I have not been able to cycle for 1 year due to recently diagnosed RA.
I would really love to get back on a bike. Taking RA meds my feet, ankles, knees, shoulders and elbows are all doing better and I now have the finger strength to pull the brakes again. The remaining obstacle is painful wrists.
I wonder if anybody has any adapted bike suggestions, handlebar types or other experiences that could help me feel the wind in my hair again?
Many thanks!
If you can achieve remission then no need for adaptions. So it might be a question of time and you’ll be back on the bike. But in the meantime would a visit to a good cycle shop help as you’ll need to try adaptions anyway.
Thanks for the suggestion, so far asking bike people and the non cyclist OT has not given me a clear suggestion. I hoped that there might be somebody with RA who has a good suggestion. And yes, remission would be the best solution for sure but the rate of progress has slowed a lot and the wrists are stubbornly swollen.
All the RA meds take time to work unlike antibiotics so as you said recently I’d suggest give it 3/4 even 6 months to see and if no improvement they may be changed. It’s a process that unfortunately takes a while. So don’t think is it for life but more the start of a journey. I used to ride my bike, ramble and do all the usual stuff and RA had little impact once in remission. It’s difficult now with CKD but my message is don’t think you’ll need adaptions as part of RA in time you may do, but be patient and see where this path is taking you. I hope you continue to ride your bike to feel the wind in your hair.
I now have an e-bike with flat handlebars, small click movement for changing gears and press button to change assist level of battery. I love going on this bike and frankly wouldn’t be cycling still if it wasn’t for my e-bike.
All the best
Ali
I don’t go far or ride it often or have adaptations but I find a bike with straight handlebars and at a height where I’m not having to lean forward much putting too much pressure on my wrists easiest, I also wear my wrist splints when biking as these support them. I live somewhere really flat so barely change gears. Of course this may not be what you need so I’d go to a shop with lots of bikes to try out to see what suits you best. Happy cycling 🚴
Thanks for this,good to hear about your wrist splints I will try that. I will need to change gears.
Hi there. I know the feeling , delighted that things are better for you. I have paddle handle bars for my bike. If you look up that on google you should find them. Basically they are wider for my palms to rest on . Winstanleysbikes.co.uk they are Ergon GP1 I think or similar. I managed to go round the estate today for the first time in months, I’ve still got covid and feel blooming sorry for myself. Coming down the hill with the wind in my face was so lovely. It is an electric bike and for me it’s perfect but it’s very early days. Hope you find something, perhaps post on here just in case it may help others inc me. Fed up with this disease and I’ve not yet started methotrexate but I think covid is messing with my joints ☹️☹️☺️
Thanks for the handlebar recommendation, that is exactly the kind of tip I was looking for. I have been on Methotrexate nearly 10 months and feel like I could be cycling again soon, hope methotrexate works for you too. A year ago when I stopped cycling I feared it might be forever and I felt so sad. I love the freedom of riding a bike getting, exercise, fresh air and not having to wait for buses to work.
I had a bike fit done at a local bike shop, they can help get you into a comfortable position for cycling.
I think it depends a lot on the position you're accustomed to. I actually find my road bike more comfortable on my wrists as when you're cycling on the hoods your wrists are in line .... on flat bars your wrists are in flexion which really irritates my wrists. Also your shoulders are in a more natural position and you can change your hand position regularly from hoods to tops . I haven't succumbed to electronic shifting yet but that would be a lot easier on your fingers and good disk brakes are a lot easier to pull on. Off course, as with everything cycling related, the cost can be an issue! As others have suggested a visit to your local bike shop and a look at your position could help to take some weight from your wrists. Hope that's helpful and you get back to cycling soon. There are days when the fatigue and pain defeat me but on the whole my bike, and exercise in general, help me stay healthy and sane!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, I've not had a proper road bike for years but may be worth revisiting as you suggest and because straight bars are so sore, I do use bar ends but not really ideal for braking!
I am also very determined to keep moving or I would become so sad.
Hi there. I can definitely second the use of wrist splints ( I use mountain biking wrist supports). I have a road bike, bought one with straight handlebars which definitely helps. I do lots of hills as live in Yorkshire and can’t be avoided and coping well. Get awful carpal tunnel pain and numb fingers without the supports! Happy cycling!
so are your wrists things for all mountain bikers not from the rheumatology OT? thanks for help
Yes they were from Amazon. My mum in law also uses them to cycle since her RA diagnosis last year and also finds them beneficial.
If it's possible to raise the handlebar stem, it might take some pressure off your wrists. But you may already have it as high as it will go? You could ask a bike shop.
I do hope you get to feel the wind in your hair again! Never give up 🚴♀️
What a great post. I've really enjoyed reading the replies and have learned about mountain bike wrist splints which I didn't know existed. Thanks to everyone who posted about these!
I think there are a couple of things you could look at. The first is riding position ie on 'sit up and beg' type bikes most of the weight is on your bum and the pedals. On other bikes it's split between handlebars, bum and pedals. On a sit up and beg bike almost no weight is on your wrists at all - that's why they tend to have big fat squashy saddles.
So changing your riding position might do it, but as someone else mentions, it's also the angle of your wrists on the handlebars too that might affect how much pain you get.
There are many different handlebar and handlebar-grip options that might help, as might those wrists splints that everyone mentions.
I'd try going to a few bikes shops until you find someone knowledgeable and helpful who could advise, preferably someone who's been in the business a while and will understand your issues. They'll let you try out different bikes so you can if they suit - am certain there will be a combination that allows you to ride.
I know what you meant by wind in your hair. I started riding again earlier this year and although my hands and wrists can hurt a bit I have benefitted so much mentally and physically from the exercise and getting out.
Best of luck - please post on here about how you get on I'd be interested to what works for you X
yes sit up and beg is a good suggestion and prob easier to find second hand
I use bullhorns, converted a Boardman to the Metrea system, but the handle bars are hard to find now. You may be able to convert time trial bars. I found flat bars bad for my wrists and riding on the hoods was fine, but very painful on descents. I wil post a picture.
oh that looks great, I have a specialised Vita and those bars might go on it even tho not a road bike, but it only has v brakes. off to do some research now.
I am in remission but have severe OA in wrist and hands. I have a E bike and it does have a flat handle bar and like a wrist rest on it. If I am honest it’s not easy and after I do suffer. Wrist splints may help while riding? OT should be able to provide. I love my bike and although I have other heath issue I have learnt to adapt.
thanks, keep cycling!
Here are my ideas: Dutch bike (i.e., more upright riding position style) as has already been mentioned here . . . also, add an adjustable stem so you can move the handlebars toward you on the seat (less leaning forward for steering) . . . go for step-through instead of swing-over if your mobility is challenged as it is for many of us . . . lastly, have you considered an ebike? I've found it very helpful (you still get good exercise if you use pedal assist instead of throttle; I'm in the U.S.) because you can go further without wearing yourself out, and that's very motivating and rewarding (more wind in your hair!). Best wishes!
thanks for suggestions, concerned the e bike will be heavy to park/ get out for the shed etc, how do you find it for those kinds of things?
I have a fairly heavy ebike; there are definitely even larger ones, but there are also even lighter ones. (Mine is a RadPower Radrunner Plus; its probably 80 lbs; step-through moped style with a seat on the back for taking a grandchild along for the ride.) I don't think the weight is a problem since the bike can provide the power you need. The one place will weight is a serious consideration is if you need to bring it up steps, which I never need to do, since my storage is on ground level. If I were living in a situation were I had to negotiate steps with it or put it on a bus or a rack on the back of a vehicle, I'd want a lighter ebike. There are some ebikes as light as 35 or 40 pounds; these will have less power (i.e., smaller motor, smaller battery which means less range), but if you terrain is not hilly, they may meet your requirements very well.
Hope this helps! If you have further questions feel free to ask her or PM me.
I have a cruising bike so I sit up straighter and don’t have as much weight on my wrists:
do you also have those brakes where you back pedal? I wonder if they would be easier on the hands (but maybe less good at actual braking)?
RA and activities
Back in the bike 
Update
Phew 😅 
High Cholesterol and RA
