Pains when riding

[Kathi]

I consulted Andy Pruitt, causes of low back pain (if there are no physical problems) are frequently bike fit, specifically too long of a reach to handlebars, it can also be lack of core strength, or leg length inequalities.

I do not like saddles with cutouts and raising my handlebars solved the saddle issue.

However, if the issues are new, it sounds like the problem is bike fit.

[RoadRaven]

I'm not sure about the lower back pain... but with the discomfort try lowering the nose a tad.

In general, the nose of a man's seat will be tilted slightly up from the horizontal, and a woman's seat will tilt slightly down from the horizontal.

I would suggest a bike fitting also to try and sort out the back pain...

Good luck

[littlegrasshopp]

I use to have a good bit of low back pain when riding. It was a combo of needing the handle bars a bit closer and higher and core strength. Also I had to start really paying attention to actually USING my core strength instead of just letting my belly hang there

[pooks]

Also I had to start really paying attention to actually USING my core strength instead of just letting my belly hang there

Interesting -- how do you do that?

[Bikingmomof3]

Interesting -- how do you do that?

I am not littlegrasshopp, but I can tell you how I keep my tummy from hanging. I recall my pilatesa and yoga training. I make a conscious effort to keep my bellybutton pulled toward my spine and take deep breaths, always mindful of my core and my overall posture.

[PinkBike]

its a 2005 trek madone 5.2 (in the red/white/blue usps-type paint job, the "clonestrong"), i had it custom painted

[bluerider]

its a 2005 trek madone 5.2 (in the red/white/blue usps-type paint job, the "clonestrong"), i had it custom painted

OMG!!! I love it!!! Sorry, I totally had the wrong bike. But I love it!

[bluerider]

I'm not sure about the lower back pain... but with the discomfort try lowering the nose a tad.

In general, the nose of a man's seat will be tilted slightly up from the horizontal, and a woman's seat will tilt slightly down from the horizontal.

I would suggest a bike fitting also to try and sort out the back pain...

Good luck

Thanks RoadRaven. I think the saddle is already tilteded a bit down, I think any more and I'll be sliding off! But yeah, I need to bring it in and just get really specific about my problems.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Everyone is a bit different in their shape and how they are put together.
I had read abou thow women's saddles do well when tilted a bit down at the nose. I set my Brooks up that way- just a BIT tilted down from horizontal.
It was awful for me! I kept having the feeling I was sliding forward and it made me put too much WEIGHT on my hands! I was literally using my hands to keep me from sliding forward- and this was the result of just a TINY bit of downward nose tilt! I readjusted my seat to be perfectly horizontal and the problem was instantly gone and I was comfortable!
Many folks say the more foam and pads and gel on your saddle, the more they become bumps that are pushing back against your tissues when you mash down on them. Again, everyone is different. I am comfortable on my plain leather Brooks with no padding or cutouts or gel pockets.

[littlegrasshopp]

One thing I notice if I don't keep my abs pulled in is that more weight goes into my hands and I don't sit as strong on the bike. I roll along but am not as in control of the bike - more reactive. I just try to remember how I feel and what it feels like to pull everything in. I'm not talking crunching while riding - just making sure the core muscles are engaged. my torso lengthens and my breathing is easier and my back feels much better with the support!

I don't know if that helps at all. I'm still working on paying attention to my riding possition. I don't road ride - it's all mountain biking so I move around a lot. It's a constant effort to remember!

[bluerider]

I consulted Andy Pruitt, causes of low back pain (if there are no physical problems) are frequently bike fit, specifically too long of a reach to handlebars, it can also be lack of core strength, or leg length inequalities.

I do not like saddles with cutouts and raising my handlebars solved the saddle issue.

However, if the issues are new, it sounds like the problem is bike fit.

I agree! I'm so afraid of the first case (too long of a reach to handlebars), because I'm not sure what they can do fix that?

I hope it's not core strength as I'm pretty good at building/maintaing that over the summer but who knows...

*sigh* I just want to ride for hours and hours and not hate my bike afterwards....

[Kathi]

*sigh* I just want to ride for hours and hours and not hate my bike afterwards....

When I got my Serotta last month I planned a nice long ride on it the first day. My fitter told me to "take it easy" and do short rides for a while and allow my body to adjust to the changes.

Andy Pruitt says "most fit systems can get you within 2 cm of the ideal fit and if you're not comfortable keep working at it".

[mimitabby]

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

[bluerider]

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

Yeah! Happily ever after sounds good...

The weird thing is I've had this saddle before...and it never really gave me problems...so I hope it's the fit and not the saddle...

Most times I appreciate the unique differences of my body, but sometimes that uniqueness takes longer to find the perfect fit!

[Kathi]

Bluerider, I understand about wanting to ride distances at this time of year. I got my Serotta 2 weeks before my bike tour (400 miles) in N. Dakota.

I was really concerned because my longest day on the tour was going to be 80 miles and my longest ride this season was only 54 miles and I had a new bike and a hurting knee. Then the bike fitter said don't be so gung ho!

Anyway, it all worked out.

I'm sorry you're not happy with your new bike as I love mine the more I ride her. She just feels so comfortable and fitted perfectly to me. I didn't think I could get a stock frame to fit me well, that's why I did custom. I'm so glad I did.