krazyderek

Ok, to start off, my back pain has been getting better, thru physio. Doing stretch's for flexibility and loosening up hamstrings and back muscles. Also doing strengthening excersizes for lower back, stabalizers and abs.

Since march, i've lost about 2 inch's off the old waiste, i'm 195lbs, 5'11.

I've started to like climbing, but mostly standing up. I find when i sit down i feel way to far back. I like to be ahead of my bike when climbing. I have a pretty good fit on my bike my saddle is just in the right place, i just moved it back a tad cause i was getting a little pain in the front of my knees that is now gone. I'm still working on flexibility to extend my reach so i can get a longer stem (currently 100 on a 56 frame)

Anyways, i find standing when climbing MUCH more comfortable for my back and just my whole center of balance. Might also be i have pretty built arms so i like to man handle my bike to help the legs out a bit.

When i sit i find i'm pulling on the bars way to hard even when i move up to the tops, i've tried sitting up more, or holding on the tops and bending over. But standing still seems to be the best for me. If i don't pull on the bars i just can't get enough power to the pedals on steap slops with 39-25. Only at the end of the climb when i start spinning standing up 70-80, i'll sit down, then start shifting up as it flattens out.

Maybe i need strength trainning for my legs so i don't pull on my back so much when i sit/climb ? Or should i just keep dancing and stick with what works ?

ps, i read a couple threads on back pain and climbing but i couldn't really find what i was looking for, although i did find some interesting tricks i might try.

terrymorse 

My lower back can get stiff on long climbs in the saddle, too. When it does, I click up a gear or two and stand for about 30 seconds. Then I'm fine in the saddle for quite a while. I repeat when necessary.

I don't know anything specific to try to alleviate back pain when climbing seated. I think it happens to everyone if they spend enough time in the saddle. Spinning may help, as may relaxing the upper body and elbows. Changing hand positions periodically, too. But nothing seems to be as effective as standing.

robintosh

Hi,

First, this is because of the body producing forces in the upper part, and they are being transmitted to the legs-feet-pedals thru the mid-body. The two things to do are improve pedal technique, so that you don't have to make that much forces with the upper part of your body. The other thing that has worked for me is doing abs workouts. After that, when you ride you can feel much stiffer, it's even like having a stiffer bike, the power gets way easily to the pedals.

You will see that after a couple weeks of climbing the pain will be reducing.

Bye,

Rob

sunninho

I like this idea. Abs of [STEEL or insert your favorite metal] to directly channel power to the pedals and wheels. I'm far from upgrading my flexy abs to a Ti six pack, but like Bo Jackson once said, Just Do It.

F1_Fan

It's all about the core strength... you need to balance those massive pedalling forces.

berny

I've found stronger abs and lower back have helped me substantially for climbing in the seat. Spinning has also helped heaps.
It takes a bit of getting used to because it feels wrong if you've been mostly standing but it will come to you and you'll use much less energy if you stay seated.

socalrider

I personally had back pain and went to my LBS and they noticed that my position was a little too far back.. I moved my saddle forward about 1/2 inch and the back pain disappeared.. I find myself a little more over my pedals.. It took a little getting used too, but is much more comfortable..

oboeguy

Bo Knows.

I have the same problem, minus the built arms. But then I've always had a weak back.

gmason

Pretty much what they all said about fitness.

However, that didn't ever help me a lot. Then I got the new bike, and I set it up with the bars about 1.8-2.0 cm (that's less than an inch for you Imperial measure types) lower than the old one. I stress lower because almost everything I have ever read about this suggests raising the bars.

I used to get a lower back ache almost every time after a lot of climbing on the old bike with 30/28 lowest. I often scarfed a Tylenol or two in mid-ride just to make it back home. Last week I climbed l'Alpe d'Huez with my new 34/29 lowest, and had nary a whimper from the back.

I can't really explain it, but I sure do like it.