Yet another bike fit question

[kelownagirl]

I have been riding my road bike for a year now. I decided to flip the stem so I can be in a "more agressive" position. It's not a huge difference but I really like to be able to get down lower. However, not unexpectedly, I have found my shoulder blades/upper back is tight and sore after the first couple of rides. Is it just a matter of getting used to the new position? Do I need to get my fit rechecked now that I'm in a bit different position? Do I need to go back to the way it was?

Any thoughts?

[KnottedYet]

Try it for a week, and see how it goes?

[SadieKate]

When you flip that bar you also effectively lengthen the reach. Give it try for a while. This could just be your body reacting to the stretch and needing a bit more core strength to support the position. Don't flip back without an honest period of time testing it.

If I'm off the bike for a long period, I have the same problem on my road bike that has the largest saddle to bar drop (9 cm on a 51 cm bike so pretty aggressive). After a few weeks of training the pain goes away.

[kelownagirl]

So if it keeps hurting, maybe I should adjust the seat a little?

[SadieKate]

Why would you adjust the saddle? The saddle position is the point from which all other things are fit.

[kelownagirl]

yeah, duh, I was thinking after I posted that, that everything would go out of whack if I adjusted the seat. My on-going noobie-ness is shining thru once again. I guess I was wondering how to shorten the reach if it was now too long.

I will definitely give it another 3-4 rides before I worry too much about it.

Thanks for the input!