[JohnBoy]

Just recently started riding my XC bike again, and after about an hour or so of trail riding my lower back starts to really ache. Is there something I may have set up wrong? Maybe just seat height, stem length or rise, or maybe Im just getting old and the VP free has spoiled me with its 8 1/2 inches of rear travel? Its an 18 inch frame wich I know is the right size. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I just hate having to stop mid ride to stretch my back out.

 

[MtnbikeMike]

It could be due to a more aggressive position putting more strain on your back and your core muscles may be lacking strength.

 

[Wumpus]

1) Pushing too big a gear especially on short steep climbs -- I can usually alleviate it by backing off for a minute or two.


2) Brutal rocky trails -- 5" fixed that right up.

 

[auntesther]

I used to ride my bikes set up super aggressive. Long flat stems, flat bars and really stretched out. Then I started changing the stuff I was riding and rode my set-up way more upright. Last few years have gotten back into more pure-xc stuff so back to much more stretched out body position. It made my back ache like crazy for a few months until my body got used to it. I concentrated on keeping really relaxed when climbing, breathing deeply and trying to alternate sitting and standing on climbs. After a while, the aching went away and now my fr/trail bike feels WAY too upright.

 

[JohnBoy]

Thanks for the input fellas. By the sounds of it I just gotta keep pounden and work on my core strength. So Im off for a couple more loops!

 

[Westy]

My back always hurts when I ride my hardtail. I spend more time out of the saddle and when I do I tend to push a bigger gear putting more stress on my back. It has helped me to just focus on spinning in a lower gear.

 

[ATOMICFIREBALL]

Hover off that seat.
I have a sore disk after riding as hard as i possibly could after an XC ride on my hardtail. I was hammering behind a Blur4x on some rough XC trails.
I spiked by back/spine somehow & hasn't been right ever since. 6 months now.