Bike for bad back...

[bucknaked]

Hi,

Anybody have any recommendations for what bike i should buy, i mainly ride the bike paths along Cooks River & Botany Bay Sydney for fitness.
Problem is i had an operation for a herniated disc L5 15 years ago. I have done over 260 kms on my 12 year Holstar Interceptor MTB over the past 6 weeks, but
the bike is a bit small. It has rear suspension & it seems to absorb the shock ok , so my back barely troubles me.
My mate lent me a hybrid a Apollo Shadow and i felt everything in my back, later after i had completed the ride (38 kms) i could barely walk for a couple of hours.

I was in the market for a new bike, but after that ride i don't know what to look or what shop to go and visit. Went to visit a big dealer , but were
not helpful. If any body has some experience with this type of scenario any advice would be appreciated.
BTW i am 45 years old.

Thanks

[Baalzamon]

A recumbent bike/trike possible?

[ozzymac]

Hi,
Have you tried a actual road bike and also one the correct size?

I have a bad back from scoliosis which causes really bad pain walking sitting etc, but when I took up cycling and couple of years ago I was surprised that it didn't aggravate my back. Not sure if vibrations or bumps are a problem for you, but you can minimise that to on a road bike by using wider tyres. Otherwise maybe a mountain bike with suspension.


Cheers

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2

[sogood]

A recumbent bike/trike possible?

It may not be able to pass through the bridge underpass along the Cook River path.

[TDC]

Correct positioning on an appropriately sized bike should alleviate some of the back issues you have recently experienced. If you are using you upper body to secure and stabilise yourself on the saddle, then you will most likely get pains.

http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/blo ... oad-bikes/

This is a good read for starters. There other other articles about seat height and handlebar positioning that are good sources of information as well.

[Baalzamon]

A recumbent bike/trike possible?

It may not be able to pass through the bridge underpass along the Cook River path.

A 2 wheel recumbent should.

[bucknaked]

Thank you for all the advice and the link to Steve Hogg. If i had to ride a recumbent I would go back to walking, I was doing 8 Kms a day before i started biking.
When i went to the large bike shop, I was asking about a drop bar bike with larger tyres also maybe adding Thudbuster Suspension seat post. But they were trying to sell me a hydrid bike. Basically was going no where. I guess i am going to have to go to all the bike shops in Sydney until i find someone who can help me.
In the mean time I will keep riding my old MTB.
Again thanks for all the replies.

[outnabike]

Hi bucknaked,
If the mtb was ok, there you have a great start. Try a 700 mtb. It may be the best to get the bigger tyres but not knobbly ones. Some of the surly models may suite you, if you can get over the names they are manufactured under.
In the old days we reckoned that the first line of suspension were the tyres. This mob has some great bikes. You can import them through different companies that specialise in US home address's and then ship globally.

http://surlybikes.com/