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

[Crackle]

There isn't enough to go on but the bike itself looks like it's reasonably comfortable, marketed as a Sportif bike, so not too extreme in the geometry stakes and 25mm tyres which should be fine for most purposes.

With only 50k on it ridden and a road bike quite new to you, you will not have gone through the adaptation period yet which is a bit hard to quantify but at least a few weeks and a few hundred miles. Some things will improve in that period and the things that don't will need to be addressed. Small tweaks like tyre pressure, saddle position and bar height and stem length can all be adjusted in the short term to help during adaptation.

 

[juliensorel]

Thanks for all the input.

I'm 179cm, 72kg, bike size 54cm, have already a 6cm stem and the bars turned so that I probably have the most upright position possible.The tyres were at 85 psi at first and I can say that that didn't really make much difference.

Maybe I should have phrased my question differently. I didn't intend to highlight the words back pain. Pain or discomfort or not, I'm still not happy feeling every little bump or dent or crack on the road reflected to me with almost no damping or absorption. I was going to change the saddle anyway. We'll see what happens...

 

[Kajjal]

Is this a pre existing back condition or only when you ride the bike ?

Some back injuries are aggravated by bike riding and others it helps relieve. Bike setup and regular stretching exercises can relieve back pain but it does depend what the cause is.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Sounds to me, that you just don't like the feedback from the road thru the frame. I can dig that, 2 options to absorb road noise; 1. Big fark off 2" minimum tyres with low psi, 2. Suspension - either front, back or both.

Or just get used to it, it's life, road conditions are only likely to deteriorate even further - the country is in recession again after all.

 

[fossyant]

Stiiting quite upright isn't good as it transmits more road shock. It would be advisable to get a proper set up done. A 60mm stem is very short for a road bike.

 

[vickster]

Sounds like a 54cm TT with a 6cm stem is small for your height? Try a longer stem and thicker bar tape to reduce buzz?

Or you just don't like road bikes? Get suspension or if wanting drops a nice steel CX bike with fat tyres like the croix de fee? My steel road bike is smooth even on rough surfaces. Alu less so for me or indeed carbon

Over bumps and rough sections you could lift your bum off the saddle?

 

[2IT]

Thanks for all the input.l

Maybe I should have phrased my question differently. I didn't intend to highlight the words back pain. Pain or discomfort or not, I'm still not happy feeling every little bump or dent or crack on the road reflected to me with almost no damping or absorption. I was going to change the saddle anyway. We'll see what happens...

Me too. Bought a carbon bike since roads are poor and not much difference. @vickster may be right about steel.

Too much tire pressure shakes me and too little results in a pinch flat over a stone or bump. At 68 kg I've beem running 90 in front and 100 in back.

Also bought a softer saddle from Cobb saddles. It's helped but not eliminated rattle. Helped my saddle sores.

We just need smoother roads like when we were younger. Or we might be riding MTB on the road.

 

[Kajjal]

The simplest solution is larger good quality tyres at lower pressures. Cheap tyres tend not to roll as well.

 

[Southside Mike]

The Berto tyre pressure app suggests 62 front and 97 back for your weight and tyre size

That's quite a lot lower than most people would run the front tyre, but maybe worth a try?

 

[doog]

Correct. Lowering tire pressure could lead to pinch punctures.

This, I wouldn't lower tyre pressures without researching the rim / tyre capacity...something needs to hold that clincher on the rim and thats pressure...hence the minimum recommendation on most tyres.. Ive had tyres escape the rim and its dangerous when on the move..

 

[juliensorel]

According to the Continental Grand Prix 4000 II spec sheet, max pressure is 120 psi and they allow/recommend 20% lower than that in city conditions, taking into consideration the rider's weight. I have already tried 85 psi and that wasn't really comfortable. I'm back to 95 psi now, which is the lowest according to the specs. I'm not sure if I want to go as low as 62 psi.

I have ordered a Selle Royal Scientia Athletic. Let's see if it's gonna make a difference.

 

[vickster]

You could try one of these odd things, costly to trial at £150 though

http://road.cc/content/feature/1389...mfortably-upgrade-your-seatpost-smoother-ride

Used one here (check required diameter, that's a 27.2)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...196965?hash=item41ab0663e5:g:1BgAAOSwcvdXPExv

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks for all the input.

I'm 179cm, 72kg, bike size 54cm, have already a 6cm stem and the bars turned so that I probably have the most upright position possible.The tyres were at 85 psi at first and I can say that that didn't really make much difference.

Maybe I should have phrased my question differently. I didn't intend to highlight the words back pain. Pain or discomfort or not, I'm still not happy feeling every little bump or dent or crack on the road reflected to me with almost no damping or absorption. I was going to change the saddle anyway. We'll see what happens...

As I see it the problem is the fact that you riding a road bike in the first place. As you know they come with skinny tyres. And skinny tyres are downright uncomfortable imo.

I read of 25mm or 28mm tyres being described as 'plush' - I fail to see it tbh. 28mm is still a skinny tyre and, at the right pressure for the tyre & rider weight, will still transmit road imperfections to the bike and then your body. Maybe they feel 'plush' to someone switching from an even skinnier tyre but really it's only a relative term.

I run 32mm and 35mm tyres depending on season and, whilst they are much comfier than much skinnier tyres, on some road surfaces they can still jar my hands and bum.

Again imo, at some intrinsic level cycling is not really a comfortable past-time and it is all about achieving a level of bearable-ness. Good luck with that!

Fatter tyres would help as too would more time spent on your new bike - although you may never be truly comfortable.

 

[RedRider]

The advice around lower pressures/fatter tyres and putting more miles in is all sound. I've had the same tyres as you and run them at 80/90 psi without problem and I'm more like 80kg.
I'd add, and apologies if this is 'teaching you to suck eggs', but a saddle on that type of bike is not really a seat to be sat in. Ideally you would be anticipating the pot holes and uneven surfaces and using leg muscles and knees as shock absorbers to take your weight off the saddle as you go over this sort of stuff. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Perhaps you're gripping the bars more tightly than necessary too?
Just a few more miles and see how it goes.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The bikes I run longest most comfortable miles on have Brooks saddles. Whilst on one respect they are quite hard perches they don't transmit road buzz and pothole shocks as badly as other saddles. I also like the Spoon as a good comfortable saddle, but it does transmit more road surface feedback even on a 'softer' framed bike.