I've got a wee back problem , not much but aggs me every now and then . At the moment I ride a hardtail , do you think a full suspension would help ?
How many hours a week do you ride your HT for?
Given that there are 168 hours in a week, how likely is it that having a bouncy back wheel will change your back problem?
If you want a FS, get one.
I'm happy with my ht , but if fs helps it my be worth my while getting one ! Mind you I don't think the misses will like it 😆 🙄
Time for some of these.
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Thanks but I can't stand golf , I d rather go shopping with the misses ! ... Been looking at the Giant anthem 1 , love the look of the slo .
do you think a full suspension would help ?
No it makes no difference. FS is for traction and giving you a choice of lines and maybe hitting things harder than you would on a HT but not for comfort.
Cycling is great for cardiovascular but rubbish for musculoskeletal lots of big muscle groups all working in one direction it's something we've learned to do not evolved.
More cycling = more back pain unless you do something about it it will stop you dead. Learn how to work the muscles and joints that do nothing when you're riding. Stretch and release the tension after every ride and inbetween rides
I have only ever had minor back discomfort, but I found two things that helped: wearing a very minimal Camelbak (or no backpack at all) and strengthening my lower back by doing weights (deadlift is ace for this). Having done weights properly for the last 6 months I can say it's improved all aspects of my cycling & all minor aches/twinges/etc have basically disappeared
The best thing I found RE: riding and back pain was riding my single speed as you are out the saddle a lot more. That works your hip flexors and core more, which in turn support the back. Since riding more on the road my hip/knee/back issues have returned.
Also remaining seated on a fs whilst riding over bumps that you would be out of the saddle for on a ht would put more pressure on your back. Spend the extra money you'd spent on a fs on a rowing machine?
I'd be looking at sorting your back than trying to compensate with a new bike.
Have you seen a Physio or Chiropractor?
The best value for me every three months is my Chiropractor IMO
Depends on exactly what your problem is. I've recently gone from mainly HT to mainly FS because the HT was doing my back no good - I put this down to age, my spine can no longer cope with long periods of being hammered from below. The FS certainly helps by cushioning some of the pounding and I can ride for longer on it without suffering the next day, but on the down side it's not as much fun.
what sort of back problem?
ssuspension seatposts, like USE XCRs, can make a big difference for a HT - you don't feel like you are being kicked in the backside when seated over rougher stuff. And they react quite fast.
If the back problem is not caused by the constant kicking from the HT then it is probably more to do with bike geometry/fit and lack of core strength. More rise on the stem, shorter stem, more or less layback on the seatpost, a different rise/sweep on the bars could sort it.
I also find trying to touch my toes whilst keep my back straight from the hips, so the gluts and hams stretch, as the best stretch.
An anthem is likely to be more comfortable than a HT, but not a lot more comfortable than a compliant HT with a suspension seatpost.
but on the down side it's not as much fun.
and that depends on which FS you get and the riding you do - an anthem is likely to be as much fun, my flux is more fun than my HT and climbs as well/better with no losses in the suspension.
Golf is much worse for your back than cycling btw.
OP suggest you try a few excersizes, best done for a few mins each day. IMO the FS/HT will make no difference to your back niggles.
