New cyclist query/pains

lighterman

I've just bought and started to use a new road bike(audacio 200) and have noticed that my lower back does be very sore during the ride.I also got pedals with toe clips and my calves would be fairly sore during the ride only.

Would this be normal of new riders?

Would anyone have any tips etc for me starting out even with regards to clothing etc?

I did do alot of cycling on a mountain bike on the roads but they are most definitely 2 different machines.

wirelessdude01

Lower back pain suggest that the bike setup isn't correct for you.

Cee-Jay-Cee

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

Lower back pain suggest that the bike setup isn't correct for you.

Calf pain would probably mean the same thing, saddle possibly too high.

XtotheZ

try core work? but yeah +1 on the poor bike fit

lighterman

XtotheZ wrote: »

try core work? but yeah +1 on the poor bike fit

as in planks etc?

the only thing about the bike set up is the man in the shop set it up and it feels fairly comfortable but ill lower the saddle to see if that helps

quozl

lighterman wrote: »

as in planks etc?

the only thing about the bike set up is the man in the shop set it up and it feels fairly comfortable but ill lower the saddle to see if that helps

Be careful with that. If you lower the saddle too much you will start getting knee pain. Have a google for how to get the saddle height right for you. Your calves may just be sore because you're untrained.

It's also possible that the handlebars are too low for you, possibly just because your core is too weak so that back discomfort may go away. Or you may need to raise them.

Either way, careful changing anything - there's no guaranteed safe adjustments that you can make.

lighterman

quozl wrote: »

Be careful with that. If you lower the saddle too much you will start getting knee pain. Have a google for how to get the saddle height right for you. Your calves may just be sore because you're untrained.

It's also possible that the handlebars are too low for you, possibly just because your core is too weak so that back discomfort may go away. Or you may need to raise them.

Either way, careful changing anything - there's no guaranteed safe adjustments that you can make.

i might just try and stick it out.might just be the body adjusting.i could always say to the shop when its getting its service.thanks

detones

Give it a few weeks see if you adjust. If still sore consider getting professional bike fit done.

Arthurdaly

If you are new to cycling then there will be an adaption period so I wouldn't rush into adjusting anything on the bike just yet. The biggest impact will be saddle height and its most likely the bike shop are not too far wrong with that.

Regular and marginal increases in volume/distance will reap the biggest rewards. That said your body will adapt even if the position is not optimal. I forked out for a bike fit and the end result was said bike fitter blabbing on for an hour and then moving the saddle a cm, waste of money!

Given you are new to cycling hours in the saddle is best and give it some time. Strength and core work will lessen chances of injury but given you are new to cycling I'd just concentrate on getting miles in.

In terms of clothing your best investment will be bibshorts, DHB do very good bibs at a low cost on wiggle.

outfox

One thing I noticed when I switched from my hybrid (a model which was very similar to a mountainbike) was that the slightly hunched position which I had developed on the hybrid was not good on the road bike. The road bike seems to need a straighter back position. So maybe if you straighten your back and stretch your neck forward more, it might help your lower back?

not yet

outfox wrote: »

One thing I noticed when I switched from my hybrid (a model which was very similar to a mountainbike) was that the slightly hunched position which I had developed on the hybrid was not good on the road bike. The road bike seems to need a straighter back position. So maybe if you straighten your back and stretch your neck forward more, it might help your lower back?

Just swapped over from hybrid to road bike, really is a different feel and position on bike, took me about 50 k to get used to..

morana

took me a year to get used to low back, shoulder, arms, arse pain...just keep riding its all normal you are doing something which you havent done before i guess

XtotheZ

lighterman wrote: »

as in planks etc?

the only thing about the bike set up is the man in the shop set it up and it feels fairly comfortable but ill lower the saddle to see if that helps

Yup, i used to get pain in the lower back after mabye an hour and half racing but I done plank, sit ups, push ups, dips, spiderman plank, bicycle crunch, russian twist and bridge over last winter and I havnt had any since

07Lapierre

XtotheZ wrote: »

Yup, i used to get pain in the lower back after mabye an hour and half racing but I done plank, sit ups, push ups, dips, spiderman plank, bicycle crunch, russian twist and bridge over last winter and I havnt had any since

I just raised my handlebars, no more back pain.

XtotheZ

07Lapierre wrote: »

I just raised my handlebars, no more back pain.

Thats probably a quicker solution if it works

DaveR1000

all good advise above - bike setup is crucial, if your saddle height/position is alright read on: I was also having pain in my lower back and eventually changed handle bar stem from a 110 to 80mm and made a big difference.