Am I looking for the impossible?

[Pale Rider]

Hello all.

After much trial and error, I have decided the road bike isn't for me since my back troubles started.

If a road bike is not for you, something with flat bars, or at least a more relaxed riding position, would be a good bet.

What's in a name?

Sometimes not much, but strictly a CX bike is a bike for CX races - racing geometry.

A gravel bike is more relaxed.

Whatever handlebars you want, I would suggest something where - with the saddle at the correct height for you - the handlebars are close to the same height.

As has been said, almost any bike will handle the terrain, provided there's a bit of width and tread to the tyres.

It's a bit boring, but a drop or flat bar tourer would do the job, and provide you with a wider range of gears which would come in handy for climbing.

 

[raleighnut]

Any hybrid with decent width tyres will cope fine on those kinds of surfaces, maybe get some semi-slick tyres to give you a little more grip on loose/soggy stuff.

Ditto, the riding you describe is definitely hybrid territory, just try and find a steel framed one second hand. Tough as old boots.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Ditto, the riding you describe is definitely hybrid territory, just try and find a steel framed one second hand. Tough as old boots.

Like this:

 

[midlife]

PM Biggs682 on here, he might have something which is suitable for you

Good rep on here and elsewhere

Shaun

 

[Diggs]

Hi
@NickTB from just up the road.
Just to echo the above, you'll be fine over Thorndon with a hybrid. I've spent many an hour over there on my bikes. It's fine on the 700 32 tyres on my Tricross as well as the MTB

 

[NickTB]

So, after loads of faffing, I bought a Cannondale Caadx Tiagra. And swiftly realised my back just can't handle that position anymore. So it's back to the drawing board for a more upright bike. Lightweight enough to not notice a huge difference when riding compared to the previous two Cannondales. Luckily I bought the Caadx at a good price so I'll at least get my money back!

 

[vickster]

Look at a Whyte R7, a portobello should be accessible in your budget, add some knobblier tyres

Or something like a carrera subway or parva, deals at halfords

Are you doing Physio, Pilates, exercises, core work, Alexander technique or other to help your back? What's wrong with it?

 

[Pale Rider]

So, after loads of faffing, I bought a Cannondale Caadx Tiagra. And swiftly realised my back just can't handle that position anymore. So it's back to the drawing board for a more upright bike. Lightweight enough to not notice a huge difference when riding compared to the previous two Cannondales. Luckily I bought the Caadx at a good price so I'll at least get my money back!

A Cannondale Caadx is a cyclocross bike - racing-ish geometry - so aimed at speed, not comfort.

As I mentioned earlier, you could get a drop bar bike with a more relaxed riding position, ie, the saddle sits at a similar height to the bars, not several inches above them.

Most tourers fit that bill, lots of choice, but several owners on here are impressed with their Ridgeback Panoramas.

They look a bit dearer, but you wouldn't go far wrong with one of the many Dawes Galaxies.

The side on pic of the Cromo in this link illustrates the raised handlebar height in comparison to your Cannondale.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Dawes-Galax...le_shopping&gclid=CNnopr7Y184CFckV0wodr7EMKg#

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-caadx-tiagra-disc-2016-cyclocross-bike-EV239423

https://www.evanscycles.com/ridgeback-panorama-2016-touring-bike-EV258090

 

[NickTB]

Look at a Whyte R7, a portobello should be accessible in your budget, add some knobblier tyres

Or something like a carrera subway or parva, deals at halfords

Are you doing Physio, Pilates, exercises, core work, Alexander technique or other to help your back? What's wrong with it?

One herniated disc, one crumbling. I'm having epidurals followed by physio but it's looking like an op is on the cards. I thought the shorter too tube of the caadx would help but I was wrong!

 

[vickster]

One herniated disc, one crumbling. I'm having epidurals followed by physio but it's looking like an op is on the cards. I thought the shorter too tube of the caadx would help but I was wrong!

Have you tried a riser stem assuming it's been flipped already?

 

[NickTB]

No?

 

[vickster]

No?

Try that before writing off the bike?

 

[NickTB]

That's a good shout. I like everything about the bike except the riding position!

 

[vickster]

Perhaps your LBS can advise on fit and set up? Might even be worth paying, or see a physio with a cycling focus who does bike assessments

 

[bonsaibilly]

Shucks.

Next time, don't listen to the drop bar brigade. You begin this thread having decided Road bikes are not for you, and then go and buy what is essentially a road bike.

Road addicts will always try to get you to stick with drop bars because it's inconceivable to them that any other way of cycling. You had already established the fallacy of this in your own mind. Why, why, why did you ignore it?!