Retro bikes, saddles in the sky and back/neck pain...

[MiniNinjaRob]

I really enjoyed the Peaks ride on saturday but the first ride on my Tequesta has highlighted a compatability issue - the bike and my back. The saddle is a good 4-5" above the bars.

I always had pain BITD on bikes in my back but not much. I did ride a fair few miles but its got me thinking - maybe I was never suited for them?

My modern bikes have always been fairly upright - a work accident which damaged my neck has forced this but also the new bikes aren't as "race" anymore too.

I am on the lookout for an 18" frame - won't look as good IMHO but it might be better for day rides.

So does any else have back/neck pain and has had to make changes to their retro bikes? What changes have you made - what worked, what didn't?

 

[Raging_Bulls]

A set of riser bars can help. Reducing those 4-5" to 2-3" could be just enough to make a difference.
Add a stem which has a slightly different angle, and it's easy enough to gain another inch without completely ruining the looks.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

A set of riser bars can help. Reducing those 4-5" to 2-3" could be just enough to make a difference.
Add a stem which has a slightly different angle, and it's easy enough to gain another inch without completely ruining the looks.

The one thing I can't do is change the stem as it matches the frame. I'm looking at risers at the moment and considering trying a pair to see what they look like. Some nice black ones could look ok.

 

[mikee]

i tend to favour large frames these days for this reason
they still look right and are a bit more roomy thus comfy

mike

 

[WD Pro]

The one thing I can't do is change the stem as it matches the frame. I'm looking at risers at the moment and considering trying a pair to see what they look like. Some nice black ones could look ok.

Will risers fit the stem ?

WD

 

[drcarlos]

Changed the stem on my muddyfox to raise it bit and shorten it a bit and that worked wonders butler was ok angle wise but too long so I got a shorter stem and a non-lay back seat post. I did 7 hours across the Southdowns on the bulter and there was no back or neck pain and have done a fair bit of riding on the Muddyfox as well and don't suffer on that either. I actually found the right position and lengthened the stem (only 10mm) and fitted flats to the Modern Kula to make it similar to the retros.

Carl.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

The one thing I can't do is change the stem as it matches the frame. I'm looking at risers at the moment and considering trying a pair to see what they look like. Some nice black ones could look ok.

Will risers fit the stem ?

WD

That's a very good point :?

 

[chrisv40]

I fitted some Kore risers to my 96 Tequesta earlier this year with no problems.

 

[chrisv40]

Meant to add any steeper rise and I dont think they would have fit.

 

[velomaniac]

At the risk of ruining your bikes look try a 40 degree stem and in extreme cases as I've used fit a 150mm long 40 degree stem of a trials bike. An Onza trials stem on a retrobike does have some retro style to it and raises the bars quite a bit.
I unfortunately am stupidly tall so Mikee's idea of using a larger frame doesn't work as nothing bigger than the gates I ride exists.