I’ve developed lower back pain this year and I think it’s mostly contributed to my bike positioning. I’m guessing it’s just muscle strain or possibly a bulging disc. I’m going to be starting Physical Therapy for it soon and haven’t yet got an exact diagnosis.
I’m currently riding a TCR2 and have about a 5 inch difference from saddle height to bar height which is putting a lot of stress on my lower back (flexion). Optimally I want to get a new bike that is personally fit just for me. Of course it has to be light and look sexy too! I’m not looking for a tri-specific bike as I only do a few tri’s a year and most of my riding is group / training rides. I would like the bike to be light, though, and carbon would be a plus. Who are the experts in custom bike fitting in relationship to back pain, knee pain, etc? I live in SoCal and need to keep cost reasonable. Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Talk to Ves Mandaric at Yaqui/Mandaric bicycles. He does custom road and tri bikes, makes them out of Scandium with a Reynolds fork so they are very, very comfortable. He is based in San Marcos (760 area code), so you may be able to swing by the shop to take a look.
You can get a fully custom Mandaric Scandium road bike for $1595 including the Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. For the same $$, you can also get a custom Yaqui Ocotillo with DL geometry, which will is a pretty much a road bike, but was designed with a slightly steeper seat tube - 74.5, and a front end that is clip-on friendly (I own a bike with this geometry). You mentioned you were on a TCR, which has funny sizing (S, M, L). You may not need custom to get the right frame, which would save you $200 if you bought the Ocotillo.
I have zero pain on my TCR. The TCR is only made in three or four sizes but I’m convinced that these frames will fit 95% of the population. You might be one of the 5%, but more likely the bike is somehow set up wrong.
Here’s a good bike fit starting point. Read it over and walk yourself, with an assistant, thru the basic bike fit described here. http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/
I’m 6’4" on a size Large, in '01 they didn’t have the XL. I’ve already flipped the stem over and still have the 5" difference in saddle to bar height. My knee to pedal spindle position is fine and the reach seems to be fine also. An XL frame with a longer steerer tube may solve the problem but I’m tired of guesswork and hokey solutions (steerer extenders, stem swaps, seatpost swaps) with Giant. I’d like to find a shop that knows exactly what they are doing and can size me up right the first time.
I’ll read over the Co Cyclist bike fit and see what they have to say. Who knows…
My Partner had real back pain problems, but it is sorted out now thanks to David from elite bicycles. I’d check them out, custom frame and bike positioning/setup can really make a difference.
Living in SoCal, there should be a number of shops or individuals in the area who can fit you, perhaps even the master himself.
I have struggled with lower back pain, sciatica, and a ruptured disk in the past. The only solution for me was a steep seat angle that takes the stress off. The only way you will ever be able to get really steep on a TCR is with a forward seat post AND an M2 Seatshifter. I wouldn’t recommend this since it sounds like you are already a bit big for the bike. Instead try to test ride some different bikes with 77+ degree seat angles and see if they feel better. Good luck.
I rode with back pain for the first 4 years in the sport. As soon as I moved my position forward so that my torso was at 90 degrees with my arms so that my upper body weight was supported by my arms not my low back, it went away. Your problem might not be the bike but the position.
I agree with the previous posts in that proper bike fit and positioning is number one for rider comfort and performance.
I would recommend looking at some of the comfort and performance advantages Softride bikes have to offer. The bike is great for combating lower back pain caused by road vibration. Check out http://www.softride.com/bike/comfort.asp for additional information and links to sign up for a test ride.