eBike for cyclist with neck injury

[Mattyroosak]

Hi eBikers!!

A few years ago I injured my neck through poor posture and excessive training on my road bike which resulted in 2 herniated discs in my neck. I have tried all sorts of strength training and physio - no luck. My surgeon is not keen to operate as the nerve pain has subsided....it returns when I ride a road bike due to the position.

Before the injury, I was an avid cyclist, racing on the road (criteriums) and velodrome.

When I couldn't ride I really missed it. Cycling was very social for me (cycled a lot with other roadie nutters) and I really enjoyed the feel good/mental health benefits.

I tried a recumbent bike but found it difficult to generate power and keep up with my cycling mates. It also hurt my neck when I craned my neck forward.

I tried an Electra Townie (my wife's bike) and this was great for my neck. Good position and very comfortable...but very slow, terrible up hills but shameful unable to ride with my roadie mates.

The upright posiiton means i can ride, but the bike is slow when my body is catching all the wind.

I have recently bought my wife a Kalkhoff Aggata 3 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/agattu-3 ) and this too has a great position and the electric assistance means I can get along much quicker.

I am hoping an eBike allows me to get the best of an upright position and speed (through the pedal assist) to have success returning to the bike. As such I am now looking for an eBike for myself.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Specialized Como (https://www.specialized.com/au/en/turbo-como-3-0-650b/p/170301?color=264308-170301 ) and the Kalkhoff Image 5 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/image-5 )

The Specialized has a sweet Brose motor, is quite light, nice IOS app integration and super comfy position (pedal forward position is excellent).

The Kalkhoff has belt drive, internal hub gears (super low maintenance) and a good position (similar to the Aggata 3). It feels a bit quicker on the road. Great integration of rack and lights.

I intend to use the bike for commuting (approx 40km round trip), rides with my wife, and rides with my roadie mates.

I am in Canberra, Australia.

Any ideas or thoughts??

many thanks

Matt

 

[Dewey]

Sorry to read about your neck Matt. I understand the Specialized Mission Control app has a feature where you can program how much energy you want to have in reserve after a set distance, I haven’t used it but presumably this tells the controller to back off motor assistance to meet this range goal. Sounds helpful on longer rides. But the Kalkhoff looks nice too and I love me an IGH. I’d test ride both if you can.

 

[Marci jo]

Hi eBikers!!

A few years ago I injured my neck through poor posture and excessive training on my road bike which resulted in 2 herniated discs in my neck. I have tried all sorts of strength training and physio - no luck. My surgeon is not keen to operate as the nerve pain has subsided....it returns when I ride a road bike due to the position.

Before the injury, I was an avid cyclist, racing on the road (criteriums) and velodrome.

When I couldn't ride I really missed it. Cycling was very social for me (cycled a lot with other roadie nutters) and I really enjoyed the feel good/mental health benefits.

I tried a recumbent bike but found it difficult to generate power and keep up with my cycling mates. It also hurt my neck when I craned my neck forward.

I tried an Electra Townie (my wife's bike) and this was great for my neck. Good position and very comfortable...but very slow, terrible up hills but shameful unable to ride with my roadie mates.

The upright posiiton means i can ride, but the bike is slow when my body is catching all the wind.

I have recently bought my wife a Kalkhoff Aggata 3 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/agattu-3 ) and this too has a great position and the electric assistance means I can get along much quicker.

I am hoping an eBike allows me to get the best of an upright position and speed (through the pedal assist) to have success returning to the bike. As such I am now looking for an eBike for myself.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Specialized Como (https://www.specialized.com/au/en/turbo-como-3-0-650b/p/170301?color=264308-170301 ) and the Kalkhoff Image 5 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/image-5 )

The Specialized has a sweet Brose motor, is quite light, nice IOS app integration and super comfy position (pedal forward position is excellent).

The Kalkhoff has belt drive, internal hub gears (super low maintenance) and a good position (similar to the Aggata 3). It feels a bit quicker on the road. Great integration of rack and lights.

I intend to use the bike for commuting (approx 40km round trip), rides with my wife, and rides with my roadie mates.

I am in Canberra, Australia.

Any ideas or thoughts??

many thanks

Matt

Welcome Mattyroosak, congrats on your continued cycling.

I am in a similar position, no more dropped handle bars, but from a wrist injury. Very pleased with my Vado, especially the super quiet Brose motor.
My experience with group rides is a little different. Last year I was new to a group of mostly roadies and made the mistake of passing up the hot shots of the group on a couple hills. Although they were respectful and kind, I could tell later they were very uncomfortable with an older lady passing them. If I had to do it all over, I would have stayed in the back for a few rides until they there were a more familiar with the ebike. Many had never seen a modern ebike.
Hopefully your mates will be a little different.

Many happy miles!

 

[JimFMB]

I know what you mean about the Townie go. It is a great neighborhood and short errand bike but lacking in riding inclines and somewhat slow. My wife still has hers, and I sold mine and purchased the Townie Commute. It is very upright with the swept back handlebars, has 700c wheels and the mid drive Bosch performance line motor and is only marginally forward of the seat tube. I ride much farther and faster with the commute.
I also have neck issues.

 

[PDoz]

Matt, can I suggest you have a chat with your physio before buying? The optimal riding position / bike choice will depend on the nature of your neck injuries, and unless you intend to derestrict the bike it's going to be a major struggle keeping up with your road mates once you get over the 25 k limit inflicted on us.

Another thought, if you have disc disease then think very seriously about including suspension - one decent jolt transmitted up your spine might bring back the nerve pain ....or worse.

For what it's worth, I have c5/6 canal stenosis and c1/2 dysfunction, so my hands go numb if I tilt my neck back , and I then get dizzy / fall over. Despite this, I ride a mountain bike - with higher bars / shorter reach / regular posture changes etc I manage 2/3 hour moderate intensity mtb riding.. Now, I'm not suggesting you get a mtb - we both know what the consequences of another neck injury are - but I would suggest you look at options that allow frequent posture changes.

Also, has the culture to ebikes changed up there yet? Last year I was hearing stories of groups of morons assaulting emtb riders out on the trail?

 

[E-Wheels]

Hi eBikers!!

A few years ago I injured my neck through poor posture and excessive training on my road bike which resulted in 2 herniated discs in my neck. I have tried all sorts of strength training and physio - no luck. My surgeon is not keen to operate as the nerve pain has subsided....it returns when I ride a road bike due to the position.

Before the injury, I was an avid cyclist, racing on the road (criteriums) and velodrome.

When I couldn't ride I really missed it. Cycling was very social for me (cycled a lot with other roadie nutters) and I really enjoyed the feel good/mental health benefits.

I tried a recumbent bike but found it difficult to generate power and keep up with my cycling mates. It also hurt my neck when I craned my neck forward.

I tried an Electra Townie (my wife's bike) and this was great for my neck. Good position and very comfortable...but very slow, terrible up hills but shameful unable to ride with my roadie mates.

The upright posiiton means i can ride, but the bike is slow when my body is catching all the wind.

I have recently bought my wife a Kalkhoff Aggata 3 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/agattu-3 ) and this too has a great position and the electric assistance means I can get along much quicker.

I am hoping an eBike allows me to get the best of an upright position and speed (through the pedal assist) to have success returning to the bike. As such I am now looking for an eBike for myself.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Specialized Como (https://www.specialized.com/au/en/turbo-como-3-0-650b/p/170301?color=264308-170301 ) and the Kalkhoff Image 5 (https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en_gb/e-bikes/e-city/image-5 )

The Specialized has a sweet Brose motor, is quite light, nice IOS app integration and super comfy position (pedal forward position is excellent).

The Kalkhoff has belt drive, internal hub gears (super low maintenance) and a good position (similar to the Aggata 3). It feels a bit quicker on the road. Great integration of rack and lights.

I intend to use the bike for commuting (approx 40km round trip), rides with my wife, and rides with my roadie mates.

I am in Canberra, Australia.

Any ideas or thoughts??

many thanks

Matt

Hi Matt,
If you decide on the Kalkhoff, I suggest you go with one that has the Bosch drive

 

[Mattyroosak]

Sorry to read about your neck Matt. I understand the Specialized Mission Control app has a feature where you can program how much energy you want to have in reserve after a set distance, I haven’t used it but presumably this tells the controller to back off motor assistance to meet this range goal. Sounds helpful on longer rides. But the Kalkhoff looks nice too and I love me an IGH. I’d test ride both if you can.

Thanks for the advice. Mission control app looks pretty good.

 

[Mattyroosak]

Welcome Mattyroosak, congrats on your continued cycling.

I am in a similar position, no more dropped handle bars, but from a wrist injury. Very pleased with my Vado, especially the super quiet Brose motor.
My experience with group rides is a little different. Last year I was new to a group of mostly roadies and made the mistake of passing up the hot shots of the group on a couple hills. Although they were respectful and kind, I could tell later they were very uncomfortable with an older lady passing them. If I had to do it all over, I would have stayed in the back for a few rides until they there were a more familiar with the ebike. Many had never seen a modern ebike.
Hopefully your mates will be a little different.

Many happy miles!

Thanks for the advice re human powered bikes...I will be careful

 

[Mattyroosak]

Matt, can I suggest you have a chat with your physio before buying? The optimal riding position / bike choice will depend on the nature of your neck injuries, and unless you intend to derestrict the bike it's going to be a major struggle keeping up with your road mates once you get over the 25 k limit inflicted on us.

Another thought, if you have disc disease then think very seriously about including suspension - one decent jolt transmitted up your spine might bring back the nerve pain ....or worse.

For what it's worth, I have c5/6 canal stenosis and c1/2 dysfunction, so my hands go numb if I tilt my neck back , and I then get dizzy / fall over. Despite this, I ride a mountain bike - with higher bars / shorter reach / regular posture changes etc I manage 2/3 hour moderate intensity mtb riding.. Now, I'm not suggesting you get a mtb - we both know what the consequences of another neck injury are - but I would suggest you look at options that allow frequent posture changes.

Also, has the culture to ebikes changed up there yet? Last year I was hearing stories of groups of morons assaulting emtb riders out on the trail?

Great advice. I might go to the physio and see what they say. I hadn't thought about suspension in terms of my injury - good point.

What sort of MTB do you have??

Not sure about the ebike culture. I am certainly seeing more about. The cycleways (on road lanes and alongside road) are really good in Canberra. Canberra also has the highest per capita cyclists and cycling commuters. And not to hilly in the city. So all the elements are here for an eBike boom. Time will tell.

 

[PDoz]

I've got a giant full e pro , not a good choice for road riding ( twitchy at high speed) , but great fun out on the trails.