TMBRA - Rider Board

[Trapper]

Wassup Doc, Wumpus referred me to you about recumbents.

I've suffered one of the worst things that can ever befall a mountain bike enthusiest. I discovered that trail riding ruled in 2002 and then last year developed bulging c5 and c6 discs. The pain from that took me off the bike completely for 3-4 months. I've found that now, even if I just do a short 10 mile road ride around the subdivision, get knots in my trapazoid across the top of the shoulder and deep in the muscle between my shoulder blades. It's quite odd. I'll purposely take it easy and the next day will tell the tale. I even went so far as to put 40 degree hi-riser stem on my Enduro to see if that put me upright enough. Alas.... I'm sitting here typing now.

So, now I'm thinking recumbent. It's a rather expensive gamble though. My neck and arm position seems to be the key to the whole thing. I really want to be able to get out on the road (yuck... I'm going to be a roadie now....bleech!) and hammer out some fast paced miles again. I'd also hate to find out that
a. I plunked down a bunch of cash on the wrong recumbent to be hammering on.
b. I plunked down a bucnh of cash on the wrong recumbent based on my neck pain.

I understand that the "faster" recumbents recline you more and require a little chin to chest action to see ahead. Probably something I want to avoid.

What's your experience (aside from that article you pointed out in another post) with folks that move to recumbents from uprights due to disc associated neck pain? Did the handlebar placement have a lot of impact on their pain? Any advice would be appreciated. Here's a link to the Mojo thread I started out with. http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/showthread.php?t=43824

Thanks.

[The Bike Doc]

Trapper:

A recumbent bike definitely should be in your future. As you have already read my article on recumbent bikes, I will only post the link for voyeurs who may be following this thread. http://bicycling.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bikeroute.com%2FBentMedBenefits.html

Laid back markedly reclined recumbents “low racers” and “high racers” are the fastest of the recumbents without fairings but the low reclined angle may be hard on your neck. Instead I would look at some of the more upright riding models. Lightning P-38 allows a very neutral head up position and has a reputation for being an extremely good climber. I have ridding the Texas Chainring Challenge several times and noted these models climbed well and were wicked fast on the flats and the decents. (I couldn’t keep up with them when I was on my conventional diamond frame (DF) road bike. Tour Easy Gold Rush and Ti Rush are other models to consider. It is not quite as fast in the climbing as the Lighting P38 but still is quite respectable. Other models to consider are the RANS rocket or the RANS Force 5 (F5), Barcroft Virginia GT and the Bachetta Aero to name just a few on my short list. Recumbent tadpole trikes (two wheels in front one in the rear) tend not to be as fast on the climbs or the flats but are an absolute scream to ride. Critical for you in this area is an adjustable seat angle so you can get an angle that is comfortable for your head. Two lines I can specifically recommend for you are the Whizwheels and the Greenspeed. They both have higher end sport trikes that may server your needs. Go to http://www.bentrideronline.com/ and http://www.recumbentcyclistnews.com for some further enlightenment and reviews. Do ride as many models as possible to get a good feel of what your body tolerates and needs. Check out http://www.easystreetrecumbents.com/ in Austin. I have been to the shop and the owners are knowledgeable and helpful. They have several models for you to try.

Off road, mountain bikes still rule. Though if you are looking for some serious off road wheels that can climb just about anything but just doesn’t do single track well look at the Crank-it Mountain Quad. On road it is too slow and heavy for anything more than commuter jaunts.

One thing to keep in mind when you switch to recumbents, they use different muscle groups than on a regular DF bike. So give your self 2-3 months to condition those muscles. Climbing style also has to be adjusted. If you are a stand up and mash the gears kind of rider, you will need to adjust to a higher cadences smooth spinning style of riding. You will have an advantage that you can effectively leg press the cranks by pushing against the back of the seat.

Go recumbent, go faster!

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc