Back problem and brand new bicycle

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Slane13

New Member
Location
Crete, Greece
A few weeks ago I've decided to leave my old trekking bike and purchased a brand new fitness one without front suspension. Although it fits me perfectly and it's the appropriate size according to the company's size chart from the very beginning I've started to feel my back aching. After 3-4 weeks of use I started to suffer and went to an orthopedic who prescripted a MRI in order to see what is going on. You can understand how disappointed I am.
Does this bicycle need fitting/adjusting better for me (the front part and the saddle) from a specialist? Have I bought a totally inappropriate bicycle?
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Does your back only ache while riding the new bike? If so, it's probably the bike not you per se. How old are you? How much cycling were you doing before getting the new bike? What make/model is the new bike?
Are you sure the reach is correct for you? Can you raise the handlebars so you're a bit more upright? Is it a more sporty geometry than your previous bike?
You probably need to adjust the bike as you suspect.
Can you post some pictures of you on the bike, side on to see how you look when on it?

How is your core strength?
Do you do any stretches/pilates/yoga (not just your back, but also your hips/bum/leg muscles)? Any other exercise/sport?
 

vickster

Legendary Member
That doesn't work for everyone - my back aches MORE if I do that!
It’s worth a try tho. If going from upright to sportier.
We don’t know if the OP has your decades of cycling fitness either 🤷‍♂️
 

T.M.H.N.E.T

Rainbows aren't just for world champions
Location
Northern Ireland
The last time a bike gave me back issues was due to following the manufacturers sizing guide..

I hate to say it but it's probably too big
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
It’s worth a try tho. If going from upright to sportier.
We don’t know if the OP has your decades of cycling fitness either 🤷‍♂️
True.

I assumed that a higher/more upright position would be good for me too and had gone (unsuccessfully) in that direction. Then I went on holiday in Scotland and borrowed my cousin's bike. It was the same type and size as mine, but he had it set up with a much lower, more stretched out position. I thought it would kill my back but I got on well with it. When I got home I changed my bike to match it.

How is your core strength?

Do you do any stretches/pilates/yoga (not just your back, but also your hips/bum/leg muscles)?
I think that many of us should work on core strength, and flexibility... (I certainly should!)

The last time a bike gave me back issues was due to following the manufacturers sizing guide..

I hate to say it but it's probably too big
And again, I am the opposite! I get backache from riding smaller bikes.

Hopefully, @Slane13's bike is near enough right and can be adjusted to perfect the position and deal with the discomfort problem.
 
Photos of you on the bike from the side would help. You do need to get your position sorted.

Perhaps you can ride fatter tyres and at lower pressures to take some of the sting out of the road.

Do you use your legs as shock absorber too or sit in the saddle and take the hit ?
 
Location
Wirral
Measure old bike contact points and copy them, so Bottom Bracket to saddle top, saddle nose and tail (as one saddle might differ to other, try both or the average) to the grips (+check grip width too) and Bottom Bracket to handlebar, it's a triangle and is only a guide as the angles of the triangle might be different.
 
OP
OP
Slane13

Slane13

New Member
Location
Crete, Greece
Does your back only ache while riding the new bike? If so, it's probably the bike not you per se. How old are you? How much cycling were you doing before getting the new bike? What make/model is the new bike?
Are you sure the reach is correct for you? Can you raise the handlebars so you're a bit more upright? Is it a more sporty geometry than your previous bike?
You probably need to adjust the bike as you suspect.
Can you post some pictures of you on the bike, side on to see how you look when on it?

How is your core strength?
Do you do any stretches/pilates/yoga (not just your back, but also your hips/bum/leg muscles)? Any other exercise/sport?

My back aches always, not just when I am on the bike. Last Friday I wasn't able to walk at all.
I am 44 y/o. With the previous bicycle I was riding about 20-30 km each time and now I am trying to do the same with the new one. It is in my mind to find somebody who knows and lift the handlevars some centimeters. Moreover cycling is my only physical exercise whilst I am sitting at my office for more than 45 hours per week. Stretches before and after the ride could be helpful? What about yoga?
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Yep yoga/Pilates, if you always have back ache, it could be a sign of a weak core,weak glutes, tight hamstrings etc. Very likely if you sit a lot . You should also consider your office chair, posture while sitting.

Of course, obviously get the MRI to check there’s nothing wrong with your spine, do yiu also get pain in your buttocks and legs or is the back pain more muscle spasm? If so, perhaps see a physiotherapist too.

Post a picture of the bike. You may be able to flip the stem or change to one with more rise. Ask the shop where you got the bike maybe
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
If moving from one type of bike to another that's a different position (e.g. road bikes are lower and more stretched out than an MTB or hybrid) then you will get some back pain if not used to it.

Obviously take advice from above and get someone to look at the position - take both bikes though. There is also the possibility your old bike was set up poorly.

I only say this from personal experience. I had a period of not riding my bikes as much as I'd like some years back (due to work), and then when riding more, my word did my back kill me after an hour. Bikes were perfect set up. This went with time.

I've spent 5 years not riding the road bikes recently, and only two mountain bikes (due to a bad accident with a car) and I'm now riding road again, but I'm getting back pain, as expected. This is getting better. I could only do an hour, then I've stretched it out to two, and then last week was on the bike for 3 1/2 hours - yes it hurt, but a little stretching part way through eased it off.
 
OP
OP
Slane13

Slane13

New Member
Location
Crete, Greece
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Ian H

Ancient randonneur
First thing is to measure the two bikes. Taking the bottom bracket as a datum, measure the height & rear-set of the saddle, then the distance & height of the bars relative to the saddle. Variations in those measurements are likely to have made the difference.

Even if your old bike was not a 'proper fit', you are likely to have got used to it, and a change will feel odd & perhaps give problems.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
The saddle looks low to me for a bike of that size. If so, that would make pedalling inefficient and strain the body much more than necessary. You could soon sort that out and it might help. Take a look at this video...

 
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