S1 L5 Back fusion - need a new bike recommendations?

[tommymac]

Hi All.

 

I've had a back fusion and it's been 8 months now. I'm feeling in good shape and time to get back on the bike. Only thing is both my bike were stolen. Waiting for insurance to pay.

 

 

Any recomodation on a soft tail Mtb that's not so aggressive as a stage racer. I previously had a Scott cr1 pro and a Merida 1200d dual suspension.

 

I stay in Pe and the Momsen head office is right here. Very tempting!

 

Thanks

[Eugene]

Momsen is proudly South African and proudly from PE which is why they have the contours of the Baakens Valley as a design on their bikes.

 

They don't pretend to be Swiss or German. For that reason, they will always get my vote

[WaynejG]

Had my L5/S1 fused in 2012. Been riding now for 11 months. My anthem works for me at the moment.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[tommymac]

Thanks Wayne, Ill have a look at that bike.

[Chingy182]

I would advise you to rather concern yourself with strengthening your core as a primary cause for concern, the bike and the bike-fit should all be secondary to that.

 

As most people don't know, people who have had a fusion run a big risk of needing a second fusion being done on the level immediately above or below at some stage due to the increase of weight accumulated (causing more pressure) at the level of the current fusion.

 

Go see a Biokineticist in your area for some core strengthening advise and start some Pilates exercises, etc.

This should already put you in a better position no matter what bike you choose to buy.

[Grease_Monkey]

I have 3 slipped discs in my back - one being between L5/S1. I have made peace with 2 facts - a marathon/stage racing bike, and any form of aluminium or carbon hardtail bikes are simply not an option for me - no matter how fit I am or strong my core is - once I made peace with that I looked at options...

This is obviously a very personal thing, so I am just sharing my experience. I do mostly what can be classified as trail riding, I enjoy techy stuff, and do longer rides quite often. I have found that a bike with a relatively relaxed head angle, and longer travel gives the most comfort. Anything in the range of 120mm to 150mm. Once you go longer travel the general rule is that the seat angel becomes more slack, putting you far behind the bottom bracket, this results in having an inefficient climbing position - and with a sore back this can be as bad as an aggressive XC position. What happens is that you end up putting alot of strain on the lower back in order to get power down and keep the front wheel on the ground on climbs and this can lead to pain (for me anyway).

 

So perfect set-up (for me), is 135mm of rear travel, 140mm of front travel - the seat is pretty much level with my handlebars. My rear suspension is extremely compliant when it comes to small bumps - I have found it's the consistent vibration that hurts my backs rather than anticipated big hits or jumps - so I suggest running low psi in your rear shock, and using tokens to make the suspension more progressive so you don't bottom out. I use alu rims with slightly wider internal width so I can use wide tyres at a lower pressure. The combination of alu rims, wide tyres and lower pressure gives me good vibration damping, eliminating constant trail chatter. Make sure your seat is angled correctly, so that you are not sliding forward or backwards, as this puts a heck of alot of strain on your back. Make sure you have a good saddle position in relation to your pedals, and please make sure you get the right size bike with the right length stem for you - the only way to get all of this right is to go for a set-up.

 

I have been struggling with back issues for about 5 years now, but if you really put the effort into getting your bike (and suspension) set-up correctly you can ride pain free - set-up makes all the difference in the world - even to the general rider, but especially for us guys with back issues. Stay away from race bikes, go for a dual suspension trail bike, these are some of the bikes I would be looking at if I was you:

- Momsen Vipa Trail

- Spez Camber or Stumpy
- Giant Trance
- YT Jeffsy
- Scott Spark (the 2017 version - and not RC)

 

You have probably heard these things a million times, but even more important than set-up, is a strong core, not being overweight, and staying consistently fit. Take your time building up your fitness too - every time I have hurt myself is when I have gone from zero to hero.

 

Good luck with the hunt for a new bike, and post some pics when you have it!

[tommymac]

I have 3 slipped discs in my back - one being between L5/S1. I have made peace with 2 facts - a marathon/stage racing bike, and any form of aluminium or carbon hardtail bikes are simply not an option for me - no matter how fit I am or strong my core is - once I made peace with that I looked at options...

 

This is obviously a very personal thing, so I am just sharing my experience. I do mostly what can be classified as trail riding, I enjoy techy stuff, and do longer rides quite often. I have found that a bike with a relatively relaxed head angle, and longer travel gives the most comfort. Anything in the range of 120mm to 150mm. Once you go longer travel the general rule is that the seat angel becomes more slack, putting you far behind the bottom bracket, this results in having an inefficient climbing position - and with a sore back this can be as bad as an aggressive XC position. What happens is that you end up putting alot of strain on the lower back in order to get power down and keep the front wheel on the ground on climbs and this can lead to pain (for me anyway).

 

So perfect set-up (for me), is 135mm of rear travel, 140mm of front travel - the seat is pretty much level with my handlebars. My rear suspension is extremely compliant when it comes to small bumps - I have found it's the consistent vibration that hurts my backs rather than anticipated big hits or jumps - so I suggest running low psi in your rear shock, and using tokens to make the suspension more progressive so you don't bottom out. I use alu rims with slightly wider internal width so I can use wide tyres at a lower pressure. The combination of alu rims, wide tyres and lower pressure gives me good vibration damping, eliminating constant trail chatter. Make sure your seat is angled correctly, so that you are not sliding forward or backwards, as this puts a heck of alot of strain on your back. Make sure you have a good saddle position in relation to your pedals, and please make sure you get the right size bike with the right length stem for you - the only way to get all of this right is to go for a set-up.

 

I have been struggling with back issues for about 5 years now, but if you really put the effort into getting your bike (and suspension) set-up correctly you can ride pain free - set-up makes all the difference in the world - even to the general rider, but especially for us guys with back issues. Stay away from race bikes, go for a dual suspension trail bike, these are some of the bikes I would be looking at if I was you:

 

- Momsen Vipa Trail

- Spez Camber or Stumpy

- Giant Trance

- YT Jeffsy

- Scott Spark (the 2017 version - and not RC)

 

You have probably heard these things a million times, but even more important than set-up, is a strong core, not being overweight, and staying consistently fit. Take your time building up your fitness too - every time I have hurt myself is when I have gone from zero to hero.

 

Good luck with the hunt for a new bike, and post some pics when you have it!

Thanks for taking the time to detail your story. Ill have a look at these.