Back pain when cycling

redrabbit
redrabbit Posts: 95
edited June 2015 in Road general
Fairly new to riding. I'm 30, spend most of my time in the gym and I'm in decent shape.

I recently went back to the bike shop for a re-fit as I felt stretched out and that was causing issues. They replaced my 100mm stem with a 90mm.

They also discovered the seat was angled down a tiny amount... however I've just read online that this is often something done to help someone who gets pain in the perineum... which after yesterdays very VERY short ride I found quite uncomfortable.

Has anyone else had lower back issues as I've read it's very common? I also read that often it's related to hip position, and I'm considering the following:

1) moving seat down a fraction (say 1cm?)
2) angling the seat back down by a tiny amount to take pressure of perineum

The bike shop say the bike is fitted correctly in theory... so it's just me I guess. I've got an 86 mile ride next week which I'm very under prepared for so want to be as comfortable as possible as it will be a long, tiring ride!. :(

Thanks everyone

Comments

  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Constipation?
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    You may say 'in decent shape' but sounds like flexibility issues to me... also sounds like you sideswiped the group classses in the gym that might have actually helped you... lots to be said for Legs Bums and Tums.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Could be excessive saddle to bar drop, that caused lower back pain for me. Your LBS should have identified that in the fitting.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Longer slightly lower position can help too, so there's no definitive answer. Oh, make sure saddle isn't a touch too high but bike shop should have sorted that as its the first thing to check
  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 17,235
    Put the nose of your saddle slightly down again. i.e. Try one thing at a time.

    Slightly up, level, slightly down - makes no odds imo; just personal preference (assuming it is slightly)
  • Lumpy Roads
    Lumpy Roads Posts: 91
    I can strongly recommend the book "Core Advantage" part written by Tom Danielson. For years I used to get a sharp pain in my lower neck between my shoulders on rides over 2 hours. One simple exercise from this book appears to have cured it. The book by its title is aimed directly at strengthening the core for cyclists. We all know we should do it but sometimes life gets in the way. I don't think you will regret buying it. Good luck.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Core strength and flexibility is key to this. I used to get considerable low back pain and mistakenly tried to raise the bars to be higher. This just made things worse. Since strengthening my core (and just getting used to long hours in the saddle) I find that I can ride in the drops for extended periods. The key for me was avoiding strain on the back by rotating my pelvis forward so that I wasn't having to flex forward in my back - eg being lower and longer worked better than having to 'hunch'. By having a straighter back my pain resolved.

    YMMV :D
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • redbikejohn
    redbikejohn Posts: 160
    I think everyone new to cycling get back pain, I certainly did. Not an issue now though.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19618534#p19618534]JGSI[/url] wrote:
    You may say 'in decent shape' but sounds like flexibility issues to me... also sounds like you sideswiped the group classses in the gym that might have actually helped you... lots to be said for Legs Bums and Tums.

    +1

    Yoga has worked wonders for my aches and pains - I would highly reccommend it to anyone - esp as you start to get a little older.
    If you really don't fancy that - stretch those hamstrings post ride.

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