Does this riding position look correct ?

diddyfunk

Hi Guys

I have been getting lower back pain after rides and wonder if my riding position (pic below would have anything to do with it?

If so, please could you let me know what I could do about it?

I am 5ft 7" and have a 1inch gap between my baskets and the top tube.

In the below riding position my elbows are not locked and very slightly bent.

Many Thanks

rudedog

I think your seat maybe a bit low looking at that picture.

biff55

no expert but saddle looks on the low side.
many folk on tip-toes to touch the floor whilst sat on saddle.
also sliding back saddle an inch would put more body-weight on your shoulders and less on lower back.
try small increment changes and ride for a few days before adjusting again.
nice bike tho.

The Big Cheese

You don't look too bent over, seatpost could do with being raised a but though, your leg looks too slack for long-distance riding,

Have you thought about a hi-rise bar?

mrfmilo

I'd say seat up abit, saddle back abit on the rails and if it feels more comfortable - riser bars.

diddyfunk

Thanks guys, keep the comments coming.

I will give all that a go (mainly raising the seat and putting the saddle back).

What do people think about the frame size? Am I a little hunched over rather than bending at the lower back, or will the above sort this out?

Many Thanks

mrfmilo

Looks like your too bunched up - in an 'arch' shape. Putting the saddle back should help this. And also at the bottom of the cranks revolution your leg(s) should be very nearly straight.

supersonic

Putting the saddle back effectively slackens the seat angle and can place more weight on the back, not less.

I would experiment with it - though you may find once the saddle is higher it will suffice (as it will go back too relatively)

mrfmilo

OK I take back whatever I said Sonic i'll leave it to you!

supersonic

Should still experiment - depends exactly where the pain is!

RealMan

Heel on the pedal? You don't ride like that, do you?

lock1981

PUT your heel on your pedal and raise your seat till your leg is almost straight. That should be the best riding position.

Although I have mine a little lower and I'm suffering at the moment too.

I have just ordered a xl to get a bit more room too

diddyfunk

Thanks guys.

Will give it a go this week and update.

I was thinking that I needed a size bigger frame but my hanging baskets were resting on the top tube and in a riding position my elbows were locked.

Many Thanks

richg1979

leg should be staright out with heel on pedal.

captainfly

Have a play with sddle position, hight, forwards and back and angle.

And it might just be getting used to riding and need to build up core strength.

gbrnole

I think the frame looks too small for you, you look too upright. Def raise the saddle, try flipping the stem to give you some extra reach and stretch you out and take weight off your lower back

NatoED

frame is bout right any bigger and you'd stretch your back muscles and cause spasms while riding . Lifting the saddle will defiantly help . As a rule of thumb the saddle show be level or up to 10cm higher than your bars. this means you bend from your hips and not arch your back to reach for the bars. As you raise the saddle it will also move away from the bars that should stop you from feeling hunched up .

Atz

Also, remember that some of your back pain will almost certainly be down to lack of strength in relevant muscles if you're not used to riding much. Improving core strength and riding more will improve things a bit. There are muscles you use in cycling that you don't use much doing other exercise unless you specifically target them.

Also, don't neccesarily worry about touching the ground when you're on the seat, generally you want to aim for your leg to be still slightly bent when you're at the bottom of the pedal stroke like lock1981. Also again, ball of foot on the pedal please