaks 'em up! I routinely hit them at 20mph now and don't even bottom out the suspension.

Knees: For some reason (read: it's the designers fault. Hi John! ), the Cruzbike is really comfortable to pedal...much moreso than either my Catrike or Baron. For identical speeds, I use a lower cadence on the conversion. It really feels like I can produce more power (I say 'feels' because I can't really scientifically document it) on the conversion and I am using higher gears to climb than on my other bikes.

Advice:

it is vital to find a bike that will get your final seat height down really low. My frame is a Mongoose 16" and it is just barely suitable for my 32" inseam. Look thru all the conversions posted here in the forums (mine are in there somewhere) and see what is good and bad.

Search out a donor that has a 1-1/8" threadless-compatible headtube. The old 1" does work (with the requisite quill adapter) but I'm much happier since finding that 1-1/8" frame.

Choose a donor bike that already has most of the components you need...at the quality level you desire. Yes, you can always upgrade...but you end up spending more money replacing components. Also, most MTBs have cranksets unsuitable for road use (unless you plan on riding really slowly or climbing trees), so expect to replace either chainrings or the whole thing.

There's a huge amount of info here in the forums. Use it!

 

[JonB]

Biscuit wrote: My Dr. indicated to ride a recumbent.
I just wanted to know to differences from a Cruzbike to other. i.e. Rans, Sun etc.
Without riding one it is hard to get an opinion from one to another.

I have gotten the impression that Mark B has had a lot of different recumbents, and he also has a conversion he uses for commuting. I think he can tell you a lot more about different kinds of recumbents. I only have a Cruzbike Freerider, and besides short trying out other recumbents, i have not been riding them.

 

[Biscuit]

Marc & JonB thank you for the input.

I am on the hunt now for a suitable donor and am looking forward to getting on the road with it.

Thanks,
Rod

 

[Mark B]

Biscuit wrote: My Dr. indicated to ride a recumbent.
I just wanted to know to differences from a Cruzbike to other. i.e. Rans, Sun etc.
Without riding one it is hard to get an opinion from one to another.
I live in North Central Illinois and without driving a long distance I will not be able to ride a recumbent.

I know about the eating portion, just need to work on the exercise portion.

Thanks for your input.
Rod

Hi Biscuit,

The thing about a Cruzbike is; if you tried to test ride one in a shop, you would probably hate it. As you have read, I'm sure, there is a bit of a learning curve to the MBB FWD bike. Once you get a handle on it, they are head and shoulders above the rest. The power transfer is second to none and in some ways, almost the bike's achillies heel.

Mark

 

[buyagain]

Biscuit wrote: From what I have read in the last week I am leaning toward a Cruzbike conversion, but I want to hear from some recumbent experts how a Cruzbike compares, stacks up etc. I currently have a Gaint, but I think it will be too large for the conversion.

The Giant probably wont even have the right lines either.
I'm just an amateur. I Jumped right in and converted an Avalon. I'm one week into riding. There is lots of fun to be had trying to beat buying one of Cruzbike's, Sofrider of Freerider but as Trapdoor mentioned, for someone that is serious about getting all the benefits, unless your a tinkerer like some of us, then you need to go straight for a Freerider of Sofrider. My preference would be the Freerider for the value.
Remember its usually the phds like obama who cause all the problems. It takes amateurs like me to solve them at the ballot box. LOL Wait a minute who changed the subject?

 

[Biscuit]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Would a Next 26" Women's Power Climber Mountain Bike from Walmart be a good frame?

Rod

 

[buyagain]

Biscuit wrote: Would a Next 26" Women's Power Climber Mountain Bike from Walmart be a good frame?

My Avalon is a Walmart "Next" Comfort bike. Note that Trapdoor mentioned a preference for the 1- 1/8th stem where the Avalon has the 1" which requires an 1 to 1-1/8 adapter. The only real disadvantage is that mine will not allow any after market upgrades in the fork. I really don't care to spend that much money on a fork upgrade so I really don't care about the 1 - 1/8Th size.

I gather that you like to tinker too, right?

 

[Biscuit]

buyagain,

Tinkering is a good word for it.

By trade I am a welder and mechanic.
However, for the last ten years I have been operating the electrical grid in the Mid-West.

Nice looking conversion.
How is it performing for you?

Rod

 

[buyagain]

Biscuit wrote: However, for the last ten years I have been operating the electrical grid in the Mid-West.

That's what my brother retired from for Pennsylvania Power and Light. Come to think of it he has knee problems( surgery) too.

For those that don't tinker the Freerider gets right to the point, that's just my thinking. dual suspension is a minimum in my book so getting that and the low seat rules out a lot or donors. Another plus for the freerider and sofriders is a superior suspension which is pretty important for us heavier guys. . Although I've not read it I would have to think that. Maybe one of the more experienced will document or talk of it.
I don't have anything to compare the Avalon to. At about 41 lbs I like it fine. I'm at 244 lbs so the 2 inch tires (40 lbs) , I'm told, makes it a good trainer bike. I've been driving in wide open parking lots for a week and a half. I ventured into the neighborhood sidewalks today. I scared a guy walking his beagle to death. Other than that all went well.
Don't tell anyone but I've had thoughts of hanging one of those stanky 50cc engines off of it. I've not seen much talk about such things around here. It might be taboo to the purists. I'm tempted to do a friction drive configuration. Strictly for hill assistance. I don't know how to describe hill grade but I just know I'm getting better at it. I have an inclinometer so maybe I can take some sample readings from a hill for an average. Hey what do I know. When they use the term 2% grade I guess they are saying 2% of 90 degrees. How in the world they know its' 2 percent beats me.
Bob

 

[John Tolhurst]

I think if its 1 length and and 50 lengths along, it would be 2%. So the angle is actually tan-1 (2%)

 

[trapdoor2]

Percent grade is based on the ratio of "rise to run". So...100% is actually a 45 degree angle (1:1). If you know the percent grade, to find the actual angle, simply use the percent (divided by 100) and take the arc-tangent of it. (0.02tan-1 = 1.15deg). Conversely, if you know the angle, simply take the tangent. (1.15tan = .02 or 2%).

BTW, that's one of the great things about the "Rails To Trails" program (where they convert defunct railroad beds to MUTs), most of the railroads were limited to 2-3% grade max. IOW, they're pretty flat.

Angular grade has always been deceiving to me. Take a protractor and draw a 6 degree angle on a piece of paper. Look at it...it looks tiny! However, it represents a 10.5% grade, considered very steep...'hors de catagorie' in TDF (Tour de France) terms.

 

[rearengine]

Buyagain

My old kneez, and my tinkering habit brought this on ( pix ).. But the noise & vibration wore me out..I did have the muffler on it... It is a 40cc two stroke, friction drive. worked just fine & could go to fast.. Take care Bill

 

[buyagain]

Rearengine;
I should have spotted your name. Its a dead give-away. Can I ask you a few questions?
Fair warning, I sometimes get carried away with my questions.
Is your rear tire a knobby or just a street tire with knobs on the side as a kind of hybrid. Was there a centrifugal clutch on your rig?
I think your tinkering credentials huge and your rig is super looking. Very ingenious.
But sad to see you removed it for vibration and noise.

Bob

PS Sorry to be taking up your space on this topic, Biscuit.

 

[buyagain]

To Johntolhursh and Trapdoor 2;
Cornbread are square and Pie are round and, they are both "tan" colored when done. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm ashamed of you, Trapdoor, if you're from Huntsville you aught to know better.

Bob

 

[Mark B]

buyagain wrote: To Johntolhursh and Trapdoor 2;
Cornbread are square and Pie are round and, they are both "tan" colored when done. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm ashamed of you, Trapdoor, if you're from Huntsville you aught to know better.

Bob

I think he's a transplanted 'Bama boy. BUT, in all fairness, cornbread is not always square and pie is not always round.

Mark

 

[Mark B]

buyagain wrote: Rearengine;
I should have spotted your name. Its a dead give-away. Can I ask you a few questions?
Fair warning, I sometimes get carried away with my questions.
Is your rear tire a knobby or just a street tire with knobs on the side as a kind of hybrid. Was there a centrifugal clutch on your rig?
I think your tinkering credentials huge and your rig is super looking. Very ingenious.
But sad to see you removed it for vibration and noise.

Bob

PS Sorry to be taking up your space on this topic, Biscuit.

You know.... Mmmmm, ahhhhh. Rrrrrr.... Never mind, I'll just go back to chewing on my tongue. :|

Mark

 

[buyagain]

Mark B wrote: You know.... Mmmmm, ahhhhh. Rrrrrr.... Never mind, I'll just go back to chewing on my tongue.

Thanks for Chewing your tongue, Mark, for I know I was due, rather, a tongue lashing.......Man, that's gotta hurt. :ugeek:

PS that was not a good imitation (Mmmmm, ahhhhh. Rrrrrr) of a 2 cycle engine but you're forgiven in that I perceive you as one of the purists.

 

[trapdoor2]

buyagain wrote: To Johntolhursh and Trapdoor 2;
Cornbread are square and Pie are round and, they are both "tan" colored when done. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm ashamed of you, Trapdoor, if you're from Huntsville you aught to know better.

My momma never once made a square cornbread. If it don't come out of a 10" black-iron skillet, it ain't cornbread! Cornbread ain't tan, it's yaller. Comon' boy, getcher fax strait! :lol:

And no, I'm not a Huntsville native. I'm a Navy brat, born in Japan. I have, however, lived in Huntsville for the past 44yrs...and my wife is a native. So, I half-qualify.