bicycle riding with an above knee amputation?

gchappel · 10-26-2008, 02:48 PM

A good friends son has had leg/knee problems his whole life due to a bony dyscrasia. He underwent an above knee amputation several years ago, and has since become quite an athlete- especially in climbing. He has never learned how to ride a bike- and that is his next goal. His dad asked me for my help. On a stationary bike his prosthetic limb has to be cleated in to be controlled. I am concerned to cleat him in- even just one leg- while he is learning to ride. I have ridden with several guys with BKA's (below knee), but the aka is a whole different kettle of fish. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience or any sites that could push us in the correct direction.
thanks
Gary

slodave · slodave's Garage

Is it possible to use the older baskets to keep the foot on the pedal?

EDIT:...

9dreizig · 10-26-2008, 03:28 PM

there is an iron man competitor a girl who's amputated from very close to the hip down, not sure of her name but she does pretty well, you might google her

HardDrive · 10-26-2008, 03:37 PM

Came across these. Training wheels for adults basically:

http://www.dunhamssports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3075926

http://www.fatwheels.com/

gchappel · 10-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Thanks the large "training wheels" look like they would help in training.
I am googling around to try to find other athletes.
Thanks
Gary

unimog406 · 10-26-2008, 05:16 PM

I actually know a fellow who races with a prosthetic leg. I can't say for sure whether its above, or below the knee amputation, but I believe it is above.

I really wish I could be more helpful, I can't even remember the guys name, but he races downhill bikes, and can drop me on most trails. Probably more than this kid wants to get into, but it certainly doesn't seem to slow this guy down at all. He mounted a clipless bracket on the bottom of his prosthetic leg, and while his pedaling is not very powerful, he can still jump, drop and drift with the best of them

good luck figuring something out!

VaSteve · 10-26-2008, 06:44 PM

try bikeforums.net very active community.

dd74 · 10-26-2008, 07:55 PM

http://www.roadbikereview.com/ might have some information. Post your question there.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-26-2008, 10:19 PM

There is a mountain bike rider I see on my trails occasionally with one leg. He doesn't wear a prosthesis on the bike. Guy pedals like stink and is very strong.

gchappel · 10-27-2008, 05:19 AM

These will help, thanks.
gary

gtc · gtc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

There is a mountain bike rider I see on my trails occasionally with one leg. He doesn't wear a prosthesis on the bike. Guy pedals like stink and is very strong.

He only uses one pedal though, right? I think I've seen that guy out at St. Ed's a few times.

jhynesrockmtn · 10-27-2008, 09:30 AM

I'm sure you're right, that he's taken the crank arm or pedal off the other side. Yes, St. Edwards is where I've seen him. I live right there and hit those trails fairly often.

rammstein · 10-27-2008, 09:38 AM

He still has the muscles of his upper leg and butt, right?

I wonder if a contraption could be made that worked like an extension from his thigh to the pedal so he could get some use from those muscles. Like, I am picturing a rod connected to the pedal and to a gripping-band around his thigh. So long as the connection had a way to 'unclip' in the event of a fall (like ski-bindings) I think it could be viable.

Laneco · 10-27-2008, 10:19 AM

I rode cycle oregon a few years ago and one day of the ride, accompanied an above-the knee amputee. His prosthetic was a pretty standard issue. He used cycling shoes with clipless pedals. If I recall correctly, he used Time Atac pedals, but that's probably just a preference.

That guy could ride. I could pass him uphill, but he was every bit as fast on the flat and smoked me on the downhills.

angela