MTB to Road

[forkie]

unfortunately I have been diagnosed with osteo arthritis in my wrists and thumbs. As a result I cannot hang on to my mtb any more - too much pain. So in my mind the only way I can stay on bike is to get a road bike fitted with tri bars and this should keep the weight and pressure off my wrists for longer periods.

 

I currently have an anthem with full XT components. (4 years old). The bike shop down the road has a Carbon Aero Silverback Kansas with an array of componentry ( 105 / utegra / some cervello stuff) which they are willing to do a swop.

 

I have some questions. Will using a road bike with tri bars help? ( I have never ridden a road bike). Just how uncomfortable are road bikes compared to a nicely sprung mbt? And is the swop above a fair swop?

 

Any and all comments welcome

 

shot!

[Eugene]

If you are used to a mtb, you are going to feel awkward on a road bike. Don't worry, you'll get used to it in no time.

['Dale]

Try bars are useful

Stability is an issue though

 

You also get road bikes with touring / endurance geometry where there is far less pressure on the wrists.

Check it out. 

Giant Defy, for example.

[forkie]

Try bars are useful

Stability is an issue though

 

You also get road bikes with touring / endurance geometry where there is far less pressure on the wrists.

Check it out. 

Giant Defy, for example.

I imagine that a Kanasas with a carbon Aero frame would have a much more race oriented / aggressive geometry?

[Headshot]

I have a family friend who has serious rheumatoid arthritis. I'm not sure how this differs from your situation, but she manages to ride her MTB despite various hand and foot ops. She has a modified shifter but otherwise her bike is stock. She is 50 odd and came back to MTB a few years ago.

 

I do a bit of road and depending on your set up and where you ride, its pretty hard on the hands and wrists IMO. Surely a modded dual suspension MTB with a higher/riser bar and road oriented tyres might be the answer?

[forkie]

I have a family friend who has serious rheumatoid arthritis. I'm not sure how this differs from your situation, but she manages to ride her MTB despite various hand and foot ops. She has a modified shifter but otherwise her bike is stock. She is 50 odd and came back to MTB a few years ago.

 

I do a bit of road and depending on your set up and where you ride, its pretty hard on the hands and wrists IMO. Surely a modded dual suspension MTB with a higher/riser bar and road oriented tyres might be the answer?

my problem is that i have pain right at the base of my thumb just above the wrist. it comes as soon as i put pressure on that point. so i cannot hold on for any lenth of time. this is why i thought tri bars would suit me as the pressure is then on your forearms.

 

but having said that - i will have to hold on with my hands at some point and the idea of not having a nice shock absorber under my hands worries me a bit. 

[forkie]

tri bars on a mountain bike? hmmm. I can just imagine the comments. 

 

At this point pretty much anything offroad is a no go. just have to find a way to keep riding somehow

[PeterF]

Try to setup your Anthem so that you sit in a more upright position, let a bit of air out your tyres and stick to the tar if you must.  This will be more comfortable than any road bike.

[forkie]

Try to setup your Anthem so that you sit in a more upright position, let a bit of air out your tyres and stick to the tar if you must.  This will be more comfortable than any road bike.

done this already. I cant get any more upright. done a lot of work on my core in the last 6 months to try help with this as well. rode this weekend from my place in mount pleasant to the airport. Maybe 10 km of tar and i am still feeling it today.

[forkie]

as way of explanation, this shows where the pain is and why. so any downward pressure on that point is painful.

 

 

[PeterF]

^{I suppose that living in Mount Pleasant a road bike with tri bars might work because you could ride on the tri bars all the way up Seaview Road and back and still get your cycling fix.}

[forkie]

^{I suppose that living in Mount Pleasant a road bike with tri bars might work because you could ride on the tri bars all the way up Seaview Road and back and still get your cycling fix.}

this is what i am thinking. Even the marine you can do most of it on the bars I think. so long as you dont get mugged...

[Headshot]

done this already. I cant get any more upright. done a lot of work on my core in the last 6 months to try help with this as well. rode this weekend from my place in mount pleasant to the airport. Maybe 10 km of tar and i am still feeling it today.

have you shortened your stem and put on high rise handlebars?  You can get bars with a 50mm rise, or higher if you are lucky. 

[lechatnoir]

sorry to hear. have you tried some sort of supplement like collagen or some such? heard it's quite successful for a few things like this. No idea if it's suitable here, but worth investigating if it can keep you doing what you love

 

as for the bike, look up Mark Beaumont and his Koga - he achieved a relaxed position with tri-bars. it might work for you.

[Long Wheel Base]

The munga guys have some different bars they fit to their bikes for alternate hand and back positions. Vetties was wanting to get some for his bike(may have already?) 

Hope you come right.

[forkie]

have you shortened your stem and put on high rise handlebars?  You can get bars with a 50mm rise, or higher if you are lucky. 

you cant go too upright with the wind in PE.