Bike for a bad back

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

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to bike across the US in three years. Currently, I have a
LeMond Wayzata which is fine for now. Wanting something lighter is really
what I'm looking for. I have a fairly bad back that I need to consider, so
the distance from the seat to handlebars needs to be shorter than for a
typical bike. I like the Trek Pilot 5.0, but am looking for other
suggestions. I looked at a Giant OCR Composite 2, which was fine as well.
Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

Dale

A recumbent???

Cheers, helen s

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 18:48:21 +0100, "wafflycat"

waffles*A*T*v21net*D*O*T*co*D*O*T*uk said:

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

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to bike across the US in three years. Currently, I have a
LeMond Wayzata which is fine for now. Wanting something lighter is really
what I'm looking for. I have a fairly bad back that I need to consider, so
the distance from the seat to handlebars needs to be shorter than for a
typical bike. I like the Trek Pilot 5.0, but am looking for other
suggestions. I looked at a Giant OCR Composite 2, which was fine as well.
Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

Dale

A recumbent???

Depends on the type of back problem. Most recumbents are actually
worse for ruptured discs and some other back problems than double
triangles due to the position in which the rider sits.

- rick 'who cannot ride a bent due to back problems'

DR said:

Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

With creative use of aftermarket stems, stem extenders, and
handlebars--you should be able to make any bike comfy.

Drop handlebars with the tops a few inches above, as opposed to a few
inches below, seat height might be just the ticket.

I find riding with my spine totally vertical compresses the vertebrae and
a little forward lean is essential. Might be different for you. 😉

$2200 should get you a very nice ride. You didn't mention if you're going
to be supported by sag wagon or not. If you're self sufficient, I'd worry
more about putting together a reliable ride than uber-lightness.

but

That LeMond is a great bike, I can't see "lightness" as being any
limitation as far as it's concerned--it *is* very light. Maybe too light
for cross country use, but probably fine if you're riding supported. I'm
not a fan of flat bars, but if you find them comfy with bar-ends, then go
for it.

Focus on making the Lemond suitable for the trip and comfort, a pound here
or there isn't going to make much of a difference when you've rubbed your
crotch raw on an inappropriate saddle that saved you 50g.

Lightness is mainly a buzzword used to sell bikes and give weight weenies
something to obsess about. :P Within reason of course...

I would have a frame built by a reputable builder. I know someone who had
similar problems and the top tube on his custom frame was much shorter. This
is something you cannot accomplish with a production bike. You have one hell
of a journey coming up. I would not be skimp on the bike set up.

"Rick Warner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 18:48:21 +0100, "wafflycat"

waffles*A*T*v21net*D*O*T*co*D*O*T*uk said:

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

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to bike across the US in three years. Currently, I have a
LeMond Wayzata which is fine for now. Wanting something lighter is
really
what I'm looking for. I have a fairly bad back that I need to consider,
so
the distance from the seat to handlebars needs to be shorter than for a
typical bike. I like the Trek Pilot 5.0, but am looking for other
suggestions. I looked at a Giant OCR Composite 2, which was fine as
well.
Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

Dale

A recumbent???

Depends on the type of back problem. Most recumbents are actually
worse for ruptured discs and some other back problems than double
triangles due to the position in which the rider sits.

- rick 'who cannot ride a bent due to back problems'

"maxo" wrpte: (clip) a pound here or there isn't going to make much of a
difference when you've rubbed your crotch raw on an inappropriate saddle
that saved you 50g.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is profound. It's like me paying a $3 bridge toll to save $1 on a
haircut.

That's certainly food for thought, just switching out a few things on my
current bike. I can ride long periods on it (I've done 100 miles on it a few
times). Maybe I need to look at getting a few nicer replacement parts rather
than spend a few grand on a new bike. Thanks for a new perspective.

Dale
"maxo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

DR said:

Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

With creative use of aftermarket stems, stem extenders, and
handlebars--you should be able to make any bike comfy.

Drop handlebars with the tops a few inches above, as opposed to a few
inches below, seat height might be just the ticket.

I find riding with my spine totally vertical compresses the vertebrae and
a little forward lean is essential. Might be different for you. 😉

$2200 should get you a very nice ride. You didn't mention if you're going
to be supported by sag wagon or not. If you're self sufficient, I'd worry
more about putting together a reliable ride than uber-lightness.

but

That LeMond is a great bike, I can't see "lightness" as being any
limitation as far as it's concerned--it *is* very light. Maybe too light
for cross country use, but probably fine if you're riding supported. I'm
not a fan of flat bars, but if you find them comfy with bar-ends, then go
for it.

Focus on making the Lemond suitable for the trip and comfort, a pound here
or there isn't going to make much of a difference when you've rubbed your
crotch raw on an inappropriate saddle that saved you 50g.

Lightness is mainly a buzzword used to sell bikes and give weight weenies
something to obsess about. :P Within reason of course...

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

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to bike across the US in three years. Currently, I have a
LeMond Wayzata which is fine for now. Wanting something lighter is really
what I'm looking for. I have a fairly bad back that I need to consider, so
the distance from the seat to handlebars needs to be shorter than for a
typical bike. I like the Trek Pilot 5.0, but am looking for other
suggestions. I looked at a Giant OCR Composite 2, which was fine as well.
Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is

around

Quoted message said:

$2200. Thanks so much.

It must be nice to rake 3 years to bike across the USA

I solved my problems with an aching back by using a handlebar
stem-extender that raises them 2 inches above seat height. I use
straight bars that have tip extensions that provide an extra 4 inches in
height, when I want to straighten all the way up for short periods. I
have foam sleeves on both positions for hand comfort. There's a bit
more air resistance up there, but I can ride long distances at full
bore, without hurting myself. I can see where I'm going and what's
coming after me better, in an upright position. You usually have to get
all new cables to accomodate the extra length needed with a stem
extender (Use the old rear cables to fit the front positions).

I had to experiment a long time, to get the seat positioned at the
best distance from the bars and slanted at an ideal angle. The way you
position your knees throughout the stroke can affect not only the knees,
themselves, but also your back. It's best for most people to hold the
knees in a straight line between the hips and feet or possibly slanted
out just a little. Knee and back pain and damage can occur if you let
the knees ride inward or outward too much, especially when sprinting.

Steve McDonald

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

Quoted message said:

I'm planning to bike across the US in three years. Currently, I have a
LeMond Wayzata which is fine for now. Wanting something lighter is really
what I'm looking for. I have a fairly bad back that I need to consider, so
the distance from the seat to handlebars needs to be shorter than for a
typical bike. I like the Trek Pilot 5.0, but am looking for other
suggestions. I looked at a Giant OCR Composite 2, which was fine as well.
Any other bikes out there for bad backs that are light? My budget is
around $2200. Thanks so much.

Dale

Specialized Roubiax frame.