back pain from backhops

[awestholm]

I'm just getting into riding, and I'm practicing backhops alot. I always wind up with a very sore lower back by the end of my ride... At first, I thought this was probably related to using muscles in a way they weren't used to, but I've been practicing backhops pretty regularly for a month and a half now... I'm pretty sure my muscles would have adjusted if it were purely prior lack of use. With that in mind, I think its probably my bike... I'm 6'0, and I'm riding an '04 Norco Evolve, which has a 1016 wheelbase. I have to think that with a longer frame, this might not be such a problem. Would running a longer stem help? (It'd be going from a 90mm stem to a 130mm). What other effects might a longer stem cause? Are there any other solutions to this problem? Thanks.

[trauma100]

Is your pain Muscular or skelital? any prior back problems?and with any new sport you should expect some soreness unless it's realy bad.

[JasonMudd]

If you're not already, you can also try some stretching after your muscles get a little warmed up, and after the ride as well.

[xxxfr]

my back still hurts after a good long ride....
good sore tho, if that makes sense

as far as height and stem, i dunno, i dont beleive it because i run a 50mm stem on my planet x pitbull.....

when i had my zebdi i had an 80mm stem, and i like morelys riding style, so i changed my bike to mimic his parts spec, shorter stem, shorter cranks, lower bars, and i absolutly love it...

when i went to the pitbull i got a longer fork because of the lower bb and longer chainstays, and it rides everything perfectly, rode the park yesterday, street a few days ago, and i always find some trials lines no matter where i am

hope that can help...somehow lol

[Bryan]

Yeah, as long as it's muscular soreness, it's normal, even 1.5 months after you start....

Try to keep your spine straight, bend your elbows and knees to get your balance. Keep the bike close to you, handlebars about a foot away from your body is best.

[bylsma]

Try strengthening your stomach muscles and hip flexors. Trials uses your lower back and hamstrings so much that it'll create an imbalance and your back and hammies will take more of the load than they should resulting in pain. After a ride, stretch the muscles that hurt and do strength training for the opposing muscle group.

[CRAK_BOT]

At the beginning of this year I really tweaked my back, not inured but just over use. Since I couldnt really back hop during that time I spent time practicing everything else that I normally ignore and I think it actually helped me out. I guess what I'm saying is give your back a week or two (or three) to heal while you practice other stuff.

Jim

[such]

Yeah, as long as it's muscular soreness, it's normal, even 1.5 months after you start....

Try to keep your spine straight, bend your elbows and knees to get your balance. Keep the bike close to you, handlebars about a foot away from your body is best.
i had some problems with pain in the back, but they are gone now. i learned backhop before 3-4 months. i think i learned the tehnique better now (and the pain is gone).
but i dont do as thorshammer3 said. i keep my elbows straight and my bike away from my body. i find it easier for my arms (and the back isn't complaining too..) and Im progressing with other tehniques.
am I doing it all wrong?

and sorry for topic intrusion

[RyanMcVicker]

When you first start learning backhopping your back muscles will get raped. It will take a little while for your muscles to build up a tolerance for this type of riding... My back hurt like a bitch when i was learning. Now I don't even notice anything because my muscles have gotten adapted. lol, i went to the doctor the other day, and he said how he noticed that i had really large back muscles compared to everyone else. kekek.

[hophopsnap]

nice