Pfishingruven

Hi Everyone. My name is Matt, I am from Toms River, NJ at the beautiful Jersey Shore. I am 6'0" and 275lbs...maybe a little heavier after winter hibernation . I currently only ride for recreational purposes with the family, maybe 2-3 times a week when time and weather permits. We like to hit some of the paved trails with my 2 boys in tow in their cushy Trek Super Doodlebug Trailer. I currently ride a 2009 Raleigh Venture Comfort Bike, which I am very happy and impressed with for the price.

I am looking at getting into some fitness riding. I am way out of shape, over weight, unhealthy and I just can't enjoy life and keep up with my kids. I also have a lower back injury as well as some spinal problems. I just have to get in shape and I think bicycling will really help me. Taking a nice, leisurely ride really helps my back pain and relieves a lot of the tight muscles and spasms that I get. I am looking for a new bicycle now and would like to stay with something conventional, as opposed to a recumbent. I am thinking that I still want to stay with a Hybrid Comfort style bike and have been looking at the Trek 7000 series and the Marin bikes. Although, my options are wide open. I am looking for any suggestions or recommendations, since I am new to this. I am looking at something to ride on the street or paved trails that will be comfortable and not cause any pain. My goal is to ride some longer distances and I really thing the NYC 5 Boro Tour looks like fun. I am shooting for 2011.

Thanks in advance!

zoste

I started with a Trek 7300 that I bought as a left over just about two years ago. I rode the dickens out of that thing, including doing my first metric century in 2008. The thing was bullet proof, and pretty comfortable, but it was s-l-o-w on the road, mostly due to the upright position.

Nola_Gal

My back went out 3 times in the course of 18 months. It was miserable and left me getting around on a cane for weeks. I decided to give cycling a try since walking seemed to irritate it. It has been great. I had bought my road bike before all the back trouble and was skeptical that I'd be able to ride it. What i found was that the bent over position of a road bike seemed to take the pressure off my lower back while at the same time working to strengthen it. It sounds like a contradiction but what I'm figuring is that the stretched out position kept the compression forces to a minimum while developing core strength.

I don't know what kind of back issues you have, and I'm certainly no doctor, but you may want to give some thought to a road bike with a relaxed geometry.

Kid-Cycle

Pfish,

Glad to have you. I am no doctor but I will share my experience with lower back pain and cycling. I used to suffer from back problems a couple of times a year... it seemed all I had to do was lift something incorrectly and I would be laid out for a week. I took up cycling again and rode a road bike and mostly stayed on the hoods. After I gained a little fitness the back problems went away and have not returned.... about 15 years. I believe having a bike where you lean forward and put some weight on the bars stretches your lower back and strengthens the muscles. This, I believe, is what keeps my back happy. I'm not recommending you go out and buy a road bike but I would suggest you try a hybrid that gives you more of an aerodynamic position rather than the straight up positioning on a comfort bike. Many of the new hybrids are basically road bikes with flat bars, wider tires and triple chain rings. Who knows, maybe you would like going straight to a road bike. I suggest you find a good bike shop and try out a couple of hybrids and a road bikes.

Good luck

Neil_B

Hi Matt! Nola_Gal's advice rings true. I too have back trouble, and riding is the one thing that doesn't hurt.

BTW, if you ever get to PA, perhaps we can go for a ride.

Neil_B

I rode on a charity ride team with a Bike Forums poster whose scoliosis was twice as prominent as mine. His solution to his back pain was to ride in as aggressive a position as possible, for just the reasons you state.

BTW, this seems to be a cycling-only secret. My physical therapists insisted I had to ride bolt upright for the sake of my back. Doing so gave me massive back pain. As soon as I let the bike shop fit me in a "normal" riding posture, it went away.

Pfishingruven

Thank you all for the information! I am surprisingly comfortable sitting upright on my comfort bike, but I can see how leaning over can really stretch your back and build up those back and abdominal muscles. I have a herniated disc, a bulging disc, disc compression and degenerative disc disease in my lower back...I also have the compression and degenerative disc disease in my neck. I will definitely head to the bike shops to try out the hybrids and even the road bikes. Of course, just like in fishing, you can never have enough bicycles or bicycling gear!

Peter_C

Welcome, and, if you ever come to Ohio, I am up for it! I'll take my knee over your back any day! OUCH! Least my knee doesn't hurt when I sneeze...

mdohertyjr

Matt, I am right down the parkway from you I am a big fella myself (with every issue with my back that you have with yours), and just started riding about 2 months ago, and I bought a Trek 7.2 FX. Once your up and running send me a sitemail, we could go out for a ride. I am getting ready for the 63 mile Tour de Cure in Philly and then the 65 mile Kelly ride from Marlton to Ocean City.

Pfishingruven

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for all of the information and warm welcome.

youcoming

Think of riding upright, it forces your back to become the shock! The last thing you need when you already have back issues. I myself have no real big problems a slight 4* scoliosis but nothing huge and hardly ever bothers me, I do however have chronic pulled muscles in my upper back. Three things that have always helped with my pain are cycling either road or MTB which I do in a agressive posture, weights, and of all things traditional archery? When you get inot cycling for more than just recreation with the family you will become obessed and a roadbike will be in your future!

mdohertyjr

Logically it makes sense, but... a speed bike where I would be bent over stiffens my back. Not disagreeing with you per say for the "normal" person, but I don't think my back falls into that category, lol, which is why I bought a more upright bike.

Daspydyr 

Welcom about brother chubby one! Hey, you are what you are, just like the rest of us. I started riding again last July. I'm down 30 pounds and have so much more enjoyment out of life heading in this direction. Stick to it and you will enjoy the prize of getting life back in your own grasp.

Pfishingruven

I decided and purchased a bike. I got a really good price on a new 2009 leftover Trek 7300. All adjusted and ready to go. I added a Cateye Strada Wireless computer as well. I am all ready to go and can't wait to take the maiden voyage. I test drove the bike at the shop and I am really out of shape...I can't wait until I can say, "I am in shape!"

Thanks all and I will post my progress!