Single speed..... Lower Back Pain!

[sdyeti]

Going to spin class is a great way to practice your form while seated and standing because it takes all the other factors out of the equation. We do a lot of hovering and also 'running' in our spin class, and I think it helps a lot.

+1 on what Tani said about trying to sit more. I know it's really hard (I used to push a 2:1 gear combo on my ss) but it will help you get stronger.

Also

Originally Posted by thephat

Make sure you are bending at the waste, try not to bend your lower back. It may feel kind of like your sticking your butt out... Stay relaxed, and isolate all that effort on the muscles that are doing the work.

Try staying seated more. You would be amased how slow of a cadence you can push if you sit and stay patient and relaxed on your ss.

[Padre]

I concur that a raising your bars might do the trick. That and strengthening your core.

[bvader]

Besides all the stuff above...for me core exercises being the most important. I found that I am much more particular how high my camelback is when I ride the single. For some reason I like it a bit higher on the SS, when its too low it seems to bother me, it seems backwards but it is what it is.

I find I have less issues when I don't do the "L" too much and try to stand straighter. The Path boys set me up and that way and it seem to work well.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by klutter

...2 wrongs don't make a right.

Well, multiplying two negatives makes a positive!

× two negatives you get a positive:(-3) × (-2) = 6

[Impy]

Ditto on the core/back exercises!

another thing about SS is it takes some time to get used to. A 10 mile ride might not seem like much but on a SS it is a lot harder esp when you are training all those new muscles. So go on shorter rides on the SS until your back is better, then start to ramp it up.

[klutter]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Well, multiplying two negatives makes a positive!

× two negatives you get a positive:(-3) × (-2) = 6

I was expecting something more like

'2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts make a right!'

Although, you do ride a 29er, so I should have known better and lower my expectations. j/k

[foofighter]

so harsh justin

[allison]

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6...5681-1,00.html

[OMR]

Stay seated longer... this will put a lot more stress on the knees, blow them out sooner or later and then you won't be worried about back pain ... just ask Gene.


All kidding aside, totally agree with strengthening your core muscle groups (abs in particular), stretching the hamstrings out as they do work a lot more in SSing. I can always tell when I've been riding my SS (Sat at Marshall). My back will be a bit stiffer from the climbing. Key point is SLOWLY conditioning your body... we all tend to go full speed ahead when going from bike to bike.

Most importantly, rest is a weapon too. Stay off the SS for a couple of days, spin on the geared. If it continues to give you grief, stay off of it for a week and come back slowly. Your body tells you when it doesn't like what you are doing to it. Listen to it.

Trust me, as you get older you will pay for not listening to it!

Oh yeah.... there's a new pill out called: Back Pain Away.... it must work, it's as seen on TV... right?

PS: You can always walk up the hills... Remember, I've seen you...

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by klutter

I was expecting something more like

'2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts make a right!'

Although, you do ride a 29er, so I should have known better and lower my expectations. j/k

OH SNAP. So 3 lefts then is the answer. So Dino... Klutter suggests you buy a cyclocross bike as your AM rig to go along with the Iron Horse 29'er SS!

Ps. in all seriousness Klutter, how's that cut near your eye from the CC?

I'll admit, riding a 29'er off road is like cheating. So yeah, I said it, I'm a dirty cheater who still manages to find ways to crash a 29er.

[Jordansrealm]

SS bikes arent for everyone! I loved mine but my knees didnt.

Jesse - dont make your ONLY bike a SS like Gene said. There are trails you are going to want gears for which is why my SS became a 1x9. I will build another SS one day but not until I have other bikes in my stable.