bike options for bad back and knackered knee

gasdoc

Okay, newbie to road cycling warning!

I'm a half-full marathon runner usually but had to put a hold on the running due to chronic back injury and runner's knee (tibial band syndrome).

Have become an evangelical cyclist over the past few months though and my mtb just isn't quick enough now and the hills are a pain with my squeaky front suspension taking away all the energy (yes I have had it serviced!).

I've got the C2W option and am looking at the following:
1) Trek 2.1 (or the pilot version) 2010
2) Giant TCR 4 2010 but £1650
3) Trek madone 4.5 2010 but £1450
Tried them all and first impression was that I preferred the madone 4.5 in terms of comfort & speed (although there was very little difference between this and the Giant).
Any suggestions?
Will the 'relaxed' position of the pilot really be that much better for my back than the madone or the TCR?
Regards, Paul

alfablue

I think "not necessarily" - being more upright is often worse for backs as road shocks are transmitted up the spine, but for some a more stretched position is worse. I am afraid it is very much an individual thing.

Rich Hcp

There is always the Spez Allez and Sectaur ranges, if you get a chance to try

As said before, its a personal thing, if it fits you its right.

With the problems you have I would seriously consider a profesional bike fitting, it costs, but you often get the money back if you buy at the time

There are quite a lit of threads on here with bike fitter recomendations

GyatsoLa

I've no comment on the bikes, but from personal experience I'd suggest that before buying you have a word with a physiotherapist with experience of working with cyclists - a good one will give you advice on the best position for your bike (much depends on the location of your back injury) and the necessary exercises to 'counter' the stresses cycling can put on weak backs and knees.

From personal experience I would say that the handlebars are a crucial aspect of picking a bike when you have neck issues. Personally I've found that compact bars with a shallow drop work best for me (i.e. a shorter reach from the 'straight' section to the drops and the hoods) - and having it very well wrapped with gel inserts also helps. In my experience shocks to the back are more likely to come via the bars than via the saddle, but my personal injuries are whiplash ones to the muscles on my upper back - yours may be different.

BBH

Will echo the above comments about fitting sessions, especially with ITBS and back problems. I have no experience with them, but have only heard good things about epic cycles and their fitting sessions.

Regards bikes, depends on the type of riding you want to do – if its more long rides, relaxed pace (i.e. your not planning to race) you may wish to consider sportive bikes which have a more relaxed geometry (i.e. more upright riding style), for example;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec020246

Whichever you go for, make sure you ride it first, its comfortable and it is set-up specifically for you!

ascurrell

Hi, you mention that you have a chronic back problem, that indicates it is not a muscular but probable spine problem. If thats the case I would suggest you not only think about your position but also components /equipment that absorbs the bumps / buzz the best.

I too have a chronic problem + a herniated disc in my neck so my cycling is very limited.
What I did though for the back problem was to buy a titanium framed bike [airborne lancer] 2nd hand. I have flipped the stem fitted carbon seatpost, bars, wrapped stem.
I am also toying with the idea of going up a tyre width to 25, thinking that may also give more comfort.
It could be an option to start from scratch with the best frame and build up with suitable componentry [and fun and rewarding].
The thing is we are all different shapes sizes and different problems so seek advice from people who know and weigh up the options.
Regards, Alan [hope this makes senseand can be of some use but my overall recommendation is TITANIUM.

gasdoc

Thanks everybody for your comments.

My physios at work have been pretty helpful in recommendations generally but I havent spoken to one in detail about bike geometry etc - will do tomorrow.

I tried the spec allez comp today - seems a good bike for £1200.

I hadnt even considered titanium - too many variable already without adding another :?

As has been said, its a very personal thing. My (uneducated) opinion is that you can't really go wrong with a Trek, it felt great when I rode it at the weekend (okay, it was only for 15 mins) and the guys in the bike shop seemed really knowledgable and will fit it all properly for me............so I guess its the Trek madone then!

ascurrell

Hi gasdoc, out of interest [and a bit nosey], what is the diagnosis of your lower back problem, As I previously said I also suffer and I do find myself interested [if that's the right word] in what others have.
Cheers Alan

gasdoc

Hi Alan,

L4/5 prolapse - did it ages ago (ie 12 yrs ago) - didnt start being a problem until I started longer distance running in my early 30s. Flared up in March with excessive marathon training - MRI confirmed the diagnosis.

Paul

mroli

Dude - get fitted. You can have the most expensive bike in the world, but if it don't fit you, you're going to get problems.

ascurrell

Hi gasdoc, I fully appreciate mate. Mine is Spondylolisthesis, we probably get similar symptoms. First got diagnosed when I was 15 [throwing javelin caused it] I'm noe 49 so have lived with it for a while. To make things worse I've now got herniated disc in my neck.
Any way good luck with bike choice, like I said previous you can always tweak things to suit your own needs. At the end of the day experts can measure you up etc but we are all different and I don't believe there any exact science to the right set up for people with chronic problems.
As I said good luck, Alan

Rushie

+1 for getting fitted. The shop will charge you somewhere around £50-£75 but you usually get that refunded if you buy a bike from them. Definitely worth the money IMHO. My own experience this week during a bike fit was that due to being the wrong side of forty and with 2 reconstructed knees, the "static" measurements don't really work for me - I need something with a slightly higher front end for instance.

If you do go for a Giant, the Defy series (as opposed to the TCRs) has a taller head tube - which may help your back - and a compact chainset - which will enable you to spin lower gears and may help your knees.

paul64

I think you also have to know what your knee can take as gearing could be important. If you have to take care on the power then 27 cassette and compact 34/50 chainset could be your best friend. Otherwise you're into triple chainset I suspect. As others have said position is everything, perhaps frame comfort too given your back. All you can do is buy cheap and use as your learning curve or choose a dealer which fits you properly and lets you go out on the road with your short-list rather than peddle up and down the pavement. It's why I used Epic in Worcestershire last year.

ascurrell

Bike fitting is fine but they need to understand your chronic problems. Often sports related injuries can be catered for but chronic can be a different kettle of fish. Especially ones that are to do with the spine. Just quizz them a bit to see if they understand your own personal problem.

mattsccm

Re knees. One of mine is a cartiliedge free zone. What i do notice is that the MTB makes it hurt and my road bikes don't. The shorter the road bike the better. It seems as if being over the bottom bracket helps. My MTB is a fairly slack angled free ride bike and I sit much more behind the BB than on my road bikes. I am sort of scooping with my feet to some extent. Not a lot, the bike does fit me but you cansee and feel the difference. My short. small roadbike places my knees much closer to the vertical line through the BB. Result, less pain. I also, surprisingly find lower gears more uncomfortable. Dunno why.

paul64

I have the opposite Matt, cartilige op knee prefers my MTB to my road bike. I have ben thinking pedals and perhaps changing Look road pedals for Time. I use red cleat on that side BTW to give me decent movement as it's more comfortable than the grey. Bikes have some similarity in posiion given their different purposes

keef66

I feel your pain. Quite literally.

L4-5 prolapsed disc 15 years ago, three lots of knee surgery, now 52 years young.

I'd concentrate on the bikes sold as "sportive" types, eg Spesh Secteur / Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy, Scott CR1, Bianchi Infinito etc. They have shorter top tubes / taller head tubes. Sweeping generalisation, but of these, the carbon framed ones may be more comfy over distance than the alloy versions, but you do need to test ride them properly

Compact, shallow drop bars and a shortish, flipped stem will also help, and 25mm tyres allow lower pressures without sacrificing grip or speed.

I find that my back is worse when I'm off the bike for a few days. Any kind of activity is better for it than being slumped at my desk.