Originally Posted by
August West
I was at my local bike dealer today talking about Trek Project One bikes. He was telling me one of the few he has sold was to a 75 yo rider. Said the gentleman's hand strength wasn't what it once was so he wanted to upgrade to Di2 shifting and hydraulic discs to make shifting and braking easier for him. I thought that was a neat story for someone taking advantage of the latest tech to keep riding.
My take, if you have that kind of money to drop on a Project One type bike and you want one why wait until it becomes a necessity? Might as well get it a little earlier in life so you can have more years to enjoy it.
I am considering swapping my Campagnolo triple with 10 speed rear for Di2, if I can't solve the wrist issue with wrist braces or some other orthopedic solution. I'll be visiting my hand specialist a few more times, I am sure. She didn't make very encouraging noises last time I went, as my hand issue is not only my CMC joint, but widely distributed OA.
Di2 might become necessary if I decide to switch from my road bars to another type of bar. I do love my road bars, but it is hard to attain a neutral wrist position. Shifting brifters of either Shimano or Campag type do impart strain also. But I will persue orthopedic solutions first.
The other point - about not waiting to treat yourself to a better and lighter bike - is also something I endorse. Why wait if you have the money? $2500 is less than a day's cost in most nursing homes! If you ride wisely and often, you may postpone that outcome.
Being a cheapskate, I waited far too long. I had a steel bike made for me in the 1980s, when gearing was still 2 X 6 f/r. I finally decided that if I wanted to climb hills again, I really needed modern gearing - and while I could have rebuilt my old bike with modern components, I figured why not simply...buy a more modern and lighter bike? So I did that, four years ago. I bought a used but high-end bike with 3 X 10 gears which was in great shape. But you can really get great gearing and light frame rigs for around $2200 or so. My riding buddy just bought himself a nice lightweight Trek with 2 X 12 for around that. You deserve it if you love to ride!
My particular locale is not conducive to recumbents or trikes, - traffic density and driver habits should be weighed when thinking about your options. So, without moving away from my city, I'll try to continue with upright bikes. Three decades ago I could sustain 19 mph over a full hour. Now, it's more like 10-12. Who needs fast when slow but steady gets you the same results?
Every medical article I read underscores staying active as a key strategy. If you embrace that idea and make sure that the medical professionals who serve you know your priorities, it serves to guide their recommendations. Some doctors need more persistent reminders, as more than a few think that it's time for us to sit down past a certain age.