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Main
Date: 13 May 2007 18:46:52
From: The Historian
Subject: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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I've posted the request below to the forums at the National Scoliosis
Foundation. Any suggestions the posters of RBM have for me are
welcomed as well.
***********
I'm a new poster here, and I'm newly diagnosed with scoliosis. I'm
also a new cyclist, having just learned to ride a couple of weeks
before I was diagnosed. I have about a 5-10 percent curve upward and
forward to the right, giving me the appearance of 'leading' with my
right shoulder. I've managed to train myself to get into a good
posture when standing and when sitting on a normal chair, but even
with having the handlebars raised on my bike, I'm still leading with
my right shoulder. I'm having a lot of muscle fatigue in the right
shoulder blade area. Since I'm riding up to 100 miles a week
currently, this is of concern to me.
I ride a Trek Navigator 3.0, a bike that's designed to keep the rider
in a more upright position than most bikes. I have the handle bars
raised as far as they will go. I'm 6 feet, 250 pounds, and age 41.
I've also lost 137 pounds over the past 17 months through proper
eating and exercise alone.
Any suggestions for how I should proceed? At this point, I feel I have
five options:
1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
Navigator;
2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
3. see if a change to a forward riding position, such as on a road
bike, could work for me. Transferring some of the weight to my arms
and shoulders might force them to remain level, provided I could keep
a flat back. I've come across a case of at least one man with
scoliosis who rides this way.
4. Try one of the new design bikes with lumbar support like the Giant
Revive or the Day Six bicycle.
5. Give up riding.
Number 5 is not an option I'm willing to consider. Please, any
suggestions to help me avoid that fate are welcome.
Thank you,
Neil Brennen
http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/
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Date: 14 May 2007 01:34:35
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On May 14, 3:01 am, pdamm <p...@gil.com.au > wrote:
> I don't know much about scoliosis so I may be way off.
Scoliosis is an excessive curvature of the spine. In my case it means
my right shoulder is elevated and forward of my left.
The most famous person with scoliosis in history is probably Richard
III. Richard offered his "kingdom for a horse"; I'll settle for a bike
I can ride without back pain.
Reading your
> post reminded of this week end when I discovered my better half's
> bike's handlebars were 20 degrees out of square. When I mentioned it
> to her she said "That's funny I had the feeling my right shoulder was
> up all day!" Turns out her bike fell over the previous week end and
> caused the bars to twist. Maybe you could try twisting the bars a bit
> to work with the shape of your body?
I don't think that would work. I am able to get into a 'normal'
posture with a little work; it's keeping it when riding that's the
problem.
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Date: 14 May 2007 01:01:15
From: pdamm
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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I don't know much about scoliosis so I may be way off. Reading your
post reminded of this week end when I discovered my better half's
bike's handlebars were 20 degrees out of square. When I mentioned it
to her she said "That's funny I had the feeling my right shoulder was
up all day!" Turns out her bike fell over the previous week end and
caused the bars to twist. Maybe you could try twisting the bars a bit
to work with the shape of your body?
Peter Damm
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Date: 14 May 2007 00:26:01
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On May 14, 12:18 am, Zoot Katz <zootk...@operamail.com > wrote:
> On 13 May 2007 18:46:52 -0700, The Historian
>
> <neil.thehistor...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
> >Navigator;
>
> After you raised your handle bar as far as possible, try a different
> bend bar. Look for one with more rise. Perhaps try some with more
> back sweep. Try a bar that doesn't rotate your arms. Try bars where
> your palms are facing inward instead of down.
Cruiser bars? Won't that play havoc with the brakes and gearshifts?
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Date: 14 May 2007 12:00:06
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On 14 May 2007 00:26:01 -0700, The Historian
<neil.thehistorian@gmail.com > wrote:
>Try a bar that doesn't rotate your arms. Try bars where
>> your palms are facing inward instead of down.
>
>Cruiser bars? Won't that play havoc with the brakes and gearshifts?
As long as the bar diameter is the same you might just need longer
cables and housing. There may be some kinds of brifters that won't
work with the different bend handlebar.
I was thinking of something more like a "North Road" bend. Mustache
bars can be flipped to provide some rise.
--
zk
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Date: 14 May 2007 00:24:06
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On May 13, 9:38 pm, "Roger Zoul" <rogerzo...@hotmail.com > wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
>
> ::
> :: 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
> ::
>
> This is a possibility to consider strongly. I have a long wheel base
> recumbent and enjoy it a lot. I can't say if it will help with the medical
> problem. Check out bentrideronline.com.
Thanks Roger. A recumbent should allow the addition of a lumbar
support to the saddle back. Even a rolled-up towel works as a lumbar
support in a pinch.
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Date: 13 May 2007 22:18:14
From: Zoot Katz
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On 13 May 2007 18:46:52 -0700, The Historian
<neil.thehistorian@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
>Navigator;
>
After you raised your handle bar as far as possible, try a different
bend bar. Look for one with more rise. Perhaps try some with more
back sweep. Try a bar that doesn't rotate your arms. Try barrs where
your palms are facing inward instead of down.
--
zk
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Date: 14 May 2007 02:45:32
From: nash
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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"The Historian" <neil.thehistorian@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1179107212.886064.118440@e51g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> I've posted the request below to the forums at the National Scoliosis
> Foundation. Any suggestions the posters of RBM have for me are
> welcomed as well.
>
> ***********
> I'm a new poster here, and I'm newly diagnosed with scoliosis. I'm
> also a new cyclist, having just learned to ride a couple of weeks
> before I was diagnosed. I have about a 5-10 percent curve upward and
> forward to the right, giving me the appearance of 'leading' with my
> right shoulder. I've managed to train myself to get into a good
> posture when standing and when sitting on a normal chair, but even
> with having the handlebars raised on my bike, I'm still leading with
> my right shoulder. I'm having a lot of muscle fatigue in the right
> shoulder blade area. Since I'm riding up to 100 miles a week
> currently, this is of concern to me.
>
> I ride a Trek Navigator 3.0, a bike that's designed to keep the rider
> in a more upright position than most bikes. I have the handle bars
> raised as far as they will go. I'm 6 feet, 250 pounds, and age 41.
> I've also lost 137 pounds over the past 17 months through proper
> eating and exercise alone.
>
> Any suggestions for how I should proceed? At this point, I feel I have
> five options:
>
> 1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
> Navigator;
>
> 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
>
> 3. see if a change to a forward riding position, such as on a road
> bike, could work for me. Transferring some of the weight to my arms
> and shoulders might force them to remain level, provided I could keep
> a flat back. I've come across a case of at least one man with
> scoliosis who rides this way.
>
> 4. Try one of the new design bikes with lumbar support like the Giant
> Revive or the Day Six bicycle.
>
> 5. Give up riding.
>
> Number 5 is not an option I'm willing to consider. Please, any
> suggestions to help me avoid that fate are welcome.
>
> Thank you,
> Neil Brennen
> http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/
Sorry to hear about the difficulty but I had a similar problem to do
with a broken clavicle and shoulder blade that did not heal right and my
very physical job was chronically painful. I do know of a scoliosis
inflicted marathon rider I sold my Nishiki too. Just a 12 speed if that
helps. Oh yeah, I solved my problem by retiring. hoho
About #3.
you can still ride with a straight back on a mtb or hybrid if you lower your
headset back to normal and flex your elbows. Never lock your elbows
straight. Bend from the hips.
Make sure your legs are almost straight on extension for efficient power
transfer.
You might just need to read a cyclist's proper technique for riding manual
but don't get me wrong I am not saying you need it just that you might.
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Date: 13 May 2007 22:38:46
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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The Historian wrote:
::
:: 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
::
This is a possibility to consider strongly. I have a long wheel base
recumbent and enjoy it a lot. I can't say if it will help with the medical
problem. Check out bentrideronline.com.
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Date: 13 May 2007 19:22:47
From: The Historian
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
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On May 13, 8:57 pm, "Mike Kruger" <Mik...@mouse-potato.com > wrote:
> If the rider is anywhere near Chicago, they are welcome to test out my BikeE
> recumbent to see if that helps.
Hi Mike,
I'm outside Philadelphia.
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Date: 14 May 2007 01:57:40
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
|
The Historian wrote:
> I've posted the request below to the forums at the National Scoliosis
> Foundation. Any suggestions the posters of RBM have for me are
> welcomed as well.
>
> ***********
> I'm a new poster here, and I'm newly diagnosed with scoliosis. I'm
> also a new cyclist, having just learned to ride a couple of weeks
> before I was diagnosed. I have about a 5-10 percent curve upward and
> forward to the right, giving me the appearance of 'leading' with my
> right shoulder. I've managed to train myself to get into a good
> posture when standing and when sitting on a normal chair, but even
> with having the handlebars raised on my bike, I'm still leading with
> my right shoulder. I'm having a lot of muscle fatigue in the right
> shoulder blade area. Since I'm riding up to 100 miles a week
> currently, this is of concern to me.
>
> I ride a Trek Navigator 3.0, a bike that's designed to keep the rider
> in a more upright position than most bikes. I have the handle bars
> raised as far as they will go. I'm 6 feet, 250 pounds, and age 41.
> I've also lost 137 pounds over the past 17 months through proper
> eating and exercise alone.
>
> Any suggestions for how I should proceed? At this point, I feel I have
> five options:
>
> 1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
> Navigator;
>
> 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
>
> 3. see if a change to a forward riding position, such as on a road
> bike, could work for me. Transferring some of the weight to my arms
> and shoulders might force them to remain level, provided I could keep
> a flat back. I've come across a case of at least one man with
> scoliosis who rides this way.
>
> 4. Try one of the new design bikes with lumbar support like the Giant
> Revive or the Day Six bicycle.
>
> 5. Give up riding.
>
> Number 5 is not an option I'm willing to consider. Please, any
> suggestions to help me avoid that fate are welcome.
>
> Thank you,
> Neil Brennen
> http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/
I'm not very familiar with scoliosis -- my daughter had a mild case when
growing up -- so take this with a grain of salt.
If the rider is anywhere near Chicago, they are welcome to test out my BikeE
recumbent to see if that helps. This is an "above seat steering" model. A
recumbent is a big investment if it doesn't help. You may want to post on
the newsgroup alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent, although there are a lot of trolls
over there.
I wouldn't think the Giant Revive is the answer for anyone. They didn't sell
well, so you might be able to find an LBS or owner who would loan it out for
a bit longer than normal to see if it helps in hopes of selling it. This
bike has a reputation for being slow.
--
Mike Kruger
An opinion should be the result of a thought, not a substitute for it.
[Jef Mallet]
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Date: 13 May 2007 19:05:56
From: OldGirl
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
|
Check out www.bentrideronline.com and learn about recumbent bikes. I have
a bike injury. Generally I ride a recumbent.
I had a Giant Revive briefly - it was very heavy and slow - nothing much to
recommend it. I don't think much of the Day 6 bikes. Try out some good
bikes that are also recumbent like RANS,Bachetta, Easy Racers, etc. You'll
find lots of great choices in bikes that perform well.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com >
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: Cyclist with Scoliosis Tries to stay ahead of the curve.
> The Historian wrote:
>> I've posted the request below to the forums at the National Scoliosis
>> Foundation. Any suggestions the posters of RBM have for me are
>> welcomed as well.
>>
>> ***********
>> I'm a new poster here, and I'm newly diagnosed with scoliosis. I'm
>> also a new cyclist, having just learned to ride a couple of weeks
>> before I was diagnosed. I have about a 5-10 percent curve upward and
>> forward to the right, giving me the appearance of 'leading' with my
>> right shoulder. I've managed to train myself to get into a good
>> posture when standing and when sitting on a normal chair, but even
>> with having the handlebars raised on my bike, I'm still leading with
>> my right shoulder. I'm having a lot of muscle fatigue in the right
>> shoulder blade area. Since I'm riding up to 100 miles a week
>> currently, this is of concern to me.
>>
>> I ride a Trek Navigator 3.0, a bike that's designed to keep the rider
>> in a more upright position than most bikes. I have the handle bars
>> raised as far as they will go. I'm 6 feet, 250 pounds, and age 41.
>> I've also lost 137 pounds over the past 17 months through proper
>> eating and exercise alone.
>>
>> Any suggestions for how I should proceed? At this point, I feel I have
>> five options:
>>
>> 1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
>> Navigator;
>>
>> 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
>>
>> 3. see if a change to a forward riding position, such as on a road
>> bike, could work for me. Transferring some of the weight to my arms
>> and shoulders might force them to remain level, provided I could keep
>> a flat back. I've come across a case of at least one man with
>> scoliosis who rides this way.
>>
>> 4. Try one of the new design bikes with lumbar support like the Giant
>> Revive or the Day Six bicycle.
>>
>> 5. Give up riding.
>>
>> Number 5 is not an option I'm willing to consider. Please, any
>> suggestions to help me avoid that fate are welcome.
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Neil Brennen
>> http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/
>
> I'm not very familiar with scoliosis -- my daughter had a mild case when
> growing up -- so take this with a grain of salt.
>
> If the rider is anywhere near Chicago, they are welcome to test out my
> BikeE recumbent to see if that helps. This is an "above seat steering"
> model. A recumbent is a big investment if it doesn't help. You may want
> to post on the newsgroup alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent, although there are a
> lot of trolls over there.
>
> I wouldn't think the Giant Revive is the answer for anyone. They didn't
> sell well, so you might be able to find an LBS or owner who would loan it
> out for a bit longer than normal to see if it helps in hopes of selling
> it. This bike has a reputation for being slow.
>
>
>
> --
> Mike Kruger
> An opinion should be the result of a thought, not a substitute for it.
> [Jef Mallet]
>
"Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:omP1i.8724$rO7.3039@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net...
> The Historian wrote:
>> I've posted the request below to the forums at the National Scoliosis
>> Foundation. Any suggestions the posters of RBM have for me are
>> welcomed as well.
>>
>> ***********
>> I'm a new poster here, and I'm newly diagnosed with scoliosis. I'm
>> also a new cyclist, having just learned to ride a couple of weeks
>> before I was diagnosed. I have about a 5-10 percent curve upward and
>> forward to the right, giving me the appearance of 'leading' with my
>> right shoulder. I've managed to train myself to get into a good
>> posture when standing and when sitting on a normal chair, but even
>> with having the handlebars raised on my bike, I'm still leading with
>> my right shoulder. I'm having a lot of muscle fatigue in the right
>> shoulder blade area. Since I'm riding up to 100 miles a week
>> currently, this is of concern to me.
>>
>> I ride a Trek Navigator 3.0, a bike that's designed to keep the rider
>> in a more upright position than most bikes. I have the handle bars
>> raised as far as they will go. I'm 6 feet, 250 pounds, and age 41.
>> I've also lost 137 pounds over the past 17 months through proper
>> eating and exercise alone.
>>
>> Any suggestions for how I should proceed? At this point, I feel I have
>> five options:
>>
>> 1. Find a way to keep upright on a diamond frame bike such as my
>> Navigator;
>>
>> 2. switch to a recumbent bicycle or tricycle;
>>
>> 3. see if a change to a forward riding position, such as on a road
>> bike, could work for me. Transferring some of the weight to my arms
>> and shoulders might force them to remain level, provided I could keep
>> a flat back. I've come across a case of at least one man with
>> scoliosis who rides this way.
>>
>> 4. Try one of the new design bikes with lumbar support like the Giant
>> Revive or the Day Six bicycle.
>>
>> 5. Give up riding.
>>
>> Number 5 is not an option I'm willing to consider. Please, any
>> suggestions to help me avoid that fate are welcome.
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Neil Brennen
>> http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/
>
> I'm not very familiar with scoliosis -- my daughter had a mild case when
> growing up -- so take this with a grain of salt.
>
> If the rider is anywhere near Chicago, they are welcome to test out my
> BikeE recumbent to see if that helps. This is an "above seat steering"
> model. A recumbent is a big investment if it doesn't help. You may want
> to post on the newsgroup alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent, although there are a
> lot of trolls over there.
>
> I wouldn't think the Giant Revive is the answer for anyone. They didn't
> sell well, so you might be able to find an LBS or owner who would loan it
> out for a bit longer than normal to see if it helps in hopes of selling
> it. This bike has a reputation for being slow.
>
>
>
> --
> Mike Kruger
> An opinion should be the result of a thought, not a substitute for it.
> [Jef Mallet]
>
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