P
Preston Crawford
Guest
Just wanted to solicit some advice. The last year or so I've started to
experience lower back pain here and there. I've been re-fit on my
current road bike, a heavily modified Trek 1000. This is the one where
they had to put in a quill stem on a model that usually takes a
threadless head. It was innovative and did the job, but with the back
problems lingering and with some thumb and wrist issues (light carpal
tunnel and tendonitis of the thumbs) I'm starting to wonder if there
might be a better cycling solution.
I (if you don't remember or know me) mainly cycle commute. I bike about
15 miles a day. I used to bike about 35 miles a day back when I was 26.
Now I'm 31. Now I know there are lots of things probably going on.
Everything from the ergonomics of my workstation at work to other
activities. I know this and, believe me, I'm working on these areas as
well. However, I thought it might also be worth asking about my biking
situation as well.
For what it's worth. I ride mostly in the hoods or on the top bar of my
road bike. I never get into the drops. It's too far to stretch without
causing major back problems these days. So I mostly ride in the hoods.
On one hand (no pun intended) I can see how that might cause some
problems with regards to my wrists and my thumb. On the other hand, I
can see how a flat bar might be a problem as well, since then my wrists
would be turned at an angle. I also wonder about a more naturally
upright bike like a touring bike or a mountain bike. But then I worry
about the handle bars again.
I guess the bottom line is that it would be nice to find the best bike,
that to do long distances comfortable and at a decent clip (i.e. no 3
speed comfort banana bikes), but yet be kinder to my ailments.
For the record, cycling doesn't seem to aggravate either ailment alone.
These exist with or without cycling. Meaning if I take a break I will
still have back pain or hand pain. And sometimes when I bike the back
pain gets better (although the hoods do seem to cause the thumb pain to
get worse).
So what would be the optimal solution? And I know this is subjective,
but I want to keep biking and I want to do so with less frequent pain.
Any suggestions about a bike that might be a better fit would be
appreciated.
Preston
experience lower back pain here and there. I've been re-fit on my
current road bike, a heavily modified Trek 1000. This is the one where
they had to put in a quill stem on a model that usually takes a
threadless head. It was innovative and did the job, but with the back
problems lingering and with some thumb and wrist issues (light carpal
tunnel and tendonitis of the thumbs) I'm starting to wonder if there
might be a better cycling solution.
I (if you don't remember or know me) mainly cycle commute. I bike about
15 miles a day. I used to bike about 35 miles a day back when I was 26.
Now I'm 31. Now I know there are lots of things probably going on.
Everything from the ergonomics of my workstation at work to other
activities. I know this and, believe me, I'm working on these areas as
well. However, I thought it might also be worth asking about my biking
situation as well.
For what it's worth. I ride mostly in the hoods or on the top bar of my
road bike. I never get into the drops. It's too far to stretch without
causing major back problems these days. So I mostly ride in the hoods.
On one hand (no pun intended) I can see how that might cause some
problems with regards to my wrists and my thumb. On the other hand, I
can see how a flat bar might be a problem as well, since then my wrists
would be turned at an angle. I also wonder about a more naturally
upright bike like a touring bike or a mountain bike. But then I worry
about the handle bars again.
I guess the bottom line is that it would be nice to find the best bike,
that to do long distances comfortable and at a decent clip (i.e. no 3
speed comfort banana bikes), but yet be kinder to my ailments.
For the record, cycling doesn't seem to aggravate either ailment alone.
These exist with or without cycling. Meaning if I take a break I will
still have back pain or hand pain. And sometimes when I bike the back
pain gets better (although the hoods do seem to cause the thumb pain to
get worse).
So what would be the optimal solution? And I know this is subjective,
but I want to keep biking and I want to do so with less frequent pain.
Any suggestions about a bike that might be a better fit would be
appreciated.
Preston