I had a minor back injury a few weeks ago and I'm finding as I recover that bike rides may do more harm than good. The pavement here is kind of a joke -- there are some really smooth stretches and then some ridiculously bumpy spots, and sometimes I think those bumps contribute to new/exacerbated back pain.

Looking ahead, I don't want to up my chances of the pain getting more regular or worse as I age. I'm thinking about what commuter bike to try that is the most back friendly as I want to commute all the time again once I'm recovered. But my budget doesn't support some of the most commonly known fat bikes like the Pugsly. I think if I spent more than $500 on a bike I'd feel guilty about it.

The real question is, would a fat bike make an okay commuter? I would be shooting for those big fat tires, a seat with some springs, maybe a different seat post. Thoughts?