Nerve damage - Why I'm selling the Yeti.

I underestimated how bad a crash was, until I started losing the feeling in my leg.
Crash was filmed with the Insta360 ONE: amzn.to/2OSXM82
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#MoutainBikeinjury #TrailFeatures #Moutainbikecrash

[@bkxc]

Just a bump in the road, you'll come back stronger if you get some cross training going

[@TrailFeatures]

For sure. I had a great summer so i can't complain too much. If I stick to getting into shape over the winter it'll be a hell of a good 2019 season! 🤘

[@versescapes4385]

What saved me 14 years ago was stretching of the back muscles. I could barely walk for 3 months due to sciatica and a compressed lumbar vertebrae. Although it comes back and forth I feel I recovered 90%+ Hope you feel better, man!

[@RyanRidesPGH]

Bummer. Get with a physical therapist ASAP. They work wonders.

[@LordLoMR2]

Get an inversion table. Helped a ton with my sciatica.

[@maelz]

Same here, I had numbness in my left ball of foot for years. Using an inversion table it cleared up in weeks

[@grantzupanc7372]

I’m hanging upside down in a inversion table as I watch this video. I hurt myself In early November and I am still recovering from sciatica!

[@TrailFeatures]

Keep working on your PT. It does get better!

[@silaschambers7413]

lol thats such a funny picture to imagine. Wish you luck as you get better!

[@yanostropicalparadise755]

anyone can get hurt. that said if you workout and harden your body you will bounce off object better than smashing into them. sound crazy i know but it's real. when i ride and fall i don't fear damage as much when my body is hardened. im 54 and ride all kinds of crazy trail as well as downhill on mountains. i have taken a few hard falls, i've only gotten a minor break in a tiny bone in a finger joint on a hand that took 170lbs of my body weight full force and moving fast. you don't have to lift weights but its great. body weight exercises will get you there "calisthenics". to get your body hard you have to put in the work and rest.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Sorry to hear about the issues Joseph, its pretty obvious you've done your research and you're putting in the time to recover properly, so I'll see you at 100% soon.

[@scottfast03]

I feel for you man. I herniated a disc in my low back this spring. I had sciatica for a week after the injury and it’s the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. Good luck with the recovery.

[@bbarker5766]

Stretching is key or at least for me. I can tell when I'm not actuve enough or stretching enough thanks to the pains and strains over the years. One thing that I've noticed is that my diet affects how I feel overall and that is tied in with the energy levels and how my body heals up from stress/strain, and injuries which life either easier or harder. Good l uck man I'm trying to heal up from strains from work.

[@scottnormand5858]

Suffering from lower back pain for years now. Interestingly I never feel the effects from mountain biking, it is always aggravated at the onset of ski season. You’ve made me take a closer look at stretching and strength training. Hope you get well soon man🙏🏼

[@scotttowner7905]

So glad you posted this, I too am recovering from a lower back problem. I believe yoga just might be the way to go to heal and strengthen so that we become stronger. You will be back... no pun intended... riding before you know it!

[@timpurvis6041]

I blew out L5 probably 12yrs ago and had an engine try to cut my right arm off about a year ago (no real loss of movement but definate nerve damage) I ride every chance I get!!! Glad to see your not letting your injury get you out of riding! I do a few different things like workout but I tell ya something awesome is get a tens unit! love mine use it every night!

[@TwitchyNick]

Sorry you’ve had a couple of tough experiences recently with the elevation sickness and then the wreck. Glad you have a plan to move forward though and enjoy the bike shopping!

[@TrailFeatures]

It's been an interesting adjustment period for sure, but I am taking it as lessons learned and will train harder for next year!

[@norcaltrailrides5550]

Had a laminectomy on my L5 when I was 22. 47 now. In good shape as long as I stay in the gym. No dead’s. Good luck recovering and remember lifting will help. I adjusted by doing lunges instead of squats for a while to lighten the loads. I now squat just fine if I don’t go over 250 lbs. I usually stay at 225 today.

[@TrailFeatures]

Nice, man! glad to hear you recovered well! I'm starting to get a little more flexible with some stretches and am doing some basic calisthenics.

[@damianhancock3044]

Pole Evolink 140... Plenty of reach!!! 29r and a very cool bike.

[@NDemanuele1]

Sucks about your injury - you'll bounce back! I just got a V1 Ripmo. Very happy with it. I was riding a V1 Ripley forever. I got a good deal on it - won a bid on Ebay.

[@jtaraiza2480]

Holy hell that looked gnarly!!! I hope you’re feeling better man Also p.s. I absolutely love my Cannondale trigger and I know the Jekyll 29 is supposed to ride very similarly, I couldn’t recommend that bike more it is awesome

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks! I am feeling better, but still taking it easy. I haven't ridden the Jekyll, but it does look interesting!

[@wardjanssen5300]

Last week I understeered a muddy berm, went otb and scorpioned my way out of there. a funny lil crash but it has left me with a lower back pain though, this vid totally freaked me out about it, haha, take care dude!

[@TrailFeatures]

Ooof! Take it easy and go get checked out if the pain doesn't get better!

[@zcarfanatic]

Lower back stuff is no joke. A year ago November, I was riding a roadie century. 108 miles and 9k feet of climbing. Started feeling sciatic pain before the event, but that didn't stop me from riding. After the event, I quit riding cold turkey - was just burned out on training rides. Had a small accident and was left with debilitating sciatic pain. Couldn't sit or lay down for two weeks. not even to sleep. And nerve pain is something pain killers can't help with. Additionally, I could not use my right calf muscles the nerves could not tell them to flex. Turned out I had a herniated disk in S1, L5. a year later, I am doing some light riding mostly on the mtb. Mostly symptom free now. Lots of core exercises and proper stretching. The MTB which I bought before the back injury - I'm even more stoked about it now. 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 6Fattie S-works. 650b Wheels with 3" tires. Inflate those to ~15/16 PSI (F/R) and it's ultra, magic-carpet smooth. and completely un-phased by rocks, tanbark, gravel, roots, etc. Yeah, as others whine about, you loose a little bit of trail feel with the big tires, but just learn to ride around it. Honestly, the first time I saw the that mid-fat bike, I thought it was the stupidest thing I ever saw and wrote them off mentally until I rode one and learned just how capable they are and was much faster than I imagined. There was one at a bike demo at my local trail back-yard trail system, so after some Santa Cruz bikes and Yetis and the Specialized enduro, I just thought I should try that 6fattie a try if I was gonna spend that much on a bike. Ordered that 6fattie the next week...

[@agnisarode685]

Working on skills and tricks on the road makes getting back on any trail much more anticipating

[@pympin87]

what about an sb-130?

[@jacobgonzalez7302]

Always had really bad back pain. I started to use lacrosse balls to roll my lower back muscles out and also did some back and leg stretching which helped me out. I still have to maintain my back every week, but i have never felt better. Take care of yourself man.

[@TrailBreaker]

Wow! Crazy familiar story. Initial back injury in the gym at 33. Occasional re-injuries over the years. Finally figured out my issue was 12 years of flying helicopters slouched over (pretty common.) sciatica. Inflammation. Now, half of my gym time is core strengthening and flexibility. Regular chiropractic. At 52, 95% good and no pain. I like your honesty and subbed . Good luck!

[@B1KER]

Bummer about the back issues. Get well soon. I recently rode a Rocky Mountain and was really impressed with how well the seat was out of the way compared to my Bronson. I’m pretty much exactly like you in torso to legs.

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks man! I did get a chance to ride the RM Pipeline and really dug it! It's the same frame as the 29er instinct so it's on my short list.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Dang dude. That was a solid crash! I agree, mobility is everything when it comes to bailing on a bike. A long reach, mid-travel 29er with a decently short seat tube? I seem to remember you trying a bike just like that back in January 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@casualsportshighlights]

try the Anthem Advanced 1 bike - Brand is Giant, I have ridden this bike before, it's great fun and good on the hard trails!

[@fredericwilson1339]

Transition Smuggler 29”. I have had my fair share of back problems. The smuggler is very comfortable, peddles well uphill, and shreds downhill. I have raced mine in cross country, enduro, even 24h races. For Sciatica, check out Treat Your Own Back Book by Robin McKenzie.

[@cwd1232]

Really hoping this isn't the end of videos till next riding season? Winter is when the vids are needed most. Reviews, demos, diy bike stuff there's still a ton to make content on so I've got my fingers crossed that's there's plenty more to come from u. Keep your head up man u have a great channel and just moved to one of the best outdoor places to live! Just a bump in the road as BKXC said! 🤙🤙

[@thomashardbattle4287]

Same kinda crash but my knee hit a rock and I fractured a bone in my knee and now it painfully clicks in all directions and can't ride how I want to

[@eduhgraficx]

You'll get better. Like you said, it's a bump on the road. I've done three months of recovery after scraping both knees and elbows on tarmac. Now I'm saving up for a hardtail to get back on the trail.

[@JamesStoup]

So sorry to hear about your crash and back issues. I've been lucky enough that I've kept a good flexibility program (I really like yoga a lot) that has helped me bounce back. I definitely have some tightness from previous injuries that I'm trying to unkink. Spinal twists for me are so clutch and I can feel my back release more and more every time I do it.

[@TrailFeatures]

It great to hear you've had success with yoga! i'll have to start out really easy before I try some more intense moves. I'm so stiff that even basic poses are going to be a challage starting off.

[@FesteringRatSub]

That is my problem too, even sitting on the ground with legs out front is a nasty stretch

[@scottpratico1315]

Injuries suck but they are always a learning experience. I recently learned that an old cycling friend crushed his face after clipping his bar on a tree. Watching this video, I can't help but to think the whole 800mm bar thing is causing older riders to misjudge these narrow moves.

[@cidvisions]

We have lots of vines down here in Florida. One of them decided to grab my bars and send me OTB on a jump. Fortunately my rib seems to be just bruised rather than broken, but the cough I developed a week later hasn't let me forget about it yet.

[@jarlaxlebaenre7932]

so did u heal up

[@ToogyHowser]

I feel your pain on the bike sizing issues, being about the same size as you I struggle to be fully comfortable on a large and a lot of the XL bikes I’ve tried feel huge and the same seat problem you have, good luck in your recovery!

[@rynoman03]

I jacked up my back when I started getting into endurance riding. I know exactly what you're going through. I too have been getting sciatica but down my left leg from time to time. I injured myself in 2014 and I'm still suffering from it. When i get a flair up it can drop my to my knees sometimes. Hang in there.

[@eos538]

I got sciatica from deadlifting too. I've been riding through the pain this fall even though I probably shouldn't. It hurts all the time even when I don't ride though so I figure I might as well ride and enjoy the great trail conditions. Man does it suck though. I hope yours gets better!

[@xinferischief1570]

I highly recommend doing some exercises that strengthen your back. Not deadlifting, just easy stuff. I fucked up my shoulder once and did light exercises so now the muscle kinda "holds it in place."

[@haroldgiddley9289]

If ya haven’t chosen yet, by far The Ripmo I have lower back issues from childhood construction injury, still work a very physical job at 48 . That being said I will also be starting a Yoga lifestyle this winter here in Midwest. Back to the bike, I purchased the new Ripmo in Oct after a lot of bike demos. By far the greatest bike I have ever been upon, stable strong and fast. Climbs like a goat, which really helps the back in ways unnoticed until evening talks around the local establishment or campfire. Always ready to ride next day. The confidence and liberation of this bike is unlike anything I have felt in riding, absolutely love it. Good luck and wishing you a speedy, strong and focused recovery!!

[@FesteringRatSub]

Yep i got this injury right now. Same Sciatica and I have tight muscles running down the backs of my legs all the way to my toes. I need to do exactly what you want to do to fix the issue.

[@tythesnoman]

Sciatica is actually what brought me here lol. I’ve been just taking it easy cause my sciatica acting up. Your channel and Seths gave me the itch to go get a bike. Just for exploring in the forests and camping. 100% understand what you mean by limited mobility. It sucks so much having your muscles work against you, stretching isn’t fun.

[@TrailFeatures]

It does suck, but it can get better! It took the better part of a year after my 2nd back injury to get back out there.

[@andrieslouw6588]

Tore the labrum in my hip. Did rehab for two months. Was about to see a specialist then covid 19 hit. I got on the bike for the first time in almost 7 months. Had no excessive pain so far, so I'm pedaling on.

[@MTBScotland]

Transition sentinel. My knee I think is starting to give me trouble again. Wondering how long before I have to get an ebike.

[@TrailFeatures]

I also have a bad knee from hyperextending it while sprinting in an open field. We're slowly falling apart. 😂

[@danbolton3180]

Two new knees, both feet rebuilt, nerve surgery on my lower back, pinched nerve in my neck from being rear ended, and I'm 60, so I turned my hardtail into an all rounder. I'll walk the trails if I get a hankering for the woods, and ride casually when i feel like it. I'll still have my memories when I hit 120.

[@Eh-Way]

I’m 6’5”. History of low back issues with a recent L4-L5-S1 injury. Stretching / yoga/ body weight exercises have been the best rehab so far 1.5 months in. The Mackenzie method “heal your own back” book is an awesome read. Bob and brad physio videos on KZbin are great too. As for a bike , try some devinci bikes, Canadian made so you will get a good deal with the exchange rate, long travel 29ers 👍

[@CobraKyle]

Sorry to hear about the troubles Joseph. I have the same problem where I don't chill after a crash and typically make it worse. I'm fond of the Jeffsy. Rode with someone last week who had the 29er version and it was sweet!

[@TrailFeatures]

Yeah, it's hard sometimes to chill out or even decide to call the ride over. In this case, that would have been the smart thing to do. I'll have to hunt down a Jeffsy!

[@Sycoholic]

Watched my wife suffer with sciatica and the doctor tell her no work for 2 weeks and take these medicines. Next day I took her to a chiropractor. She was back at work the following day with only a few follow up appointments to make sure she was OK. Yes, yoga should help too. Plenty of yoga to be found on KZbin as well. Hope you heal up fast.

[@dannyp4070]

My wife just got a santa cruz tallboy. Its a 29er mid travel. Really like it!

[@TrailFeatures]

Not a bad bike for sure!

[@YourOwnAdventure]

I hope you get stronger and beat that back pain. It's an annoyance and can be avoided with proper stretching and prevention. Ride safe and take your time. It's the only thing causing the problems.

[@mattydarbs8720]

Mate. That sounds identical to me. I crashed about 3 years ago and prolapse the disc in my lower back. It destroyed my confidence and has taken ages to get back at it. I’ve been left with a numb left foot and a feeling of a lack strength in that leg. Keeping active really helped. Will be really interested in your journey so please share your recovery/mobility/strength journey.

[@LiveAeons]

I had a shoulder injury at the end of April, a near torn AC joint. I was 5-6 weeks off the trails. Been doing even more strength training since then to fully recover. I still have some pain in certain positions, but the shoulder is stable and it's pretty much at 85% strength, but I'm planning to get back to 100% and beyond during this off season. For about 2 months I've been doing some yoga (thanks to my girlfriend), and I can really see why it's beneficial in the sense that I too have stiffness issues (mainly in my hips) and this helps me to loosen up/relax a bit, but most importantly expand my mobility, so I am thankful for taking this step. I can highly recommend you improve your core strength (2 daily minutes of plank really does wonders, totally eliminates lower back pain during riding, and helps you on the downhills and in a more efficient power transfer to the legs while seated and standing), do some full body workouts, and really put emphasis on warming up and then doing a thorough stretch. I wish you a lot patience, resilience, drive and optimism with overcoming this injury and hopefully you'll be good as new for 2019. Another tip that I can point out to (no matter how weird it may sound), is practice catapulting from your bike in the instance of a crash. The more you tense up during a crash, the more likely you will do more damage to yourself. Just roll with it, or as Bruce Lee used to say: “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend”. I know it can be a matter of split seconds, but if you put more awareness in practicing controlled crashing, you will definitely hurt yourself less. Speaking of your new bike, I am really curious on your initial impressions regarding the Mondraker Foxy you demoed. I am really torn between a Foxy 29 and Scott Ransom. I heard a lot of good stuff about the Ripmo, but I don't have access to one where I live (Romania). Cheers & healing vibes!

[@TrailFeatures]

Sucks you got hurt, but sounds like you have a solid plan! Thanks for the good vibes!

[@zornj61]

We have the same build. I found the 2019 stumpjumper fsr was a perfect fit for me!!

[@midlifebiker7424]

I got onto your channel as I was interested in the MRP ramp control in your fork. Any update please? Stay positive and get well soon. I also suggest looking at an ebike. I have the Merida e160 900e which I can ride even when injured, tired, not really in the mood etc. Then on other days session the heck out of my fave tech trails or new adventures. A true do it all bike..

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks, man! I've been healing up quick, so I've been back out on the trails a couple times. For sure feeling out of shape though, so an ebike would have been nice on some of those climbs. 😅 I still love the Ramp Controller. As I've said, it doesn't make a fork perform "better" but it does allow you to really dial in how the fork feels. I installed it on a Fox 34 Performance and really liked how I could get the fork to be a little more supple like my RockShox while still keeping that supportive feel that Fox offers.

[@Trumble76]

I feel for you man! I have a herniated disc at L5 S1. The sciatica can be extremely painful. Last year I received a epidural cortisone steroid injection and it did wonders for the pain. However, I never really did anything after that so it returned a few weeks ago while I was out on the trail. I received another injection and returned riding, but I am looking into yoga now as well to hopefully keep this from happening again. I'm doing my best to avoid surgery. If the pain is unbearable, I'd look into an injection while you look for other long-term solutions.

[@mtadams2009]

I fell this past summer riding a trail I ride a couple times a week. I stalled on a climb, and miss judged the trail, it dropped off a couple of feet, I fell landing on my side and back. I thought I cracked my ribs, road and walked my way out. A couple days later I had a CAT scan. Ribs wers fine but my back was not, four broken transverse vertebrae in my lower back. I am lucky to still be walking and I should be ok. I have been riding since the 80s and have had very few serious falls but I am also getting older late 50s. I have been skiing this winter and plan on riding in the spring as a I miss, I am getting some type of spine protection and I dont care if its hot or anything. I fell on a large rock, if I was moving fast I am sure I would not be walking. I have had my share of injuries skiing and rock climbing but this one really scared me. Take care, have fun, life and our bodies can be fragile.

[@georgiaguardian4696]

How have you recovered after two years? I had a crash with my BMX and hurt my left ankle and pulled muscles of my left leg and left hand as well. It took about 8 weeks for the left leg to function normally but not 100% recovered yet. Now I feel 99% recovered but some some weird feeling on my left hand and ankle. Now I am cutting back on the maximum intensity workout when I do treadmill and weight training until I feel 100%.

[@plo5311]

Saw your vids for the first time end of VeteransDay 2018... I've reentered off-road biking after 30 years of service in the US Air Force and a used INTENSE SPIDER 2 found me. Quickly upgraded to a USED 27.5 SPIDER and a 29 CARBINE. Totally digging the bikes and recommend you explore the idea of Bargain Basement Hunting and getting these type bikes at less than half of retail!

[@nathanfagan9881]

Precisely why I had to up from my Large to an XL, I also suffer with Sciatica (since I was 14 and I'm now 39) but being on the wrong size bike was crippling. Being on a bigger bike is the first step in healthy riding.

[@bigglinc0382]

Hope you get better soon. Just take it easy and allow for your body to heal properly.

[@loomspace]

Every aging mtber could make this video at some point, esp tall guys with weird proportions. Like everyone else said, it's a habit to get into stretching and core every day. I went full yoga for awhile with great results but have since condensed it into a 20 minute routine every night while watching TV. Two things I haven't seen below, 1. Iliosacral stretch is the #1 solution for me with sciatica, 2. Acupuncture can be a quite effective immediately intervention for a sciatica flare-up.

[@MTNcorps]

Dude... injuries suck. Hope you feel better man.

[@Jon-nz3dm]

Dude. We have the same bike fitting problem. Except I have an even longer torso. I'm 6'4" with a 32" inseam. So I have no choice but to ride XL's and the seat tubes are always so tall that can't even reach the ground while on the saddle. And I'm poor so I don't have a dropper post. But I make it work. I'm just glad to have an entry level hardtail(2019 Nukeproof Scout 290 Sport) that I can hit the trails with.

[@oldguydiscgolf9631]

Paintball injury ... lol ... still causes me some minor discomfort to this day ... right shoulder ... I was running from my father when it happened. Grabbed a small sapling to help me get up a hill and slipped, didn't let go of the tree and yanked it out of place slightly and then fell on it. LOL ...

[@isaidabeefhotlinks1]

Glad to see you taking the necessary measures to get better. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Yoga has really helped my lower back pain.The ripmo is a great bike and Ibis is a great company (got to visit them in Santa Cruz). I have been really liking the banshee prime (Personal bike), MRP has demo bikes. Also maybe check out the Guerilla Gravity Smash. But if you want carbon the Ripmo or Switchblade would be great. Or wait for the Yeti SB130? Look forward to seeing what you land on.

[@TrailFeatures]

I did get to ride the Ripmo at outerbike and it was a blast. GG is alo on the list. I *wish* Yeti would just come out wiht the sb130 already since we all know about it...

[@PaulThePunter]

Man that pointing into the corner. The hardest thing to do haha. You'll be back before you know it!

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks, Paul! Hopefully I'll be better at bikes too!

[@mkl757]

I suffer from Sciatica as well, started MTB about 2 months ago and feel the difference of not feeling that stiffed and no more leg cramps so far, however whenever I ride trails or longer than 1 hr my right hand gets numbed, anyone else gets these?

[@DrDr-pg5br]

For improving lumbar and pelvic alignment, tilt your seat fwd a few degrees at a time until you feel no more back strain. This helped me a ton. Foam roll your hamstrings, glutes and especially adductors (inner thighs). Core and hip strength, yoga, no backpack. Eventually, the sciatica will not go away if you keep injuring yourself. You do not want a back surgery.

[@patrickbrown8569]

You can cut down the seat tube. Worldwide cyclery has a video on cutting down yetis.

[@PabloH]

what about a specialized turbo levo? since you will be having a lingering injury which might be debilitating, and since you've said you almost have tried them all, what is your take on going e-MTB? i used to mtn bike a lot until my back gave up on me.... not because of injury but more like getting old (almost sixty). mountainbiking is really a passion of mine so i am learning a lot from the mtnbiking community. good luck with your rehabilitation and hopefully you have the yeti already sold. thanks.

[@arod4084]

You got a good plan. I suffer from bursitis and lower back issues. Flexibility, mid core strength and your diet will help a lot. Also consider an back inverter. Good Luck buddy!

[@TWINS-be2su]

100% am gonna recommend a Rocky Mountain slayer!!!!

[@TMAN882]

Take a look at the new Evil Offering.

[@ryanvoss8727]

You should check out the Intense Primer (29” wheels, 140mm fork, 130mm shock) thats the bike I have and its great for whatever I want to do. Btw, Im on a size large and I can easily fit a 150mm dropper

[@NunalSaPaa]

Have you tried red light therapy? It's been really effective in treating my lower back pain and other injuries.

[@SWFlowseeker]

Glad your okay. Check out the new Evil Offering. Long reach for the size. Bike rips

[@mermaidsurfer]

Scott Genius 900 tuned!!

[@markdodson6669]

Sorry about your nerve troubles. I have had a bit of sciatic pain in the past and it is no joke. I will be watching closely to see what bikes you test and choose. I am 6'5" and am currently riding a old 26" wheeled, short travel 21" Giant Trance 4 with rim brakes. It is not cutting it to say the least. I am in the middle of losing 90 lbs. I get to buy a new bike if I reach my goal and I am already halfway there. I need to make a really good decision because I don't think I can buy 2 or more bikes. I feel I am outside of the "normal sized mountain biker" range and few manufacturers make bikes for people my size. Very interested in what you find and will be watching to see what you come up with. Great videos, great channel. Good luck

[@TrailFeatures]

No, it's not fun. :( Great job on the weight loss! That will go a big way to helping! It does suck to be in between a lot of bike sizes, but with the forward geo trend taking hold there are a lot more options out there these days!

[@reactivemtnbiking9871]

I like how you rang the bell warning others you were going down. All jokes aside brotha, healing vibes going your way my friend. When I get there maybe you and I can set up a ride for injured mtn bikers lol.

[@TrailFeatures]

LOL, TIMBER! Thanks man. Maybe instead of beer and tacos we have bottles of ibuprofen and hot/cold packs for all the riders!

[@stevethesmazsmathers9112]

Back issues suck and I deal with a bunch of them as I've told you. Stretches, dry needing, cupping and massage have worked for me. I'm working on dropping more weight and increasing my core strength as my body allows. Plenty of really good bikes shops in the Denver/Golden/Boulder area to check out possible Yeti replacements. Might want to check out the new Jamis and Spot bikes. The Rocky Mountain's look really good and Norco has got some good ones in their line up too. Might be time to bust out the indoor trainer!

[@Kenneth_R]

I would suggest you demo the Santa Cruz Hightower LT in XL. I got one a few months ago and love it. I demoed a bunch of bikes as well including the Yeti SB5+ in XL. The HTLT just felt more stable and just rolled over everything well. Its a burlier bike for sure but still climbed very well. (I live in Denver CO and ride mostly in the area, I am 6'2", 185lb with 33in inseam).

[@conradglasbergen4404]

Have a hip flexor that acts up giving sciatica type pain in right hip to knee from a work accident that’s kept me seeing a massage and chiropractor the past few years...that pain is far from fun...so hopefully you heal up fast! As for current injuries...about 3.5 months in from posterior shoulder dislocation from a trail crash. On commuter bike off and on and light trails..but still some time to go for full strengthening. That’s what I get for saying the dreaded “ one more run” 😂

[@OutdoorGold]

Since getting into mountain biking, the question isn’t where I’ve been injured....it’s what haven’t I injured! That wreck was a impressive and I hope that nerve damage in the back gets right

[@TrailFeatures]

Hahaha! yeah. Crashing is part of the sport, but I'm hoping to get in a place where it's only the video clips that remind me I was in a crash!

[@albinb5731]

i only got 2 "serious" injuries which are a broken left knee (tibia fracture) and broken elbow. my knee locks up and so does my elbow if i'm lifting something heavy but other than that i have recovered 100%

[@donharris6225]

My crash looked about the same, Separated my right AC joint. Going to keep my cannon dale for a while.

[@one_mtb]

During the crash the sound of the leafs subtleed to applause

[@Happyhippo75]

Hey dude I damaged the nerves in my lower back and affected my right leg. No more muscle and cramping. 10 years of not being able to mountain bike. Purchased an Giant E+pro 1electric bike and has been amazing. Have biked 300kms in past 4 weeks and able to enjoy single track and downhill trails. Life saver.

[@ShutUpandRideMTB]

Get well soon kid, cheers!

[@TrailFeatures]

Thanks, man!

[@markr5132]

Just built a Ripmo & it seams to be an awesome machine for serious trials. Be patient with the back, it sounds like you are on the right track. I think you should get a Levo e-bike for a good amount of time, as that should give you more fun with less stress on your bike, they are really great too!!

[@TrailFeatures]

The ripmo is a freaking beast of a bike! Ibis really got the number right with it!

[@jasonchilcote2784]

Ouch! I have the same injury. Pain down the leg is brutal. I also have a long torso as I'm 6'3" and 225 pounds and looking for a more forgiving bike. Thanks for mentioning Single Track Samplers yoga exercises. That's differently something I'll have to do before getting back to riding. Looking forward to which bike you choose. Stay healthy!

[@TrailFeatures]

It's no joke. I'm really thankful that this time it was only a "minor" injury. You should for sure check out the mondraker. Stuuuupid long reach and climbs really well for such a long bike!

[@notachance8887]

@@TrailFeatures Old post but I'm almost a month in with the same type of injury. I'm finally close to being able to walk normal and get a good night sleep. PT has helped me the most. The pain from this was something else lol

[@dadventuretv2538]

Sorry bro, that sucks. Def agree with BKXC- crosstrain once you are able. I’ve compound fractured radius and ulna, torn both MCLs, have Grade 4 chondromalacia of patella, osteonecrosis of talus with surgery that seems to have worked, dislocated every finger at some point, toenails that have been crushed so many times they barely grow anymore, stingers in my neck at least 3 times, numerous concussions, orbital blowout fracture, rib fractures numerous times, broken my nose a few times, stitched up more times than I can count, had sciatica (although thankfully short lived) a few times like you, and probably some other things I am forgetting. But that’s the price of over 25 years of playing Rugby and living a life worth living. The first few steps in the morning suck sometimes, but otherwise I just live with and keep on keeping on. You will too. They will only hold you back if you let them. Hell, at WV Dirtfest there was a dude (probably wounded warrior from the looks but I didn’t ask and he didn’t say- instead we talked about bikes and the trails and stuff) who was a double amputee out there on a three wheeled hand pedal bike. So fuck yeah- just get better and get out there. I’m 47 now and if you check out my channel you’ll see I still like to hit it pretty hard. Don’t hit as big a drops and jumps as I used to, but I still get air and still bomb it as fast I can. Re your next rig- check out the 2019 Santa Cruz Bronson. It’s a beast. I did a three part review on channel. I’m ordering mine next week. I also really liked the new Pivot Trail 429 for a shorter travel 29er. But I already have a trail hardtail for trails around DC, and I needed a bruiser for the Appalachian Mountains- I like the maneuverability of a 27.5 with big squish to handle the chunk. I might have a bit of a bias toward smaller more maneuverable bike though bc I come from bmx and not road bikes (I hate road weenies). The new Bronson is a better fit for what I want to ride. But if I were to upgrade my around DC bike it’d be that Pivot- it’s a freaking rocket. Btw- I also have a longer torso too and have always liked a long front and even though both the Pivot and Bronson have gotten longer I sized up to an XL on both and love the fit. They both keep the seat tube short so no worries with dropper. Also standover is super short on Bronson- I’m 5’10” and can stand over it with no problem and even lift it while standing over and turn it under me. Heal up and get out there.

[@TrailFeatures]

When I showed the doc the clip of me crashing, he asked me if I knew how lucky it was I walked away from that. 😬

[@dadventuretv2538]

Trail Features bah- docs are worry warts. You know how many times I’ve heard from ‘em- “you should stop playing Rugby.” Damn Doc, that’s why I’m here putting your kid through college- so I can keep playing!!! Just watch those freaking bars (and pedal strikes). I actually thought maybe that’s what got you at first.

[@americantrailrider7031]

Doctors are morons most of the time.

[@norcaltrailrides5550]

Biggest question is did you get a new subscriber after showing the doc?

[@stevenholden2814]

Legalized drug dealer just wants to get you on some of his dope.

[@josephfogus6735]

Test out the jamis portal!

[@nate390]

I've ridden quite a few different bikes at this point, and as far as mid travel 29ers go you have to take a look at the Norco Sight, it is absolutely fantastic, it's very well rounded at a great price point. The C9.3 has a stellar build kit with a DVO diamond, which once dialed in is probably the best air fork on the market for less than most companies NX build kits.

[@michaelhappel51]

I was in the same boat as you last year prior to surgery. Dealt with sciatic pain for 4 years(firefighting and Crossfit poor recovery) I had surgery last March after I lost complete function/sensation in my right leg, but the pain was still there. Was on a morphine drip for 3 days then had a double laminectomy. Woke up pain free and could move my legs. I say all that to offer some advice. I was directed towards Stuart McGill. He is a back guru. I have read all of his books and have followed his protocol since. I am pretty much normal again with some numbness and foot drop but I can enjoy Mountain biking again and pick up my two girls. Be careful with the yoga stuff as some positions can aggravate the nerve. If you are still having trouble I’d read “Back Mechanic” Enjoy your new bike!

[@maddingo]

I'm a bit taller than you 6'3" I ride a 2018 Giant Trance Advanced 2 (27.5) XL .. love it.. fit is great for me with this bike.. nimble playful.. blah blah blah.. good bike

[@singletrackminded8079]

Scott Ransom 2019 highly recommended for charging or not. 29/27.5. It’s a mountain goat going up and a rail going down. My bike 2019 Scott Ransom 720 medium. 🙏🔑✌️

[@jf8534]

I too suffer from numbness in my left foot due to lower back issues. 2 surgeries. Sometimes I get nervous that I'll injure myself again but biking is too fun.

[@TrailFeatures]

I know that feeling. There's always a little voice in my head that tells me to keep the tires on the ground, even when i want to push it.

[@Bobo-bw1uc]

Did u sign it

[@weedfreer]

Cannondale Jekyll for 27.5 - short but twitchy/responsive backend (depending on your viewpoint) with a progressive shock for uphill ...Cannondale Trigger maybe the same thing but nicer Pivot or YT bikes for the 29" Also, what about Norco?

[@weedfreer]

...I see that Canyon have just released their latest version of the Strive ‘shapeshifter’ bike in all new 29” CF shiny goodness too...it’s a tricky one

[@BeautifulDemocracy]

Are cortisone shots an option? I injured myself mtbiking and I used a combination of massage therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine and found a pain management specialist M.D. (not being cavalier with pain meds in the glove compartment like someone said--dumb IMO). My PT consisted of plenty of core strength exercises (like you said) AND back strengthening exercises. I hope by now you're doing better and getting your strength back!

[@TrailFeatures]

The first time I injured my back I almost went for shots to ease the pain. Decided, for my injury, it wasn't quite worth the risk. We went with oral steroids as treatment instead. Worked out well along with PT. I'm much better than when I made this video! Thanks!

[@timotheus34]

Check out the trek slash! I think the 8 is going to be my next bike...

[@chryslianos6740]

getting an XL one soon. was worried about the seat tube but im at 34inch inseam so all good. mostly happy about the reach

[@dksantos14]

Is this good for street riding?