Hello! I just started my cardio journey on an indoor spinning bike, waiting for spring, when I finally want to buy a gravelbike to do some roadtrips and daytrips or just having some fun going fast on roads and forest paths.
HOWEVER – 🤚🏻 I have Scheuermann's disease, so my spine is a bit more bent making a hump in my chest area. I also sometimes struggle with neck and jaw cramps.
TLDR: Is there a way to – for example with a canyon gravelbike – make the bike a bit more comfortable? I don't want to push for top performance, just want to have some fun. I imagine the seat position is gonna be fixed to avoid knee pain – but how about the handlebar? If I make it higher, it could make it more comfortable?
Someone mentioned flipping the stem upside down, or replacing it with a different angle…
HAS ANYONE DONE THAT AND HAS SOME PICTURES?
Or 😳😳😳 is a gravelbike the wrong choice… and what should I look for?
thanks all!
by nikomuc
5 Comments
See a bike fitter, a mountain bike might be most suitable given your physical constraints.
Its a massive gamble buying a bike on the off-chance that it fits
I have the Grizl Raw and flipped the stem, it made a noticeable difference.
If you’re not opposed to changing the profile of the bike I was thinking about getting the redshift top shelf.
Canyon never has their stems in stock if you try to get anything under 80mm.
Can’t figure out how to add an image on mobile so if you send me a dm I’ll send you a picture of it on my trainer
So, I know this is a controversial topic for some, but suspension on any bike reduces the impact to the rider. This can come in many forms – everything from an extra application of handlebar tape, to suspension components similar to a MTB.
So my suggestion would be to look at these options. If you are definitely going for the Canyon, make it a Grizl. Then look at each component to upgrade (e.g. should I go for the redshift stem, or the DT Swiss forks?).
And once you have your bike finished, a follow up with your bike fitter.
About the stem, yeah that’s normal – it’s neither right side up nor upside down which ever way you run it. Choose what is most comfortable to you.
But – as you are talking about a higher stem, you probably won’t be riding in the drops much… – take a nice hybrid for a test ride.
Something like a specialized sirrus x or trek fx sport is basically a gravel bike with MTB bars and position. Similar geometry, similar gearing and tires, much more relaxed.
With MTB you get huge downsides like tiny front sprockets and being overbiked and too squishy. The performance leaning hybrids really hit that niche spot. I find it to be an under appreciated category. Caletti scrambler is the only aftermarket performance hybrid frame i can think of.
A little bit of suspension goes a long way too, I really like my redshift stem and s works cgr post (discontinued, roval terra is the new one)
If you do decide to go with a gravel bike. Look at a bike with geometry that has a higher stack. You can compare on different bikes on bikeinsights.com.
Like other people suggested, definitely visit a reputable bike fitter before buying one. They will really help you figure out what size and geometry works best for your particular issues.