torfly

Hi

I just had S1-L5 fusion surgery and wanna get back to riding. I have gotten and AWSOME offer for a Trek Madone 9.5 but worry that the bike is too agressive for me now. Another offer on a Roubaix Pro. What is your experience with riding agressive bikes after surgery. My doc actually want me to lean on my arms more than my back, so actually a forward position according to him is not so bad.

Cheers, Tor

jefnvk

Do remember while your hands are on the handlebars, you weight isn't being supported through your arms in any large amount. You are mostly using your core muscles to support your torso.

torfly

So would it then be better to buy a more compliant and adjustable bike like the Roubaix? I have a good offer on a Roubaix Pro, and it seems like a soft ride that might also help my "stamina" on the bike.

qcpmsame 

I'm fused continuously at L4-L5 and L5-S1 since 2004, I ride three drop bar bikes with no issues or back pain. My back is basically straight when I am on the flats, hoods, or drops, and my abdominal muscles are carryong most of the load. My arms and hands are relatively relaxed, just keeping control of things. Keep your core strengthened, and loose with stretches as well so the back and shoulders, arms and hands aren't getting too much pressure or weight load. I ride between 20 and 25 miles, six days each week, year round with no problems or spinal issues what so ever.

My neurosurgeon told me not to sit in a recliner or try to ride a recumbent style bike due to the spine bring curved, and to keep my core and arms in good condition so they are taking the load. Now my doctors all encourage me to continue cycling at least at the mileage I am doing now.

My contemporary bike is a CAAD 10, and the other two are Columbus SL steel, all have aggressive geometry. I think you might benefit from a more compliant frame, like the Roubaix or Synapse. That Roubaix sounds like a good candidate to me.

But if you are set on a Madone you can probably swing it by getting a stem and bars that are somewhat flexible, and the fit is correct as well. Some 25 or 28 width tires will add some vibration dampening, and ease the ride a bit. Lastly, one of the compliant seat post might ease some vibrations also.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me any time after you have enough posts.

Bill

Edit, the reply below mine has some excellent advice. Please get your surgeon's clearance fitst. It took me just at a year to get his okay to begin cycling.

BTW, double posts are frowned upon, you might want to ask a moderator to combine your two on this topic.

FBOATSB 

How long since your fusion? Are you still going to physical therapy? I had L5-S1 fusion three years ago and it took a couple of months to get clearance from the surgeon to ride a bike and even then he said upright bike only. It took almost a year to get back into the drop bars. Six months to get cleared to go back to work. If you can get a killer deal on the bike you want go ahead but you might need an interim bike to ride until the vertebrae fuse. But I'm just reminiscing If your healed enough go for it.