Cycling posture

byjimini

I've been cycling for 2 weeks; last week I was convinced my saddle was too low (I could touch the ground when stationary with both feet flat on the floor). I raised it at the weekend so I was on tiptoe when stationary, however since then I've had terrible lower back ache.

I've done some research online into posture and setting up the bike correctly, however they all seem to think the saddle should be high as I have it.

Has anyone else had the same problem?

Marco_Panettone

What sort of bike is it, and what sort of riding are you wanting to do?

byjimini

It's a mountain bike; I can't afford a proper road bike (paying down debts) so I use it on the road just to keep fit, I'm doing 8 miles about 4-5 days a week.

If I'm still at it in the summer (when debts should be cleared) then I'll look into upgrading.

pinkteapot

I'm on a hybrid, so like you don't have dropped bars. I raised my saddle and have to say I preferred it. I can only just reach the ground on tiptoes with one foot.

Give it a few days, keep riding, and lower it a bit again if you're just not comfy. It does take time to get used to a new position, but there's also trial and error in finding out what works for you.

I got a goniometer:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/66FIT-Goniometer-12-Inch-Plastic/dp/B002R6HG98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423656386&sr=8-1&keywords=goniometer

It's used to measure the angle of your knee. It only really works if you have someone to give you a hand, as you have to sit on the bike, with your foot on the pedal at the lowest position (ie where your leg is almost straight), then they put that against your leg with the circle over your knee and the two arms in line with your upper and lower legs. It then tells you what angle you've got.

It's the Holmes Method on this page:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-get-your-seat-height-right-14608/

It recommends 25 degrees and that was a shock! It was too much for me and I've got my saddle a fraction lower than that, but using this method I found the angle I like and if my saddle slips I use it to get re-set up.

Marauder999

Here is a link to help with bike fit.
I would recommend finding the correct height of the saddle while leaning against the wall and sitting on the bike.

http://www.ebicycles.com/article/determining-your-bicycle-saddle-height.html

byjimini

That's very helpful, thank you.

It doesn't hurt when I'm actually on the bike; I'm wondering if my back is hurting because of something else, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to see if anything needs adjusting.

pinkteapot

Your back may be hurting because you've only been riding for two weeks.

If a 'good' saddle position is significantly higher than you're used to, increase it gradually rather than all at once.

You may also need to tweak how far forward/back the saddle is (adjusting your reach to the handlebars) and the handlebar height.

Johnmcl7

If your seat is further up, your handlebars are going to be comparatively lower so it may be worth considering raising the handlebars.

John

byjimini

pinkteapot wrote: »

Your back may be hurting because you've only been riding for two weeks.

That was my original thought However I don't want to ignore it and end up seriously hurting myself, so will have a tinker with it tonight.

Brand_X

I second what PinkTeapot said. It's very important to make sure your knee is as close to in-line with the pedals at the 3 O'clock position as possible.

It's going to take time to build up your muscles; expert cyclists have no trouble because they have well-developed core muscles which take most of the strain off of their back and arms but you don't get those muscles to start with, which means aches and pains.

"Comfort bikes" are more comfortable to ride because they have a sit-up-and-beg seating position; if your MTB has an old-fashioned quill stem, you can raise it up a long way to give you a more upright sitting position.




Make sure your saddle isn't too low either. On a long ride you want to be getting near full leg extension to get maximum power, almost like you are standing up.

byjimini

Thank you, I'll make sure this evening.

It'll take time, for sure. I've been trying to find a way to exercise that will fit in with my routine. I've tried swimming, the gym, running and walking and never really got on with them.

I do like the outdoors though and want to explore and get out more, so cycling (so far!) appears to be a good match. I also have a friend that wants to do bike rides with me at weekends, so there's an extra incentive.