Do I brave the backache?
 

I get low backache on my new road bike that I have had since last Wednesday, its muscle fatigue , rather than disk problems. Should I try and adapt to the lower position or should I flip the stem to bring the bars up. My core is strong, I'm from a weight training background but flexability is poor! I like the look of the bike with a flatter stem though!

Looks don't mean crap if they are keeping you off of the bike.

Depends. I have found that I could stretch into certain lower positions over time just by riding alot with it, but you have to be willing to keep at it. I think the key is if the pain goes away off the bike. If it lingers, re-adjust the bike.

OTOH, you could also hurt yourself if you keep doing something that hurts, and that's not usually a good thing.

The other options include stretching off the bike (always a good idea, but a royal PITA), and/or get the bike set up to be comfortable now, and gradually adjust it in small increments to where you think it should go.

Oh, and while looking good is actually the only real reason to ride, some people think it's not a bad idea to be comfortable too. But then, they're not *real* cyclists...

;)