Shoulder surgery / Suspension stem
Discussion
A friend runs a redshift one, he works in the bike industry and was given it as a tester, its good for gravel riding and taking the sting out of bumps as well as reducing fatigue on longer rides. But from your point of view with recovering from surgery i'm not sure it will be a perfect solution, it will definitely have some benefit but the travel is very short its almost equivalent to having a flexi set of carbon bars. He says it doesn't detract from handling or feel when climbing and out of the saddle etc.
I had a new left shoulder about 18 months ago, hope your recovery goes well. Mine was due to arthritis, although I had broken both my clavicle and scapula in separate bike crashes in the years before; my consultant claimed the arthritis wouldn't be as a result of the crashes but it seems too much of a coincedence to me (and my wife 
). I'm probably about as recovered as I am going to get, still a little pain, but bearable, and much more range of movement than before the replacement.
I have read that those suspension systems can take a bit of getting used to, I think it causes the bars to move up and down about a pivot that is in front of the stem?
Another option you might think about is a different bike; I bought a Specialised Diverge a year ago, which was new in 2021. This is their gravel bike and has a suspension system in the stem, it allows 20mm of movement up and down vertically in the stem. My bike is carbon and has a double chain ring, and as it is primarily my winter road bike with mudguards is spot on for me. It's a very comfy ride, it works well on the crappy Sussex lanes I ride on. I take it on some gravel trails too, although I think a proper mountain bike is a better option on real South Downs trails.
). I'm probably about as recovered as I am going to get, still a little pain, but bearable, and much more range of movement than before the replacement.I have read that those suspension systems can take a bit of getting used to, I think it causes the bars to move up and down about a pivot that is in front of the stem?
Another option you might think about is a different bike; I bought a Specialised Diverge a year ago, which was new in 2021. This is their gravel bike and has a suspension system in the stem, it allows 20mm of movement up and down vertically in the stem. My bike is carbon and has a double chain ring, and as it is primarily my winter road bike with mudguards is spot on for me. It's a very comfy ride, it works well on the crappy Sussex lanes I ride on. I take it on some gravel trails too, although I think a proper mountain bike is a better option on real South Downs trails.
Thanks for the responses. My Gravel bike is used mainly on the road or cycle paths. Probably 90% of the usage.
Mine is arthritis related. Had rotator cuff & bicep tendon surgery on 17/11. Had the post op assessment on Tuesday. Consultant said I m 3 - 4 months off riding again.
Shoulder & muscles tendons etc were FUBAR so got 6 titanium anchors drilled in to the bones.
It s been bad for a couple of years but cycling never caused any discomfort but I m looking for something to numb the road vibrations & shocks a bit.
Looking at the specs, the Titanium pro version is sub £200 so probably put it on my Christmas list
Worst thing about not cycling is mental health. People inc surgeon suggested a Wahoo type trainer but I don t think that would help the head aspect. I couldn t do gears either.
Heh ho!
Mine is arthritis related. Had rotator cuff & bicep tendon surgery on 17/11. Had the post op assessment on Tuesday. Consultant said I m 3 - 4 months off riding again.
Shoulder & muscles tendons etc were FUBAR so got 6 titanium anchors drilled in to the bones.
It s been bad for a couple of years but cycling never caused any discomfort but I m looking for something to numb the road vibrations & shocks a bit.
Looking at the specs, the Titanium pro version is sub £200 so probably put it on my Christmas list
Worst thing about not cycling is mental health. People inc surgeon suggested a Wahoo type trainer but I don t think that would help the head aspect. I couldn t do gears either.
Heh ho!
Edited by Squadrone Rosso on Monday 29th December 19:37
Meridianmet said:
From your posts, i've seen you have been really enjoying your revolt, what you need is a Revolt X with the 40mm suspension fork. I love mine, seen hear with my mates 2026 Revolt.
That’s more of an upgrade than I’m looking for at present given I did the wheels this year. Interesting concept though. Edited by Meridianmet on Sunday 7th December 22:14
I had one on my CX bike that I converted to gravel - i fitted it after a shoulder issue.
Made a huge difference and was able to use the bike for much rougher terrain than I expected.
My new gravel bike has larger tyres, and I haven't fitted one yet as I would need to get one of the shorter ones
Made a huge difference and was able to use the bike for much rougher terrain than I expected.
My new gravel bike has larger tyres, and I haven't fitted one yet as I would need to get one of the shorter ones
peew said:
I had one on my CX bike that I converted to gravel - i fitted it after a shoulder issue.
Made a huge difference and was able to use the bike for much rougher terrain than I expected.
My new gravel bike has larger tyres, and I haven't fitted one yet as I would need to get one of the shorter ones
Thanks for the feedback. I’m leaning towards ordering one but just need to be sure of length and angle suitable for my 2021 Giant Revolt. I’ll contact them. Made a huge difference and was able to use the bike for much rougher terrain than I expected.
My new gravel bike has larger tyres, and I haven't fitted one yet as I would need to get one of the shorter ones
I’ve got physio starting in Jan following glenoid and labrum repair and hill sachs lesion repair. I focussing on zwifting in the short term and hopefully road biking by summer.
Having done a collar bone in my youth I remember how jarring a MTB can be, having said that my epic evo full sus is pretty plush on smooth single track, at the moment I doubt I could move my bad arm enough to hold the wider MTB bar.
Hope the OP recovery goes well, I’m not expecting to be able to lift my arm higher than my shoulder for at least 3 months. 4 weeks post op now and cannot drive for another 4-6 weeks.
Having done a collar bone in my youth I remember how jarring a MTB can be, having said that my epic evo full sus is pretty plush on smooth single track, at the moment I doubt I could move my bad arm enough to hold the wider MTB bar.
Hope the OP recovery goes well, I’m not expecting to be able to lift my arm higher than my shoulder for at least 3 months. 4 weeks post op now and cannot drive for another 4-6 weeks.
Took one step closer to getting back on the bike yesterday as in fitted the red shift shock stopper stem. Easy enough job. I even used a torque wrench lol
I m targeting a 1st April return. Recovery has been slow and at one point I was looking at a further procedure to free the joint but then all of a sudden there was improvement. I ve driven twice as range of movement is a lot better. 10% off my good shoulder.
It s still quite sore & painful though when I reach up.
I ve kept fit ish by walking and only put a couple of lb on.
Can t wait now. Boy have I missed it!
I m targeting a 1st April return. Recovery has been slow and at one point I was looking at a further procedure to free the joint but then all of a sudden there was improvement. I ve driven twice as range of movement is a lot better. 10% off my good shoulder.
It s still quite sore & painful though when I reach up.
I ve kept fit ish by walking and only put a couple of lb on.
Can t wait now. Boy have I missed it!
Edited by Squadrone Rosso on Friday 20th March 07:49
What surgery did you have? I had ACJ reconstruction on 30th December 2024 and my first ride back was 20th Feb 2025 (think it was around 5 days earlier than the surgeon allowed).
Just be careful, I ride road and on my route there are some small metal drainage channels running perpendicular to the track on an underpass. You'd never normally notice them, but it was enough of a jolt to nearly knock me off when I hit them the first time (and had to be very careful for a while after!). You probably won't be able to reach round to your jersey pockets on your 'bad' side (I still find this difficult 18 months on), so make your snacks or whatever accessible from your 'good' side.
Just be careful, I ride road and on my route there are some small metal drainage channels running perpendicular to the track on an underpass. You'd never normally notice them, but it was enough of a jolt to nearly knock me off when I hit them the first time (and had to be very careful for a while after!). You probably won't be able to reach round to your jersey pockets on your 'bad' side (I still find this difficult 18 months on), so make your snacks or whatever accessible from your 'good' side.
ecs said:
What surgery did you have? I had ACJ reconstruction on 30th December 2024 and my first ride back was 20th Feb 2025 (think it was around 5 days earlier than the surgeon allowed).
Just be careful, I ride road and on my route there are some small metal drainage channels running perpendicular to the track on an underpass. You'd never normally notice them, but it was enough of a jolt to nearly knock me off when I hit them the first time (and had to be very careful for a while after!). You probably won't be able to reach round to your jersey pockets on your 'bad' side (I still find this difficult 18 months on), so make your snacks or whatever accessible from your 'good' side.
I now at 3.5 months post have almost full ROM, a little hunching when reaching straight up or pointing back over my shoulder. I reckon I can get stuff in / out jersey pockets, made some sudden progress just need to release the final bit of capsules adhesion. Just be careful, I ride road and on my route there are some small metal drainage channels running perpendicular to the track on an underpass. You'd never normally notice them, but it was enough of a jolt to nearly knock me off when I hit them the first time (and had to be very careful for a while after!). You probably won't be able to reach round to your jersey pockets on your 'bad' side (I still find this difficult 18 months on), so make your snacks or whatever accessible from your 'good' side.
I’m pretty apprehensive about getting out on a bike outside.
ALawson said:
I now at 3.5 months post have almost full ROM, a little hunching when reaching straight up or pointing back over my shoulder. I reckon I can get stuff in / out jersey pockets, made some sudden progress just need to release the final bit of capsules adhesion.
I m pretty apprehensive about getting out on a bike outside.
Similar situation. I’ve not done any riding indoors. I think my first ride will be a flat 22 miler around the bay. How I haven’t forgotten how & when to clip out…lol I m pretty apprehensive about getting out on a bike outside.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff