back and neck problems
 

hi there,

ive been riding a road bike and neck and back problems have been an ever present issue.

i want to get into something more comfortable, more upright.

i rode a rivendell sam hillborne recently. i really liked it. it did seem a bit out of my price range.

i want something that is a cross between a dutch bike and touring bike. maybe a touring bike with upright albatross bars on it.

wondering how others have addressed back problems and neck problems. thanks.

Rivendell is great to deal with, if you decide to go that way. I have an Atlantis I bought five years ago, when they were "only" $950 for frame and fork, and a Rambouillet demo I got used for $1000 complete (i couldn't afford either one now...). One of the reasons I bought the Atlantis was to alleviate neck and back pain, and the higher bars have really helped.
In your case, though, could you make some changes to your current bike? I have albatross bars on an old mountain bike I ride around town (lives under the stairs at work). Stem swaps are easy and relatively cheap, too (if you have a quill stem, Rivendell has a selection that should put the bars where you need them). My singlespeed frame is a little too small for me, but I put on a Nitto stem and mustache bars (upside down--looks weird but works great), and I'm completely comfortable on it now.
By all means, if you want a new bike and can afford it, go for it. But if money's a problem, there may be a cheaper way to go.

Before changing bikes, have a look at your existing bike, if it has a threaded headset, then a longer stem will raise the bars, if threadless, then a more upright stem, or an extender can help. These would be much cheaper then a new bike.

Yep. A stem extender might help.

If I had to do it over again I would probably get a Rivendell.

thank you for your input
 

i appreciate it. i may try to raise my bars a bit...but im also really liking the riv bikes. ill keep you posted.

Try some exercises for the upper body. I find my neck is a lot happier riding if I have done some push-ups on the edge of a table.

Neck is a problem in that the muscles have to be trained. It also helps if there is not a visor on the helmet. I always wondered why roadies did not use visors and found out when I took mine off the MTB helmet.

But the back. It makes sense to raise the bars and shorten the reach. This may also help on the neck. But some of us find that a more stretched out ride position helps. Helps take the strain off the vertebrae so before you commit to N+1 try a few things out. If it is in the drop position that the back ache comes in- Practice going into that position. I know when first got a road bike- I could not use the drops. 20seconds in that position and I was in agony. I always rode on the top of the bars or on the hoods. So every ride I would force myself into the drops. not long- just till the pain started and then on the tops. But I did this frequently. A Few rides later I hit a headwind and used the drops- For about 5 miles with just some discomfort so practice works for some backs.

Raising the bars may help- but that first bike had the bars level with the saddle. It was never fully comfortable- but the 2nd bike and the shop set it up with the bars 4" below the saddle. I had my doubts but the shop told me to try it. I did and the low bar coupled with a longer top tube to stretch the back out worked. Only get back ache after many hours in the saddle now and am able to use the drops as often as I want for as long as I want. Still favour the hoods to ride in but that is one comfortable bike.

I agree with Stapfam about allowing the body to adapt to a "road bike position". Like some saddles it may just take a little time. I find an upright position less comfortable unless I'm gently cruising with family/friends.
How long have you been riding?
Nothing wrong with a Rivendell.

I hate being upright on a bike, very uncomfortable, hurts my rear and lower back.

I have had neck surgery, but still have major arthritis in it & lower back. A hybrid type bike , adjusted for me, is the most comfortable. I have used stem risers, adjustable stems, better cushioned seats, wider tires on other bikes that made it more comfortable to ride.

Having the saddle way above the bars, is good for some people, but it's not for everyone. If it's the only comfortable position, I would suggest that the bike has probably been fitted for that position. Note that most touring bikes, where you spend hours and hours in the saddle, day after day, are not set up this way. If the issue is the neck or upper back, then forcing your neck into the "nose bleed" position, and your eyes to look past your eye brows is probably not an ideal.

I would not want a recumbent in traffic or on a trail or in cyclocross or just about anywhere. I don't think that is a real solution for anything other than organized group rides

I was where you are and got a Riv Bleriot. I love it. It is more 'upright' but not at all a hybrid.
I will post a pic tomorrow.

If you really liked and the Hillborn...get one. Take lunch to work or whatever for a while.

Soma has some interesting frames. http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html

That's a pretty strongly worded opinion. Do you have any personal experience to base it on?

How much do you ride? Miles per ride, rides per week, etc.? Do you plan to ride more in the future?

I've had back and neck problems too, plus I have arthritis in my lower back, but fortunately one women I ride with is a physical therapist (PT) and another one is a chiropractor (sp?).

Both suggested getting a foam cylinder (approx. 4' long x 6" dia.) to put under my back and roll around on (vertically and horizontally relative to my spine) with on the floor. Worked great for me!

Plus I went to the chiropractor and she "adjusted" (that's what they call it) my back and neck (3 sessions), and now I'm riding pain free (neck and back wise), have a greater range of movement with my neck and probably as a result, am riding stronger overall.

So, as others have suggested, before you go making a lot of expensive bike purchases, make sure your body is as good as you can get it (within reason, of course). I'm 60 years old as a point of reference.

Rick / OCRR