In our Tech Q&A series, we tackle your questions – no matter how big or small, simple or complex – with insights from the BikeRadar team and trusted industry experts. This time, a reader is looking for advice on the best bike for his father, who has Parkinson's disease.
I’ve got a challenge for you. I’m 70 and have Parkinson’s disease, which affects my cycling endurance, strength and mobility. I’m looking for a new bike with a very specific spec – and I’m not certain it exists:
- It can weigh no more than 15kg (I currently ride a 13kg hardtail)
- Leisurely geometry suitable for mixed road and gentle off-road riding – aggressive geometry is too much of a challenge
- A steep top tube to help with mounting and dismounting the bike
- Front suspension is a must – does it need to be a fork or will a suspended stem do the job?
- Rear suspension of some sort to help prevent back pain – maybe a suspension dropper post will suffice?
- 400Wh battery so I can ride 50km plus margin using a range of modes, including turbo for the hills
- I envisage a spend of £3k to £5k. I could go as far as £10k if it’s perfect, and it will help me to keep riding for plenty more years yet!
I am happy with a full-suspension mountain bike, a hardtail or even a gravel bike, provided it's more MTB than road. Does it exist or am I chasing a two-wheeled unicorn?!
Joe Hunter, on behalf of his father
We’re sorry to hear about your Parkinson’s diagnosis, but thrilled to be able to help offer some ideas of cycles you can try next.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition, which progresses over time, although medication and physical therapy can help reduce symptoms and their impact.
Slowness of movement and a loss of balance are two of the primary symptoms that many people with Parkinson’s experience.
The question of weight is the most difficult part of this request.
Until now, ebikes with a decent range have been heavy, many weighing upwards of 25kg. While you don’t notice the weight while riding, it can be problematic when mounting/dismounting the bike, and if you need to negotiate steps or transport it.
Some ebikes feature low step-through frames to help alleviate this, but weight will still be a problem if your strength and mobility are impaired. The lightest bike we were able to find (that fitted all the other parameters) was 16 to 18kg, depending on spec.
Hybrid bikes may seem like a compromise too far. However, they offer the blend of capabilities you are looking for – short-travel suspension forks, larger-volume tyres with clearance to add tyres with a bit more grip if needed, relaxed geometry, and often a step-through design.
They are not designed for full-on off-road riding, but the mix of road and 'gentle off-road' that you describe would be well served by their specs.
One bike that might work is the eStarli e28.9. With a step-through design, making it easy to get on and off, it weighs 16 to 18kg depending on spec, and costs just over £2,000.
With a quoted range of 60 to 90km, it would amply meet your requirements of 50km, even if you were using full power for much of the ride. It has a choice of front suspension or a rigid fork, and we recommend combining it with a suspension seatpost for extra comfort on bumpy terrain.
As a wildcard, we’d recommend trying a recumbent trike.
While it can take time to get used to the lower riding position, the Ice Trikes Adventure trike offers all-round polymer suspension (on both front and rear wheels), electric assistance and weighs only 16.5kg.
It is more expensive, starting at £6,000 for an electric-assist model, but can be tailored to a rider’s abilities and needs. The seated position means there’s little chance of falling off.
Although it can be managed, Parkinson's is a degenerative illness, so this could be a good option in the long term, and for other, less mobile readers.
