Yeah, I just get sweaty. Sometimes I even forget to bring a clean t-shirt and underwear to work and I have to wear my stinky midlayer shirt and go commando. It’s kind of gross, but I have my own office.
Turns out you can get electric fat bikes now too. I love my fat tire snow bike for the winter commute but I don’t think I would ever go electric.
As much as I want people to ditch their cars for bikes, I am concerned about the hazard ebikes possibly present on commuter/recreation trails where motorized vehicles of any sort are often prohibited.
My main issue with electric bikes is the same issue I have with segways: we need effective means of moving that are both efficient but also promote a certain amount of cardio and healthfulness, given sedentary lifestyles. Electric assist bikes, at least, still make you work for it a bit or can be turned off but I’m already too heavy from riding a desk. Riding a bike (and walking) are good ways at helping with that.
I have a different issue. Because of my damaged L5/S1 disc, it is painful (and bad) for me to hunch forward over handlebars unless I’m using my arms to carry my weight. The ideal bike for me allows me to keep my spine completely upright/vertical in order to not pinch my damaged disk. Unfortunately, the only bikes like that are generally cruiser / casual bikes, not light ones for commuting.
I have the parts right now to alter my three-speed (internal hub) 20 lb bike to raise the handlebars and move the seat alignment to make it more vertical but I haven’t gotten around to doing it since I have to redo my gear and brake cables when I do.
I have been trying a Specialized Roubaix model for this, supposedly easier on the back geometry while still road bike-y.
I do not really love it. I also have a full suspension mountain bike I dislike, but mostly cause it rides like something you’d find in Toon Town. If I stiffen the suspension, it defeats the purpose.
I think cycling, like running, is something that really advanced L5S1 deterioration ends.
It wasn’t cheap. I got one designed for it but that was because I walk on it for enough hours a day that the advice was to get a low speed, high torque unit designed for it so I don’t burn it out. I used to walk outside at least 1 1/2 hours a day but then I had to schedule my work around it. This makes it easier (and I can still go outside if I have time).
The pedals and crank are pretty much just decorative, just there so that this can still be classified as a bicycle so a license isn’t necessary and they can be ridden in bike lanes (grrr). At least, that’s how it works with the scooter-like e-bikes they sell in Toronto. They’re very common.
E-bikes are very common here in Toronto (mainly bigger and more scooter-like model than this slick little number) and while there is disdain from people like me who have to make room for them in the bike lane, I’ve yet to see downright hostility. But then again, this is Toronto.
Dutch/English roadsters are a godsend for those with back pain because their design encourages just the posture you describe— back straight, no strain, no hunching whatsoever. I have two myself and they’re as hard-working as they are comfortable.
The top two brands I’d recommend are Pashley (UK) and Azor (NL). Mine are Gazelles (one ‘vintage’, one modern), which traditionally have been described as the Cadillacs of Dutch bikes but I’ve read on forums that their build quality has slipped a bit recently.
Azor has a U.S. distribution; not sure about Pashley.
One thing has, whoever brings up bikelanes without a very specific prompt probably isn’t the one to ask.
Another thing proven is that proof (usually absolute) as a condition for action or change keeps people in the trees flinging poo. The typical example is landing people on the moon. Only the first one proved it could be done, before that it was a crapshoot, and it remained a crapshoot afterward.
I ca’t drive, literally physically incapable of driving due to my vision. Biking would honestly make the most sense. However where I live right now and most of the affordable options are basically next to four lane roads. Fine biking is a way to get around IN TOWN, but what about away from town? Good freaking luck there buddy.
I looked into e-bikes before starting a bike commute, and I realized that they were unnecessary for short trips and didn’t work for long ones, making them pretty useless.
That sounds so terrific. I work in a neighborhood with a — ahem — low walkability score. I love my improvised standing desk setup, and I can sometimes walk in place, stretch and move around when reading or using the phone. Biking or other real exercise makes the day better.
A lot of recumbent cyclists say the laid-back posture is good for back pain; maybe you and @albill could do worse than have a test ride.
My L5 has been bad enough to have kept me off work on occasion; my experience is that cycling recumbent doesn’t put any stress on my back at all, and I’d ride the trike when I certainly wouldn’t ride an upright. (That’s not why I do it, though: I do it because it’s fun.)
I’d have to try. My experience with bucket seats is bad. I need a support behind my lower back. If it just hangs there with a gap where the lower curve is, it aches.
