We all know someone with a knee pain problem who feels like they can’t fully enjoy their life because of this limitation. Whether it happened due to an injury or an illness, one should never allow a bad knee to slow them down. That’s why we’re so excited to help you find the best bicycle for bad knees in order to solve this issue.
As you’ll soon see, most of these models are electric mountain bikes, which are durable and versatile, designed to handle the elements with ease. They’re also easy on the knees and won’t jolt your body out of place.
Whether you’re looking for the best bikes for bad knees as a gift for a loved one or for yourself, there are plenty of electric and standard bike options at your disposal. However, electric bikes are often most recommended due to how easy they are on the joints.
Best Bikes for Arthritic Knees
Keep reading to find the best bike for bad knees, including a helpful guide with tips on what you should look for with this type of bicycle and what the best options are.
1. Huffy 26″ Panama Jack Beach Cruiser Bike
The Huffy 26″ Panama Jack Cruiser is also considered to be the best bike for arthritic knees because it’s fast, fun, comfortable, and easy to ride. Its frame is perfectly designed from lightweight yet durable aluminum, and it’s perfectly positioned to keep your slanted at a lower position angled backward. This places the frame at the center of gravity in order to enable better stability.
This is in addition to its swept-back handlebars which are slightly raised to help you enjoy a comfortable and relaxed ride.
It’s also fitted with 26-inch wheels to handle different types of terrain, while the 26-inch tires offer the best traction ever to keep you stable on uneven surfaces. Then you’ve got the fenders which are there to keep you nice and clean from mud and water splashes.
The coaster brakes on this bike go perfectly with its single-speed design, allowing you to pedal backward effectively when you need to. These features also make this bike incredibly easy to use and delightfully safe for kids and seniors.
2. Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men’s Bike
Sixthreezero’s EVRYjourney is a classic model from the brand that combines the qualities of a beach cruiser and a hybrid bike. This is evidenced by its relaxed geometry which enables you to maintain an upright riding position in order to prevent the development of back pain.
Getting onto the bike is super easy and simple, thanks to its special step-thru design while the frame is made from durable and long-lasting aluminum which is also lightweight and easy on the body. There’s also a convenient rear rack on this bike to help you carry your essentials with you or you could place a child seat on it instead.
Thanks to the forward position of the pedals and the lower saddle, this bike is comfortable for both short and tall riders.
You’ll also be glad to know that it comes in various speed options as well, including 1-speed, 3-speed, 7-speed, and 21-speed. Overall, this is the best bike for arthritis sufferers who need a daily commuter.
3. Huffy 26″ Nel Lusso Women’s Cruiser Bike
Another model that could be considered the best bicycle for bad knees and it’s known as the Huffy Nel Lusso Women’s Cruiser Bike.
For an affordable price, you get a good quality women’s commuter bike complete with a sturdy frame and comfortable dual-density pedals and seats.
This is to ensure the perfect grip as well as a smooth ride. This is in addition to its sturdy tires which allow you to take full advantage of the bike’s speed capabilities.
This bicycle is also built for safety, as evidenced by its comfy 26-inch tires with alloy rims that enable you to ride your bike in different weather conditions.
4. Firmstrong Urban Man Beach Cruiser Bike
The Firmstrong Urban Man Single Speed bike is the best bike for bad knees because it has a simple yet elegant design, with a sturdy and durable steel frame that allows you to enjoy a more balanced ride. The frame’s accented curves also add to the bike’s strength and sturdiness.
However, what makes the urban man bike so unique is the fact that it’s available in various speed options and you can pick between the 3-speed and 7-speed options depending on your needs and preferences.
The Firmstrong Urban Man is also fitted with regular coaster brakes which you can use to pedal backward or bring the bike to a stop depending on the situation.
The hand brakes make it possible to handle the bike’s different speed levels and it’s highly responsive to boot!
5. Schwinn Mikko & Huron Adult Beach Cruiser Bike
The Schwinn model is another fantastic cruiser bike option that’s perfect for the avid adventurer. You’d be surprised at all the amazing features that it comes with. It’s a breeze to ride this bike through the city and it’s designed to give you a lot of confidence while riding it.
For starters, it’s made with a low frame that makes it easy to get on and off it. It also comes with a 17-inch steel frame that makes it particularly sturdy and durable. It’s pretty easy to ride thanks to its low-riding 17-inch steel frame which can handle the elements for many years to come due to how durable it is.
Not only that, but this bicycle is made with fantastic swept-back handlebars that are easy to keep your hands on thanks to their rubber grips. The pedals are perfectly positioned under the hip joint and since they’re vertically positioned, it’s pretty easy to pedal this bike.
For maximum comfort, this bicycle comes with a padded saddle which makes it that much easier to enjoy long-distance rides.
6. Tomasar Folding Electric Bike
This Tomasar Power Electric Bike is an ideal option for people who suffer from chronic knee pain or a knee injury because it enables you to experience the joy of bike riding without any effort. It’s powered by a 350-watt battery and can reach speeds of up to 50 MPH.
The lithium-ion battery is removable should you wish to go manual and even with its 25-inch wheels, this bike is foldable.
This means it’s portable and easy to store, even in small spaces, and the tires make it possible to enjoy a comfortable ride even in off-road applications.
With that said, all of this comes at a price, as this is one of the pricier bikes on this list and it requires quite a lot of maintenance. However, it’s well worth it when you consider just how stylish, functional and durable it is. It’s also versatile enough to be enjoyed by both beginners and experienced bike riders.
7. ANCHEER Folding Electric Commuting Bike
The ANCHEER Folding Electric Mountain Bike is another electrically powered model that’s suitable for different types of terrain.
It’s constructed from a rust-resistant and durable aluminum frame which is designed to last for many years to come. The 26-inch wheels make it suitable to carry heavy-set riders which is why this bike has an impressive carrying capacity of up to 250 pounds.
Of course, it’s powered by a lithium battery which can produce up to 250 watts of power and has a speed capacity of up to 25 MPH.
It’s also worth noting that this is one of those foldable bikes which means that you can fold it up and carry it anywhere when it’s not in use, making it ideal for camping and hiking trips, as well as people with small apartments. All of this comes at a very affordable price tag, considering all that you’re getting.
8. HOTEBIKE 36V 350w Electric Bike
When looking for the best bicycle for knee problems, it’s quite common to come across this model from HOTEBIKE. That’s because this is an electric bike whose frame is powered by a lithium-ion battery. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is an average bike since it’s sleeker than most electric bikes.
However, this is thanks to the removable battery which enables you to recharge it and it takes about 4 to 6 hours in order to get a full charge.
This bike also features a 350W high-speed brushless motor that enables you to go at very fast speeds without wobbling from side to side, and it helps that it’s made from a durable aluminum frame as well, that’s designed to handle rough terrain.
To prevent you from feeling tired after long rides, this bike for people with bad knees comes with a suspension fork which is designed to absorb all the bumps and vibrations on the road so that you don’t feel any of the obstacles that you paddle over.
How to Pick the Best Bicycle for Bad Knees
Is biking good for bad knees? While we’ve done our best to bring you the best outdoor bicycle for bad knees, each one of these models is unique and won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
Plus, if you’re unable to purchase any of the bikes featured here, then you should consider the following features when shopping for the best bikes for bad knees on your own.
Hybrid vs. Electric
Not everyone likes an electric bike for the reasons mentioned above.
But if you only plan on cycling for fun or to cruise around relaxingly, then you should opt for a hybrid bike instead. That way, you can switch between electric automatic and manual function.
The great thing about electric bikes is that they’re built tough to handle any and all types of obstacles and terrains.
Maintenance
You should also know that electric bikes are heavy on maintenance.
This means that you’re going to have to spend quite a bit of time on their upkeep, even though most manufacturers will say that their model doesn’t require maintenance.
The good news is that most of the best electric bikes for bad knees come with removable batteries, which makes maintenance a tad easier, albeit not unnecessary.
Frame
The type and size of the bike frame have a huge impact on how it handles and rides. The most popular materials include aluminum and carbon steel.
Both materials are strong yet lightweight, and if you’re on the heavy-set side then you should ensure that it comes with 26-inch wheels, but some bikes go up to 29 inches which is even better.
Types of Bicycles for Bad Knees
When looking for the best bicycle for bad knees, consumers are truly spoilt for choice as there are many options to choose from.
You have road bikes that are made for speed but not comfort, while cruiser bikes are the comfiest to ride but will keep you at a reasonable speed.
The best bike for seniors with bad knees as you’ll soon find are somewhere in the middle. Keep reading to find out more.
Road Bikes
Road bikes aren’t a good investment for someone that has knee problems because they’re designed with narrow tires and drop handlebars.
This requires the rider to hunch forward uncomfortably and they don’t have a shock absorption mechanism either.
So, we definitely recommend staying away from road bikes if you have knee pain because it won’t do you any favors.
Hybrid Bikes
As the name implies, a hybrid bike offers the best of both worlds between ease of control and sturdiness.
This makes it ideal for both off-road and casual pursuits such as daily commuting and zipping through the city.
The great thing about a hybrid bike is that its lightweight frame and narrow tires enable you to reach relatively fast speeds.
Mountain Bikes
What makes a mountain bike so ideal for people with knee problems is the fact that it comes with a comfy saddle and a suspension system to absorb all kinds of shocks.
However, this type of bike isn’t designed for the daily commute and is better suited for off-road applications despite its weak tires and heavy frame which can slow you down a bit.
So, a mountain bike is better for someone who plans on cycling off-road as opposed to someone who is looking to enjoy it on paved roads. If you are the latter, then it’s best to stick with a hybrid or cruiser bike instead.
Cruiser Bikes
Cruiser bikes are perfect for casual cyclists who just ride bikes as a casual hobby. They typically come with heavy-duty frames, curved handlebars for easy control, and wide saddles with a soft middle.
They’re ideal for enjoying casual rides around the neighborhood and thanks to the position of the pedals and the seat height, they’re perfect for people with knee problems.
They’re also designed to keep you in an upright position, thanks to their ergonomic design and you don’t have to hunch over or flex your knees when riding this type of bicycle.
Assisted Bikes
An assisted bike is considered by many to be the easiest to ride for someone who has bad knees or knee pain.
This makes sense when you consider that most conventional bikes are designed to be self-propelled which means that you are responsible for moving it forward, with the exception of electric bikes which are powered by specialized motors.
An assisted bike is great because they enable you to cycle over longer distances and enjoy biking for longer without further damaging your knees. All you have to do is switch on the motor and keep going.
The only downside to electric bikes is that they take away the exercise portion of bike riding as you don’t have to exert any sort of force to propel them forward. But, you could always switch from manual to electric at your whim in order to get at least a little bit of exercise in.
Conclusion
Now you have all the information you need to make an informed decision on the best bicycle for bad knees for your needs.
If you were to ask for our opinion, we would highly recommend the Huffy 26″ Panama Jack Beach Cruiser Bike as a top option out of all the bicycles that we featured here.
It’s constructed from durable material so you know it’ll be reliable enough for long periods of time. It’s also beautifully designed and comes with comfortable features such as padded seats which allow you to ride for long distances in comfort.
Both the frame and the handlebars of this bike are designed to help you maintain an upright position without straining your legs or knees. It also comes with fenders to keep you clean and splash-free, while the various speed modes mean that you can ride this bike on any type of terrain.