Back problems

On 6/30/2009 4:18 PM, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
In aus.bicycle on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:41:52 +1000
bristannone wrote:
I had a skinny tyre rigid steel framed road bike which eventually gave me a
sore neck and tendonitis in the elbows every time I rode it
When I changed to a quality dual suspension mtb the pain went away . (Took a
while for the tendonitis to heal tho)
Go plush for older bones.


I've got a reasonably skinny tyred all steel bike.

VEry comfortable and plush indeed.

If comfort is what you are after, go 'bent!

http://www.bacchettablog.com/news/jo...-cycling-again

"The adaptation process from riding uprights to recumbents was not
easy for me. I struggled at first but gradually kept improving. I
worked my way through the Randonneur events one at a time. I managed
to complete my fourth full series finishing the 600k just this past
weekend. I feel much more comfortable on the bike and have actually
come to enjoy the advantages of recumbent riding. I continue to ride
with the same group of friends as I always have. They were very
accepting of the new bike and have been very patient during the
changeover process. Although there are some trade-offs involved, the
recumbent is undeniably more comfortable to ride than anything else
I've ever had. My body has healed from the years of abuse I
heaped on it riding stiff bikes with even stiffer saddles. I love
cycling again. It's almost all I think about."

Well.. you didn't think I'd keep quiet on this thread did you?

Zebee

Is it possible to rent a recumbent in order to try one out?

In aus.bicycle on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:02:08 +1000
Caulfield Man wrote:

Is it possible to rent a recumbent in order to try one out?

No idea.

Flying Furniture in Canberra gave me a long test ride, it is
possible Trisled in Melb might do the same.

I also contacted ozhpv.org and asked on their mailing list if any of
their members would be willing to let me try a 'bent and got several
offers.

THat latter's probably your best bet, most 'bent riders are
eveangelical.

Do note that 'bents come in a very wide range of types. High and low,
long wheelbase, short wheelbase, set up like racers, set up like
tourers. They feel different from each other and ride differently.


Zebee

I always suffer from sore backs after long rides, but I think it's because of my bike being slightly too long, although I might need to stretch out a bit more before riding. Who knows. Do you know if the bike is the right size for you? I've made a few tweaks to my bike which have helped.