To buy a bike if you've a weakness in your back

Amelia09

I am seriously considering buying a road bike however am a bit weary as last year I had 2 disc prolapses. My back is in great shape now however it did take a year to get back to nearly better. I get the odd tinge now and again but just need to be careful.

I do spinning twice a week and love it. Doesn't hurt my back. I also do pilates for it.

I asked advice of my pilates teacher and she reckons the race handlebars who not be good for my back, BUT the straight handlebars be ok.

What do you's think?? I would really appreciate advice as I got a bike out on trial for a week and am loving it.

Caroline_ie

I am not expert in back pain however I don't think that you should only consider flat bars road bikes.

You don't actually use the drops unless you are racing. I know myself, I only use the drops in racing, or specific race training.

The 'race' bars will allow you more freedom with hand positions on the tops of the bars than the flat bars. It is much more interesting and comfortable for longer rides.

murph226

I'd say it would depend on the geometry of the bike, you can still have drop bars but higher up for a more relaxed riding position.

Lumen

I would not seek medical advice from a pilates teacher.

Beasty

OK - we cannot give medical advice here, and perhaps a physio is better placed to advise you.

However, just to relay my own experience

I've had 4 operations on my back for prolapsed discs, the last one about 10 years ago

I took up cycling at a serious level about 4 years ago, when I rode a hybrid. I was very overweight, and found my back would ache after a relatively short time. I managed to drop quite a bit of weight and managed to do the WW200 on it without major problems

Shortly after the WW200 I bought my first drop handlebars bike. I've not ridden the hybrid since, except on the turbo. The racing set-up allows you to spread your weight much more between the saddle and handlebars. You also, very importantly in my view, have more options for positioning your hands, allowing you to vary your position when you want - something that is much more difficult on a hybrid.

I still get the odd twinge, but nothing that stops me from cycling.

victorcarrera

I have an lumbar sacral subluxation, arthritis and a curved spine from an injury I sustained which forced me to retire from all contact and impact sports. When I started to cycle first I found short and moderate spins on a hybrid with a shock absorber seat post helped but long and or intense sessions would put me off the bike for a few days or more. I persisted with it because I enjoyed it and the inactivity was getting me down even though sometimes I was using the bike as a wheeled zimmer frame. Three years later things slowly improved and now I ride a road bike and TT bike with little or no trouble at all. I think low to moderate intensity cycling has helped my particular injury because it encourages symmetry and blood flow to damaged tissue, my back is much stronger and flexible now which helps to reduce the probability of further injury.
If it feels comfortable then I don't see why not. You can get softer 25 or 28mm tyres and stay on the smooth roads to begin with. As another poster has pointed out you don't need to use the lower position on the racing bars.

setanta59

I have a lower back problem, not as seious as some of you, I never had surgery.I have a road bike and have no serious problems, but every now and then my back gets sore and I have to rest for a week or so.
Correct bike size and bike fitting is essential if you plan on doing long distances, also some raod bike have a more "sportive" orientated geometry than others i.e. you sit more upright on the bike; only slightly mind, but maybe enough to make the difference. My bike is a Lapierre which also has a wiget thingy (not very technical language, I know!) on the frame behind the saddle which is meant to absorb road vibration, therby saving the back. It works for me, I did the Maracycle last year (220 miles over 2 days) without any back problems. Get a stretching program from a physio, or youtube has some also. good luck

reallyunique

If you have concerns about your back then spend the money and consult a professional (doctor, not accountant or GeographyPilates teacher). Regardless of anyone else's experience your situation may be different so if you're going to spend a few hundred on a bike, spend another one getting yourself checked out first. (Disclaimer: Though I am not a doctor I, along with my neighbours, spend several billion each year funding a non-profit medical organisation providing top quality health-care to those not yet covered by for-profit medical insurance).

Cycling does not have to be done on a drop-bar bike! Despite all the recommendations you'll find on various bike racing sites (even this one) drops are not in any way a requirement for cycling. Many touring bikes are designed around straight(ish) bars (Thorn come to mind) and people cover huge milages on them. According to a poll I read a while back, a lot of people with drop bars only use the drops occasionally.

Straight bars can be coupled with bar ends to give an increased number of hand positions when going on long journeys. Drops are certainly an option, particularly if you'll be going very fast where even small aerodynamic advantages really count, but they are not the only way to go and perhaps not even the best or the most comfortable.

Try a few bikes with diffent bar options if you can and see which ones you like best. Whatever you end up cycling be sure to enjoy it

Amelia09

Thanks everyone for the replies. Someone mentioned not getting advice from my pilates teacher and I totally can see where they coming from. I just wanted her opinion, this person has a degree in sports science and knows personally my back problem.

Thanks again for everyone who responded. Prior to hurting my back I was very sporty and had to give up contact sports, cycling I believe is something I could do. I have the bike til the weekend. It a trek 1.2. What are your opinions on this bike?? For someone who only rode a mountain bike before this bike is lovely to ride.

I agree with the comments regarding the race handlebars and how you have more postioning options in comparison to the hybrid.

Is there anyone out there medically I could ask about taking up cycling. I mean by doing it could I be damaging my back??

Sorry for the longwinded message I am just really excited about taking up cycling but nervous at the same time whether to take the plunge and buy.

Mycroft H

Amelia09 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. Someone mentioned not getting advice from my pilates teacher and I totally can see where they coming from. I just wanted her opinion, this person has a degree in sports science and knows personally my back problem.

Thanks again for everyone who responded. Prior to hurting my back I was very sporty and had to give up contact sports, cycling I believe is something I could do. I have the bike til the weekend. It a trek 1.2. What are your opinions on this bike?? For someone who only rode a mountain bike before this bike is lovely to ride.

I agree with the comments regarding the race handlebars and how you have more postioning options in comparison to the hybrid.

Is there anyone out there medically I could ask about taking up cycling. I mean by doing it could I be damaging my back??

Sorry for the longwinded message I am just really excited cycling but nervous at the same time whether to take the plunge and buy.

I would be more inclined to look at a touring bike. They have a more upright position and are designed with comfort in mind while still being quick. There a little heavier then your standard racer, but they have the ability to take pannier and full length mudguards and hub dynamos - useful additions for day to day cycling.

They're sometimes fitted with moustache and butterfly handlebars which give you many hand positions for comfort compared to standard drop bars. Mind you these can still be fitted to race bikes too.

Beasty

Amelia09 wrote: »

Is there anyone out there medically I could ask about taking up cycling. I mean by doing it could I be damaging my back??

Not on boards. Ask for medical advice here and the thread gets locked. Speak to your doctor. They should hopefully be able to recommend a specialist

jameverywhere

Is no one going to mention recumbent bikes?

deandean

Whatever bike you get, have it professionally fitted to you. The likes of Cycleways in Dublin (I think) have a bike-fitter-guy.

Lumen

I've suffered from back problems all my adult life. I gave up cycling in my early twenties due to back pain and didn't get back on again for over ten years. Even when I wasn't cycling it was so bad that I had to give up riding a moped because the position was giving me crippling pains.

I've now been riding drop-handlebar road bikes for about four years, and it's been a struggle. The whole area of back, hips and legs form quite a complex system, and if you are not "structurally fit" there are many ways to hurt yourself, even though the forces in cycling are quite small.

That said, with support from a good physio and a bit of determination it is possible to overcome the limitations of a weak back, and the end result is fitness for both cycling and life. I've been diligently doing my physio-prescribed daily exercises for a couple of months now, and I'm finding it easier to ride longer and harder.

I think the hybrid option is a bit of a cop out if you're looking to have fun on a bike and get properly fit. It's possibly less stressful on the back itself, but you're going to run up against the same sort of back-hip-leg system problems as soon as you start putting out decent amounts of power regardless of how upright you are. So it's better to get your back fit and ride a proper bike, IMO.

BostonB

I think some road bikes have a more relax/upright position, like the specialized SECTEUR range. I could be mistaken on it though.

I wouldn't think Irish driving standards, or the lack of them, would encourage recumbent cycling. I've only ever seen on in the Phoenix Park.

maloner

I had back surgery a few years back for a disc issue and a long term back problem and have had to give up running and anything involving impact really.

I ride a road bike and dont have any problems with it. My back flairs up every few months but riding the bike and keeping fit helps keep it at bay, but most of all pilates and core strengthening. Swimming is great I found too.

See a physio or qualified medic of choice.

doozerie

If you are having doubts then certainly I'd seek professional advice for reassurance if nothing else. Any "good" medical professional should be able to offer advice on what might or might not aggravate a particular back problem, but there certainly exist the likes of physios that have personal and extensive experience of cycling in particular and they might be best placed to talk about the risks, if any, that cycling might pose.

Speaking as a non medically-qualified person with relatively minor back issues I imagine cycling should be fine for you. However, if I had a serious back issue then I'd be looking into separate exercises to strengthen my core to minimise any strain on my back (plus flexibility exercises), regardless of whether I cycled or not - cycling can potentially help build upon that groundwork to improve your back even more but without such groundwork then any activity, cycling or otherwise, may pose a greater degree of risk than it need do.

mp31

Amelia09 wrote: »

I do spinning twice a week and love it. Doesn't hurt my back. I also do pilates for it.

If spinning doesn't hurt your back then try to find a bike that gives you that same (or similar) 'spinning bike' position - this may be easier with a flat bar. At least it's a starting point when looking for a bike.

RV

Like some of the other posters here I've had long term back issues including surgery. My back almost always feels better after a cycle and is generally less painful when I cycle regularly. Other exercise (e.g. swimming) which might be expected to help made it feel worse. I'd recommend a suck-it-and-see. BTW, I use a road bike but sit upright a lot. Surgery, physio and other things helped, but cycling probably helps most.
IMO all backs are different; you need to find what works for you.

billyhead

I suffer very bad back pain every now and again but I actually get relive from it when I am on the bike. I have a road bike so I suggest you try out the drop down bars for a while to see if the pain goes away. As other shave suggested however I receommend you go to a professional abou the pain to get it checked out. Better to be safe then sorry;)

Four of a kind

I came to this forum on boards a few weeks ago with the intention of getting into cycling to help my back pain from a ruptured lower disc.

I never really cycled before and viewed cycling as something I'd never really have any interest in. I was always a gym goer.

However, since I started cycling 3 weeks ago my back has improved immensely. It was getting better slowly but surely over the past 6/7 months but I had no form of streneous exercise to keep me sane, apart from walking.

So cycling has now not only given me a new lease of life regarding been able to do cardio training but its also really helped strengthen my lower back up.

I was of the same opinion starting off about the road bike "racing angle", but as mentioned already you don't need to use them...i've not used them so far and don't see the need to either, for what I'm using it for.

I'm so glad I didn't go down the hybrid route as I would have been kicking myself. The angle really is fine for road bikes, unless you've really got a serious problem, in which case you'd need to test cycling out yourself and see.

For sure you should try out a road bike. And like others said, seek proper medical info regarding your condition.

Hope this helps. This site and the members advice was a major help in getting me out on a bike, for which I'm very grateful.

feck sake lads

google a bike builder called paul hewitt in the uk he's a total expert in bike fitting he will sort you out;)

Mycroft H

feck sake lads wrote: »

google a bike builder called paul hewitt in the uk he's a total expert in bike fitting he will sort you out;)

You can add Bob Jackson and Mercian to that list if your going to go the custom route.

RV

It took me a while to figure out cycling was helping; IMO long-term back pain won't necessarily ease from the first stroke of the pedals. Take it easy initially.
Getting a custom-built bike as starters sounds a bit OTT. Expert bike fitters know enough not to claim expertise in back pain as the areas of bike fitting and back pain diagnosis and treatment are quite seperate.

Donie75

OP, someone mentioned the Specialized Secteur earlier. I have had a Secteur Elite for two years and it's a great bike. The position is much more upright due to it's long headtube. I had a bad back and sciatica so I was looking for a more upright bike when I bought. I read lots of reviews and looked at lots of frame geometries and it all pointed towards a Secteur. There are other alternatives now but most are very expensive. The Secteur handle bars are around 1.5 to 2 inches higher than an equivilant road bike.
The position on a hybrid or MTB can be very upright and this puts more pressure on the lower back. A road bike has a position that spreads the pressure between the saddle and handlebars more evenly, thus reducing pressure on the lower back.
I've had no back problem since I got into cycling.

Amelia09

Thanks for the replies. Spoke to two different medical experts and they said to go for it. They both agreed the road drop handles prob be better for me as I've more choice with poistioning hands. I've done loads of cycling this week Mon 7 miles, Tues 17 miles and Wed 12. No problems at all with back.

Was thinking of trying to bike under cycle to work scheme. Any suggestions?? Current bike that I've out on trial is a trek alpha. Seems ok hard ride though