WSD Frames Question

[makbike]

The warm weather here in the Ohio Valley has allowed me to ride outside the past few days. I've been enjoying my new Lemond Buenos Aires WSD - it is a sweet, sweet ride. However, I noticed last night that the muscles in my lower back and pelvic region were quite sore. I've had the new bike to the bike fitter. When I ride I don't feel stretched out, bunched up, etc - things really do feel good on this bike so I don't think it is a fit issue. Could this be due to the change in geometry of frames (I've been riding a 1985 Univega Grand Turismo)? Does the change in geometry cause me to use muscles differently?

[Thorn]

Looking forward to the response on this one. Last night I went out on my new bike (designed for slush). It is a new fit for me. In the past, fitters put me on big frames (long legs, but short torso and arms) and I was always stretched out. In fall, I had a fit for a custom bike and had them build up a winter bike (fenders, etc) so that I could get the same relative position.

Anyway, long story to the short similarity...my position on the new bike is way different. I'm not stretched out, yet my handlebars are below my saddle. I am more comfortable, yet not as comfortable. I wasn't stretched out, but I seemed to have more weight on the handlebars. Yet, the forward weight wasn't excessive, just present.

My gut feel is that my body adapted to the bad fit as best as it could. Now that I have a better fit, it has to unlearn its bad habits. I really find the new bike better, but it is so different.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I believe strongly that our bodies and muscles adapt over time to a wide range of positions.
My Rivendell fits me pretty well, but like many women I experience some difficulties due to the proportions of having a bike tall enough for my legs but consequently a bit too long in the top tube, causing reach and weight balance issues for me. I have ridden this bike for a year and a half and over 5,000 miles now. Over this time, it has amazed me how my body has attempted to change and compensate for the various tweaks I have done to the bike in the pursuit of better fit. Things that made me sore at first didn't bother me at all several months later. Other things that didn't bother me months ago bother me now. The body is not static, and it is constantly trying to accommodate to perform what we ask it to do.

I think there are similarities in exercising. When I go through a period of lots of bike riding and little fitness walking, then when i start walking a lot I get terribly sore for the first few times- my lower back, my hip joints, leg muscles, shoulders...all get quite sore for days until they get used to the walking again.
The very same thing then happens in reverse- when I go back to my bike after mostly walking for weeks, I'll get very sore until my body adapts again.
(obviously I have now learned that it's best to keep up with both activities!)
On the extreme end- when I first decided to change my life by starting to fitness walk after many years of no exercise at all, I walked only a mile or so every day and yet I was terribly sore and hurting from head to toe....and it took about 4 weeks of daily walking for the soreness to finally fade away completely. All that seems silly to me now, but it shows that even doing something good for the body at a moderate level can hurt if the body is not used to the new positions and activity.

Luna Cycles, a women-specific builder, is making me a new custom bike- made to my exact measurements. It should be ready in the Spring.
There is no doubt in my mind that the new bike will fit me way better. But- there is also no doubt in my mind that when I first start riding my better-fitting Luna bike, I will likely experience a lot of soreness for days or weeks as my body is suddenly thrown into a hundred little changes in positions that are all subtly different from the old learned positions. I fully expect the new bike to feel weird and maybe even feel "wrong" at first because my body is so used to the Rivendell. Knowing this, I am quite prepared to give my body the time it needs to change in a gazillion tiny ways.

In my opinion, soreness is perfectly normal any time we make even small body position changes- even changes for the better. And soreness can last for many days while our bodies adapt. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is something wrong- just that there is something new.

[GLC1968]

In my opinion, soreness is perfectly normal any time we make even small body position changes- even changes for the better. And soreness can last for many days while our bodies adapt. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is something wrong- just that there is something new.

I think this is 100% true. In your case, makbike, you are going from a Univega Grand Turismo which I'm going to guess is a touring geometry and likely a bit more upright than your new Lemond Buenos Aires WSD. That'll mean that your bike position will change and even if fit is correct, you'll need to adapt. When I went to a slightly more aero position on a better fitting bike, I did notice it in the muscles in my lower back until my body adjusted. Now it feels perfect, so my guess is that you will adjust before too long.

[tulip]

I agree with Lisa. Adaptation takes a bit of time. Keep riding and you should start feeling better. If not, then look to another cause.

My Luna is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I, too, had a Univega Gran Turismo--great bike! But mine didn't fit me (I haven't had that bike in years and years, but it took me across France when I was 15).

You don't mention your general fitness level. If you have been not exercising lately, of course, your muscles will feel it when you start. If you are exercising differently, you'll feel it too. How's your core strength? Strengthening your core through pilates, yoga, or other back-friendly exercises will help with your cycling.

[OakLeaf]

In my opinion, soreness is perfectly normal any time we make even small body position changes- even changes for the better. And soreness can last for many days while our bodies adapt. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is something wrong- just that there is something new.

I'm having a similar experience with shoes, actually. My feet are very hard to fit, to the point where I haven't found a pair of purpose-built aerobics shoes that will fit me at all. I'd been wearing running shoes to do aerobics, and I just switched to a new pair of court shoes. It seems to be a change for the better, but my calves are WAY sore because of the new way I'm toeing off.

[RoadRaven]

I believe strongly that our bodies and muscles adapt over time to a wide range of positions.
My Rivendell fits me pretty well, but like many women I experience some difficulties due to the proportions of having a bike tall enough for my legs but consequently a bit too long in the top tube, causing reach and weight balance issues for me. I have ridden this bike for a year and a half and over 5,000 miles now. Over this time, it has amazed me how my body has attempted to change and compensate for the various tweaks I have done to the bike in the pursuit of better fit. Things that made me sore at first didn't bother me at all several months later. Other things that didn't bother me months ago bother me now. The body is not static, and it is constantly trying to accommodate to perform what we ask it to do.

Lisa, get an EMC2 Femetape Pro... like me, or some other WSD frame. I have long legs (a glance at the pic of my TT bike - a Giant TCR2 and not WSD - shows how ridculously high I have my seat on a small frame because of leg length - we have an extra long seat post in it).

But if you are still having issues with different discomfort, then I would quietly suggest (not trying to upset your Rivendell) you get a smaller frame and a longer seat post, or you get a WSD frame. I have never had any discomfort or feelings of being stretched out on my EMC2... the only "pains" I get are sadde discomfort after being on the bike for an hour or two and having not stood up much or at all...

[RoadRaven]

Oh Sadie - I read that too...
I am such an ijit sometimes!
I almost deleted my post... but then yours would sit here looking weird


Yay Lisa... sorry about that, I got hung up on the first part of your post and thinking about someone in my club who thinks if she just keeps riding her bike it will get better - she somehow thinnks a WSD bike is less than - you know - and "I'm as good as a man and can use man's stuff" mentality. And while I was thinking about that, I lost the last part of your post.

Really looking forward to hearing about the Luna bike. And Spring is what... 3 months away for you? Not too long to wait...

And apologies all again for my daft post

[SadieKate]

Ah, just figured you hadn't had your daily dose of caffeine or something.

I'd be happy to delete my post.

[RoadRaven]

Does the change in geometry cause me to use muscles differently?

Glad you have been able to get out on the bike a bit, Mak

I had exactly the sensation when I went from my Scorpio (a frame size to big) to my Giant... sore lower abs and to a lesser extent lower back. After a couple of weeks - no problem.

I had not problems when I got my second bike - my EMC2, but as I changed my Giant into an increasingly more aero one, I have the sore abs after some changes.

In fact, I have them today. Yesterday my partner took out a one centimetre / half inch spacer from my handle bars, and of course we dipped the nose of the seat more. I only rode about 4 kms on it to test it (I had already been for a ride on my EMC2) but today I can feel it in my abs, neck and lower back. I have a team time trial today - after 33km I am guessing I will be feeling the position. However, I anticipate in a couple of weeks my body will have adjusted itself into the new position.

(LOL - then in February I'll be doing it again I hope and taking out the final spacer!)

So, now you have had the looooong answer - I'll give you the short one to your question...

"Yup, you're on a new bike and that would be the first thing I would guess at..."