I've noticed over the last 5-8 years that bars on conventional road bikes have risen quite a bit, so that many "recreational" riders -- why would you ride if it's not for recreation? -- on modern carbon fiber and aluminum road bikes are in almost a Grant-approved position.
Note that back position -- and comfort and power -- is affected as much by saddle position, and particularly setback, as by bar position. On Sat, Jan 16, 2016 at 10:13 AM, George Schick <[email protected]> wrote: > Took me a while to track it down, but this appeared in Riv Reader #4 or > thereabouts. I believe Robert Gordon is a chiropractor, not sure. Anyway, > FWIW: > > Raise Dat Stem! > > by Bob Gordon > > A flat back is one of the hallmarks of an experienced cyclist, > particularly a racer, and over the years I have seen the prevailing > attitudes towards rider positioning devolve to the point where if you don't > cycle with your back parallel to the ground, you're cast off as a beginner. > > But like many other concepts recreational riders adopt, the low back > originated in the professional ranks after extensive research in > aerodynamics proved this would help the fast go faster. Competitive > athletes routinely sacrifice both their short and long term health for the > express purpose of winning, but you may have a different agenda. > > Lower back disc problems peak the ages of 30 and 50. There are many > causes, but if your back pain is exacerbated by riding, it's a good bet the > cause is bouncing around on your bike while your lower spine is extensively > flexed (loss of lower back arch). A low, forward torso causes the inner > portion of the disc (the nucleus purposes) to press back against the outer > restraining fibers (the annulus fibroses). This pressure eventually causes > the disc to bulge or herniate. The nearby nerves get squeezed, and the next > thing you know, someone like me is telling you you have sciatica. > > Cycling mitigates some of the problems of a habitually flexed lumbar spine > because of the "bridge effect" that's created by resting some of your > weight on your hands. But the lumbar region and its soft tissues are still > at risk just by being continuously hyper flexed, and if you sit all day at > your job, the danger is compounded. > > On the flip side, cycling entirely upright does not solve the problem > either. True, the inter-vertebral discs and spinal ligaments are in a more > neutral position and absorb shock better, but the load is now transmitted > axially, which is fatiguing and jarring. Also, in a bolt-upright position > you can't use your gluteus or hamstrings to great advantage, which means > your thighs (quadriceps) get overworked, you lose a lot of power, the > unused hamstrings and gluteal muscles go flabby, and you catch all that > wind. It's hard to be happy about all that, racer or no. > > There is, however, a position that allows good performance while > minimizing risk of lower back injury. I like a stem height and length that > puts your back about 50 degrees from horizontal, while your arms and legs > bend slightly at the elbows, as shown in figure 2 up there. To achieve > this, you'll probably have to raise your bars, and assuming you want to > keep the same bar style (as opposed to riding with stingray bars or > something), that usually means getting another stem, one with a taller > quill or a steep rise to it. If you hit the sweet spot, a photo of you from > the side will reveal a nice pyramid composed of top tube, torso and arms. > > On Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 7:54:50 AM UTC-6, michael sellers wrote: >> >> Hi to all and hope the new year is starting well. After a year of >> sporadic back problems i recently spent some time with a bone and joint >> specialist and was told i have Degenerative Disc(sp?) Disease. Not terrible >> but not really fixable without drastic measures. My Dr also advised me that >> time on my Riv was certainly preferable to the running i was also >> doing.Having said that i plan on adding some time to my current >> riding.Currently i have Albatross bars on my Atlantis frame but my riding >> thus far has been mostly short trips to town and back and short rides then >> breaks to eat,fish,etc. As i increase the length of my rides will the >> Albatross(or some other upright style bar you recommend) still be my best >> bet or will drops be a better option? Thanks in advance for any advice, >> Mike >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. Other professional writing services. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nouvelle Mexique, Vereinigte Staaten ************************************************************************** ************** *The point which is the pivot of the norm is the motionless center of a circumference on which all conditions, distinctions, and individualities revolve. *Chuang Tzu *Stat crux dum volvitur orbis.* *(The cross stands motionless while the world revolves.) *Carthusian motto *It is *we *who change; *He* remains the same.* Eckhart *Kinei hos eromenon.* (*It moves [all things] as the beloved.) *Aristotle -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
