Does anyone know of a place I could go to get set up properly on my bike? I am suffering big time with pain in my coccyx. I have had an x-Ray and told everything is normal. I have tried loads of different saddles, the comfy, wide type, nothing seems to help. It's really is spoiling my enjoyment of cycling now and I would love to go on a cycling holiday but cannot commit to anything because of the pain. Any help would be appreciated.
Pain in the bum
- Thread starter Sooooz
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Depending on what type of bike you may find something to help you here--- hhttp://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bike+setup+. Have you sought advice from your local bike shop? That might be a good starting point., Not Halfords, but an old style LBS.
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
You need this treatment.http://www.coccyx.org/medabs/stclaire.htm Note the instructions to the medical professional "6. Have the patient evacuate bowels and bladder just before the adjustment."
On a serious note, I had a coccyx problem years ago (caused by bashing it on the cross bar of my MTB) and although it was not a problem on a bike saddle, it was painful and eventually went away untreated in any significant way. I did consult a STUNNING 20 something french physio who alerted me to the bum-finger solution but I gracefully declined it.
Bearing in mind where the coccyx is I wonder whether a very forward leaning position might help (triathlon/TT bike style) to tip you forward and reduce contact?
On a serious note, I had a coccyx problem years ago (caused by bashing it on the cross bar of my MTB) and although it was not a problem on a bike saddle, it was painful and eventually went away untreated in any significant way. I did consult a STUNNING 20 something french physio who alerted me to the bum-finger solution but I gracefully declined it.
Bearing in mind where the coccyx is I wonder whether a very forward leaning position might help (triathlon/TT bike style) to tip you forward and reduce contact?
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Is your saddle a good fit. Your bike shop might have an assometer to measure your sit bones to make sure you are using the right saddle.
I have broken my coccyx a couple of times now and sometimes get stuck in cinema seats as I just seem to sit badly in them. I find my drop bar roadie a lot better to ride than the old flat bar bike that I had. I also have a saddle that fits.
I have broken my coccyx a couple of times now and sometimes get stuck in cinema seats as I just seem to sit badly in them. I find my drop bar roadie a lot better to ride than the old flat bar bike that I had. I also have a saddle that fits.
numbnuts
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
Wow, such a lot of replies, didn't expect that, thank you all so much for your input, very much appreciated indeed. only have time to respond to one question as i am dashing off to work, groan, monday, was yesterday fabulous?
Vickster - I have probably already spent over £100 on changing saddles, I ride an Marin east peak 5.5 MTB , i bought it last year afar my boyfriend persuaded me that my bike was crap, he was correct i had sine early 90's it was very tired but i loved it. I didn't get the pain on that bike even though the saddle was past its best and the foam was hanging out the side. I also have a hybrid road bike, specialized. I bought this about 15 years ago when i decided to get more into riding but somehow lost that track after riding london-cambridge in around yr 2000.
My riding style on both bike is somewhat upright and i think this could be the problem. I ride like this because i have a lot of stiffness in my neck and shudders and find that craning my neck upwards to see in front of me give me a lot of discomfort and a burning sensation across my upper back and neck area. I think the easier option maybe to get a new body but as that is not available as yet on the NHS i will have to work with what i have and find a solution.
I did read some of the forum posts after i had posted this and some had mentions the service that Specialized off in their stores, i believe its £120 for the set up. I am will to spend this as would really like to start enjoying my bike again especially as my new partner is so into it.
It terms of what my budget is, i really don't know, i won't but a new bike, i don't think, but will sent on some new bits and an analysis. so may a saddle, seat post , stem etc.
Sorry forgot to mention…i live in South West essex
vickster
Legendary Member
Have you tried having any physio, sports massage for the stiff neck and getting an exercise programme to loosen and strengthen? I'd be paying some money to see a good sports physio, preferably one with some cycling interest, before spending oodles on a fit. In London, you are looking at £200 really, SW Essex puts you pretty close to the big smoke I think?
I am looking to go down the BUPA bike fit route which they do near Blackfriars. It involves a full 45 min physio session followed by about 75 minutes fitting you to your bike. I believe the two together costs around £180
If you have issues in your shoulders other than when riding physio seems a sensible place to start. Others may suggest a chiropractor or osteopath but I have no experience, but have had literally dozens of physio sessions for various ails!
I am looking to go down the BUPA bike fit route which they do near Blackfriars. It involves a full 45 min physio session followed by about 75 minutes fitting you to your bike. I believe the two together costs around £180
If you have issues in your shoulders other than when riding physio seems a sensible place to start. Others may suggest a chiropractor or osteopath but I have no experience, but have had literally dozens of physio sessions for various ails!
I am having regular physio atm, it is definitely helping and feel much butter. The BUPA things sounds interesting, i will look into that, Blackfirars is accessible, i think i can put my bike on the train out of rush hour. I have a sedentary job involving hours slumped over a keyboard and i easily get engrossed in my work which does not help. the physio is helping and is making me more aware of the problem instead of ignoring it. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.
Kestevan
Last of the Summer Winos
- Location
- Holmfirth.
After a nasty incident involving a badly broken leg, Mrs Kes suffered a similar problem with extreme pain in the coccyx/pelvic area, and very stiff shoulders/neck.
It had got to the point where she had almost given up on riding... In desperation we tried a full Retul bike fit (from Planet X in her case, but there are lots of places). The changes suggested were all relatively minor ( couple of degrees angle down on saddle, 10mm shorter stem, slightly narrower bars, altered foot position) but made a mahooosive difference to her ability to ride.
Since then she's had a new bike which more closely fits the measurements and is now well on her way back to "proper" riding again.
It had got to the point where she had almost given up on riding... In desperation we tried a full Retul bike fit (from Planet X in her case, but there are lots of places). The changes suggested were all relatively minor ( couple of degrees angle down on saddle, 10mm shorter stem, slightly narrower bars, altered foot position) but made a mahooosive difference to her ability to ride.
Since then she's had a new bike which more closely fits the measurements and is now well on her way back to "proper" riding again.
Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
First things first, basic bike set up, adjust saddle, with your ball of foot over pedal spindle in the three o'clock position, your knee should be perpendicular over the spindle, next, put crank in line with your seat tube, put your heel on the pedal & your leg should be straight. Then set up/adjust the reach to handle bars, preferably with your shoulder perpendicular over the bottom bracket. From this setup over a period of time it can be adjusted in small increments/decrements to suit your personal liking.
damiengreathouse
Regular
- Location
- San Jacinto California
Something that may not have been asked yet, how long have you been riding and how far before the pain kicks in? Is it a sharp pain or more like a tender pain (feels like a bruise)? I have found even properly setup that when I started I was not used to the seat, causing discomfort the felt like a bruise. As I ride more and slowly increase the distance it hurts less often and in many rides does not hurt at all, it really only hurts when I push for longer distances then I have previously done.
