Hendley

Being too *short* can cause back pain too, especially in the upper back. The TT sounds right for your size (depending on inner leg etc...) Especially considering your shallow drop, I'd say try a longer stem...

jsigone

Sounds like your bike is the right size TT wise. What is your inseam and how long/short are your arms? I'd say you need at least a 4-5 cm drop to the reach you need and move your back out of that pressure point that is causing you pain.

I'm 6'2 with 34.5" legs and long as arms. I ride a 55 frame and 130 stem w/ about 5" drop. My other bike is a 58 frame, and a 105 stem with about the same drop. The smaller frame climbs better then the larger one for me. Both are agressive fits but I'm pretty flexable in all positions on the bars.

abqhudson

It seems to me that your toptube is in the correct ballpark for someone your size. Have you flipped your stem up to raise the bars? Are the bars at their max height? I would suggest that you not go shorter than 100 for a first cut. YMMV.

whitemax

I believe the headtube is 21 cm and I have some spacers on top of that. I have been told that I have long femurs. Not sure what my inseam is but I wear 34 length pants if that correlates to anything meaningful. So shortening the stem will not affect the handling of the bike drastically? That is good to know.

whitemax

Hmmm, seems like lengthening the stem as you suggested would stretch me out even further. As I said before, I don't ride in the drops much, so drop of the bars really doesn't matter all that much does it?

RC2

Whitemax, I have lower back pain too (result of an old skiing injury where I pulled/tore some muscles - I've been back thru physical therapy a couple times). When getting into road cycling in the 90's, I had pain and played with bar positioning, but didn't find relief.

The secret for me is core strengthening. I do a set of several excersizes to strenghen my core/back (abs are key too), and stretch the muscles if I feel any signs of tightness or pain. You might try this.

whitemax

I've been doing exercises and stretching as I said in my OP. Planks, back extensions, sit up/crunches, hamstring stretches...I been doin em.

Nachoman

I would monkey around with a ton of different modifications on your own. Then, if nothing seems to work, I'd try a professional fitting at a reputable shop. And if that doesn't work, try synchronized water ballet.

whitemax

Thanks to all for some very good comments. I am going to start my shortening my stem from 110 to 90 cm to see what effect that might have. I was mostly interested in finding out what I could expect with regards to the way the steering might be effected by doing so and if it would not be recommended. My LBS said he didn't like to see a stem go below 100 but couldn't say why.

enjoi

might be worth going to a chiropractor to find out if you back is ok. Sometimes the bike is not the problem.

Camilo

If it were me (and it was), I'd find an LBS that can:

1 - put you on a trainer with an adjustable fitting stem. It was a revelation to me, as they adjusted the length and rise that I found a sweet spot that was distinctive.

2 - put that stem on your bike and let you ride it a couple 100 miles. Then swap it out for a different one if needed, or let you try some variation for several days each. The fitting stem will give you an idea if the stem is the issue, the riding it a while will confirm or point you towards a different solution. My LBS has a rack full of take off and exchange stems. They are willing to more or less swap them out as needed, assuming I buy the original stem from them.