Need Some Specialist Advice

[Beanhead]

Hey guys,

I'm new to cycling and have been trying to get some help and advice but to no luck.

I broke my foot a few years ago and it meant my ankle was fused . I'm fully able to do everything but I've always stayed away from trying to cycle. I do cycle and spin at my local gym but I've always been embarrassed to try and get into road cycling as it means I'd probably have to get the pedal adapted.

Does anyone know where I should go to look for cycles? I've dropped into my local Evans and they were of no use; do I need to buy a standard bike and take it somewhere who can adjust the bike?

I've tried everywhere on the net and through local bike shops but to no avail.

Its really irritating as I'd love to try road cycling.

Can anyone help please?

Beans

 

[Rob3rt]

If it is just an adapted pedal, you can buy the pedal and fit it yourself!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Where about are you located?

 

[festival]

I don't know anything about your problem but assume it means when you pedal its like having one leg longer than the other? if so there must be a way around it such as a built up shoe to compensate for the lack of rotation. Why not try British Cycling who have to deal with all types of issues for the Para Olympic team.
Good luck.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I don't think that having had your ankle fused should preclude you from cycling, and can't see what adaptations you would need.
You may find that some half toe clips like these

would help you keep your foot placed on the pedal correctly without it slipping off. This type of strapless toe clip is useful because you can take your foot out backwards or sideways so it should be easy and not feel as daunting as more traditional toe clips.
If you tell us more about your specific concerns we can probably give you more useful advice.....

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Lightening cranks will sell different length cranks if you have a leg length issue

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Thinking some more about arthrodesed (posh name for when the bones in a joint are fused together!) ankles. I assume that the arthrodesis means that you cannot stand on tip toe on the affected leg?
This would mean that if you have the bike saddle at the ideal height, you would have to stop by only placing the non affected foot down - so I would suggest that initially you set the saddle at the highest level that you can remain seated and put your affected foot to the floor, you can gradually increase the saddle height as you become more experienced and confident. With this in mind it would be worth choosing a bike with a low cross bar (depends on the type of cycle you envisage using) so you have maximum stand over height.

 

[Dave 123]

Go and ask British Cycling, that'll be part of their remit.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

When I were a lad,cue Hovis music,there were a couple of locals who rode bikes with crank adaptions of some sort,just needs the right engineer.

 

[eck]

Hi, could also be worth getting in touch with Get Cycling: http://www.getcycling.org.uk/specialneeds.php

 

[betty swollocks]

http://www.highpath.net/
Highpath may be able to help. They do all sorts of adaptations to cranks and stuff.

 

[AndyPeace]

what kind of adaptions do you use in the gym?

 

[howieduck]

Have a look at county cycles in cross hands in Wales. They do loads of bike fits for people who need adaptations so have lots of experience in figuring things out.
Www.county-cycles.com

 

[Beanhead]

Whoa, so many replies, that's awesome thanks guys so helpful.
I thought I'd be on my own on this one when I posted it up and wasn't expecting much by way of responses, lol. I'll try and answer as many as I can.

I'm based in Birmingham; I'm looking at using my Cycle2Work scheme which would mean I'm kinda restricted to Evans, Halfords or Snow & Rock.

My issue is my ankle is fused which does mean I can't move it and I can't walk on my toes. My main issue is that when it was fused it now points to the right, i.e. it isn't parallel to the bike, but points away from the bike, this means in order for me to get the natural movement in my knee it has to be facing out otherwise my knee is facing the bike and has an unnatural movement. When I'm in the gym I tend to use the heal (if that makes sense), it also tends to slip off a fair bit as I can't strap it in.

I'd ideally want a pedal which angles out, not sure if this is possible.

My window for the cycle2work closes on the 8th so I think I'm looking to get a hybrid bike from somewhere like Evans and getting it amended. Not too sure on how yet.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

So,what you need is a modified pedal,maybe clip less & a modified pair of shoes?