Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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hondated
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Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by hondated »

Dont why but just coming on here I realised that someone on here may have the answer to Steve's problem.

I had been following Steves motorcycle racing career for some time and finally got to meet him at the TT 2015. Nice fella loved what he did and a good rider as well.

Thats the good bit but unfortunately Steve had a bad accident which meant him being hospitalised for some months. Thankfully its been a long hard road for him and everyone else that has been involved but he is slowly recovering.

So much so he would now like to get back out on his bicycle but he now has one leg shorter than the other and has asked via his FaceBook page if anyone has any idea on how to help him solve this problem.

I have suggested using different crank lengths but by what I have read since that idea is not a runner. Can I then ask whether any one on here has any better ideas or whether they know of a company or anywhere he can get help to solve this problem. Thanks
Cyril Haearn
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by Cyril Haearn »

A block on one pedal with the same crank length?
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Tigerbiten
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by Tigerbiten »

Try Highpath Engineering -> https://highpath.co.uk/

Problems they can solve include ..........
stiff or restricted hip, knee or ankle joints
leg length discrepancies
prosthetic limbs and implants
arthritis
nerve damage
muscle wastage
or sports injuries?

Sound like you need to contact them.

Luck .......... :D
simonhill
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by simonhill »

He could try contacting CyclingUK head office. They often have articles in their magazine about people cycling with disabilities. There is usually a charity or other organisation involved.
eileithyia
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by eileithyia »

British Cycling.
Specialist Physios?
Occupational Therapists?

There must be a lot of routes where this problem can be solved?
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KM2
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by KM2 »

If the thighs are different lengths, then different crank lengths ( horizontal component). If lower leg, build up the pedal on the short side. Pelvic tilt? No idea.
peetee
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by peetee »

I understand your keenness to help out through this forum but what he really needs is professional assessment of the cause and effects of the discrepancy. It is highly likely that there will be repercussions and development in his muscular and skeletal form caused by repeated cyclic loadings that may cause further problems for him.
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
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NUKe
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by NUKe »

Tigerbiten wrote:Try Highpath Engineering -> https://highpath.co.uk/


Sound like you need to contact them.

Luck .......... :D

+1 for the bike
two friends have a similar problem
1st friend uses a built up cleat, the other a built up shoe as he does not use cleats
NUKe
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hondated
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by hondated »

Thanks everyone I will pass all the information to Steve.
ianrobo
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by ianrobo »

Good luck to him ! I once rode with a guy who had a leg blown off in Iraq and he had a special adapter for his pedals.
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hondated
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by hondated »

peetee wrote:I understand your keenness to help out through this forum but what he really needs is professional assessment of the cause and effects of the discrepancy. It is highly likely that there will be repercussions and development in his muscular and skeletal form caused by repeated cyclic loadings that may cause further problems for him.

Thanks peetee fair comment it was a question he asked on his FaceBook page but as far as I know he is still receiving treatment from the hospital so I dare say they will be involved as well.
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hondated
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by hondated »

ianrobo wrote:Good luck to him ! I once rode with a guy who had a leg blown off in Iraq and he had a special adapter for his pedals.

Thanks Ian dont know about you but the few times I have met cyclist with injuries such as that it makes me feel humble and any hills I face after that day certainly dont seem as bad.
ianrobo
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by ianrobo »

hondated wrote:
ianrobo wrote:Good luck to him ! I once rode with a guy who had a leg blown off in Iraq and he had a special adapter for his pedals.

Thanks Ian dont know about you but the few times I have met cyclist with injuries such as that it makes me feel humble and any hills I face after that day certainly dont seem as bad.


Oh totally as he caught up with me when I was bonking and gave me some sweets on a Kent hill ! Makes my suffering so much easier to bear
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531colin
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by 531colin »

Advertising in the current CTC mag.
No knowledge or connection with this business....interesting website, though!
https://www.quest88.com/
pwa
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Re: Steve Mercer IOM TT Rider needs help

Post by pwa »

What is the difference in leg lengths?

In theory, the shorter leg would need to be made to have less distance to the pedal by the appropriate amount, but how practical that might be would be influenced by how great the difference is. If it were only 1cm, for example, building the shoe up might be relatively simple.

(A shorter crank on one side is no answer because while it is less of a reach at the bottom of the rotation it is more of a reach at the top)
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