preferred-google-button
log in
register

Is my bike too small??

  • Creator
    Topic
  • June 11, 2009 at 1:56 pm #11766
    andrewfurlow

    Earlier this year I bought a brand new (but 2006-frame) Condor Leggero and in many ways it’s a brilliant bike. But I’ve had back problems with it ever since. My lower back hurts – sometimes more, sometimes less – after about 20 miles or so and it’s really made me a worse cyclist. I’m much more comfortable on my old Langster which is a real shame as the Condor cost a hell of a lot of money.

    I’m about 5’9″ and it’s a 52cm frame. I’ve tried making every adjustment possible but none seems to make much difference. The Langster is 54cm.

    Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is my bike too small or is there something I can do to be able to cycle proper distances again?? Anyone had lower back pain that they’ve got over (without getting a new bike)?

    cheers
    Andy

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 12, 2015 at 9:53 am #629123
    0
    Anonymous

    I imagine the OP has probably
    I imagine the OP has probably sorted the problem out after six years!

    October 10, 2015 at 1:15 pm #629121
    0
    sergius

    I’m 5’9 and have two frames,
    I’m 5’9 and have two frames, one’s a 54 (Cube Agree GTC) and the other a 56 (Rose Xeon CDX). The frame geometry makes a big difference, the 54 is a more racy (lower front) geometry and I ended up having to get narrower bars (42) and a shorter stem (90) to get comfortable. The 56 is more upright, I actually have a longer stem (100) and wider bars (44) on the Rose and it’s just fine.

    So for me at least, the frame layout makes a big difference.

    October 10, 2015 at 8:58 am #629119
    0
    CXR94Di2

    Upper back problems could be
    Upper back problems could be many things eg

    Handle bars too wide or too narrow
    Kinking neck too much due to too low handlebars
    Reaching too far forward

    Then your body
    Weak shoulders, triceps and poor core condition. All the above could contribute to discomfort.

    Personally I am 6ft and use a 56 cm frame. I would of thought a 53/54 frame would be in the ball park for 5′ 9″. Then it’s just a case of getting the reach and height just right with different parts.

    October 9, 2015 at 11:33 pm #629117
    0
    BBB

    Try a 140mm stem and/or
    Try a 140mm stem and/or handlebars with longer reach to find out.

    Most of people unknowingly ride frames one two sizes too small because no one told them how to seat properly on a bike (with their pelvis rotated forward)…

    I’m 5’11 and with a typical setup – 3.5″ drop, 100mm stem and 75mm compact bars I’d need 60cm TT to stretch comfortably.

    P.S. I’m not built like an orangutan 😉

    October 9, 2015 at 9:27 pm #629115
    0
    Comrade

    Some very interesting points
    Some very interesting points on here. I reckon the bike could be too small if it was you…

    October 9, 2015 at 9:23 pm #629113
    0
    fred12345

    hi i get upper back pain and
    hi i get upper back pain and not sure how to get rid of it as i have tried every thing not sure were what to do confused with bike sizing methods

    October 9, 2015 at 8:58 pm #629111
    0
    fred12345

    i tried that method on my
    i tried that method on my bike and my fore arm alone went right past the head steerer by the time i had added my other hand it came to 530mm which was way past head steerer 😕 my upper back burns after about 30 miles as i have tried every thing to get rid of it but it keeps coming back im 5.9 and my bike is 56 top tube recently changed the handle bar stem for shorter one as my back was sore stiff i have carbon frame as i thought it would be easier on my back i have aslo tried 53 top tube alloy frame but still got pain 😕 😕 and checked every thing out on the bike dynamics bike sizeing it says 56 is right for me not sure wether i need longer steerer head over 200mm or longer top tube or shorter

    April 7, 2012 at 6:51 pm #629109
    0
    Raleigh

    I’m doing some chiropractic
    I’m doing some chiropractic ATM too, and it seems to be helping.

    Hamstring stretches also. 🙂

    April 7, 2012 at 2:45 pm #629107
    0
    localsurfer

    Interesting thread – I’m 5’8″
    Interesting thread – I’m 5’8″ and my bike is a rather nice made to measure custom build, and it’s 48″ It’s teeny, but (obviously) fits me perfectly.

    Granted, I am a slightly strange shape (the frame builder asked me about 4 times if I was absolutly sure my measurements were correct, as they looked so weird), but my old bike was 52″ and that was WAY too big.

    I think whatever various peoples opinions on here might suggest, you are unique so it won’t (necessarily) work for you. Get a bike fitting done, and if you’re bike is the wrong size it’s not worth hanging on to.

    April 5, 2012 at 7:21 am #629105
    0
    Jack Osbourne snr

    russyparkin wrote:sizing is a

    russyparkin wrote:
    sizing is a funny game i use 3 bikes one is a 90’s 53cm with supper short head tube, a 54cm caad10 racing snake and a 56cm orbea aqua. and im 5′ 9′ . thing i found was finding a comfortable contact point zone and making everything fit to that so for example make sure your running the same bar/seat/pedals. then from you comfy bike measure top of stem to floor vertically, tip of seat to bar edge/hood. top of seat to centre of bottom bracket. then do what you can to make them match. this works to a point but other factors are steel/alu/carbon all behave differently. best ride for me over long distances is the steel bike, cannondale for sub 40 mile hammer time, or 40-70 miles on the orbea for a more relaxed ride with less weight than the steel. hope this helps a little

    That’s very similar to the method I use. I’m a long-of-body 6′ and ride a steel Bianchi @ 57, a Zerofour Ti Audax @ 55 and an Alu Boardman Hybrid in Large (54???) All three have the same distances between the contact points at saddle top in line with seat post, bar and the crank bolt. I had a 53 alu carbon Bianchi and I found that (even with a 130 stem flipped up) to be THE most uncomfortable ride ever… my slightly leggier (but same height) mate loved it though!

    April 1, 2012 at 11:47 pm #629103
    0
    russyparkin

    sizing is a funny game i use
    sizing is a funny game i use 3 bikes one is a 90’s 53cm with supper short head tube, a 54cm caad10 racing snake and a 56cm orbea aqua. and im 5′ 9′ . thing i found was finding a comfortable contact point zone and making everything fit to that so for example make sure your running the same bar/seat/pedals. then from you comfy bike measure top of stem to floor vertically, tip of seat to bar edge/hood. top of seat to centre of bottom bracket. then do what you can to make them match. this works to a point but other factors are steel/alu/carbon all behave differently. best ride for me over long distances is the steel bike, cannondale for sub 40 mile hammer time, or 40-70 miles on the orbea for a more relaxed ride with less weight than the steel. hope this helps a little

    March 31, 2012 at 8:08 pm #629101
    0
    Alan Tullett

    I’m 5′ 8” and a bit and I
    I’m 5′ 8” and a bit and I have a 56cm road frame and I don’t have any problems although I sometimes think it’s a fraction too big. Tried a 54cm and it seemed a bit small. Would prefer a 55cm but it wasn’t available for the bike I wanted.

    Could there be other factors such as vibration? Are the frames made of different materials? (I don’t know anything about your brands but I assume the Langster is steel and the Condor is carbon.) I tried a Boardman carbon frame and found it rather harsh. I ride the cheapest Specialized Secteur (aluminium with carbon forks with those funny things in them) and find it pretty smooth even when riding on small Fenlad roads not renowned for their tarmac.

    Had back problems in the past so I know the importance of sorting this out.

    Tight hamstrings and hip flexors can also be a problem as they lead to more back rounding rather than holding a ‘neutral’ position. A study (Burnetta, A et al., (2004)Spinal kinematics and trunk muscle activity in cyclists: a comparison between healthy controls and non-specific chronic low back pain subjects – a pilot investigation. Manual Therapy: 9 211-219) found that cyclists who suffer from back pain tend to curl forwards more in their lower back.
    [taken from ‘Beating Back Pain’ by Mark Alexander available from http://www.pponline.co.uk – this website has a lot of sports related info on a variety of subjects including cycling and core strength.] Flexibility and posture are as important as abs and there are various very small balance muscles that aren’t affected by traditional core strength exercises that are better dealt with by Yoga, Alexander Technique, which is what I used when I had a back problem, and Pilates). It may well be that the smaller frame is leading to more back rounding and therefore back pain. Dave’s saddle ‘trick’ may also have the effect of putting him in a more ‘neutral’ position.

    If it’s really a problem and the advice given here doesn’t sort it out, bite the bullet and sell the Condor and get a 54/55cm frame instead. Your back is more important than your wallet.

    March 30, 2012 at 8:29 pm #629099
    0
    Cooks

    If you can, try a compression
    If you can, try a compression shirt, I found that really helped me. For a core exercise, try planks. Take minutes to do but are dead effective.
    Dave, could you explain that elbow/hand thing again please? Thanks

    March 28, 2012 at 3:37 pm #629097
    0
    Sadly Biggins

    Try checking the saddle
    Try checking the saddle height on the Condor vs the height on your Langster (factor in whether the cranks are the same length too). I get some lower back pain if saddle height is even a matter of a few millimetres higher than my usual set-up

    March 28, 2012 at 3:11 pm #629095
    0
    notfastenough

    Take the bike to a local shop
    Take the bike to a local shop that will assess your fit.

    Core stability work rules, and does genuinely benefit.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.