MTB Riding Position

Paul said:

I have been suffering from severe low back pain for some time now and
am seeing an Osteo and Physio to help me manage it. Up to now I am
convinced that riding is not the cause of it, but that it's triggered
more by my posture whilst at work.

However, when it flares up my riding position on my road bike
definitely doesn't help and I've been advised to ride (for a while)
in an upright a position as possible.

Get a Brommie, you know you want one. ;-) As upright a riding position as
you'll get on any bike (barring perhaps a Pedersen). See the "Comfort" page
on http://www.pedersenbicycle.dk/ or
http://www.dursley-pedersen.co.uk/pedersentreffen/2001bw/2001_img/pages/81560015_jpg.htm
to see what I mean.

Can't help you with the MTB question though. Sorry.

Tim

Paul said:

some slicker tyres on it. Predominantly though I am interested as to whether
a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out, more upright position than the
various types of bikes associacted with road use.

Depends on the bike setup. My MTB is just as stretched out as a lot of
road bikes, others have riser bars and shorter tubes and are far more
sit up and beg. If you specify different handlebars with risers you'll
be able to get more upright.

But a roadster/Dutch-style urban bike is considerably more upright, and
a Pedersen even more so. Or bend your back the other way into a nice,
supportive comfy chair, and take the recumbent route. Not all back
problems respond to recumbent seating, but a lot do.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

in message <[email hidden]>, Paul

(') said:

I have been suffering from severe low back pain for some time now and
am seeing an Osteo and Physio to help me manage it. Up to now I am
convinced that riding is not the cause of it, but that it's triggered
more by my posture whilst at work.

However, when it flares up my riding position on my road bike
definitely doesn't help and I've been advised to ride (for a while) in
an upright a position as possible. I've looked at hybrids/flat bars and
whilst they are slightly more upright than my road bike it's not
significantly better so as to make the difference. When I was in my LBS
the other day I spotted a Giant MTB on offer for 150 quid that looked
to have a more upright position than any road bike.

If it has a more upright position than a road bike, and it's a mountain
bike, then it's a specialist downhiller that weighs a ton. However, such
a bike also costs more than £150. I suspect what you're looking at is
either a jump bike - which isn't really ridable at all for more than
short distances, but is designed for BMX style stunts, or a 'comfort'
hybrid. 'Comfort' hybrids (e.g. Specialized Expedition
<URL:http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9348>😉 have a
noticeably upright riding position. While they have some features in
common with mountain bikes, they're designed for roads and level tracks.
You'd find it a slow and probably boring ride, but it would certainly be
a different riding position.

Alternatively, have you considered a recumbent?

Quoted message said:

Predominantly though I am
interested as to whether a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out,
more upright position than the various types of bikes associacted with
road use.

No. A properly adjusted (cross country) mountain bike has pretty much the
same riding position as the same rider's road bike.

Quoted message said:

Can anyone offer me pearls of wisdom and how MTB's tend to go
on the road?

With slicks, not dreadful. Most mountain bike suspension is not designed
for road use, and unless you can lock it out you will get a great deal
of unhelpful suspension movement which will actually take energy out of
the bike. On the road, too, you'll probably spin out of gears on the
flat let alone on downhills, although you may be able to fit a bigger
chainset.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; Let's have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck
;; in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle.
;; Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Dem, OR)

Paul said:

I have been suffering from severe low back pain for some time now and am
seeing an Osteo and Physio to help me manage it. Up to now I am convinced
that riding is not the cause of it, but that it's triggered more by my
posture whilst at work.

However, when it flares up my riding position on my road bike definitely
doesn't help and I've been advised to ride (for a while) in an upright a
position as possible. I've looked at hybrids/flat bars and whilst they are
slightly more upright than my road bike it's not significantly better so as
to make the difference. When I was in my LBS the other day I spotted a Giant
MTB on offer for 150 quid that looked to have a more upright position than
any road bike.

As I have never ridden a MTB before I just wondered what people's view was?
I know the gearing is different and I'd be using it for winter training on
the road really so that may be a bit of an issue, and I would have to stick
some slicker tyres on it. Predominantly though I am interested as to whether
a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out, more upright position than the
various types of bikes associacted with road use. Can anyone offer me pearls
of wisdom and how MTB's tend to go on the road?

Right now I need it!!

Cheers

Paul

PS: 2005 Ridgeback Genesis Day 00 anyone? ;-)

Of my various bikes, my hybrid (with an adjustable stem) is capable of
achieving the most upright setup. While I generally ride with my hands
well below my backside, I sometimes adjust the setup on the hybrid and
ride "penny-farthing style" just for a change for a day or two. It will
give a much more upright position than my MTB could manage.

--
Brian G

In article <[email hidden]>, Brian G

Quoted message said:

While I generally ride with my hands well below my backside, I
sometimes adjust the setup on the hybrid and ride "penny-farthing
style" just for a change for a day or two. It will give a much
more upright position than my MTB could manage.

If you have a large stomach and a bad back the upright position is
the only way to go.

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net

Peter Clinch ([email hidden]) wrote:
: Paul wrote:

: > some slicker tyres on it. Predominantly though I am interested as to whether
: > a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out, more upright position than the
: > various types of bikes associacted with road use.

[snip]

: But a roadster/Dutch-style urban bike is considerably more upright, and
: a Pedersen even more so.

I am from Germany, where the bike market is also full of _very_ upright
urban bikes, which I like for city riding. I haven't bought a new one in
quite some time, but I recently saw that this London store has some:

http://www.bikefix.co.uk/b-fahrrad.html

One problem is that the most upright ones seem to be "ladies'" versions,
which you may not want. But the very bottom model seems to be more
sporty. Probably a tradeoff between back and other things. Another issue
with these particular bikes is that they usually come fully equipped for
city riding (which I appreciate), but that may be too much stuff you don't
want.

Good luck with the back in any case!

m.

Sandy Morton said:

If you have a large stomach and a bad back the upright position is
the only way to go.

An aerobelly is not a problem if you're lying down on the job, though! ;-)

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Marianne Promberger ([email hidden]) wrote:
: urban bikes, which I like for city riding. I haven't bought a new one in
: quite some time, but I recently saw that this London store has some:

: http://www.bikefix.co.uk/b-fahrrad.html

: One problem is that the most upright ones seem to be "ladies'" versions,
: which you may not want. But the very bottom model seems to be more
: sporty.

Ugh, also costs just 1,500 GBP. Huh. The website of the manufacturer is
www.fahrradmanufaktur.de. Alas, annoying flash or something website, and
in German. In case you care, "Stadtraeder" would be the upright city
stuff. Many more models.

m.

Tim Downie said:

Get a Brommie, you know you want one. ;-) As upright a riding position as
you'll get on any bike (barring perhaps a Pedersen).

Though a Brom's riding position /is/ upright, at least if the standard
seatpost is fully extended (it is for me, and I'm hardly a giant at
5'8"/1.73m) you can certainly get more so without resorting to a
Pedersen. A roadster with moustache bars will typically have you sat
more upright IME.

Though having said that, IIRC Myra Van I went to her Brom as the main
bike as her pregnancy wore on and her wrists got more painful as it was
the most upright bike she had available. It may well be upright
/enough/, and they *are* fantastically useful machines that very few
regret buying.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Sandy Morton said:

If you have a large stomach and a bad back the upright position is
the only way to go.

Disagree. I have a large stomach and dicky back, and cycling is the
single best source of relief when the back is giving trouble.

Maybe we should get opinions from the ladies on how a temporarily
very large bump affects cycling?

--
Nick Kew

Nick Kew said:

Maybe we should get opinions from the ladies on how a temporarily
very large bump affects cycling?

My pregnant friend swapped her mountain bike for a Dutch upright sitting
roadster because that way there was more room between her knees and
her bump.
Aerobellies however tend to be softer :-)

Roos

Sandy Morton said:

In article <[email hidden]>, Brian G

Quoted message said:

While I generally ride with my hands well below my backside, I
sometimes adjust the setup on the hybrid and ride "penny-farthing
style" just for a change for a day or two. It will give a much
more upright position than my MTB could manage.

If you have a large stomach and a bad back the upright position is
the only way to go.

Well of course I'd simply have to take your word for that ;-)

--
Brian G

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

As I have never ridden a MTB before I just wondered what people's view
was?
I know the gearing is different and I'd be using it for winter training
on
the road really so that may be a bit of an issue, and I would have to
stick
some slicker tyres on it. Predominantly though I am interested as to
whether
a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out, more upright position than
the
various types of bikes associacted with road use.

Depends on the frame. It will probably be 600mm saddle tube to steerer plus
a 120mm stem compared to 560 plus 90/100 for your road bike.

Even if the MTB's bars are higher, the way the hands rest on the bars is
different. When riding on the hoods, the wrists tend to be above the bar
with the hands pointing down whereas on the MTB the wrists will be behind
the bar with the hands pointing up. If you really do want a shorter/higher
position you will still need to budget for a shorter, taller stem.

Rather than spend £150 on another bike consider modifying your existing one
to make an "urban bike" (if you can do it yourself). Hopefully you have a
modern stem with an end cap that allows a quick change.
Bar £15
9sp underbar shifters £40
2 brake levers £20
Bar ends £15
Cables £20 (leave all the old ones on the original bar so that swapping
back is easy).
Grips £6

This will give a shorter position by default but you have a few quid left
to change the stem if necessary Fit the bar ends inboard between the
shifters and brakes, not at the actual "bar ends".

My personal experience is that hoods give me neck & shoulder ache due to
the hand grip, not the stretch. On the flats with the toe in of the bar
ends, the hands are more naturally aligned giving me more flexible elbows
which gives less neck strain for the same height & reach.

I notice many people ride hoods with an arched back. I don't know if I do
but I am curious about that phenomenon. It can't be good & I know your pain
is lower down but different people probably react differently..

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sandy Morton said:

If you have a large stomach and a bad back the upright position is
the only way to go.

An aerobelly is not a problem if you're lying down on the job, though! ;-)

More like a distinct advantage?

The bike I was/am looking at was actually a Giant Boulder MTB. I got to sit
on it today and have a little ride around and it's definitely a more upright
ride than my road bike or indeed any of the hybrids I have tried.

Cheers

Paul

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> whizzed past me shouting

Quoted message said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Paul

(') said:

Predominantly though I am
interested as to whether a MTB does indeed have a less stretched out,
more upright position than the various types of bikes associacted with
road use.

No. A properly adjusted (cross country) mountain bike has pretty much the
same riding position as the same rider's road bike.

Wiggle will sell you a 20cm stem lifter, which certainly will give you a
more upright position. I use one on my "urban MTB" commuter.
I still rest my back on the straight bits by letting go of the bar and
sitting upright.
My neck's bad too so I'm much more comfortable in an upright position -
I wouldn't ride off road like that though, and I don't do training.

--
Sue ]🙁🙂

What goes down must come up again - Confucius' Law of Mountain Biking

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wiggle will sell you a 20cm stem lifter, which certainly will give you a
more upright position. I use one on my "urban MTB" commuter.
I still rest my back on the straight bits by letting go of the bar and
sitting upright.

This one?

http://tinyurl.com/7w92o

How does that work then? Presumably I'd need some of those disc thingys too?

Cheers

Paul

Paul <[email hidden]> whizzed past me shouting

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wiggle will sell you a 20cm stem lifter, which certainly will give you a
more upright position. I use one on my "urban MTB" commuter.
I still rest my back on the straight bits by letting go of the bar and
sitting upright.

This one?

http://tinyurl.com/7w92o

How does that work then? Presumably I'd need some of those disc thingys too?

Yes, that's the one. You fit it where the stem normally goes, then fit
the stem to the top of it. It comes with a very long screw to reach
down to the star nut.
You don't need extra spacer rings with it, assuming you have the ones
that came with the bike, there'll be no room for more spacers on the
existing steer tube.
I had to restring some brakes/gears when I fitted it, as the housings
were a couple of centimetres too short, so I'd make sure I'd got spares
handy.
You can remove the stem raiser in minutes with just an allen key.

You also get a more upright position with swept-back bars, because they
have the handle behind the stem rather than beside it.
St John Street have the widest range of ergo bars. They're more trouble
to fit/remove because you have to shift all the bar furniture, so choose
carefully.

If you end up with a really comfortable adapted MTB you'll never sell it
even if your back improves - as hack bikes they're unbeatable.
Kerbhopping, stairs etc are actually easier since your weight's further
back to begin with.

--
Sue ]🙁🙂

What goes down must come up again - Confucius' Law of Mountain Biking

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote:

: No. A properly adjusted (cross country) mountain bike has pretty much the
: same riding position as the same rider's road bike.

I've got to disagree here. If you have a low road position the handling
off road will be awful and the bars will need to be raised by at least
a few cm.

For interest I measured the saddle->bars drop on my road bike today as
just over 10cm. I'd find it hard to ride off road with that sort of
drop.

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
The struggle of people against power is the struggle
of memory against forgetting - Milan Kundera