Should I pay loads of money for this fancy bike fit?

[RichardWHardwick]

Received my new cannondale synapse about ten days ago (my first road bike after five years or so on a hybrid) and I'm loving it so much. I've been out seven times - ranging from ten miles to thirty-five.

The problem is my lower back - with the pain starting to come after about twenty minutes. When I stop cycling it goes away, whether that's a stretch by the side of the road before starting again (it then comes back after about five minutes cycling), or whether that's finishing the ride. But it's definitely having an impact. I would have cycled more than 15 miles today in the rain and wind, but my back told me to go home.

I do have a history of lower back problems and used to see a bloke who twisted me about. That helped and recent exercise (swimming, walking dog and cycling hybrid) has meant the back problems disappeared.

But now I have my lovely new road bike I'm scared I will have to give it up. And I love it so much!!!!

I reckon my saddle is set up fine.

I searched for a bike fit near Newcastle and came up with this.

http://www.cyclingdynamics.co.uk/analysis.htm

It costs a fortune ( £180 ) but hey, it would be worth it if it meant it solved my lower back problem.

I guess my back may get used to this new position. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Deleted member 35268]

When I first started doing long rides, 4 years ago, back pain was always the worse problem. After an hour or two it would kick in. Now, after constant training and riding, the back pain still comes in but hopefully after more than four or five hours.

I think you are suddenly making your body do new things, and you need to build up your core strength over time.

Another thing I do when the back pain is getting bad (whilst out on my bike) is to do stretches whilst moving, standing up on the pedals, leaning forwards and back - it works for me.

 

[thetribe]

I searched for a bike fit near Newcastle and came up with this.

If you're in the Newcastle area try Dave at The Cycle Repair Shed http://cyclerepairshed.co.uk/shedfit/ or Bicycle Repair Man at Prudhoe http://www.bikerepairman.co.uk/?page_id=16

I've never used either of these fitting services but I've heard good things about them, although I have used Dave to service my bikes.

 

[michaelcycle]

If you fancy a punt at doing it yourself you could try this app:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bike-fast-fit/id710935084?mt=8

 

[vickster]

Given you have pain and history, I'd say yes...or do it yourself and spend the cash on physio and a Swiss ball to strengthen core etc

I have the same sort of pain, lower back, my physio today diagnosed as SIJ pain, very common in cyclists

In the meantime, I'd check saddle height and position, cleat position and flip the stem

 

[TheJDog]

Core strength exercises - supermans, planks, side planks - make a routine up, do it for a few weeks, see if it's better...

There's an app that will video you and measure all your angles, etc., so you could try the £3 or £4 that that costs before investing £180.

Stem length, too, to add to what vickster says...

 

[winjim]

Core strength exercises - supermans, planks, side planks - make a routine up, do it for a few weeks, see if it's better...

There's an app that will video you and measure all your angles, etc., so you could try the £3 or £4 that that costs before investing £180.

Stem length, too, to add to what vickster says...

Does the £3 / £4 for the app include the cost of the turbo trainer which I imagine you will need to be on?

 

[TheJDog]

Does the £3 / £4 for the app include the cost of the turbo trainer which I imagine you will need to be on?

Or you could lean against a wall and pedal backwards

 

[smokeysmoo]

If you fancy a punt at doing it yourself you could try this app:

Or if you have a proper phone you could try THIS one or THIS one for FREE*

*FYI - I have tried neither TBH and the Apple one may be more comprehensive if you have a suitable device, I just hate paying for apps personally

Or you could look at THIS site, it's a great starting point IMO and it's also FREE as well

 

[RichardWHardwick]

Folks - thank you so much. I'd rather not do it myself but instead rely on someone and talk to someone who knows what they're talking about.

Dave in Gosforth sounds good - sixty quid. Thinking about that one. Having said that if the 180 quid is better with trained physio's (as it seems to be) then it might still be a better path to take. If I chose Dave and it didn't work then I'd have to go down that route anyway. Think I'll phone him and speak to him.

Stretches on bike, thanks for that one, will certainly do these.

Core strength exercises - will look these up too. Only thing I'm worried about there is that I have a stomach hernia. Had it for over a year and it doesn't bother me in the slightest but I'm not sure about doing certain stomach crunching exercises.

 

[screenman]

I had a bike fit after 40+ years of cycling, I certainly do no regret spending the money on it.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I'm a big fan of Retul and BG bike fits, so much so that I have had one for every bike I own

 

[RichardWHardwick]

what about massage? that sounds nice as well as a bike fit

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

what about massage? that sounds nice as well as a bike fit

Yes please........ Is that an offer

 

[montage]

A bike fit is always recommended - but it is not the be all and end all, rather a solid starting point you can then tinker with a little bit.

I think you could also explore a number of options before the bike fit - i.e. saddle forward or back, handlebars up or down, flexibility, or just getting fitter on the bike. If I take time off training, my back hurts the first few rides back. It doesn't take long until it is fine to ride all day