brundle_fly

I've always has mild lower backache from my earlier days in sport,and since I've started cycling it seems to be aggrivating the condition more.I believe it's due to being bent over in one position for hours at a time.Then when I get off my bike it aches for about 15 minutes before settling down to a mild ache.
A hot bath seems to help with some stretching,but still seems a bit stiff to me.
My riding position is quite comfortable with 3inch drop(that is the highest I can get my bars due to my longer legs)and I don't think getting a bike with high bars is going to change much.
What else do you recommend.I assume quite a few of you experience this too?My Doc says use a Heat pad,but that ain't much use

botto 

doubt it.

Grasschopper

IMO 3" is too much drop unless you are racing. I run between 1" and 2" and am quite comfortable. You may also have too short a TT...do you feel scrunched up? Anyway a poor bike fit can and will cause you pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

One thing you can do is improve your core strength...but if the fit is wrong it wont make all the pain/discomfort go away.

msheron

Only at times.......................but my aches and pains in my back are from my earlier in life sins and transgressions. You see I use to weight lift and body build and after years of squatting 300 + lbs. and leg pressing over 1000 lbs. I have ruined my back which at times the pain comes from nowhere and renders me almost paralyzed at times.

I suggest anyone ever comtemplating weights never try what I did for over 20 years. Lifting like your going to be Arnold. I wish I had done it sensible but in my life, I know nothing sensible.

FormerBMX'er

Sore neck and shoulders at times, but it's really due to lack of time on the bike. I've spent numerous hours tweaking my fit so it feels pretty good overall. Come to think of it, I never had a sore back even when my fit was awful.

munkyv22

nope

DrPete 

I do sometimes, mainly after long, hard efforts. Intervals, etc. not so much. I've found that doing a little yoga once a week or so helps quite a bit. I found a cheap DVD at REI called "Yoga Conditioning for Athletes" that works really well. It's also much less common now that I've started working on core strength.

The tighter my hamstrings get, the more frequently I get back pain. Stay flexible and don't forget to stretch.

brundle_fly

Not really scrunched up.I'm 5'7 with a 53cm bike C-T and a top tube of 53.5.Seat set back about 2cm and 90mm Stem.Seems about right for my height,although my legs are on the longer side which causes me to have a 3in drop minimum with bars and spacers.If I go for a bigger frame(seat tube) then the TT will be too long

timmhaan

you should try to strengthen your core. it helps. even just a few crunches or back raises a day should help you see some relief. i used to get lower back pain all the time, until i started doing daily core exercises.

Grasschopper

Ah yes the need for a bike with a shorter TT for it's given size. I know that one. What are you riding?

Well other than fit I say go for core strength.

rbart4506

I had some back pain after I got my bike professionally fit. He set my drop to achieve the proper angle at my hip/torso. I was finding that after riding for a few hours that I was left with a stiff sore back. I simply took the stem and raised it by removing the spacer from above the stem and placing it below. I think in all I raised the stem 5mm and the pain was gone. Since then I've been working on my core strength and flexibility and may attempt going back down soon.

SDRider

Nope, my shoulders get a little sore after long rides...more during than after though. Nothing a backrub from my wife and a good nights sleep won't cure.

biker7

Do you have a stem with rise? Many bikes have their fork steerer tube cut not allowing for a couple of extra spacers under the stem. Another reason I build my own bikes...I like to taylor the steerer length to how many spacers I need. As John mentioned, 3" is a pretty good drop for a recreational rider...particularly on the shortish side. 1" makes a big difference in comfort. Some can ride with 5" of drop and others need the bars up even with the saddle to avoid discomfort. Taller rides typically prefer a bit more drop relative to their flexibility because of longer arms (scale). Keep in mind...low handlebars is about speed. You will not see too many comfort bikes with low handlebars...lol. I can only ride with a 3" drop in the middle of the season with my body as good as it gets. The rest of the time I run my stem up with about a 2" drop. I am not overly flexible and don't work as hard as I should on my flexibility. What you will find is the people that are the least flexible and fit feel the most pain on aggressive bikes...which includes saddle pain.
Good Luck,
George

patentcad

Don't doubt it.

My back has been sore since late 1999. But it does feel better after I ride, not worse.

Endox

I get slight shoulder pain sometimes, but never back pain.

I would suggest getting a professional fitting if it's bad, it could well be due to other fit issues than bar drop.

onRoffR

my back is the one thing I'd expect to be sore. since I have a slightly degenerative disk L5/L6, but cycling is very easy on my back and I ride in the drops about half of the time. I would look at your fit maybe your too stretched out for your level of flexibility.

zvalmart

I know it's not BF cool, but you might want to try flipping your stem to get your handlebars up a bit more. If it doesn't help you can flip it back down. What have you got to lose from trying it?

FIVE ONE SIX

i get pain in my lower back from time to time, but i know it's because of bad mechanics, because i have a tendancy from time to time of tightening my upper body. it will away if i notice it and loosen my upper body, or if i stop for traffic, whichever comes first. my pain goes away instantly though, unlike where you say yours takes 15 minutes to go away...

i'm 5'7" also, and i ride a 52cm with a 53.7cm top tube. i originally used a 90mm stem, but i switched to a 80mm stem and it does feel more comfortable. also, you can flip the 80mm stem up for comfort, and it won't look bad because it's short...

since you say you have long legs, i'm guessing you have a short torso, since we're the same height and i have short legs and a long torso. if that's the case, i suggest trying a 80mm stem, i personally think it would only help you...

rm -rf

I get lower back pain if I mash up really steep hills. Maybe try spinning an easier gear?

pathdoc

Lower back pain is the biggest problem I face when cycling. If I stretch it helps. I know I need to work on core strength.

brundle_fly

Bianchi Nirone 53cm.The 55cm only has 1.5cm more head tube height,but 1.7 added in the TT which isn't gonna help

blonduathlongrl

none for me, only at times Ill get some neck discomfort.

brundle_fly

The stem is tilted upwards at 6 degrees,so it's quite steep and I have maximum amount of spacers.
I think I'm quite fit and flexible for my height.I used to do a lot of running,gymnastics and circuit training.
I think it was at the time when I tried the Pole Vault(wrong technique,and without coaching)I did something to my Back.Ah,well it looks like I will have to put up with a bit of an ache.I love Cycling too much to let it put me off.Also,I'll try the core strengthening,but the last time I did sit ups my back was worse than ever the next day

531Aussie

of all the common stretches that help with back pain, I seem to have had the most "luck" with glute stretches

FIVE ONE SIX

just take 2 Tylenol Gel Caps or 1 Bayer Asprin before you go out for your ride, whichever one will work better for you...