damn arthritis to hell

[Ensie 27]

Finaly came across that clutch lever gearbox thingy again. Havn't got a clue how well it works, I'm thinking of using stiffer competition springs in my RD and was thinking of getting one to help with that:-

[whiskers79]

You have my deepest sympathy. I have arthritis in my back and shoulders, and in both wrists, but so far it hasn't actually stopped me from doing any of my favourite things. I've had to modify my approach to some things, like having a guitar built with a shorter scale and a wider neck, and the most recent change, buying a Honda CB400 Super Four Big One, and selling my other bikes. The Honda is light enough for me to push round the shed and driveway, I'm sitting upright enough for it not to put a lot of weight on my wrists, and the suspension is soft enough to reduce the road shock, and there is very little vibration. When I get up to about 80kmh the wind takes the load off my wrists completely.
I can't ride a cruiser style bike at all, even just sitting on one is agonising after about two minutes. The feet out in front is an impossible riding position for me.

[tigerclaw]

Good chance I am saying something which u have already looked at. Colder climates mean more auto immune diseases... Make sure it is plain arthritis and not lupus (auto immune) my mom has had controlled lupus for 33 years, but before that she really sufferred (couldn't turn the key in her car) and everyone thought is was "just arthritis" - I might bee clutching at straws for u (no pun intended) but maybe?...

[whiskers79]

I too have arthritis as well as sundry other joints that are either damaged or just worn out (neck, shoulders, lower back and hips, which have both been replaced, and wrists) but then they've had 79 years of hard use (I used to compete in bicycle road racing). I might try cutting out coffee and alcohol as has been suggested.
I have recently sold three bikes that I had been riding for a few years and bought a 1993 CB 400 Super Four Big One. It has made life much easier as it is light to push around the shed and driveway, has a comfortable riding position (fairly upright, not too much weight on the wrists, but leaning forward enough to reduce the road shock on my lower back, and to stop me having to hang on when the air pressure rises with speed.).
I haven't found a pain killer or anti inflammatory that does much good, and I've tried all the assorted "natural remedies" with no effect.
All I can really suggest is to hunt around until you find a bike that you can manage without too much pain. Good luck.