Cycling is one of the most common and enjoyable sports activities. Not only do cyclists have a feeling of excitement while cycling, but also they get to build their body muscles and enjoy overall fitness in the process. It is one of the safest exercises for older people. Cycling, however, like every sport, has its hazards, and knee pain tops the list. The knee is the most active body part while cycling, safe to say that any discomfort in the knee will affect the cyclist's overall cycling experience. Seniors are more prone to knee pain while cycling. Valuable tips to make seniors enjoy their cycling and keep them from knee pain would be discussed in this article.

One would wonder what the possible causes of knee pains are, as the pain is prominent even in cyclists with years of experience. It is also one of the major complaints of seniors about cycling. Bicycle riding for seniors comes with knee pains that usually range from anterior knee pain to spring and posterior knee pain. It’s recommended that ride an electric bike with throttle and padel assist can ease the knee pain caused by cycling. KBO Bike is a reliable electric bike brand in usa. I would recommend to ride the KBO Step thru electric bikes for seniors with knee pain issues.

Knee pain could result from many health issues in the body, but most often than not, the pains are a result of biking. It is most common among senior cyclists, of course, due to old age and sometimes inexperience. To improve your cycling experience, you need to identify the kind of knee pain you have to know the exact way to tackle it.

Knee Pains Linked With Cycling
There are various types of knee pains, including Spring knee pain, anterior knee pain, Posterior knee pain, Medial and Lateral knee pain.

Spring Knee Pain
Spring knee pain occurred mostly when a senior cyclist overworked the knee to do activities the body hasn't adapted much to do. When you try to make impromptu fitness gains, the increase in mileage causes spring knee pain. Spring knee pain can be prevented by working the body at a relatively steady pace. Swiftly increasing the body's working pace to force faster results is not advisable. Allow the body to adjust to your increased activities at its own pace.

Anterior Knee Pain
As the name suggests, anterior knee pain is often felt in front of the knee, and several senior bikers experience this pain. Pain in the upper part of the knee is usually caused by riding a bike with saddles that are too forward and extremely long cranks. Continuous biking in this position will strain the knee and cause soreness, leaving the cyclist with upper knee pain, inner knee pain, and sometimes, pain outside the knee.

Anterior knee pain is solved/prevented mostly by minding your cycling posture. Also, ensure your bike is in a proper saddle position by keeping the tibial tuberosity just above the ball of the foot. Make sure to not ride for too long if you're not used to it. Slowly adapt your body to extended biking.

Posterior Knee Pain
This pain, occurring at the back of the knee, isn't as common as anterior knee pain. It occurs due to overstretching the knee due to the saddle being too high or too backward. Fix the saddle, and you're good to go.

Is bike riding good for the knee? Well, with so many knee pains linked with cycling, asking such a question isn't out of place. And the answer is Yes!

However, cycling can sometimes lead to the knee, as mentioned above, pain due to bad posture and positioning or a bad bike.

Tips To Save Your Knees From Pain While Cycling
Having discussed the most common knee pain types experienced by senior cyclists, it is essential to point out helpful tips to help them save their knees from pain while cycling.

Frankly, many of these knee pains are a result of some avoidable cycling mistakes. So the good news is that following these few tips will surely knock out the pains for good.

Maintain Good Speed
Maintaining fluid motion is one of the major hacks to a great cycling experience, and this is achievable by keeping your speed up as much as possible. 80revs per minute, although quite scary for beginners, is recommended. It is believed that pedalling at 60 revs or below will put you in much more danger. Pedalling at 80revs per minute won't be so hard for beginners as long as the e-bike is always in the right gear.

Always Set Your Seat Properly
The normal position for cycling is to have considerable space between the seat and the handlebars. Sitting very close to the handlebars automatically changes your knee angles, which could lead to serious discomfort.

Consult A Physician For A Pre-ride Checkup
This is mostly applicable to cyclists with health issues. It is advised that before buying a new e-bike and its accessories, seniors, especially those with arthritis and other pains, should see a physician for special instructions.

Buy Comfortable Electric Bikes
Never sacrifice comfort for aesthetics when buying your e-bike. Ensure to buy an electric bike with throttle and pedal assist, such as KBO electric bikes for seniors, and always maintain the correct postures while cycling. The KBO Breeze commuter e-bike has a 500-watt motor and 48V Samsung battery with 55 mile long range. It has 7-speed shimano Shifter and 5-level of pedal assist, which is the best electric bike for seniors.

Consider Other Workout Options
Cycling is undoubtedly a great way to attain fitness. However, a single workout routine could be challenging on the body hence the advice to complement cycling with other activities such as yoga, kayaking, and the likes.

Use Kinesio Tape For Long Rides
Kinesio tapes, known by many as elastic therapeutic tapes, are recommended if you plan to go on very long rides. The tape works by clinging to your joints and muscles, thereby allowing proper alignment for your knees. Seniors with sensitive knees are also advised to use Kinesio tapes as it has been clinically proven to increase flexibility and reduce pain.

Keep Your Float In Check
Senior Cyclists who prefer to ride clip-in pedals should pay more attention to this tip. Most times, riders tend to angle their feet too steep, which exerts too much pressure on the knees. Ensure your foot position floats aligns with the angle where your feet and ankles tend.

Conclusion
Cyclists, including senior cyclists, usually just hit the tracks without cognizance of the seemingly little things. Instructions as little as maintain right sitting posture while cycling can go a long way in affecting the overall cycling experience. As a senior cyclist, ensure you note all the above-listed tips, and you're on a fast lane to improved cycling.

Also, always remember when senior cycling to not go too hard on yourself. There is no pain, no gain truly, but it is also wise to note the pains and treat them accordingly. Knee pains are neither to be swept under the carpet nor seen as a pain to push through. Once you notice the slightest discomfort while riding, see your physician and change your e-bike if need be. Happy Cycling!