Darkover

I've had my bike for 6, its a 2007 Trek 1500. During that time I've made lots of adjustments, but have never gotten it quite right. My biggest issues have been back pain and hand numbness.

Also I've wondered the bike is the right size. Its a 56cm and I am 5'-10"

Last year someone told me my seat was way too high.

Just looking for a nudge in the right direction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-zk_ZUSBBw

chaadster

Lower your stem...flip it, in fact. Sounds counterintuitive, but you look foreshortened, and up too high. It'll rotate your hips forward, and flatten your back. I think. You should definitely give it a try, anyway.

chaadster

Oh, also...Frame size and saddle height look ok to me, though the slight snap at full leg extension might suggest a tiny drop. Hard to tell though, as it might be a technique issue, too.

Darkover

Also I am not that flexible. I have never in my life been able to touch my toes. Can touch ankles though.

chaadster

If you haven't, watch some John Cobb videos on YouTube. His philosophy, which I share, directly addresses flexibility, which he classifies as Type A and Type B back flexibility.

Watching your video, I believe your back pain is from the awkward bend in your back, which could be flattened by getting your hips rotated, which happens by going lower on the front.

really, spend some time to watch John Cobb's fit videos.

Darkover

Ok I dropped my handlebars by 44mm according to the stem calculator. I went for a 20 mile ride today and I definitely saw a performance improvement. And it was alot more comfortable than I expected.

chaadster

Sweet!

digibud

what stem calculator are you referring to?

Darkover

https://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php