Commuting with Backpack in a road bike resulting in Back pain.

AndromedaTheM31

Hey all,
I commute to work 25 miles a day in total , four days a week with my boardman Hybrid team for the last 4 years or so.
I carry a Dell backpack with my breakfast,lunch , laptop and dress...... It can weigh anywhere between 6 to 8 KG depending on the day.
It is a great bike with hydraulic disk brakes on it- But I decided to upgrade.

My new bike happens to be CAAD12 ultegra. Which is very responsive and quick. I tried using my new bike for commuting with my backpack.
After 25 minutes or so I started getting pain in my lower back. and it was getting only worse for rest of my 1-hour journey. I constantly started to use the front bar and stand straight while riding during the cycling. I took it to my local bike shop - they had quick look and said my saddle height was right and my bike size is also appropriate to my height. My height is 176 CM and I use 54 CM bike.

But then last weekend I took the bike for 3-hour ride in Richmond park, That was my first ever long drive. But I did not face any back pain. But only this time I was leisure cycling so I did not have my backpack.


So that clearly says I get the back pain only with my backpack in the CADD 12. I can't get rid of my backpack - neither reduce the weight - So that kind of brought me into conclusion that CAAD 12 is not the best option for commuting with the backpack, at least for me.

So I have decided to return my CAAD 12 back and exchange to endurance geometry bike - I have nailed down to two bikes Synapse 105 Carbon and BMC Gran Fondo GF02 Carbon 105.They are both in the similar price range and have similar components . I am yet to trial run them.
I might not be able to find the suitable one in a single trial ride I suppose.

I must admit I don't have the best backbone in the world - I do have some issues every now and then And I have a desk job ,it only makes it worse.

I just need some advice which of those about bikes would be a better choice for me in a long run.
If anyone has been in the similar situation as me please shed some light.


Thanking you in advance.
Regards
Andromeda

davep1

A mate has a Synapse which he loves, and the BMC has (also) had great reviews. I hope swapping the bike works for you, but be prepared that it may not, or may not completely. I don't know the exact figures, but a lot of "endurance geometry" isn't THAT much different to any other geometry, a degree here, a few mm there. It may be all you need, but I struggle to tell the difference.

Maybe keep the CAAD for weekend rides, and the hybrid as your commuter?

alan_sherman

Did you keep the Boardman? Fit a rack, buy a pannier bag and you are sorted.

Road bikes are great, but not usually the best bike for commuting. I have a fleet of bikes but ended up using my wifes hybrid for the commute as it was a better tool for the job! More upright to see over cars, better tyres for grip / comfort / load carrying, rack and dynamo lights for practicality, flat pedals as the number of lights means clipless can be annoying.

reformedfatty

I tried commuting with a backpack on a road bike - 17 miles each way, probably a bit less weight than you in it, but I rapidly found my back wasn't a huge fan of that. I have no problems with my back normally, part time soldier has me carrying up to 65kg at times so I don't rate it as a particular back problem, it's just a really weird position to carry a fair chunk of weight.

Seconding fit a pannier rack and forget about it.

keef66

CAAD is a more of a race bike geometry, but if you were comfortable riding it round Richmond Park the bike's not the problem.

Fit a rack and get some compatible luggage; either panniers or a racktop bag.

I only occasionally ride to work with my laptop and crap in a backpack, and find it less than comfy. Wouldn't do it all week

First.Aspect

All of the above, except the part about a road bike not being good for commuting.

I commute on a cross or a road bike, depending on the weather. I can manage to carry most things, but a laptop is just awful. If the pain is laptop on spine type of pain, you could try packing the bag differently, e.g. clothes closest to you. If its just the weight of the bag messing with your pedaling action, panniers is the only option. One note of caution is that the laptop will get bounced around a whole lot more than if its on your back.

If you want a sportier machine, just put drop bars on your Boardman. Curly bars make a bike faster, fact.

jscl

I used to have a short commute of only 6 miles and was experiencing back pain.

I found the solution was the 'fit' of the bag on my back. Whilst riding it was (unbeknown to me) bouncing against my back slightly. Fitting the straps properly and comfortably made a big difference. Also a backpack with padding against the back would help, many don't have this as they aren't always needed.

type:epyt

My first reaction would be to try another backpack if you actually like the CAAD ... Get one with waist and chest fastners and that fits to the shape of your back/body (some form of webbing or aeration on the back is also a good idea for the distance you mention) ... Might cost up to £100 but you get what you pay for.

fenix

Would a frame bag work for you ?

https://www.alpkit.com/products/stingray

You need to get the weight off your back somehow. Panniers, rack or this.

laurentian

type:epyt wrote:

My first reaction would be to try another backpack if you actually like the CAAD ... Get one with waist and chest fastners and that fits to the shape of your back/body (some form of webbing or aeration on the back is also a good idea for the distance you mention) ... Might cost up to £100 but you get what you pay for.

I concur with this. Waist and chest fasteners make quite a difference - the bag I got was just a cheapo from Sports Direct (I think) - a Karrimor Urban 30 from memory. It's still not ideal and panniers or a frame bag would probably be your best solution - ultimately, you need to get the weight off of your back.