Commuter for Sciatica Sufferer: Citizen? Coda? Other?
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Commuter for Sciatica Sufferer: Citizen? Coda? Other?
Last summer I had a bout of sciatica pain in my lower back and leg that lasted for several months. My doctor felt that it was exacerbated by my decision to ignore it the first few days and ride my bike to work despite the pain, and advised me to stay off the bike until it was resolved.
A few weeks ago, I got back on my hybridized Nishiki (a road bike that a shop turned into a commuter by changing to thicker wheels and mustache handlebars). I rode around the block slowly in low gear. The next day, the pain was back, and it lasted for two weeks.
I think the problem is the forward leaning position, and I'm hoping that a bike with a more upright position will allow me to keep riding.
My local shop recommended the Jamis Citizen, and said they could set it up to maximize upright posture. They're wiling to make mods and let me try it out before buying, and have ordered one in my size.
The Citizen, gets a lot of good reviews, but some people seem to feel that the Coda is a much better bike for not much more money.
Could the Coda also be set up for upright riding? Are there other bikes I should look at? Or other factors to consider?
Thanks!
A few weeks ago, I got back on my hybridized Nishiki (a road bike that a shop turned into a commuter by changing to thicker wheels and mustache handlebars). I rode around the block slowly in low gear. The next day, the pain was back, and it lasted for two weeks.
I think the problem is the forward leaning position, and I'm hoping that a bike with a more upright position will allow me to keep riding.
My local shop recommended the Jamis Citizen, and said they could set it up to maximize upright posture. They're wiling to make mods and let me try it out before buying, and have ordered one in my size.
The Citizen, gets a lot of good reviews, but some people seem to feel that the Coda is a much better bike for not much more money.
Could the Coda also be set up for upright riding? Are there other bikes I should look at? Or other factors to consider?
Thanks!
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I hurt my back after attempting to deadlift a huge amount of weight. Even sitting in a chair or car seat was extremely painful. It was very hard to ride any type of bike. The thing that helped me recover the most was doing spinal decompression exercises. You might also try an inverted table, which can decompress your spine for even longer periods.
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Recumbent?
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Thanks for the responses. Pilates and acupuncture helped me recover, and now most days I'm fine- as long as I don't do anything to exacerbate it.
I asked my local shop if they could modify my current bike's handlebars for a more upright posture and they said no. I've been going to them for years for tune-ups and repairs and I trust them.
I've considered a recumbent, but I'm a bit put off by the prices. My research suggested that a decent recumbent runs in the neighborhood of $1000, which is a lot of money to spend at once, and to leave chained to a street sign in NYC.
Hopefully my local shop will have a Citizen for me to try next week, and I'll see how it goes.
I asked my local shop if they could modify my current bike's handlebars for a more upright posture and they said no. I've been going to them for years for tune-ups and repairs and I trust them.
I've considered a recumbent, but I'm a bit put off by the prices. My research suggested that a decent recumbent runs in the neighborhood of $1000, which is a lot of money to spend at once, and to leave chained to a street sign in NYC.
Hopefully my local shop will have a Citizen for me to try next week, and I'll see how it goes.
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My back pain and resultant leg pain resolve when I ride. I think the bent over position helps stretch things out.
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I would say that in the Jamis line-up, the Citizen might be a better choice than the Coda if you are looking for a really upright riding position. The Coda has a relatively aggressive riding position and although you probably could get the handlebars up there, it would probably require very high rise handlebars. The bigger the bike, the easier it is to get the handlebars up high but then you have to take stand-over clearance into account. If you go with the Citizen, I would recommend getting the one without suspension, unless you do a lot of riding over very rough terrain. For a recreational bike, suspension just adds unneeded weight and complexity.
My understanding on sciatica is that two things have to be present: 1) an impinged nerve (about 50% of all people have this but most don't have symptoms) and inflammation of that nerve. My doctor told me that at the first sign of a sciatic attack, start taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen, three times per day for at least two weeks and longer if needed. This helps reduce the inflammation part and so far, I haven't had a full blown attack in years. Chiropractic has also helped me. My sacroillial joint tends to lock up and once he fixes that, my lower back pain goes away. And, like another poster mentioned, the less I ride, the more problems I have with lower back pain.
My understanding on sciatica is that two things have to be present: 1) an impinged nerve (about 50% of all people have this but most don't have symptoms) and inflammation of that nerve. My doctor told me that at the first sign of a sciatic attack, start taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen, three times per day for at least two weeks and longer if needed. This helps reduce the inflammation part and so far, I haven't had a full blown attack in years. Chiropractic has also helped me. My sacroillial joint tends to lock up and once he fixes that, my lower back pain goes away. And, like another poster mentioned, the less I ride, the more problems I have with lower back pain.
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Have you had an MRI? Have you seen a physiatrist? Sciatica occurs at different sites (on the spine) for different people, and it has different causes. Find the cause, don't just avoid the symptoms. As has been mentioned, walking helps a lot. Cycling may or may not hurt it, but it is unlikely to help, and if you're not helping, you might be hurting. I had crippling sciatica which required surgery.
Strengthen and stretch!
Strengthen and stretch!
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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I would say that in the Jamis line-up, the Citizen might be a better choice than the Coda if you are looking for a really upright riding position. The Coda has a relatively aggressive riding position and although you probably could get the handlebars up there, it would probably require very high rise handlebars. The bigger the bike, the easier it is to get the handlebars up high but then you have to take stand-over clearance into account. If you go with the Citizen, I would recommend getting the one without suspension, unless you do a lot of riding over very rough terrain. For a recreational bike, suspension just adds unneeded weight and complexity.
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I actually had the opportunity to take a spin on a recumbent trike last week. I went to the park and there was a guy sitting on one with a sign that said it's for sale. Turns out he has a shop and sells them. He let me ride it around the loop in the park, which includes a hill, and I felt find afterward. So it's definitely an option from the sciatica perspective. The problem is that the base model starts at $1000, and I'm not sure they're well suited to city riding. It was difficult to maneuver, being low down cuts visibility, and being wide makes it difficult to share the road. I'd also be nervous about leaving a $1000 machine on the streets of NY. I could pay even more and get a fold-up model, but I'm not sure lugging it up the stairs would be very good for my back either.
So I'm still hoping the Citizen will work.
So I'm still hoping the Citizen will work.
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OP, in your situation, I would look for a fully-upright bike, like a 'dutch'-style townie, or a beach cruiser. If that doesn't work, then maybe even a recumbent.
I feel for you, I had an episode of pinched nerve pain for a few months, vertebrae in the lower neck, causing pain in the upper back and left arm. Fortunately for me it didn't affect my riding, as the worst pain was tilting my head forward or looking down (or putting on socks --- my wife had to help me). On the bike with drop-bars, I got sweet relief with my back leaned forward and head tilted back/up.
A little physical therapy, stretching exercises, a few epidural shots, improvements to posture, and a sit/stand desk at work, now I've got it under control.
I hope you also find your path to health and comfort!
I feel for you, I had an episode of pinched nerve pain for a few months, vertebrae in the lower neck, causing pain in the upper back and left arm. Fortunately for me it didn't affect my riding, as the worst pain was tilting my head forward or looking down (or putting on socks --- my wife had to help me). On the bike with drop-bars, I got sweet relief with my back leaned forward and head tilted back/up.
A little physical therapy, stretching exercises, a few epidural shots, improvements to posture, and a sit/stand desk at work, now I've got it under control.
I hope you also find your path to health and comfort!
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Good story, @ruberad. Those therapies work, and I would have more faith in them than in any choice of bike. Choosing a bike that avoids the symptoms has a value, but nothing beats treating the cause. Believe me, I know this from experience.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Last summer I had a bout of sciatica pain in my lower back and leg that lasted for several months. My doctor felt that it was exacerbated by my decision to ignore it the first few days and ride my bike to work despite the pain, and advised me to stay off the bike until it was resolved.
A few weeks ago, I got back on my hybridized Nishiki (a road bike that a shop turned into a commuter by changing to thicker wheels and mustache handlebars). I rode around the block slowly in low gear. The next day, the pain was back, and it lasted for two weeks.
I think the problem is the forward leaning position, and I'm hoping that a bike with a more upright position will allow me to keep riding.
My local shop recommended the Jamis Citizen, and said they could set it up to maximize upright posture. They're wiling to make mods and let me try it out before buying, and have ordered one in my size.
The Citizen, gets a lot of good reviews, but some people seem to feel that the Coda is a much better bike for not much more money.
Could the Coda also be set up for upright riding? Are there other bikes I should look at? Or other factors to consider?
Thanks!
A few weeks ago, I got back on my hybridized Nishiki (a road bike that a shop turned into a commuter by changing to thicker wheels and mustache handlebars). I rode around the block slowly in low gear. The next day, the pain was back, and it lasted for two weeks.
I think the problem is the forward leaning position, and I'm hoping that a bike with a more upright position will allow me to keep riding.
My local shop recommended the Jamis Citizen, and said they could set it up to maximize upright posture. They're wiling to make mods and let me try it out before buying, and have ordered one in my size.
The Citizen, gets a lot of good reviews, but some people seem to feel that the Coda is a much better bike for not much more money.
Could the Coda also be set up for upright riding? Are there other bikes I should look at? Or other factors to consider?
Thanks!
Last edited by Allez3; 01-08-17 at 10:20 AM. Reason: Spelling
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My sciatica issue was resolved with massage. Google search piriformis massage. Riding a bicycle can affect the piriformis muscle.
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That's very interesting!
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#18
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How about installing one of those adjustable stem on your bike and play with the angle and height? You might find your sweet spot, that way.
I am having this same issue for the past three weeks now. I had to miss two days of work last week. I don't believe I got it from cycling as I haven't done any long rides for months now. At least, I hope it's not cycling related.
I found some massage technique in the web that seems to be helping a bit. I am planning to see a Chiropractor if the pain gets really bad again.
Last edited by DVC45; 06-26-16 at 09:40 PM.
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