What Kind of Bike to Purchase?

Dee wants to get back on the bike after a bit of a break, he does have a back problem and wants to know what bike we would suggest would be best for him. These are our thoughts.

Question:
Hi, I have two questions. I would like to purchase a bike again after many many years, owned a Fuji back in the day. One issue is that I have some problems with back pain in the sacral area. Could handle bars be adjusted to a better position for such problems so I am not so angled when cycling? Any suggestions are welcomed for any particular bike I should consider.

Hi Dee.

This is quite a tricky problem and I have heard four different lines of thought on the subject, here they are:

Theory 1:
Higher handle bars; this will straighten the back, more like standing and walking. This can help as you are not bending. The problem can be that all the shocks from the road will go straight up the spine which will cause pain. If this is the position you are most comfortable with then a suspension seat post could help.

Theory 2:
Leave the bars where they are leaving your back bent. The spine will then be more like a suspension bridge, with out pain from rough roads, but it may not suit your particular problem.

Theory 3:
This one I don’t like and would never agree with, “give up cycling!” I have heard this said from doctors and (allegedly) back specialists. Exercise is the best thing for nearly all physical and mental problems and for sure it great for your body’s health.

Theory 4:
Try everything until you find what suits you and you are comfortable with. Personally I have had lower, mid and upper back problems; the neck hasn’t been great either! What I have done is to higher the handle bars by a small amount from what has been my position since starting racing over 30 years ago. This could just be because of age and have nothing to do with any spinal problems. Go to an osteopath regularly and keep as supple and flexible as possible by doing stretching exercises every day and before and after riding the bike.

If you intend to ride off road then it has to be a mountain bike, on the road it has to be a road bike, but if the more up-right position suits you and you might ride on paths and on the road then take a good look at a Hybrid. They are very adaptable and you should get a comfortable position with a bit of experimentation.

Good luck, Dee, but don’t give up.