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Tomasso  
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 More options Jun 29, 7:56 pm
Newsgroups: aus.bicycle
From: "Tomasso" <toma...@a.a>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:56:40 +1000
Local: Mon, Jun 29 2009 7:56 pm
Subject: Re: Back problems
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"Caulfield Man" <Bicyc...@twowheeler.com> wrote in message news:4a480b80$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Folks

> I have a 15 year old Giant Yukon MTB and a Trek Road flat bar racer. I
> like the stance of a MTB and I am principally a commuter so when the MTB
> seemed too old (and there was coin in my pocket) the flat bar racer
> seemed a sensible move. Trek bike is 2 years old. They have a similar
> frame size and are both in excellent condition. (I think...)

> Question is this.

> I can ride the MTB endlessly and feel fine when I get off it. These days
>  when I ride the Trek I end up with almost crippling back pain.

> Do I consult my friendly bike shop guy? See a medico? I'm not sure
> whether the skinny wheels and structure of the flat bar racer mean more
> road vibration ends up in my back whereas,  the MTB has reasonably fat
> tyres which seem to soak more of the vibrations up. (The MTB has no
> suspension)

> Any thoughts?

How old are you? MTB posture is more upright and despite the front shocks
on the Yukon you back will get more road shocks (more weight on seat).

Probably the road bike set up is wrong. Too long and maybe bars too low.

For length, use your forearm (fingers straight) as a measure. From seat to
bars, there should be 1.5 to 2 inches to the bars, measured horizontally.
May need a shorter or longer stem, or move the seat forward or back.
[There are a few theories about seat fore-aft position. The easiest is that
the patella should be over the pedal axle when the cranks are horizontal].

For height:

1. Seat height with your heel on the pedal, your leg is straight. Sometimes
people ride too high and the pelvis rocks up and down with each stroke.
This may be your back pain.

2. Start with the bars at max height (the stem's marker for max), and ride
this for a (long) while. You should report no pain. Lower 10 mm and ride
again for a (long) while. Repeat till you find the best feel. After three months
try 10 and 20 mm lower.

Getting this right depends on arm length, torso length, and what you can
get used to.

Other option: do some yoga or other back exercise. If you need reading
glasses, check that you haven't caused back strain using a computer
with a very fixed (and slightly strained) posture.

T.


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