Heavy guy, bad back, city streets,
07-11-09, 09:47 AM
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Heavy guy, bad back, city streets,
I am looking for recommendations. I am not a newbie, but in this case I feel like a newbie. I assume this has been discussed, but I am not finding it with a search. Pointing me to links would be great.
I have moved to a new city (the big city). I am trying to get back on the bike to get in better shape, explore the new area, get groceries, get around where parking is an issue and maybe meet some people.
Body:
6’1”, 265#, out of shape, but even if I get in shape, I will still be 245#. I am just big.
I have a bad back and flat feet.
Housing:
I moved from a house with lots of space to a postage stamp sized apartment. I don’t have my bicycle here with me because I haven’t figure out how to store it. Any suggestions on bike storage in small spaces?
Other bikes:
I had a walmart mountain bike that I road for 600-700 miles on suburban streets and paved rails to trails. It had a good bit of rolling resistance. I think it might have been easier on my back, because of the position, but maybe I didn’t notice my back issues because I didn’t ride it as far as the Jammis.
I then purchased a Jammis road bike. This was 6-8? years ago. It cost somewhere around 1K and is silver. I don’t remember the model number, and I don’t have the bicycle with me. I road it more than a thousand miles in one summer. I was getting on the mike for 2 hours 2-3 days a week and riding 18-24 miles. I liked most everything about this bike. I got faster. On the group rides the fast people still dropped me like a bad habit, but I in the middle of the rest of the group. This being said, I am not sure I am it was good for my body. At the end of the rides I was generally spent. I didn’t remember it being an issue when I road on a regular basis, but when I ride now I feel it in my hand, my neck, my rear and back before my legs get tired. I am wondering if I need to sit more upright.
I am thinking that with my weight that my Jammis might not be able to handle the potholes in the city. I was occasionally getting pinch flats when I went over some gravel or… Can my Jammis road bike handle the roads and potholes in the big city? I am thinking it can’t unless I can change something to make it more large guy friendly. Can I put larger, fatter tires on it?
If my Jammis is not a good option, what would you suggest?
I have moved to a new city (the big city). I am trying to get back on the bike to get in better shape, explore the new area, get groceries, get around where parking is an issue and maybe meet some people.
Body:
6’1”, 265#, out of shape, but even if I get in shape, I will still be 245#. I am just big.
I have a bad back and flat feet.
Housing:
I moved from a house with lots of space to a postage stamp sized apartment. I don’t have my bicycle here with me because I haven’t figure out how to store it. Any suggestions on bike storage in small spaces?
Other bikes:
I had a walmart mountain bike that I road for 600-700 miles on suburban streets and paved rails to trails. It had a good bit of rolling resistance. I think it might have been easier on my back, because of the position, but maybe I didn’t notice my back issues because I didn’t ride it as far as the Jammis.
I then purchased a Jammis road bike. This was 6-8? years ago. It cost somewhere around 1K and is silver. I don’t remember the model number, and I don’t have the bicycle with me. I road it more than a thousand miles in one summer. I was getting on the mike for 2 hours 2-3 days a week and riding 18-24 miles. I liked most everything about this bike. I got faster. On the group rides the fast people still dropped me like a bad habit, but I in the middle of the rest of the group. This being said, I am not sure I am it was good for my body. At the end of the rides I was generally spent. I didn’t remember it being an issue when I road on a regular basis, but when I ride now I feel it in my hand, my neck, my rear and back before my legs get tired. I am wondering if I need to sit more upright.
I am thinking that with my weight that my Jammis might not be able to handle the potholes in the city. I was occasionally getting pinch flats when I went over some gravel or… Can my Jammis road bike handle the roads and potholes in the big city? I am thinking it can’t unless I can change something to make it more large guy friendly. Can I put larger, fatter tires on it?
If my Jammis is not a good option, what would you suggest?
07-11-09, 03:01 PM
#2
Time for a change.
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Lots here with back problems- me included- but not when I am riding the road bike. The stretched out position of it just takes the strain off the back and I am OK.
Hand and neck pain is a problem with fit- or your riding style. It does not always mean raising the bars though. My most comfortable road bike is the one with the bars 3" below the saddle. No Back- or hand pain and I cured the neck ache by taking the peak off my helmet.
That is my conclusion for my body on my bikes but you and others may find different.
On the tyres- fitting a wider tyre will make the ride more comfortable. they will absorb road shock better and they can be run at a lower pressure and still not get pinch flats.
Hand and neck pain is a problem with fit- or your riding style. It does not always mean raising the bars though. My most comfortable road bike is the one with the bars 3" below the saddle. No Back- or hand pain and I cured the neck ache by taking the peak off my helmet.
That is my conclusion for my body on my bikes but you and others may find different.
On the tyres- fitting a wider tyre will make the ride more comfortable. they will absorb road shock better and they can be run at a lower pressure and still not get pinch flats.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
07-11-09, 08:43 PM
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08-10-09, 09:05 AM
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Here is an odd note.
I finally got my bike to where I am and put a few miles on it. I used a rails to trails, trail as to avoid pot holes, traffic.... I had no back pain.
Do you think my back pain that I experienced before is related to riding on the trainer, or.....?
I finally got my bike to where I am and put a few miles on it. I used a rails to trails, trail as to avoid pot holes, traffic.... I had no back pain.
Do you think my back pain that I experienced before is related to riding on the trainer, or.....?
