My back is...
 

So I saw this pic of me, and the first thing I noticed was how much my back was bent or arched. How can I fix that? Longer Stem? Move the seat back? Get a Pro fit? When I saw pics of other riders, their backs were much more straight than mine is. I think I look very hunched over in this pic.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/156...0464117309.jpg

I think a longer stem might do the trick.

Do you have any pain or discomfort? If not, don't fix what ain't broken. Look at Lance Armstrong, he is really hunched. It doesn't seem to prevent him from being a stronger rider than you and I will ever be :)

Lance armstrong also has chronic low back issue if I remember correctly. That's why his TT position in recent years has become higher.

On longer rides my back starts to get sore. But compared to a lot of other rides, my back is very bent.

I say the hell with what other riders look like; they aren't you and you aren't them. If you are having discomfort, then by all means get a proper fitting done to address the issue. But do it so that your back doesn't hurt, not so you look like other people.

I heard that its better if your back is straight.

To go to a flatter back and lower position, removing spacers, flipping the stem, and otherwise increasing the saddle-to-bar drop are the typical actions one would take. However, the superflat positions you see typical of pros and higher category riders require a substantial bit of flexibility and leg strength, and don't confer a huge advantage for regular training or slower group rides

I think its quite clear from the photo that I am a Cat 2... ;) But that last time I got a Fitting was when I bought the bike 3 years ago. And since then I've flipped the stem, taken out spacers and raised and lowered my seat. They fitted me for a very recreational position, and now that I'm racing Ive changed a lot of stuff. Should I just go get fitted for a racing position?

If you've already removed all the spacers and flipped the stem I'd get a longer stem long before I futzed with my saddle height to increase drop, which is a terrible idea. If you still want to get lower after all that, then I foresee a frame with a lower headtube in your future

No it ain't clear. Being skinny, wearing matching kit, and hovering over your bike frame are things that any recreational rider can achieve, since I see no label that screams Cat-2 :)
If your goals and style of riding have changed, then you should get a fit thats appropriate to what you do on your bike. You should know, being a racer, that a recreational fit is a lot different than a racing fit, and as such, your fit should match your riding style. Get the fit, and see what the professionals say.

I'm not really a cat 2, that was joke. I thought it was quite clear from the winky eye that I was joking :) But as I'm sitting here writing this, I do have some tightness or soreness in my upper back. Maybe I'll just look for a socal fitting store.

Hey! I resemble that remark!
If he's just trying to get lower, and doesn't have any comfort issues with his current saddle height or setback, the only options he has open are longer stem, less spacers, or larger angle flipped stem, none of which require a professional fitting

I'm going to diverge from the others and call this a software issue. Lower back upright, arms dead straight, hands not even reaching the hoods.
I caught a friend riding like that once and asked her why. "I'm copying you!", she said. Oh.

I always suffered from low back pain, especially after tough races or endless climbs. I found that my back would hunch right up when trying to find more power, even if I was in the drops. My lower back was almost vertical, just like yours.
In recent years I've been focussing more on form. Flattening out the back and trying to draw my navel towards the saddle. Sticking the butt out. The pelvic tilt requires more hamstring flexibility, but stretching and yoga help with that. Comfort on the saddle is critical too. No guy is going want to tilt forward if the 'boys' are going to get mashed. Look at saddle angle and shorts. I find that good bibs can help me flatten my back right out due to their effective management of aforementioned items.

Once you get that organized, and you find you are riding with deeply flexed arms, then you can start looking seriously at optimizing stem length and position.

Looking at the picture, I can see that you have some lower back and hamstring inflexibility. If you increase your flexibility in those areas, you will see big improvement in your riding comfort and power output.

You can tell his range of flexibility from one picture?? You sir are amazing!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

The bike almost looks too small for you.

BS. (can I say that on BFs?)

Seems also like all of your weight is on the saddle, none on the bars. I'd say try to tilt your pelvis forward, navel towards the toptube. a [I]slightly[I] longer stem may be in order as well. Ideally, you need to be riding with bent elbows, not straight-armed as in the picture. If you have upper back pain, as you say, it may be due to you locking your arms, which places stress on the neck, shoulders, and upper back. What do you look like in the drops, by the way?

I agree. Could probably easily straighten out the back and get lower if he was using the full length of his reach and not holding back there. No need to get a new stem for that.

Correct......

^Botto?

Incorrect....... Just me being lazy.

OP - check out the info on this site. They suggest to get a better ie flatter position you angle the seat slightly. http://www.cobbcycling.com/

Agree with the statement that a longer stem may also be in order.

Your back is the other side of your front, which sits on a base fomed by your pelvis and hips. Strength and flexibility in the base, front, and back would fix how you look.

It would probably make you a better rider , if that also matters to you. ;)



A few cheeseburgers couldn't hurt, either... :beer: