Lower Back Pain on New Bike

MSByrne

Hi
I just took delivery of my new bike (a specialized secteur) and spent a while assembling it earlier today. It's my first road bike so I'm not certain how everything is supposed to be positioned etc, but when I took it for a test ride earlier I noticed I was feeling quite a bit of back pain almost immediately and I only took it around the block a few times. I adjusted the saddle height a bit so it feels just about as high as my legs will reach and tilted the handlebars so the bar ends point at the ground at about 5 degrees.

I'm not sure whether the adjustment of the bike is causing this, or whether i need to stretch out some muscles a little bit (my hamstrings aren't as loose as they should be_ but I'm in good shape, only 18 and haven't had any real back problems before and this never used to be a problem on my mountain bike before.

Does anyone know how I could be adjusting the bike to take the strain off my lower back muscles or how I can change my posture to do the same?

Also, I find that with the handlebars the way they are I feel a lot of pressure on my wrists but not much weight actually being supported by my shoulders so my back is doing a lot of work. This all might be to do with poor technique because I haven't properly ridden a road bike before, where abouts should I be placing my hands when I'm riding on the hoods?

Thanks

mr_poll

I am having the same issue - a few pointers from other posters here.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12774579&highlight=

mr_poll

I am having the same issue - a few pointers from other posters here.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12774579&highlight=

petemadoc

If you're completely new to road bikes I'd give it a little more time. Everything hurts on the first few rides

If the pain is still there in a week or two then ask some questions about fit etc.

Thebigbee

This seems to be a very common issue if you browse through the forum.

I moved my seat FORWARD a cm or 2 and it worked wonders. Try that.

nomadicbry

Adjust your saddle height this is one of teh most common complaints of a saddle set at the wrong height
if that doesn't work perhaps try and move the saddle back or forward and finally check teh reach you may need to get a shorter stem or longer stem depending on fit

However first thing to do is adjust your saddle to get teh right height put your heel on teh pedal with a straight leg and that's the correct height
the leg should have a very slight kink when the pedal is at it's lowest point

Good luck

turnerjohn

as its your first road bike it will feel weird first off.
As posted already saddle height is very important, also angle your saddle forward a little can help direct the hips into a more comfortable position.
Also flip the stem so that it raises up, and put all the headset spares underneither the stem raising the bars up...will make it more comfortable.

brettjmcc

MSByrne,
Go have a look at the answer to this question here: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/fitness/a ... t-up-13629

It will give you a few tips and tricks

cyberknight

I have tried many methods over the lats few years and i find this to be one of the best ..

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CC ... ATOR_INTRO

I recently tried my position according to the saddle height from pedal crank = 1.09 xinner leg and my back and thighs were hurting within a few miles.

I immediately went back to the above measurements and it feels great again.

richrock

@cyberknight - this is an awesome link - found that my bike was completely in the right range, but confirmed my suspicions that my stem is a little too long. Excellent stuff. Only thing missing is a guess on the crank length, but I'm really comfortable with mine. Hopefully now I've got a shorter stem on the way, some back irritation will be relieved...

Secteur

Back pain is a common problem, isn't it.

I find that upto 15 miles I get no back pain at all.
At 15-20 miles I become aware of a low-grade ache in my lower spine.
At 20-25 miles the back pain becomes worse
At 25 miles it's all I can think about.

As it happens, 27 miles is about my limit at the minute (general fatigue & back pain).

I assume it will settle as my back gets stronger.

I have tried all combinations of saddle, stem & bar position to absolutely no benefit, so I assume it's a core stability problem that will settle as I get stronger (only been riding 2 months now)

Secteur

Interestingly I did 25 miles today - not even a niggle in the lower back, so maybe it's just conditioning.

When I first started, on my first 5 or 6 rides I used to get a really achey neck / shoulders, but now I dont get this at all.

T-Rekster

Can I just say, I have exactly the opposite problem, suffered with a lower back problem for years, Partially crushed disc, was very nervous when considering beginning to cycle.

Now the only time I am pain free is when I'm in the saddle....go figure.....! :?



.

MSByrne

Thanks for the help everyone, I tried tilting the handlebars up and moving the saddle forward a bit and it actually felt a lot better. I went for my first proper ride on my bike today (a meager 20 miles, but it was great fun!) And although being a bit achey towards the end I felt absolutely fine to carry on and I'm sure it's just to do with getting more used to it

On a side note... isn't having a road bike fun

andysol

Ive just had a similar experience.

My bike is quite aggressive, no spacers on the fork, stem pointed down, with lower back pain after 20miles etc.

I could tell i was a little stretched on the hoods so i shortened my stem and hey presto... Now spot on.

When you sit on the bike, with your hand on the hoods, is it comfortable?

I also used the bike fit measurements for a starting point.
Andy

richrock

I found, and this may or may not help some people, but back pain is due to a weak abdomen being unable to assist in support when riding. The article (link escapes me atm) suggests doing abdominal crunches, something I am starting as my warmup routine. Just waiting for my shorter stem to arrive in the next day or so. I tend to want to ride on the hoods, and it's a stretch (a little bit) at the moment, and certain it's not helping.

father_jack

And try angling the seat.