Leg Pain ?

Hello,
I just spent some time at a Demo Day trying Hobie Mirage Outback & Revo.
After the day was over I noticed my legs hurt a bit at the upper hip joint.
Is this to be expected ?
Did I not have the pedels adjusted properly ?
Or is it just my 25 years at a desk job ? ( I also noticed sorness in my leg muscles..... but I expected that ).


Before I buy ...... I need to make sure it wont be a problem down the road.

Funny you should mention it. I had the same pain when I first bought my Revo. The pain went away after about 1.5 weeks.

Hello Footflyer,
Do you mean "after 1.5 weeks " of using your kayak ?
or 1.5 weeks of NOT using it ?

Hello, CBass,

I am a new Hobie Revolution owner, age 60. I've been out twice, each time for about 2 hours, pedaling almost continually at about 60 strokes/sec. I am an avid walker, about 4 hours per week. The only noticeable effect I have observed is very slight pain in my knee joints when I get up from a chair the next morning. This goes away in less than a day. So far this is a very slight impact, not enough to change my opinion of Hobie kayaking, I love it!

Hi Bob2,
Thank you for your insight ........ that is the kind of info I need.

I suspect I had the pedels in too close, causing my legs to come up toward my chest a bit too much.

I also have sensitive knees, and lower back. That is why I hesitant about buying. I would hope all would improve with frequent enough use, and getting those muscles and joints moving.
But my wife would kill me if I bought yet another thing I never use enough due to discomfort.

If anyone else has more insight, I'm all ears ..........

.

CBass,

In my prior post, that was 60 cycles per MINUTE, of course!

I have been using the "default" position (4, the middle of the range) for the pedal location. Since I am 6 ft. 1 in., I probably need to move the pedals farther away - my legs are pretty far from fully extended when i reach the stop. I will let you know if this has any bearing on what I experience. Given the design of the Mirage drive, this won't change the full angular range I drive the pedals, since it will decrease the "up" stroke as much as it extends the "down" stroke. In other words, it will change the midpoint bend in my leg, but not the total angle range over which I move. (Can you tell I am a physicist?)

Hope this is helpful.

I suppose there is a "Sweet Spot" for anyone's given height. I'm 5 ' 9".

At the Demo Day, where I tried these, it was busy enough that I rushed to get my chance on the kayak, and then give someone else a chance.
Therefore not necessarily finding a sweet spot. ( It felt fine the day of pedaling, but it was the next day I noticed. )

I'm so looking forward to fishing from one ......... but I don't want to make an impulse buy.

Well ....... from a Musician to a physicist, I'll see if I can't just "Fix it in the mix".

enjoy Laguna ........ I'm jealous

I adjust the pedals like a bicyclist would adjust his seat -- almost full extension of the knee (short of hyper-extension). It gives better leverage for more power, less fatigue and less joint strain. I also tilt the seat back so my hips aren't bent so much -- much more relaxing.

You can try different combinations that are most comfortable for you.

Well Bob2, there you have it ......... the "Old Salt" Roadrunner had the advise of a Hobie Guru.

Thanx Roadrunner !
I truly hope thats all there is to it.

I rather like the sound of that!

BTW, I recently had minor knee surgery (for past sins) and have been taking some physical therapy while continuing to pedal the kayak 2 to 3 times weekly. The therapist has been so pleased at the progress that he's asked to go out kayaking and try this himself. I'll be taking him out in about 2 weeks when he gets back from vacation.

That would be 1.5 weeks of using the kayaking twice a day for about 2-3 hours each time.

"60 strokes/sec" hmmmmmm Wonder how fast you were going with which flippers?

Seriously, the more you use the Mirage the less you will notice stress in your legs.

I suspect that 25 years at a desk with little or no exercise will tent to atrophy the leg. Use the legs and get over the pain.

Try 1/3 sloooo knee bends until the quads burn. Do every other day. Miraging becomes easier. Alternate. Join a gym and exercise onthe recumbant step climber/xtrainer. Very like the Mirage. Don't use the arms to help. Level 3 is as easy as the standard flippers, level 6 is like the turbo fins when trying to go fast and level 5 is like the turbo in cruise.

Some Oxycotin the next day helps also.

_________________
---A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem---

Demo days... first time use.

I think it is quite typical to feel the effects of using new muscles and would encourage new users to start more slowly. It is my experience that people get in and go sprinting all around. That kind of rigorous exercise on old bones is sure to have an effect.

You will learn to pace yourself as you learn your limits and the muscles and joints will benefit from the exercise.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Whoops, never mind.