Best Electric Bikes For Older Riders with Bad Knees

[Meloyelo]

For individuals with knee pain, an e-bike equipped with a thumb or twist throttle can provide significant relief. By enabling riders to start from a standstill without exerting pressure on their knees, these throttle options offer a gentler and more comfortable riding experience. It's important to remember that while electric bikes offer convenience, they are not motorcycles. Pedaling should be incorporated once the bike is in motion.

For riders seeking to minimize strain on their knees, a cadence sensor e-bike might be a suitable option. Unlike torque sensors that amplify pedal pressure, cadence sensors provide consistent motor assistance based on pedal rotation speed. This can lead to a smoother and less demanding riding experience. MeloYelo's Townee and Tranzit MD models incorporate cadence sensor technology.

Ultimately, the ideal electric bike for seniors is a personal choice influenced by individual needs and preferences. To make an informed decision, it's crucial to test ride a variety of electric bike models under real-world conditions.

Share your thoughts on Best Electric Bikes For Older Riders with Bad Knees.

 

[major masingil]

I agree with what you're saying with 1 exception. There's no room for individuals to decide what riders should and shouldn't with their bikes. People ride ebikes for exercise, transportation, and for fun. Nobody should be made to feel like they have to pedal if they don't want to, or that they're not biking if they use a throttle when they want. They just need to abide by rules of common courtesy and safety when other riders are present

Cadence sensor bikes will be better for people with bad knees.

 

[addertooth]

It pains me to say this, but I would be considered an "older rider".
Suggestions for "older rider bikes".
1. step through frame design, for those who are less limber.
2. lighter than typical eBike design. My lightest eBike is 77 pounds, but I have seen much lighter models. This is because we may have to wrestle them into a vehicle, or up stairs.
3. An optional second battery location (preferably low on the frame for center of gravity. This way, if you are just going for a short hop, you can ride the lighter single battery configuration. When you are going further, you can pop in the second battery.
4. Ride position needs to be quite comfortable.
5. Place extra effort in making sure the saddle is very comfortable. Men tend to lose "rear padding" with age.
6. Color choices. Some men get more wild with age, others more conservative. Color ranges need to run the range of bland to WOW!
7. Flat paddle grips, as versus round grips, once again for comfort of riding.

 

[JerryB]

New knee and new hip....I ride for exercise almost nightly. I love my step thru Lectric XP 2.0......have had it about two yrs.....almost 1000 mile on it.....very reliable and fun.

 

[Pinhead]

I agree with what you're saying with 1 exception. There's no room for individuals to decide what riders should and shouldn't with their bikes. People ride ebikes for exercise, transportation, and for fun. Nobody should be made to feel like they have to pedal if they don't want to, or that they're not biking if they use a throttle when they want. They just need to abide by rules of common courtesy and safety when other riders are present

Cadence sensor bikes will be better for people with bad knees.

As long as the bike is LEGAL in the country it is in !!!

 

[major masingil]

As long as the bike is LEGAL in the country it is in !!!

Not sure I agree with some of the ebike laws being made by people who don't know, but maybe I can be educated. You can't legislate common sense, courtesy, and responsibility. It is not possible. Who among the lawmakers has the right to decide whether or not I use a throttle on my bike no matter what sized motor is on it? What are the safety issues which are supposed to be solved with throttle restrictions? I support having to follow rules of the road, which all drivers and riders need, but bike configuration should be out of their hands.

I would support laws/restrictions for riders under 18. I don't think children have all the tools to make good decisions where the safety of themselves or others are concerned. Parents should also know what they are actually buying for their young ones. All this fuss about I, II, III ebike classes and what each can or can't do is ridiculous for adults.

 

["A"]

Have shorter cranks, standard for bike is 170mm crankarms.
My in-laws are short and in their 80's, I changed their cranks to a 152mm cranks.
Smaller pedaling circle, knee doesn't come up to their chests while pedaling.

 

[studebakergringo]

Have shorter cranks, standard for bike is 170mm crankarms.
My in-laws are short and in their 80's, I changed their cranks to a 152mm cranks.
Smaller pedaling circle, knee doesn't come up to their chests while pedaling.

i like what you said !!!! keep it simple and effective too many bran surgeons on the forums

 

[m@Robertson]

No such thing as an ideal ebike for someone with knee problems. But there is ideal fitment and that can be applied to any bike, and it works the same for an ebike.

Putting the seat too low so the knees have to come up high is a problem. 175mm crankarms were great for me when delivering power. When I was 30. I'm thinking of switching out my last set of 175's to 160's right now.

One thing that is not universal is a step thru frame. I personally don't need one, and try to stay away from them. But I have fit people to bikes where the step thru was essential to allow them to get on the bike, and not fall off of it when trying to dismount.

Saddle fitment is just as misunderstood for the elderly as it is for every other age group. A big poofy saddle like a Cloud 9 only disguises poor fitment by making the bad fit livable for the duration of the ride. Fitting the saddle to sit bone width is the crucial first step, with padding coming in a distant second. I just more or less finished learning this the hard way and it cost me a hospital stay (actually I already knew this I just thought I could get around it).

 

[biknut]

The best eBike for bad knees is one you never have to pedal. Pedaling is overrated anyway.

 

[LightningP38]

Not sure I agree with some of the ebike laws being made by people who don't know, but maybe I can be educated. You can't legislate common sense, courtesy, and responsibility. It is not possible. Who among the lawmakers has the right to decide whether or not I use a throttle on my bike no matter what sized motor is on it? What are the safety issues which are supposed to be solved with throttle restrictions? I support having to follow rules of the road, which all drivers and riders need, but bike configuration should be out of their hands.

I would support laws/restrictions for riders under 18. I don't think children have all the tools to make good decisions where the safety of themselves or others are concerned. Parents should also know what they are actually buying for their young ones. All this fuss about I, II, III ebike classes and what each can or can't do is ridiculous for adults.

Two things.
1. E-assist bikes are classified as type 1, 2, and 3 by national ebike advocates, for standardization purposes. This helps jurisdictions regulate e-bikes, just as they regulate regular bikes. You do know that bicycles are regulated by cities, towns, and states, which allows you to ride your bike on public roads and trails without having it be registered or having to have an operators license…all good things for the millions of bike riders.

2. The safety issue related to the ebike throttle is the top speed of the ebike. Class 1 & 3 bikes have factory set cutoff speeds to limit maximum assist speeds. Class 2 with throttle only do not.
It is not reasonable for public bike trail owners (cities or counties) to have rules and regulations for e-bikes that use their trails. The owners pave the trail and maintain it, and they get to make the rules.
The dilemma they face is how to keep high speed e-bikes “in check” on their trails. They could impose a speed limit of say, 15 mph, but they don’t have the funds to enforce it. Or they could allow only Class 1 (20 mph top speed) and Class 3 (28 mph top speed) e-bikes to use the trail, and prohibit Class 2 bikes (they have a throttle only) from using the trail. Rarely are Class 2 bikes restricted on rail trails in New England, but there is one trail that does that I know of. But they don’t have funds to enforce the restriction, so they just use signage stating the restriction.
Since there are not funds for trail police, the restrictions on e-bikes seem pretty much meaningless.
So, it seems there is no real way to enforce throttle rules on e-bikes on rail trails. But on public roads there are no regulations on throttled bikes, thanks to national ebike advocacy groups.

 

[major masingil]

Two things.
1. E-assist bikes are classified as type 1, 2, and 3 by national ebike advocates, for standardization purposes. This helps jurisdictions regulate e-bikes, just as they regulate regular bikes. You do know that bicycles are regulated by cities, towns, and states, which allows you to ride your bike on public roads and trails without having it be registered or having to have an operators license…all good things for the millions of bike riders.

2. The safety issue related to the ebike throttle is the top speed of the ebike. Class 1 & 3 bikes have factory set cutoff speeds to limit maximum assist speeds. Class 2 with throttle only do not.
It is not reasonable for public bike trail owners (cities or counties) to have rules and regulations for e-bikes that use their trails. The owners pave the trail and maintain it, and they get to make the rules.
The dilemma they face is how to keep high speed e-bikes “in check” on their trails. They could impose a speed limit of say, 15 mph, but they don’t have the funds to enforce it. Or they could allow only Class 1 (20 mph top speed) and Class 3 (28 mph top speed) e-bikes to use the trail, and prohibit Class 2 bikes (they have a throttle only) from using the trail. Rarely are Class 2 bikes restricted on rail trails in New England, but there is one trail that does that I know of. But they don’t have funds to enforce the restriction, so they just use signage stating the restriction.
Since there are not funds for trail police, the restrictions on e-bikes seem pretty much meaningless.
So, it seems there is no real way to enforce throttle rules on e-bikes on rail trails. But on public roads there are no regulations on throttled bikes, thanks to national ebike advocacy groups.

Thanks for your perspective. I do understand that there are issues between riders and public roads that seem like they could be solved with some blanket rules. Its BS. Its the type of thinking that gives us 40,000 different tax laws. To enforce them them you need the IRS. So do that too. Don't sit there and say there's no money for it. There would be if it were truly important. Don't make up a bunch of arbitrary rules that can't be enforced and don't make any sense for people who are already following the rules of the road.

What regulations for safety are placed on regular bikes besides following posted speed limits, riding on correct side of the road, and needing to follow rules posted specific to the trail? There aren't any rules stating what kind of non powered bike I can ride. I'm an adult. I am fully capable of deciding what is best for me. On any type of bike, I am also considerate of others while riding in shared space. Nobody needed to make a law to make me be considerate. It happens because I dont't want to do dangerous things which could hurt others and myself.

If we are forced to regulate ebikes, licenses and class ratings for people under 18 make sense to me. Younger people tend to make poorer decisions while on their own and could benefit from the speed limitations. They're also not responsible for the financial implications of an accident. Parents need to understand that the bikes they're buying for young Timmy aren't the same as the Huffy they had growing up.

 

[m@Robertson]

2. The safety issue related to the ebike throttle is the top speed of the ebike. Class 1 & 3 bikes have factory set cutoff speeds to limit maximum assist speeds. Class 2 with throttle only do not.

That is incorrect. Class 2 has a 20 mph speed limit.