which recumbent for a bad back

Try Greenspeed (trikes)
greenspeed.com.augreenspeed.com.auOpen ↗
They are based here in Melbourne Australia, but sell world wide and have a great reputation. They have trikes for different applications, and what is good for you that means different seat angles with great supportive stretchy seating so you should be able to find one you find comfortable.
A fair price is all subjective. Being one of the bigger players in recumbents you might be able to find one second hand.

verghudson said:

my first post and I am looking for advice on purchasing a recumbent because i have developed a couple of bad disc in my lower back. I want some degree of performance as well as ergomics and of course a fair price, any advice will be appreciated

I have two degenerative discs in my lower back and I went to a recumbent thinking the laid back riding position would ease the pressure on my back. In fact, it did the opposite. When I really tried to go fast to keep up with the guys in our club I paid the price in spades the next day. Some times I couldn't even walk for a day or two. Needless to say I don't try to keep up anymore, which really dilutes the experience of riding.

It seems that the force of pushing hard on the pedals was resisted by my shoulders on the seat back. Trapped in between my legs and my shoulders are the two degenerative discs, which must absorb all the compression that results from force on the pedals. The discs apparently compress to some degree allowing the pinching of nerves which then leads to muscle spasms.

The recumbent I rode was a "high-racer" dual 26" wheel model with a quite laid-back riding position. It's quite possible that a bike with a lower bottom bracket, such as a Gold Rush, and a more erect sitting position would mitigate the problem somewhat, allowing the hips to resist the pedal force rather than the shoulders, and removing the lower back from the equation.

I've now returned to an "upwrong" road bike, an older Bianchi, and find that if I keep my butt on the saddle, I can ride pretty well without problems. But if I get "out of the saddle" and really push on hills, then the lower back problem returns. So, as the physical therapist says, "Duh! Don't do that!"

I'd suggest you try a long wheelbase, low bottom bracket recumbent for a while. Perhaps an LBS would loan, or even rent, one to you for a trial. Good luck!

Regards,
Bob P.