Back rest or new seat?

[MidLifeCrisis]

Here's a link that will allow you to see what your body does when making subtle and not so subtle ergonomic changes to seating geometry(up, forward and back). Play with all the features and think about what you're feeling real world compared to what it(the dummy)is showing you.

Next time you ride pay very close attention to whether you get the sensation that your hips are rolled forward or aft. If you feel neither, you're probably setting in a neutral position. Which would imply - poor posture - causing your back discomfort. Meaning a backrest would be the most probable fix.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

just my 2c

That's a pretty cool site to play with. Will have to figure what each value would mean to my situation and play around with it.

I'm guessing your arms are pretty well bent which might make you lean back a bit in which case a back rest would probably help you relax a bit.

Actually, not so much. See below

I am 5'11" and sometimes I feel that the handlebars are too far away so I can't imagine how it must be for those of you with less altitude than me. My husband has a method to see if you are sitting comfortably on your bike. He says sit on it in a relaxed position then close your eyes and extend your arms like you are reaching for the handlebars. When you open your eyes see where your hands are in relation to where the handlebars are and you will see if you are in a good riding position. For me the bars would ideally be back a few inches. So I think I'll save my pennies and someday buy the new adjustable handlebars.

I gave your recommendation a try and seem to keep landing about two inches short I may be able to compensate for this somewhat by trying the Rivco boards others have recommended, since they would drop my feet down roughly two inches.

It'll likely be a combination of things and glad I posted. I kept poking around at the different vendors wondering where to start and now I feel I have at least half a clue. Thanks all for your help. Wish there was a big Spyder group around me to try out a few things, but your replies really do help.

 

[Flight Risk]

I put a Utopia back rest on my stock seat because my group rode distance and back roads. It helped but my back still hurt.

I had a Russell Day Long seat with backrest custom made...seat eventually broke in so my butt felt much better....my back still hurts but I have a wrecked back anyhow.....sigh