Can one be too old to take up cycling (road bike)?

Question

If you are used to riding only hybrid bikes in upright position for years, and would like to learn how to ride road bike (riding position and different handlebars), what's the age age when this will be very difficult or out of question?

Answer 1

50's? What's it like to be young? Both my brother & I are in our 60's. I didn't get my first road bike until I was in my 40's. My brother got his first road bike at age 59. He now owns 5 bikes with drop down style handlebars.



For longer rides, a road bike is more comfortable. The rider is in what's known as the tripod position. Weight is distributed more evenly between the arms, feet & butt. Plus all those vibrations from road bumps aren't shooting straight up your back as with a bike with a more upright position. Because there's a slight bend in both the elbows & knees, those parts of the body act as a shock absorbers.



You're never to old to ride a road bike. Ask 105 year old Robert Marchand. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/04/508213332/105-year-old-cyclist-rides-14-miles-in-an-hour-en-route-to-a-world-record

Answer 2

Probably when you are in your 80s. But then again, if you are in shape as an 80 year old, you could probably still do it.



Road bike positions are not that different that any other bike. Sure, if you get into the drops or want to draft, it is a little tricky (I still don't like it), but riding on the hoods of your brakes is only a little more stretched out that a hybrid or mountain bike.

Answer 3

If you can ride a hybrid, you can ride a road bike.



Learning to use the slightly different shifters is a matter of minutes.



What might need to be dealt with is posture and upper body strength.



The bar height you can tolerate/enjoy depends on your flexibility and fitness.



Many road bikes are sold with the bars set quite low, which might not work for you.



It's possible to change to "riser stems", or add "steerer tube extenders" to bring the bars higher/closer.

There are also adjustable stems that swings the bars up-and-back in small steps.

A bit heavy, ugly and prone to creaks but functionally OK.



The best thing is if you can buy a bike that comes with the "steerer tube uncut".



A good shop will be able to help with this, and talk you through the different options.



Edit:



If she's strong enough to use her arms to get out of a chair w/ arm rests she doesn't need to worry about the pressure on her wrists while riding.

Answer 4

You are never too old to exercise. A road bike can be more comfortable then a hybrid if it is properly fitted. They are much faster on the road and you can change hand positions that alone makes it more comfortable. You ride a bike that doesn't fit you it is a lot more painful.

Answer 5

Age doesn't have as much to do with it as does the person's physical condition and health issues. This is why I ride a motorized bicycle. Congenital heart defects don't mix well in mountainous regions. One could look into gas or electric assist systems, delta or tadpole trikes and recumbent bikes or trikes.



The main thing I'm pointing out here is a person with disabilities have options and aren't limited to road bikes in order to cycle.



To answer your update, does she have bone disease or surgeries that would cause a problem? If so a recumbent trike may work better. She should go to a reputable bicycle shop and seek their advice.

Answer 6

A properly fitted road bike puts no more pressure on your wrists than a properly fitted hybrid. Nobody is going to break their wrists riding a road bike if it didn't happen on a hybrid as long as the road bike was as well fitted as the hybrid was.

Bottom line: a well fitted bike will work well. If you ignore fit: proceed at your own risk

Answer 7

You're never too old to take up cycling. For someone worried about comfort, there's recumbents. If you're so old that balance is failing, there's tricycles. Recumbent tricycles are made for adults and are like driving a human-powered go-kart; they corner like crazy, it's almost impossible to fall over with one, and they're pure fun.

Answer 8

No. Have you heard of the guy who bikes. He is fine and well and participates in races and marathons even at the ago 105! It's up to you to keep in shape.

Answer 9

I used to bike with a guy in his fifties. The guy could average 30-35km an hour and have burst of 70-75km/HR.

Answer 10

No age limit, as long as you don't have back problems

Answer 11

Of course she's not too old.

Answer 12

No. Update 2: She's afraid that too much pressure is on her wrists and they might break!



Oh, PLEASE!!! 105-year-old Robert Marchand doesn't have any problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey48j6dDNEo