Are There Any Bikes For People With Bad Backs?



There are many kinds of "bad back." I think it would be best to work on this problem with a sports oriented orthopedist or a coach with experience in physical disabilities.
 
There are many kinds of "bad back." I think it would be best to work on this problem with a sports oriented orthopedist or a coach with experience in physical disabilities.

You'd certainly think that the best way to go would be to see a specialist first, and not just rely on other cyclists advice. I'm not saying that we're just saying anything, but I doubt that any of us are medically trained or experts on the matter.
 
I got in a pretty bad skiing accident in 2002, and have since not been able to comfortably ride a regular style bike. I'm not sure if a recumbent would help, since it's mainly the seat of the bike that causes discomfort. (I fractured my pelvis in 5 places.) Does anyone know of a different style bike seat or affordable bike that I might be able to use? I live in Missoula, MT if anyone knows of any helpful bike shops. Thanks!

I haven't read all the posts so I'm sure this was covered, if so then I second it, anyway I would recommend you test ride a 2 wheel recumbent. I too have a back injury to my last disk on the bottom, recumbent for me is not comfortable at all because the force of pedaling pushes the back into the seat which hits that area and makes it painful to ride. If you're similar to me you may not like a recumbent but try anyways. If it doesn't' work for you then get a more upright riding bike like a touring bike and have the handlebars adjusted so they're about even to an inch higher than the seat and test ride and see how it feels. Most modern racing bikes are set up with the seat about 2 to 4 inches higher than the bars and that will hurt your back.

If you have a bike you might be able to retrofit it to make it work. Get a taller stem to get the handlebar height up.

I found that going to a level handlebar height to seat, getting a titanium frame, and larger tires so I can use less psi which in turns softens the ride up a bit, all seem to help. One person I know with back problem swears by suspension seatposts, it takes the jarring off the back.
 
Hey there!

If you're all about reducing back strain, recumbent bikes could indeed be a game-changer. They sure offer a comfy seating position, like a lazy boy on wheels! But, hold on to your wallets, they can be as pricey as a designer handbag.

Just remember, no bike (not even a recumbent one) can guarantee zero discomfort if you're cycling long distances. It's kinda like sitting in a plush office chair for eight hours; your back will still feel it.

But hey, if you've got the budget and want to give your back a break, why not go for it? Just don't forget that regular stretching and strengthening exercises are also crucial for maintaining a healthy back.