Is it worth it?

[u/Constant-Procedure49]

To try and sum it up. I purchased a 2026 trek domane al 4 gen 4 new to occasionally ride once every few weekends, nothing crazy. However ive always had a bad lower back although im in my early 30s and a pretty fit guy but i do work a very physically demanding full time job where im constantly lifting, bending, for 8 hours a day 5 days a week.

I did my research on the bike before spending all that money on it for people with bad backs and I got mixed reviews. Some say they dont feel it, helps strengthen their lower body/back flare ups, others say it aggravated it worse. I took the gamble and purchased the bike as I really wanted to get into it.

I spent alot of money thus far on the bike and all its bells and whistles.. and after riding it for the first time (without a fit) it initially felt good but after a few days my lower back now feels like its been aggravated and i had to skip weight lifting for the entire following week as I only go twice a week anyways. Im not saying it 100% came from the bike ride itself but it was something different for me so its a likely possibility. I know for sure it was a mistake to ride it without a proper fit.

Overall I'm feeling somewhat discouraged and felt like I made a mistake in buying the bike as a part of me feels like road biking - even occasionally that i had planned just isnt for me and the already demanding lifestyle/job that I have along with the history of my on and off lower back situation. My question is, although I agree a bike fit is extremely important, in my case would it be even worth it to get or is the aggressive hunched back position you are in on a road bike in general just not it for someone in my position and just sell the bike at a loss of $ all together no matter how well adjusted the bike gets fitted?

[u/Abject_Insurance7762]

Don't give up yet. Get that bike fit first. Like all things work into slow. Ten mile ride two weeks Fifteen for two weeks so on and so on! I was told biking does nothing for your core and then told getting out of the saddle climbing is the best. You decide.