Hi chaps, been riding fixed brakeless for a few years now, but have now developed some lower back pain. I think it was more caused by sitting at work in dodge chairs, but i am trying to fix everything that makes it worse. Had a week off the bike to see if it felt better, back on it now and the hip flexors definatly feel a bit stiffer. Also i favour my right leg back to stop which also seems to put strain on my left lower back. am i alone here? is ss and a brake my only choice? will i loose all hipster cred?!?!
If you haven’t already I’d recommend getting a proper bike fit done. Where do you live? I’m sure someone will be able to point you in the right direction.
yeah, what he said. also, if your hip flexors are getting tight, you need to work on your pedaling technique. make sure you’re dragging through the bottom of the pedal stroke. this will activate your glutes - which are big muscles - and take some of the strain off your hip flexors - which are little muscles, with limited room to move. improved technique may also help with your back issues.
thanks for the quick replies. im in canberra, happy to be pointed in the direction of a bike fit guy. I have lowered the seat a bit which helps a touch.
dragging through the pedal stroke? will give it a go. really wanna stay fixed/shirtless!
Where in your lower back does it hurt? I get a bit of pain in sacro illiac (sp?) area. This is to the side of the spine where the hips join. It’s usually from having tight hamstrings/under developed or tight glutes which pull your shit out of whack. Changing the posture at work, stretching and changing the technique at the gym helped lots. If it’s the same spot for you get a foam roller. 5 or 10 minutes on this and it feels good for a day or so. They are pretty nifty.
the quass: thanks for that. where do you get the roller from? i sued a tennis ball for a bit but it was pretty intense. am working on core exercises at the moment daily and also hit yoga at least once a week.
nexus: yeah be nice. i had a “work station assesment” and have a fancy chair etc. maybe im just not built for work
I got one at rebel sport but any unreputable sports store should be able to rip you off. Mine came with a free directional DVD!
Google it and see what you think first. I think it’s a bit less painful than a tennis ball but it still hurts lots
I have the same problem although I think that it was caused from doing trials (riding over obstacles with a bike). I have always ridden fixed gear bikes without a brake and never actually considered that my lower back pain could be because of the lack of brakes etc. on the fixed gear bike.
I have done a reasonable amount of research on this topic over the years and have also tried stretching etc. which worked to some degree although as soon as I get back on the trials bike the pain will begin again.
I am 37 years old and understand that my flexibility is not as goodas it was when I was younger.
I used to race road bikes and was doing a significant amount of km’s each week and there was no problem with my lower back at all back then (roughly 8 years ago).
A few people suggested it was because of work (I was repairing bikes as a mechanic 7 days a week for a few years) although I am not really sure.
I can only think that it was caused as a result of all of the above together.
Had my back go out on me early last year, so do all I can to protect it. I Stretch for about 10-15 minutes 3-4 times every day and have one of those foam rollers that I use on my back and legs, got mine from eBay.
A lot of core strengthening exercises and some physio based Pilates
When I was younger and still growing, apparently I grew too tall too fast and my hamstrings didn’t stretch or develop properly causing lower back pain. I was given a series of stretches I had to do and it went away reasonably fast.
titanium: yeah im looking for the silver bullet too but if i continue riding fixed, DH and snowboarding i think the best i can do is try to manage it. For me so far, yoga, pilates and stretches help.
got some good advice on a website called percision nutrition. check out the articles or search the site for back pain.
