Rib pain during/after riding

[lemon]

I've lurked here for the last few days and finally took the plunge and joined. I think this is the right place for this question?

I got my bike about 6 weeks ago (a synapse 5) after riding a too big mountain bike for years. I am already in good shape (was a competitive athlete through college), but I'm getting increasingly bad rib pain when I bike. I didn't get this on my old bike, despite having a tendency to ride it hunched over like it was a road bike. At first it started on the longer rides (after 90 minutes or so), but now it starts sooner, or I notice it the next day after a short ride. I biked yesterday for only 45 minutes and my ribs hurt today (a lot). I have pretty strong abs, and a decently strong back, so I don't think it is a strength issue? I feel like I need to reach out (a lot) farther. I get a little relief from the pain when I am riding in the drops, so I wonder if it is a fit problem? If it is what can I do?

Other background: It is a 48cm, and I am 5'3", but more torso than legs, and very flexible. Not sure if any of that helps. I know nothing about bike fit (hence the way too big mountain bike), and just did what the local bike shop (a very good one that I think knows what they're doing) told me to do.

[Cycling Sister]

Delurking as well.

Where on your ribs do you feel pain?

Just a thought... Do you think it could be your latissimus dorsi? The lats attach to your ribs on the side, on a thick band of connective tissue along the lower spine, and on your upper arm. The lats assist with hip flexion (bringing the knee towards stomach) and internal shoulder rotation. If you are leaning too far forward, placing most of your weight on your handlebars while also pedaling, you could be working your lats too hard.

Can't say if it's a bike fit issue or flexibility problem, or both. Were you professionally fitted?

[Catrin]

I wonder as well if this is at least a fitting issue, it sounds like you are too scrunched up on the bike. I am 5'3 myself and ride a 48 cm - but I've a short reach and require a very upright riding position - if it weren't for those things I would ride the next size up.

Did your LBS do a full fitting for you (lots of measurements, checking you out on the bike which was probably on a trainer of some sort, making adjustments to the fit), or was it something quicker than that? Do you know what your inseam is?

[lemon]

I guess LBS did not do a real fitting -- they didn't measure anything. They asked my height, and had me ride a different 48cm synapse on the trainer (mine had to be ordered). It felt OK then, but I don't really know what I'm doing or how anything should feel, and I made sure they knew that. I also don't have any pain right away unless I'm already sore.

There is someone who works out of our sports medicine facility that does full fittings and is very recommended, but I thought it didn't make sense until I was used to this bike, and had switched out my pedals. I'm still on platforms, since I'm waiting for my shoes to come in. It also seemed like something more for serious cyclists who are racing, not me, but I guess that is wrong?

My inseam is 28.5-29 inches.

Describing the pain: It is on the edges of my ribs, towards the center, not the side. It starts out on the right, so I thought it might be some weird form of stitches at first, but its more toward the center and more sore than stabbing, and does not come on with intensity, just with length. I get a little relief if I shove my hand under my rib and hold it there, but the relief goes away as soon as I take my hand away. When I first got my bike, it only came on with long rides, and went away within a few hours. Now it comes on with short rides and stays for days -- currently my ribs feel like I laid with a couple dozen bricks on them for a few hours. I even took much of last week off (I thought maybe I was just over-doing it), and it came back the first day I got back on my bike.

[Cycling Sister]

I can understand about wanting to wait to get fitted. You might want to go ahead and get fitted now. I got fitted when I bought my bike knowing that I would most likely have to get refitted once I got used to my bike.

Will your shoes come soon? Try to get fitted after your shoes come since the pedal height/shoes can contribute to a proper fit. I switched pedals/shoes last week and did not get refitted. My knees started to hurt. So, my cycling buddy adjusted my seat since my new spd-sl pedals sit up higher than my old spd pedals did. Made a huge difference in pain and energy transfer.

Sounds like you are cramped. If you still feel pain after a proper fit, you might have to see a doctor to rule out anything serious or to confirm rest is needed.

Best wishes!

[Anyabeth]

Is the pain sort of between your ribs? I often get cramps in the intercostal muscles and it can be extremely painful (and sort of alarming until you know what it is). Those sorts of cramps can perpetuate themselves too - you get more cramps or spasms as a result of a spasm.

[MGM]

Have you had any kind of a fall lately, or lifted anything heavy? Two times in the past I've developed rib pain days after I did something that didn't seem major at the time. One time I sprained some muscles lifting a wet cinder block several days earlier. Last year I broke a rib taking a minor spill from a very slow speed turn while I was on a 30 mile bike ride. Got up and finished the ride. Didn't start becoming truly painful til the next week.

Just a thought.

[lemon]

No falls, no lifting out of the ordinary. I've had a broken rib before and I'm sure this is not that. Definitely a different (and much duller) pain.

Anyabeth, that sounds like it.

I went ahead and called the bike fitter, and am going to go in when I have my shoes and pedals. My shoes should be here Monday, so hopefully next week. I still feel a little silly and self-conscious about it since I'm a complete beginner, but I guess I'll just have to get over it. Thanks for all the help!

[Owlie]

I damaged something in my ribs back in November riding in high winds in a high gear, in a similar place (lower ribs on the right, front and to the side). How, I don't actually know.

Get a fitting done to rule that out.

[Anyabeth]

If it is intercostals there can be all sorts of things to set it off. It could be your bike fit - I am not experienced enough at biking to rule that off. But mine tend to get bad at my computer. They get stiff and then something like a coughing fit will set them off. I can imagine easily a scenario where being in one biking posture locks them up and then moving makes them cramp. Or having them be tight from another posture and then biking posture setting it off.