Is there a way to adjust the handle bars so I don't have to lean forward? I'm 5'5" and would have to have octopus arms to use this without leaning forward. I otherwise love the machine but am so disappointed by this. How are the other short ladies getting along with this issue? I only saw one complaint about it. Is there a way to adjust the handle bars so I don't have to lean forward? I'm 5'5" and would have to have octopus arms to use this without leaning forward. I otherwise love the... » Read More Is there a way to adjust the handle bars so I don't have to lean forward? I'm 5'5" and would have to have octopus arms to use this without leaning forward. I otherwise love the machine but am so disappointed by this. How are the other short ladies getting along with this issue? I only saw one complaint about it. « Show Less
456041
I believe the handles are fixed, but I'd definitely double check, as another responder said, to make sure the arms are on the proper sides. I'm just under 5' 5'' & have no issue. The only other thing I could say is to perhaps grip them a little lower on the arms so they don't pull you forward as much. Good luck!
456042
Make sure your machine arms are not reversed or on backwards. They should bend toward you. my wife is just under 5'2" and she has no issues using this machine. However, we did install them backwards the first time we put it together. The arm is two pieces so make sure when your actually standing on the machine that the two LEFT pieces are on your left and the two RIGHT pieces are to the right of you. They are labeled with little stickers indicating (L) and (R). Hope this helps.
456043
I don't know of anyway to adjust the handles. You may be able to adjust the foot pads. I am only 5'8" and am comfortable and don't lean forward. It may just be the foot pad position but I don't know for sure.
99506
I have this problem also. The seat is easy to adjust but between my wife and I the handlebars are a major ordeal to adjust; there are four bolts that need to be removed, then move the handlebars and then replace the bolts. Not a quick fix.
1764460
Hi, Madeline. Hope it's not too late to help. I got the Active 20 and the seat adjustment is the same as a higher-end Schwinn that my friend has. They both adjust forward and backward only, but the seats slide at a downward, somewhat shallow angle. So there's no true 'vertical' adjustment--but a slight vertical change when you slide it backwards and forwards. It may provide little consolation, but the nature of recumbent bicycles means that your height in relation to the ground becomes somewhat irrelevant, as the most important rule to follow is the distance between your hips and the pedals. As long as you're not hyper-extending your knees (legs entirely outstretched when your foot is on the pedal farthest away from you), bicycle manufacturers think that the location of the pedals isn't important, as long as they're not above your heart. I'm sorry if I couldn't help you. One more thing, it's also bad to have your legs so cramped that your pedaling brings your knees close to your chest.
276031
Hello. I'm also 5 feet tall and wondering if anyone ever answered your question. I want to buy an elliptical and they all seem to cater to tall people! I had to have the pedals of last one I owned removed and moved forward, putting wood blocks underneath to also raise me up. Otherwise I the only way I could reach the handles was to walk in a leaning forward position. ANYONE out there with advice for us shrimps?
292709
I bought this wheelchair for my daughter when we traveled to Europe last summer. She is 5'1" tall and weighs 90 lbs. After sitting for long periods as we toured around, she was definitely uncomfortable. The chair is wonderfully compact and lightweight but her legs were bent at an angle that really bothered her knees and whenever we stopped she would immediately stretch her legs forward and put them on the ground to straighten them. We even made a 4" pillow for her to sit on but it didn't solve the problem - if the bottom bar had been extended it would have been perfect - but then it wouldn't fold up as well etc. Good luck! I bought this wheelchair for my daughter when we traveled to Europe last summer. She is 5'1" tall and weighs 90 lbs. After sitting for long periods as we toured around, she was definitely uncomfortable. The chair is wonderfully compact and lightweight but her legs were bent at an angle that really bothered her knees and whenever we stopped she would immediately stretch her legs forward and put them on the ground to straighten them. We even made a 4" pillow for her to sit on but it didn't solve the problem - if the bottom bar had been extended it would have been perfect - but then... » Read More I bought this wheelchair for my daughter when we traveled to Europe last summer. She is 5'1" tall and weighs 90 lbs. After sitting for long periods as we toured around, she was definitely uncomfortable. The chair is wonderfully compact and lightweight but her legs were bent at an angle that really bothered her knees and whenever we stopped she would immediately stretch her legs forward and put them on the ground to straighten them. We even made a 4" pillow for her to sit on but it didn't solve the problem - if the bottom bar had been extended it would have been perfect - but then it wouldn't fold up as well etc. Good luck! « Show Less
1484881
Good question my wife has it now, so I can't check it for a week? She is 5,3 and I haven't heard a complaint and I am 5,11 and have moved it a few feet to take it to her and I don't remember having a problem? Contact the manufacturer to see if he has extenders or you could have a set built by your local machine shop, friend, etc. I would think they all are built to a standard height? But it may be adjustable? I checked the Amazon web site and see that it can be adjusted over a six inch range? It sounds good to me?
50539
I'm 5'2" and don't have a problem with the pedals but have a problem with the seat. It is too long and the back of my thighs hit it as I pedal. Don't know if this is due to my height though. Yes, it does go backwards and the monitor tracks it as well.
2274682
I am not a child, but I do have the bicycle.. I am 5 ft 1 in and unable to ride an adult bike because my legs are very short due to rickets as a child. My balance is also not that good. My husband has my seat adjusted and replaced the original seat with one that was wider for more balance and comfort. Make sure you have the right air in the tires..it makes it much easier to pedal. She would have to be able to pull the brakes that are on the handle bar, but it has no gears and rides very smooth. I wish we lived close by so she could try mine. I think maybe she could master this bike. It has been a joy to me since I also cannot master a two wheeler. Good luck and God Bless..
1683694
Based on what I have been told by my local bike shop, the usual problem with finding the right size bike for a woman is the length from the seat to the handle bars. Which can usually be changed by using a shorter (front to back) handle bar post/holder(?). (horizontal part at the top of the stem) You might want to ask your local shop if they carry those and can install one for you. if you have longer arms that it shouldn't be an issue, if you are very short/ have a short reach you might want to take the measurements and find a similar sized one and see if it fits you. Most bike shops are very happy to have you check out their bikes, even if you're not buying. This really is a great bike for the price. Hope that helps.
2022807
I am 5'2 and have one. It it a stretch to reach the pedals. I have to wear shoes with a thick sole in order for my feet to make the rotation. I find that my back hurts after riding mine because it stretches me to an unnatural position while riding. I have even ordered another seat, which was very expensive, thinking that it might help. So NO, they don't take short people into consideration when building their bikes. If you could lower the seat, it would be ideal.
1304415
I find the height adjustment VERY difficult to move and I am a very large strong man fyi Something must be broken on this or the manual is as bad as I believe in describing this as its just simply not fluidly doing it without me exerting extreme force. ... even then I cant seem to raise it to the top 3 levels. I can only lower it by pushing down extremely hard. Something has to be wrong here ... operator issues (machine seems to be smarter than me ) are a possibilty but ....I doubt it. Thoughts or help ?!?
804944
No, the handlebars do not adjust, only the seat adjusts. Since this isn't a spinning bike, or along those lines, you really don't need them to. A good deal of the time your hands won't be on them, or will be on the part that runs left to right in front of your body -- the part that runs perpendicular to the LED mounting post. This bike is a awesome, especially for the price. It is absolutely quiet and runs perfectly smoothly. I would definitely recommend it. I like it so much that I have been checking into purchasing an elliptical by this company as well. Hope this helps!
2001549
Try standing while straddling the bar, you do not want your privates to touch the bar.Seat height should be set so that when your at the bottom of the stroke, your leg is almost straight.Judging bike size when standing still on one foot and sitting on the seat is a mistake.
464523
They are not adjustable. I am also short (5'1)and find it only slightly inconvenient. It's also quite practical just to sit on the bike and pedal and not bother to hold on to the handlebars. Ideally I'd like it if the handlebars were either adjustable or not leaning so far forward to begin with, but I am still making good use of the bike.
1980575
My wife is 5'3". She rides with the seat moved two notches back from the forward stop to position #3. The forward stop is labeled position #1, and the stops are about 1" apart. The forward stop is the closest the seat can get to the pedals, and is about 2" closer than she rides. She does not extend her legs fully when she rides, and could probably be further away from the forward stop and still be comfortable. When I asked her she said it would probably work, but you should try it first to make sure. BTW, She LOVES the machine and uses it every day.
55250
Hi, good question. The neck is in a single position and the handlebars are adjustable only to the extent that you can change the angle of the bars themselves forward or back a bit. I found the 2 inch dip on the handlebar made me hunch over too far for my comfort on my 19 inch Edgewood, so I replaced it with a 4 inch dip handlebar. For me, at 6'0", this works perfectly.
944248
I am 5'8 I personally think you should look at a different machine for your daughter. I think it would be too uncomfortable perhaps although it does adjust saddle is uncomfortable that comes with it I had to buy a gel saddle for it.