Is there a way to lessen the impact of the bike to the lower back?

[juliensorel]

I bought a Fuji Sportif 2.1 some time ago. I've made maybe 50 km with it (in city). I know that's nothing, that's normal tuesday night for an avid biker, but my point is, I believe I have a feeling of the bike (whatever that means). The bike is a bit too stiff for my taste. Is there a way to lessen the impact of the road?

Components are:
-Tires: Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII, 25mm (at 95 PSI, this is the min according to the spec)
-Wheelset: Vera Corsa DPM27 (I think it's an OEM of Oval Concepts, but not sure)
-Seatpost: Oval Concepts 300 (6061 aluminum)
-Saddle: Oval Concepts 300

Can I make a difference if I change:
-the tires from 25mm to 28mm
-the wheelset (I have no idea to what)
-the seatpost. Would a 7050 aluminum seat post make a difference in terms of absorbing the impact? What about a carbon seatpost or a steel seatpost (if possible)?
-the saddle seems to be the easiest to change. But would that make a difference?

Thanks.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

There will be more experienced advice along soon, but I'd say you are on the right track with your ideas. You will get able to ride for longer as you get more bike fit as well, just don't push too hard.

• If 28mm tyres will fit, you can run them at reduced pressure which will provide more flex.
• Consider a carbon seatpost as it should flex more
• Fit a Charge Spoon saddle. Many find these comfortable for long rides and at about £20, it is a cheap, easy change.

Other things to consider are making sure the bike is fitted to you. Can you flip the stem so you are sitting more upright? Do you need a shorter stem so you are not as stretched out? You should go to your local bike shop and ask for some advice.

Enjoy

 

[Southside Mike]

Impact of bike to the the lower back? Don't step out in front of a speeding bike....

More seriously - get the Berto Tire Pressure app and work out the correct pressure for your weight and bike specs - may well be lower than the supposed minimum written on the tyres.

28mm tyres may help if they fit. Specialized do a seat post called the 'Cobl Gobl R' (I know) which absorbs impact but I don't know how effective it is and it costs £150

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Sell the bike and get either an upright hybrid or a full suspension mtb.
Or, just give it a thousand Kms before any drastic changes. It doesn't take long to adapt.

 

[steve50]

Lower your tyre pressure to 80psi for a smoother ride, @95psi they will be brick hard and you will feel every ripple in the road surface.
28mm tyres (if your frame allows) at a lower pressure would give a smoother more comfortable ride.
Charge spoon saddles are recommended a lot on these forum , I have one on my Boardman sport.
If still not happy with the ride you could consider something like this, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avenir-by...566303?hash=item2367288d9f:g:eksAAOSwKfVXD-dh

 

[Broadside]

I would agree with the last two replies, drop the tyre pressure to 80psi and then use the bike for a good few hundred miles before changing anything else.

 

[wonderloaf]

I think all the above is good advice, but in my experience the biggest improvement was when I managed to sort out my saddle/handlebar position. I went through the process of flipping the existing 110mm stem, then flipping a shorter 70mm stem, but now have a short 35degree 70mm stem fitted, which has effectively raised the handlebars quite a bit. I am now very comfortable and back pain has virtually disappeared (just wish the legs would stop complaining!). I also played around with the saddle position which also gave gains. I also think that my body has got accustomed to the new position, so much so that I realised just recently that I spend a lot more time in the drops, I now like to cycle for quite long periods like this. Mind you, I think I've raised my handlebars so much that my 'in the drops' is the same as 'on the hoods' for most other people .... still makes me feel like a racer though!

 

[steveindenmark]

Sorry for appearing a bit thick but the heading is a bit confusing to me. I want to help.

So you have a new road bike and you are having problems with your lower back. I think that is the gist of it. Because I am officially old, the first thing I do is turn the stem upside down which raises the bar a couple of cms. It makes a lot of difference. The next thing I would do is adjust the saddle forwards a bit. The idea is to get yourself a touch more upright.

Just change one thing at a time. If you have back problems now it may be worth staying off the bike until it clears up before trying out your new adjustments.

 

[screenman]

I lowered my bars when I had back problems.

 

[wonderloaf]

Sorry for appearing a bit thick but the heading is a bit confusing to me. I want to help.

So you have a new road bike and you are having problems with your lower back. I think that is the gist of it. Because I am officially old, the first thing I do is turn the stem upside down which raises the bar a couple of cms. It makes a lot of difference. The next thing I would do is adjust the saddle forwards a bit. The idea is to get yourself a touch more upright.

Just change one thing at a time. If you have back problems now it may be worth staying off the bike until it clears up before trying out your new adjustments.

Wot he says.

 

[Milkfloat]

We have no idea what the OP weighs, so suggesting 80 psi is pointless. I have more questions than answers. The OP is saying that it is a lower back problem caused by a stiff ride. I have yet to hear of a stiff ride causing lower back issues, but concur that if the setup is not what the OP is used or is incorrect then lower back issues are fairly common. So OP can you give us some more information?

 

[2IT]

We have no idea what the OP weighs, so suggesting 80 psi is pointless. I have more questions than answers. The OP is saying that it is a lower back problem caused by a stiff ride. I have yet to hear of a stiff ride causing lower back issues, but concur that if the setup is not what the OP is used or is incorrect then lower back issues are fairly common. So OP can you give us some more information?

Correct. Lowering tire pressure could lead to pinch punctures.

Sounds like riding at new angles on the back without getting the fit worked out yet.

Need more info.

 

[amrbadawy]

How tall are you and how big is your frame? Both a frame too large and too small can (and did for me) result in lower back pain.

 

[ufkacbln]

Sell the bike and get either an upright hybrid or a full suspension mtb.
Or, just give it a thousand Kms before any drastic changes. It doesn't take long to adapt.

Sell the bike and get a recumbent
Sorted....

 

[vickster]

Is the bike set up exactly right? Have you had a full fit? Is it the right size? Do you have low back pain other than on the bike? How severe is the pain? How's your core and general fitness? How's the muscle balance in your legs, quads, calves, glutes etc? Do you stretch after riding and other activity?

I can't see how changing tyres, wheels etc will make any difference unless all the above are absolutely spot on, and even then? That said if you want to spend money, go for it, doubt it'll do much for your back though!