Cycling UK Forum

I’d like to ask for advice on what bike to choose for someone (me) with a back problem called ankylosing spondilitis. This is a condition where the vertebrates of the back become fused together. The result is a lack of flexibility, a loss of all shock absorbing properties and a bending of the spine. (You’ve may have seen people walking with a stoop and a bent head – they’re probably anky sponds). Exercise is essential, but has to be done with care. My use for a bicycle is for exercise on roads and cycle tracks. I live in a rather remote area so I’d like to get some idea of what’s available in the market before travelling to a bike shop in a town.

I have been able to test a gel saddle and this does seem to work well in absorbing shocks.

With a bent back and difficulty in lifting my head I need an upright riding position, and the more upright the better. I would really like something like a Dutch style bike, but Dutch bikes are rather heavy (typically 19Kg or so, I have found). I know that weight does not matter very much in riding, but it does matter when it comes to lifting a bike, as a fused spine reduces lifting ability considerably.

So a question: are there any bikes with upright riding positions that are lightweight? And how light can I go?

The flexibility problem also makes a simple gear change important and I’d prefer a hub so that I would be able to change even when stationary. Also I couldn’t easily fix it if the chain came off.

So my final spec seems to be:
Upright riding position.
Light weight.
Hub gear.
Shock absorbing saddle.

Could anyone give me suggestions?

Thanks

A fully suspended recumbent might do the trick.

Hello

Sorry to hear of your back problem. I dont know how much you want to spend, but I am shortly buying a new bike myself. I have been in touch wiht Cyclesense in Tadcaster adn they are doing me a pick and mix bike.

I too need a lightweight bike as I have not a lot of upper body strength and need to be able to lift my cycle onto the car rack a couple of times a week. My main criteria for choosing this bike was its light weight, and the fact its ok to tour on as well. (www.vannicholas.com)

Cycle sense are fitting me out wiht a bike that has butterfly or multiposition handlebars as well. Not drops and not straights. My original plan was for a Koga touring bike but it is dutch and weighed 16kg too heavy for me. The one I am getting will be about 9-10kg. Much more like what I can cope with.

The bike I am going for is a Van Nicolas Amazon. But its a pricy machine. I have had to sell loads of gear to get this! My horse box was sold today! Yeah - so I nearly have enough now.



Good luck wiht your search.

Mary

A recumbent with a supporting back might be the answer, but with the stiffness of the spine due to AS getting in and out may be a problem - you will need to try a couple. Equally a hard or mesh seat may be suitable.

As for ordinary bikes - don't neccessarily get fixed with what is on offer!

Whilst "Custom builr is not cheap, there is an option. A lightweight hybrid can easily be fited with a longer stem (even an apaptable one) and handlebars to raise the powsition.

It is almost like going into the shop and seeingthe dutch "situp and beg" and then saying - "I want a hybrid to match THAT seating position" - it can be done.

Petronius, I too have Ank Spond and have found that the main things that make a difference are:

Suspension seat post to smooth out the ride & protect the back
Us a flat handlebar & bar ends or a butterfly bar to give a more upright cycling position. Drop bars are good for aerodynamics but tend to stretch too far forward
Make sure the bike is a good fit, especially saddle & handlebar hight
Maybe invest in a rear view mirror to avoid twisting round to see approaching traffic

Other than that it's the usual limitiations of available funds & type of use. A hybrid/touring bike would be a good place to start & allow you to gauge what works for you.

I ride a Dutch batavus alamo which has 24 gears, straight but upright handlebars with a suspended seat post. I have back probs but not ank spond - so sorry to read of your difficulties. However I also broke my coccyx ?spelling when I fell at 7 months pregnant on a polished floor and I need the suspended seat post to soothe bones that still need careful seating position. I bought the bike at the dutch shop at littlehampton where they were very helpful.

Several of my work colleagues are cyclists / interested in exercise. They all comment very favourably on the seating position having taken the bike round the block. One of them is a very keen cyclist and he has lifted the bike with one hand. expressing surprise at its light weight. It is definitely lighter than my previous bike, a specialised hardrock Xcountry.

I do hope you find what you are looking for and that you enjoy many miles of safe and happy riding.

I too have anky-spond as you call it,in my case partly due to an injury in the R.N.
I went down the recumbent route for a couple of years but found that the slowness on hills and being too low to gawp' about and admire the view was not enough of an incentive to keep it. And most are heavier than you realise.
I can ride any bike and indeed find that while on a bike,is the most comfortable place to be. Walking more than a few miles is sadly not much fun anymore but keeping moving in general is the best thing for me.

The trouble with bikes that place you too upright can be that you end up with nearly on of your weight on your backside. This can do more harm than good.

Likely answers could be:
Moulton - front and back suspension.Some have hub gears. The lightest is about 26lbs though.
Pedersen. Very comfy' with a hammock type saddle (suspended). And again with hub gears.Lovely bikes but not cheap! (but then,neither is the Moulton)

Failing this, I'd be tempted to stick with one of the quality Dutch bikes,Batavus perhaps or Gazelle.

although not suffering with illness i am top heavy weighing 16st and found tradional drop bar and low front end mountain bikes hard on my back and wrists. i have since bought both a spesh sirrus and a dahon folder for my work commute.

both offer much more comfort but i must admit my dahon is my favourite for riding position. ok you lose speed but im not cycling for comps or personal bests just cycle to keep fitness and save a bit of petrol cash. dont know if that helps at all