I know a few members are into ebikes so thought I'd share. I'm 6 weeks post op from ankle replacement & keen to get back out on my bikes. Living atop a hill it's hard getting home sometime. After my last surgery nearly 2 years ago I was weak as a kitten & had to keep stopping on the climb. This time I decided an ebike would help me get out & aid recovery. I converted an old 1996 Orange C16-R (as the Clockwork was renamed for a few years) with a mid-drive motor. Took it for a two mile test drive last night & it was excellent although I'm paying for it this morning. A couple more weeks needed really before venture out on 2 wheels. A few months on that & hopefully I'll be back on my regular bikes but I'll still use it when going out with mrs on her ebike so I can keep up on the hills!
Great to see you are back out on the bike spiritburner, that x-ray is amazing what caused the ankle to need fixing in the first place.
I need to get out on my bike more, but I seemed to have lost my mo-jo a little, no excuse really as I have been on furlough for over a year.
We have got plenty of hills around here, and now that I am in my 60's they seem to have got steeper.
I was considering a Bafang Fun mid-drive kit for my bike, but when I looked into all the costings, I would probably be better off just buying a mid-drive ebike.
Just waiting for when I return to work, the firm I work for offers a "Cycle To Work" scheme, so I am going to look into that option.
Good luck with your recovery spiritburner, what an amazing procedure and photo!
I know nothing about bikes really, more a hiker, but it should certainly be easier on your ankles. Living in the Dartmoor National Park, walking is a lot easier than cycling........And that tough enough!
at Francais
My right foot was getting out of alignment, tilting outwards more & more until it had worn away a lot of the cartilage & blown my peroneal tendon. I had realignment & tendon repair surgery nearly 2 years ago. The surgeon shortened my main metatarsal & moved by heel bone up about 1cm. That's the metalwork in my foot. Once he was satisfied I was aligned the ankle replacement was the next stage. He's hoping I'll be up for our annual start of season weeklong backpacking trip in Scotland in October. Fingers crossed. Fortunately I've got my pack weight right down & once I get out on the bikes I'll get my own weight down too!
I'll not buy a new bike as I have loads of retro Orange bikes plus it's only short term then occasional use so DIY was the way to go. I'm 59 but not ready to give up the regular bikes yet .
I got laid off last year & don't plan on working fulltime again. After furlough & redundancy I enjoy the free time too much! I've done a short stint part time in a bike shop & may do so again when I'm off the sick but only use staff discount for consumables.
Wow, for a moment I thought you might have dropped your wallet on your foot, but from what you say I guess the ankle failed due to general wear and tear.
My mate just 61 same age as me has recently had a hip replacement, in his younger days he was an extreme cyclist so that may have exacerbated the problem with his hip.
I guess everyone’s body is different and bits give up for some but not for others, it can only be down to genetics as to how your body copes with the ageing process.
Good idea. I'm not likely to do more than 20 miles a trip for now before I'm back on regular bike although for the future you never know!
I also fitted a Lekkie Bling Ring chainring with a decent offset which sorted the chainline. It was pants with the default Bafang ring. That'll also reduce wear.