Back problems

ivancarlos

Bought a planet x superlight frame in medium against my gut feeling because the dimensions seemed more like my existing bike. Normally I would have opted for the large frame. Now I am worried that I have bought a frame too small for me. I set the saddle height (distance between top and pedal) at the same as existing bike, although seat post is at the maximum adjustment and I have put a 130mm stem on it.

What is happening is that I am getting pain which feels like cramp after about and hour and a half in the left side of my back/hip something like sciatic pain. One of my pals had a look while I was riding and said that my hips were rocking so I dropped the saddle slightly. This relieved the pain temporarily although it returned after a bit plus I'm not sure that my knees felt right.

So what should I do to find the right adjustments before I consider just selling the thing?

meanwhile

You might want to take a look at some bike fitting guides online, especially those which are less aggressive (weight forwards, small frame) than the usual modern standard. There's a good one at Rivendell Bikes. See what you think, then try adjusting the bike - if you can - to fit the recommendations. If that fitting guide isn't to your taste then look at

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

http://www.rei.com/LearnShareDetailArti ... clfitf.jsp

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html

and

http://www.billbostoncycles.com/

- this link includes downloadable bike fitting software.

ivancarlos

Will give these a go. Thanks!

Monty Dog

Hip pain could also be a symptom of skeletal mis-alignment e.g. twisted pelvis or sacro-iliac joint - riding in the new position is potentially exacerbating an existing condition rather than it being the new bike per se. Might be worth a visit to a chiropracter or osteopath for a consultation before you ditch your new frame - it could work out a lot cheaper! In my own experience, a crash lead to a twisted pelvis with resultant hip pain which was relieved through manipulation and core body exercises .

ivancarlos

Hmm, you could be right. I had a heavy fall on ice at the start of the year which twisted my left hip. I aggravated it on a couple of occasions playing football when I thought it had healed so there could still be something niggling. Thanks again for the input!

meanwhile

Chiropractors work for some people.. and for others they make things much worse. Chiro isn't conventional medicine with scientific testing and ethics boards - in fact it isn't anyone thing: two practioners may do wildy different things, and there's no saying which one is right. Personally, before letting anyone wrench my spine around - and some practioners can be quite violent - I'd want to check them out pretty thoroughly. Starting with a conventional physiotherapist or back specialist might be a less scary option. There is evidence that manipulation of the spine can be helpful with some forms of lower back pain, but chiro people aren't the only ones who do this.

Alexander Technique can work well and it is risk free.

But re chiro -

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html ... actic.html

http://www.ebm-first.com/?cat=36

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropract ... c_research - the subject of real edit wars, so it can tilt into extreme bias one way or another at any moment, but useful

http://www.ukskeptics.com/article.php?d ... ractic.php

campagchris

I had to pack racing in due to severe back problems,I couldn't straighten up after 80 miles.I wen't to see my G.P. who eventually put me on to a specialist (after a few year).The problem I have is one leg is longer than the other so needed my shoe built up now I can ride in relative ease.Its worth looking into as I finished racing far too young.
Good Luck

pdrolo

Stretching excercises - may help. Cycling + had a series of excercises a couple of issues back - which are great.

Be wary of getting off the bike (ie not cycling) as this may cause you to stiffen up. I cycled through my back pain earlier this year - think the weight I have lost as helped.

windyphil

Don't discount a chiro, just make sure you get one recommended as a sports chiroprator. If you can get one associated with the British Council of Sports Chiropractics (usually SOT trained) you shouldn't go too far wrong.