Lots of hurting bikers out there

[pmspirito]

Cruising this forum tonight was like peeking in the door at the the ER.  A lot of you guys are sure suffering and I used to suffer too.  Now if you were to head over to the www.bentrideronline.com forumn you won't hear about all of those aches and pains.  Maybe its those recumbent bikes we ride.  Just something to think about.

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

You know, Pete's right. The first half-dozen or so discussions are about aches, pains and injuries. Wow...Maybe recumbents are the answer, but maybe there is something else: How many of you have ever had your bike custom fitted to your body? Most bike shops that even know how to do this, only do it on high-end road bike sales. The shop where I bought my new Bianchi Volpe does it for almost every (adult) bike they sell, and it has made so much difference, it's hard to believe. Then I exchanged the Bianchi saddle for an original WTB SST-2, which I feel is the most comfortable bike seat ever made. (Not to take anything from Brooks, but I love my SST) and the bike just about begs to be ridden.

So, before you go and spend lots of money on a 'bent, take that trusty upright mount into a top-end bike shop that knows something about touring and have them fit your bike to you. I think you will be surprised at the results.

Ride comfy,
Hans

Minnesota Backcountry Trails
www.wintersnowtrails.org

[TheDaltonBoys]

Thanks Peter & Judy....Mark of the Dalton Boys (Bent Trikist since Dec 05).

[pmspirito]

I will agree that most bike shops do not do a decent job of fitting a bike and a good fit does make a big big difference.  I loved my Cannondale and kept it for a long while before selling it.  That bike did fit right but after 300 sky-dives, several car wrecks and 34 years in construction this ole body was not in very good shape regardless of the fit. I could not do back to back 50 mile days and was unable to tour. It was my wife Judy who urged me to go ahead and buy a bent.  I bought an Easy Racers EZ-1 for around $500.00 or so as I recall.  The first weekend I had it I rode 50 miles Friday, Saturday and then on Sunday.  That would have been physically impossible for me on my Cannondale or even on our Raleigh tandem.
Cycling is really a lot of fun.  If you are hurting its no fun.  Get rid of the hurt and get back to the fun. A good bent shop will have a variety of bents to try out and will encourage you to try several for long test ride.  And ANY bent rider will be thrilled to share their experiences with you.  We bought our bents at Atlantic Cycle in Margate Florida.  We also have a Catrike Speed.

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[TheDaltonBoys]

Peter & Judy...thanks again...Mark of the Dalton boys ('Bent trikist AND USPA License D-8241...miss the blue sky?)

[JayH]

That's great guys. As a lifelong upright rider who has no problem doing long 90+ days on my MTB tourer, I think it is unfortunate that most bike shops don't carry 'bents and then you need even the right salesperson to mention that option to riders these days. It is hard for the average cyclist to try one out if their LBS doesn't carry them and not everybody is as online savvy as those who read these and other bike forums.  I know many folks who think upright bikes are uncomfortable and when I tell them about 'bents, it's like a day of discovery.  

My favorite bike shop that I go to always had a Rans 'bent on the ceiling and he was a guy who sold many bikes, road and mtb, sold everything from Rocky Mountain, to Trek, to Seven.  He is even in a pretty small shop in a small part of the woods too, not in the "big city", so to speak.

Jay

[pmspirito]

To Mark of the Dalton Boys. To all please forgive this brief OT. USPA C-something, never did the night jump. Jumped all over FL, Landed on the beach at the Flora-Bama Lounge, did 25K with O2, Z-hills, DeLand, and I miss every second of it. NOW BACK TO CYCLING:

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[pmspirito]

Check out the main Adventure Cycling home page and go to the How-To Department.  There is a great article on how to buy a recumbent bike.  Its a good read.

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[5thdown]

In the last 12 years....I have tried no less than a dozen seats. I have tried at least as many different gloves. I have had four bikes and adusted seat and handlebar height over and over. I was ready to quit biking. I tried a recumbent Tour Easy. Problems solved!!! Now I ride and ride and ride.

[whittierider]

Cruising this forum tonight was like peeking in the door at the the ER.  A lot of you guys are sure suffering and I used to suffer too.  Now if you were to head over to the www.bentrideronline.com forumn you won't hear about all of those aches and pains.  Maybe its those recumbent bikes we ride.  Just something to think about.

Aerobars ended my several comfort problems.  They relieve a lot of things, even though they put me even lower than I was before.  I won't do any long ride without them anymore.  I comfortably spend all day on them, and finish the ride with nothing hurting.

I would like to see more acceptance for 'bents, but I will also say they aren't for everyone.  With my particular childhood neck injury, holding the lower portion of my neck curved forward (like a 'bent does) quickly produces bad headaches.

This message was edited by whittierider on 10-28-07 @ 8:48 PM

[pmspirito]

The story of my 'bent conversion is posted on my web site at the following link. It's worked for me.  http://www.peterspirito.com/recumpurch.htm


 


best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito