Which bike for someone with health problems?

[barty]

Hi
My husband unfortunately has a very serious progressive heart condition, and cannot undertake any exertion, like hills or even mild slopes. He used to be a triathlete and runner, so misses his activities. we live in a hilly Devon coastal town, and i want to get him a cool looking bike, which will get him up hills locally without having to pedal. the range doesn't have to be massive. I like the look of the Kalkhoff, but will it work if he doesn't pedal much?
will be grateful for any advice
jane

 

[fishingpaul]

Hi
My husband unfortunately has a very serious progressive heart condition, and cannot undertake any exertion, like hills or even mild slopes. He used to be a triathlete and runner, so misses his activities. we live in a hilly Devon coastal town, and i want to get him a cool looking bike, which will get him up hills locally without having to pedal. the range doesn't have to be massive. I like the look of the Kalkhoff, but will it work if he doesn't pedal much?
will be grateful for any advice
jane

The kalkhoff requires pedalling all of the time,it is a lot easier than riding a normal bicycle, but it still requires around fifty percent effort from the rider, which could be too much on steep hills,all of the legal electric bikes would require a fair bit of assistance on steeper hills.

 

[flecc]

This is a regular request Jane, and it's well beyond what e-bikes can do, since they are electric assist bikes, not in any way motor vehicles. The answer I've just given to another inquirer is relevant so you might like to look at it on this link.
.

 

[Orraman]

barty.

A heart problem had, upon occasions, reduced my cycling capability to less than a mile including a 400 yard 'hill' of 1 in 49 gradient, perhaps you could judge your husbands condition against that.

I bought a bicycle with a Panasonic motor and a three speed hub gear. My health improved significantly as I was able to select a gear and a power setting that suited my ability at that moment. For my first outings I rode uphill from my home so that I was certain of being able to return but now if I were to have any problem I would phone for assistance.

I would suggest that you consider having your husband try a machine with a Panasonic motor and an 8 speed hub gear which has a gear spread of about 3 to 1 and the actual ratios could be changed if needed.

Some pedal input is needed all the time but given a low enough gear this is not very great and I am delighted to be able to get out and exercise within my comfortable limits.

Dave

 

[Footie]

I live in hilly Cornwall. Five years ago I had a heart attack (nearly pegged out) and had a stent put in - I was 40 at the time. At 45 I am now classed as being in heart failure (damaged heart). The heart drugs I am on stop me from exerting my heart, so it's extremely difficult for me to do strenuous exercise. Even before the heart attack I was unable to cycle a normal bike, as I couldn't get up the Cornish hills. My 36v hub motored MTB style bike has changed this. The exercise has done wonders for my health and mind. I now regularly cycle 20 miles at the weekends, more if I get the opportunity.
Is worth noting hub motors are less reliant on rider input although it’s still needed. It's also true that the higher voltage motors (36v) have more grunt for hill climbing.
I would strongly recommend keeping an open mind and sticking with it – your husband needs to try out as many types of bikes as possible.
.

 

[JohnofCambridge]

The Wisper ( I have one and am very biased in its favour!) has a throttle that works from a standing start although you can save a lot of battery if you get the bike going.

Very much depends on the hills around. If they are not very steep then you might find a throttle bike is the one to think about. The throttle is also useful if your husband feels the exertion is too much on an outing. Providing he has not gone too far it wil get him back home under battery power

You might like to consider going to the Electric bike rally in Presteigne on May 9th/ 10th where your husband could try out the different machines. You can then make a safer choice.

Presteigne makes a marvellous week end away. You will meet a diversity of people there - quite a few with medical conditions that limit them in some way. Put Tour de Presteigne in google and up will come the latest details

 

[Mussels]

I tried going up a fairly steep hill (25% I think) yesterday on my Wisper without putting much effort into pedalling. It managed it at a struggle and although I didn't push hard on the pedals the long climb meant my heart rate was still raised, would work fine for a normal unfit person but not for someone who has to take things very easy.
A Panasonic powered bike is probably the better option or a small electric moped.

 

[Andy Grayland]

The best hill climber I know is the Ezee Chopper. It has the same motor as the Ezee Forza but has 20" wheels making it a storming hill climber. Having said that all the bikes I know will need some pedaling.