Will raised stem help bad back ?

ilovegrace

Have posted problems with my back before so will not boure any one further.
I was OK wih Hybrid but now struggling with my change to drops , thought about fitting a new stem wit 60 degree rise , going to lookal bike shop tonight .
Does any one think this may help ? or am I wasting time and money ??
thanks
ILG

Grill

Have you had a proper bike fit yet?

ilovegrace

Grill wrote:

Have you had a proper bike fit yet?

No , I didnt want to go down that route yet.
I think it may be inevitble at some point , but I want to try a couple of things myself first.

letap73

It's worth a try - if it fails then a bike fit maybe your best bet.

sloppyschleckonds

You may be better off getting some professional advice

Chinley Churner

In many cases raising the bar height can be the worse thing to do for a sore back on a bike. All you'll be doing is stacking more weight on top of your probably weak core. Go and get a professional bike fit.. it'll save you lots of time and pain in the long run.

Bar Shaker

Once you have bought a bike, a bike fit is the single best thing you can spend money on.

keef66

I'm so glad I bought my bike from a shop that took the time to do a decent fitting as part of the buying process. With the exception of the saddle which I've changed twice, 'twas comfy from day one.

Epic. Shop and buying experience.

jgsi

A 'bike fit' may not be the issue here, if the OP has ridden bolt upright and has now decided it is high time to get into a 'pro' tuck on the drops... after all they all do it don't they , flat back and all..
I think you just may have to bite the bullet and work as hard as you can to get some flexibility back into those hips of yours.. probably talking months of work.... in the mean time building up your bike to mimic your old hybrid, well your choice.

Raffles

60 degrees is one helluva rise for a stem and I didnt even know they made such things. Ive seen 40 degree rise stems that made my eyes water admittedly.

sloppyschleckonds

Raffles wrote:

Ive seen 40 degree rise stems that made my eyes water admittedly.

Was it inserted somewhere?

ilovegrace

Decided not to get a stem fitted tonight, and wait if a little more advise came my way.
Think the best thing to do, as was posted, is to work on the core and flexibility.
After years of running injuries and all that goes with the re hab I think I was hoping that I may get away with a quick fix with this one , but I think not.
I noticed the stems when reading the new ROSE catalogue last night.
Stems up to 70 degs , "Ideal for upright posture" so I thought this may be the answer I was looking for .
I think my problems are when I grind out a couple of stiff short climbs on my commute.
I seem to be twisting my low back causing the vertebra to disengage and this putts all the stress through the disc which causes the bulge which causes the pain.
I may have a problem with technique or it may be the bike set up or my core.
What p****s me of is I got into cycling last yea after a bad running injury and to my supprise I love it ,thinking about new bikes and gear, reading all the mags, at 51 this is been a great new hobby.
I need to sort this back out though or this great love affair may go like many others and only end in tears.
Many thanks for taking the time to reply , any more comments advise ,please keep them coming.

bernithebiker

You can buy an adjustable stem from zero to about 80'. Dirt cheap, weigh a ton, but you can dial in different positions whilst out on the same ride.

Sprool

if you want the upright posture then your hybrid is the answer, not putting a 60 degree stem on a racing bike.

Raffles

bernithebiker wrote:

You can buy an adjustable stem from zero to about 80'. Dirt cheap, weigh a ton, but you can dial in different positions whilst out on the same ride.

this

i lifted one of those adjustable stems and boy are they heavy or what :shock:

seanorawe

Ahhhh another victim of back trouble. My lower back gives me trouble no end. I had my stem raised and tried all different combinations of saddle tilt/height. I eventually had a fit, and he flipped my stem back to make it flat and also removed 5mm of shims to slam it in a little. Moves my saddle forward as far as it can go, and re positioned my cleats. My back still gets sore, but no where near as much. The before and after pictures were amazing. This is what he said in my reporrt re: reach etc

Saddle Fore/Aft: Road Bike – Handle Bar Height / Reach:
Of all the variables on the bike these positions are determined more by
the riders comfort and ability to extend their spine and maintain a straight
posture rather than their need for speed.
Sitting upright on the saddle places little or no strain on the back
muscles but you need to bring your weight forward so that your centre of
gravity sits slightly in front of the centre of rotation of the crank so that
you add bodyweight and gravity to the muscular power of the
downstroke.
Therefore what we look for is the most comfortable and lowest position a
rider can maintain without placing any excess strain on the back
muscles. One method is to find your point of balance meaning you
should be able to balance in this position and still pedal if you take your
hands off the drops. I take you slightly further than this position as a little
extra weight on the shoulders and upper back gently over time will help
to enable you to extend your spine more and thus improve aerodynamics
on the bike by dropping the bars lower.

jscl

I'm sure I've said it before on here, in cases like this, lower the stem. Rising it encourages you to slouch on to your lower back, which creates the back problems you could be experiencing. Because its a more relaxed position, most riders tend to do this without realising it.

Best option, drop the stem (that degree is insane anyway), this will encourage you to stop using your lower back and instead start bringing your abs in to play. That won't just help to remove current back problems, but also to help you generate more power by using "new" muscle.

chuckla

Grill wrote:

Have you had a proper bike fit yet?

Where's the bet place to get a bike fit in Cardiff mate?

Grill

chuckla wrote:

Grill wrote:

Have you had a proper bike fit yet?

Where's the bet place to get a bike fit in Cardiff mate?

IME nowhere. Some club members swear by Pro Motion Dynamics, but I've heard varying reports from some Welsh Cycling riders which puts me off.

Epic in Ludlow do a really good basic type fit. For a retul fit head to Bike Science in Cardiff.

Cadence Sport is probably the best place, but it's a bit of a drive.

ilovegrace

Just finished a days decorating (again) my daughters bedroom has turned into an epic project.
Lots of things to consider but there seems to be a lot of conflicting views .
I do not want to revert back to hybrid if I can help it ,could drop stem ,seems a bit counter intuitive but I am willing to give anything a try.
Interesting post from spool "if you want the upright posture then your hybrid is the answer, not putting a 60 degree stem on a racing bike". I suppose what i am asking is ,is it possible to have a hybrid posture on a race bike ?
I can feel the tears coming on.

ilovegrace

Found this while doing a Google search , info from Bikeradar.
Stem length
Check your bike fit: usually the fault is that the stem is too short, which then forces you into a hunched-over position. This causes the ligaments and muscles to be overstretched around the back of the spine, and could even lead to a disc bulge pressing on the nerves. If the pain is in the upper back or around the neck and shoulders, it is likely the stem is too long, and putting you in an overstretched position. The other thing to check about the stem is its height – if it’s too low, you’ll stress the lower back.
What is a good and what is a cramped position ?
Where would I measure mine from ?
Seat nose to center of handle bars ?
I would like to post mine to hear any thoughts out there , to be honest I would not know what hunched meant ,
I just bought the bike and ride it.
I was told it fit well at the LBS but were they just after a sale?
It gets you paranoid doesn't it?

seanorawe

ilovegrace wrote:

Just finished a days decorating (again) my daughters bedroom has turned into an epic project.
Lots of things to consider but there seems to be a lot of conflicting views .
I do not want to revert back to hybrid if I can help it ,could drop stem ,seems a bit counter intuitive but I am willing to give anything a try.
Interesting post from spool "if you want the upright posture then your hybrid is the answer, not putting a 60 degree stem on a racing bike". I suppose what i am asking is ,is it possible to have a hybrid posture on a race bike ?
I can feel the tears coming on.

I find bikes are counter intuitive. I cant imagine you can get a hybrid position on a road bike. I found a good Biomechanics physio to do my bike fit for £60. Shop around