You are hereForums / General Discussion / NoBMoB Chat / Back ache from bike setup?

Back ache from bike setup?


Flying Scotsman's picture

By Flying Scotsman - Posted on 03 February 2014

Ok so I have hurt my lower back twice before, not from riding but work and putting shoes on. I bought myself a giant anthem x2 for Xmas and it came from an xc racer so has a low stem. I have no problem with it when I'm riding I actually quite like the setup. But the next day my lower back is agony! I work in construction so I really need my back in good shape. I do core exercises, stretches etc. been to osteopaths and so on. It still hurts. I know it's not the seat height as I know how to set that up. Any ideas? Or some other exercises/stretches I can try?

Cheers
Jon

shano's picture

Just on the off chance you haven't thought of it.
Tight hamstrings for me trigger back pain and butt pain.

GAZZA's picture

They're very hard to stretch out but look on the net for exercises to stretch them.
I'm in construction also and constantly have a bad back.
My age doesn't help either mind you? Eye-wink

Flying Scotsman's picture

Yes I do have tight/short hamstrings pointed out to me in my pre employment medical. Thanks for the tip. 31 years young gazza what about you?

hawkeye's picture

Bike fit?

Would be worth getting looked at by Blair at The Body Mechanic. Not good if it's having an impact on your work. I'd be wanting to get that nipped in the bud real quick.

The price of failure is too high to leave it to amateur guesswork.

He's a qualified physiotherapist so you'll get a partial rebate off your health fund.

I came away with more comfort *and* more power.

GAZZA's picture

My body feels like its 65 most of the time!

rossco_'s picture

http://www.bikeradar.com/au/gear/article/eight-s...

I love #7 and do it every night.

Btw, I found anthem is an aggressive bike during demo. I felt my upper body leaning much foword than trance. Because you have too much fun so you don't feel the pain until next day. As u also point out low stem in your forum, i'd suggest lower your seat a bit or raise your stem to give u extra cm to sit back a bit.

You may use your bathroom scale to measure the ratio of your weight distribution. Some suggests 40:60. But my ratio is 35:65 as I feel more comfortable but not very efficient in general.

Matt P's picture

Have a look at this:

(Despite the VERY amateur looking video, this guy is an internationally renowned physiotherapist and a best selling author on optimal movement and mobility).


http://youtu.be/zT657soclws

He does use a fair bit of jargon but its generally aimed at people with a fairly decent level of knowledge. Essentially what he is getting at is mobilising all of the gluteal musculature (theres a load of muscle in there), the hamstrings, hip flexors.

Rather than the old fashioned static stretching, there is far more benefit from this style of mobilisation using a couple of simple tools (lacrosse ball, foam roller, "Powerband" etc).

Of course your LB pain could be caused by any number of reasons but having a crack at mobility such as above will generally do no harm.

Re "core" work, what is your definition of "core"?

Flying Scotsman's picture

Great info thanks guys.

I will spend this week of mornings and nights trying these. I do have a fit ball that I do sit ups but not actually sitting up more just "turning on" my core muscles, crabbing my back etc. it helped when I hurt my back badly a year ago. Ham strings though now you mention it is a concern. Something to look into.

Thanks a lot!

Floydo's picture

The older you get the longer it takes to recover.The days are gone you can throw your leg over any old bike. Getting your bike dialled by a professional really helps. I use Aaron at Fusion Peak. http://www.fusionpeak.com.au/
He is a mountain bike racer, and bike mechanic, knows how to set you and your bike up. Every time I build a new bike this is where I go. He once built a prosthesis foot for a competitive cyclist out of a Fox RP23.http://www.turnerbikes.com/turner-pdf/fusion_peak_turnerflux.pdf

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Best Mountain Bike