mgmoore7

I have two bikes. A hybrid, very upright and a 2004 Felt F60. I rode the hybrid for about 6 months and upgraded to the Felt back in '07. After about a year of riding, for an unknown cause, I developed severe pain behind my knees... Fast forward to 2010 and I was finally correctly diagnosed this year with a herniated and bulged disk that was causing all the issues. Numerous failed diagnosis along the way.

I am on the road to recovery and have ridden the hybrid bike several times now without any pain and have been swimming and running now for several months.

I would like to consider getting back on a road bike but am nervous to try the Felt as it's geometry is generally more aggressive and thus puts my back into flexion that causes the pain.

I would just sell it and buy a complete new bike but I had just put a new crank, cassette, front derailleur, tires and grip tape... That is probably over $350 worth of stuff and considering I doubt I could sell the whole think for more than $500, seems a bit of a waste.

Anyway, so I am considering a frame or if necessary, a complete bike but would like some ideas, suggestions for a relaxed geometry (more upright) and as smooth as possible.

ericm979

Have you considered a shorter stem with more angle, to put the bars higher and closer?

mgmoore7

I believe I am already riding a 90. I have not looked into this as a possibility as I thought that a 90mm is short already. ??? Maybe there are other options.

PaulRivers

There is an entire category for road bikes that have a more upright riding position like you're suggesting - "Endurance Road". Or sometimes "Relaxed Geometry".

If you're looking for specific suggestions, the Specialized Sectuer (aluminum, but designed to be comfortable) and Specialized Roubaix (full carbon) are the bikes to look at in the Specialized world.

Lonewolf48

A few others:
Cannondale Synapse
Felt Z series
Cervelo RS
Giant Defy or Defy Advanced
Scott CRl
Best option is a custom bike after a good bike fitting.

roccobike

Ritchey makes an adjustable stem that's about 75mm that can be adjusted to an angle well over 90 degrees. If you're looking for relaxed geometry, I can give a strong recommendation for the Giant OCR-C (carbon frame). They don't manufacture it any more, but you can find plenty of them on the used market. It's a great, comfortable bike. I put more miles on mine than any of the others.

mgmoore7

Would the Planet X fit into this category as well? Seems like a similar geometry at a much lower price than some of the other options. Looking on ebay for framesets did not reveal much.

BarracksSi

"Higher and closer" may work, but not if it shortens the reach enough that it makes the OP bend his spine into more of an arch shape. My own lower back pain went away when I switched to a bigger frame and gained more reach.

I'd see a good fitter or sports physiologist.

BarracksSi

Oh, a bike recommendation? Synapse, Roubaix (pick a brand), Look 566, etc, as long as it fits. A poorly-fitting Roubaix will be more uncomfortable than, say, a well-fitted CAAD9.

mgmoore7

Back when I did not know the cause of my pain and wanted to rule out a poor fitting, I had a Retul fit done. I could probably go back to him and check to see what he thinks about modifying my Felt to a more relaxed geometry although when I was there, that time, I had told him I wanted it as "relaxed" a possible.

big john

How many spacers are you using? Is the steer tube already cut low? If you just need a little higher bar set up you might consider a new fork if yours is cut too low.

guadzilla

Also to consider - something like the Rivendel Roadeo?

jazz567

Back surgery in 2004 here.. My LBS set up my Caad9 with a short high angle stem and a handfull of spacers. Works great for me and my back actually tends to feel better the more I ride. Kind of a silly look for a Caad9, but it does the job.

Steel Man

Custom?

GarySMelbourne

I have a Cervelo RS and it's a smooth ride with relaxed geometry. I'm 45....but no back issues.

rdubbz

are you doing a lot of post ride stretching? I had a back issue and tight hamstrings and weak glutes, also a muscle imbalance made it hell. yoga and a good 20-30 minutes of stretching after the ride fixed it mostly.

mgmoore7

I was not when the issue first started. Now, I do alot of post run, swim and bike stretching (I am not biking much at all right now and not on all on my road bike. I am also do some specific exercises to strengthen and stretch the hips and hip flexors. I too have been told I have weak glutes. What exercises did you do that you found helpful?

garethzbarker

When I was doing research into road bikes a lot of people who rode the roubiax claimed they had back problems and the roubaix worked for them. Personally I'd look at a touring bike, those suckers are pretty upright and win the game utility-wise.

chasm54

+1 on the touring bike. You can get light tourers that are almost as much fun to ride as a road bike, and they will put you in a rather more upright position.

garethzbarker

seriously, like once a week I wonder "WTF am I doing riding a racing bike around? I'll never race." For just a few pounds more you can get a comfy touring bike that you can throw racks on, is more durable and costs less generally. I mean I get it, we like racing bikes; but it's the same as if everyone on the road was driving F1 cars to work