You’ve got a hot bike with front suspension, grip shift, cantilever breaks and a slick helmet, so why do you still get backache after every ride?

While out cycling, you’re probably overextending the angle between your pelvis and the lower end of your spinal column, along with 70 per cent of all cyclists, according to a study.

An Israeli research team altered the saddle position of 40 cyclists, who rode different types of bikes but all suffered back pain, by dipping the saddle angle forward by 10–15°. This eased pressure and realigned the bones. After six months, almost three quarters said they no longer had any back pain; only three said their pain had not changed.

If you suffer, this could be an easy and effective way to make cycling more pleasant. Additionally, a simple visit to your local bike retailer for a tune–up will help ensure your safety while cycling, and give you an opportunity to make any further adjustments to the bike to ease the pains of riding.

Source: www.newsfix.ca; Abigail Mellier; July 9, 2013.