Stretch Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Hi all I am about to upgrade my bike, and wanted to check something before I make the final decision. My current bike is a Large (20 inch) and feels really comfortable except for the fact that after about 20-30km I start to get a pain in my upper back/neck region. I am 6ft with 34in inseam/crotch measure, and 26in torso measure - i.e longer legs, shorter torso. While researching for the big buy, everything I found out says i need to go for 18in frame. My LBS, and another source who is clued up on this, both immediately said Large. I have also heard differing opinions on the upper back pain - some say - reaching too much, others say - bike is too small. Any experience/ideas out there as to the cause of this upper back pain. I obviously want to make sure I make the right choice with regard to the frame size. I am currently veering towards the large. Thanks
Regard Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 According to your measurements you should ride a 17-19 frame. It is very difficult to realy put a cause to the neck/back pain. It might even be completly unrelated to size of the bike. The incorrect size usualy manifests as lower back(esp. if you reach to much) or knee problems, but almost never as upper back problems. The one thing that usualy causes upper back pain in mtb is a weak rhomboid or trapezius muscle esp. when the cyclist starts to tire and stiffens up his shoulders and back. This can be fixed easily with a few exercises!
Wheelsuck Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Maybe you are sub consciously tensing your neck and shoulders when u ride, I do that sometimes and then have neckpain towards the end of a ride, Not a size issue I think. Just check yourself when you ride I catch myself doing it without knowing.
Stretch Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 so what you are saying i need to drink a glass of toughen up! I am not that sure though as I also have experienced while being fit. The primary thing that I am concerned about is the reaching and if that usually manifests as lower back pain - then it should be alright
PPWTF Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Upper back / lower neck is often caused when reach is stretched Imagine your back being flat (ish) across the shoulders when the arms are not reaching for the hoods, that the shoulders are actually in the sockets. Now, when the reach is actually a stretch the upper back / shoulders become rounded and the shoulders extended out of their sockets (obviously not literally, but as it looks) In this instance trapezious muscles give out very quickly; they aren't designed to work in extension. A lot of folks get a minor version of this when reaching for the mouse at a PC all day - it's like a tingling sensation around the shoulderblade. fitting onto a bike rather than to numbers is the only way to get a good fit Eg. Two guys same height, one has long legs / short torso, the other short Legs long torso - both will have very different set up despite same height
Regard Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 I do agree, but then all roadies should strugle with upper back pain since a road bike's reach is naturaly longer. Alot of people will moan about low back pain and go through great trouble and money to fit the correct equipment just to find that a bit of lower back strenthening does the job!Regard2009-06-25 14:41:07
Flowta Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Upper back / lower neck is often caused when reach is stretched Imagine your back being flat (ish) across the shoulders when the arms are not reaching for the hoods' date=' that the shoulders are actually in the sockets. Now, when the reach is actually a stretch the upper back / shoulders become rounded and the shoulders extended out of their sockets (obviously not literally, but as it looks) In this instance trapezious muscles give out very quickly; they aren't designed to work in extension. A lot of folks get a minor version of this when reaching for the mouse at a PC all day - it's like a tingling sensation around the shoulderblade. fitting onto a bike rather than to numbers is the only way to get a good fit Eg. Two guys same height, one has long legs / short torso, the other short Legs long torso - both will have very different set up despite same height [/quote'] Fit a shorter stem if you can on your current bike and give that a go( How much shorter I wouldn't know). If absolutely no difference then it could be something else.
Regard Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Remember that when you sit on your cycle the angle between your torso and arms must be more or less 90 degrees. A bigger angle means to much forward, to small means to the reach is to short. Best is to try a few combo's to see what works for you, but be sure to go to some one who knows how to properly set up a bike.
Stretch Posted June 25, 2009 Author Posted June 25, 2009 Remember that when you sit on your cycle the angle between your torso and arms must be more or less 90 degrees. A bigger angle means to much forward' date=' to small means to the reach is to short. [/quote'] I hadn't come across this fact - will try that out on the bike tomorrow and see how i angle up. I am pretty convinced that I have a slightly bigger angle on my current bike. gonna pop down to the garage and see.... Oh and its a mtb I am sizing/buying
Regard Posted June 25, 2009 Posted June 25, 2009 Yes this is for MTB. For road cycles you use the line of sight over your front hub when you are down on the handlebar drops. This is just a rule of thumb and once again you have to make sure you are comfortable on your cycle. Feel free to ask if you strugle! Regard2009-06-25 14:37:29
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