Re: bicycling

[http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert (robert)]

 > From: Edward Lopez <http://www.APRICOT.COM/~zed>
 > Date: Thu  Feb 22, 10:37am
 >
 > Hi all.  I'm new here.  I don't even know yet exactly what sort of RSI
 > I have; a GP diagnosed tendonitis of the wrist over a year ago, but I
 > didn't get the impression she knew much about RSIs; I'll seek a second
 > (through nth) opinion shortly.
 > 
 > I was wondering what other cyclists with RSI do.  I currently have the
 > straight handlebars common on mountain bikes which force the wrists
 > into dorsiflexion.  What are handlebars with which anyone out there
 > has had luck?
 > 
 > A recumbent bicycle would probably be ideal, but I don't know if I
 > want to sacrifice so much visibility by being so much lower to the
 > ground.  Saving my hands would prove a net loss if I were run over by
 > a truck.  I don't have or want a car; bicycling is my primary means
 > of transportation, not just a hobby, so I need an approach that
 > presumes biking on ordinary roads with automobile traffic.
 > 
 > Thanks
 > --
 > http://www.apricot.com/~zed
 > http://www.apricot.com/~zed/
 > Edward Lopez PO Box 12546  94712

Bicycling is my primary means of transportation as well.  (I do own a car,
however.)  I went all over the place, asking bike shops whether they had
anything to make my bicycle "ergonomic".  No one could help me.  I went to
Missing Link, Velo Sports, and other Berkeley bike shops.  I also went down
to the Palo Alto bike shop.

Given that space is my apartment is a constraint, recumbents were out of the
question for me.

I ended up getting a tall stem and more curved and upright handlebars.  And
I heavily oiled my brake handles and put them to the sides so I could use
my whole body (unfortunately also including my hands) to apply the brakes.
This has worked well so far.  Only typing seems to bring out my symptoms
these days.

If you have enough money to spend, in addition to the above changes, I would
also buy good brake handles.  I always wanted to experiment with turning them
around so that instead of squeezing the breaks, I would instead "lean into"
them to apply them.  You might consider experimenting with that.  You might
also experiment with buying a bicycle seat that can actually be sat in -- i.e.,
get a wide comfortable one that can be scooted back a little from the pedals.

I should mention that if you had a road bike instead of a mountain bike, the
changes would've been a little easier -- there are more road bike parts
available.  But, given that I live in Berkeley with all its potholes, a road
bike wouldn't last very long.  (I have a road bike as well, but it's in bad
shape these days.)