Neck hurts like hell after a 30 mile ride?

missmarple

Hello chaps,

My neck feels incredibly sore after 30 or so miles on the bike, this is on nice flat roads - and I'm not entirely sure I have the saddle at the correct height.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers, Theo.

Muddy.Bail

ouch :?

its probably from being in the same position for a long time

Sir HC

Have you tried higher rise bars, or a higher rise stem ?

missmarple

Well thats the thing, I've got high rise bars already but it feels as if someone has got a cheese grater and sliced off half my skin!

Sir HC

Where abouts is the pain in your neck ?

missmarple

The pain radiates from just above my shoulders, I have very broad shoulders and am 6ft if that helps diagnosis?

ellieb

Perhaps you are cycling the wrong way up. Have you tried sitting on the saddle?

OK I know that doesn't help :oops: Merry Christmas anyway.

Sir HC

missmarple wrote:

The pain radiates from just above my shoulders, I have very broad shoulders and am 6ft if that helps diagnosis?

When you are riding, does it feel like your hands are too close together and your shoulders are hunched forward ?

missmarple

No not at all Sir HC, when commuting I'll often take my hands off the grips and center them both on either side of the stem as that is even more comfortable - I shall visit my hallucinating emo/goth doctor in the new year to check up the problem with her.

Many thanks for help, merry christmas and a happy new year to all! 8)

AndyBike

I know its an old post, but i get similar problem and wondered have you sorted it yet?

I been fiddling with my seatpost height, saddle and bars forever to get a good riding position, followed all the guidlines about bike set up, but still getting sore shoulders/neck.

Best results came from lowering the saddle put me in a more upright position, came up a little short for leg extension/length to peddal though.

I am comming round to the fact I tend to lean on the h/bars heavy through my shoulders, hunching up - and have wondered if a Medium bike might have been better. I'm 5'11'' and about 14 stone.

ride_whenever

try a shorter, more upright stem. This should give you a more upright position and a shorter reach.

AndyBike

That sounds like a solution. I have angle my bars to "high and back" mirroring what you have suggested, but its not enough.

I understand some of the tech about stem length and steering performance. But not anything about the point of different stem angles, are they for comfort and ride position? how do they affect the ride?

Cheers

Andy

whyamihere

You're just weak.

Seriously, all newbie roadies get this as a result of being bent over and having to bend the neck up to look forward. Plenty of neck strengthening exercises on the web, or just keep riding and it will sort itself out.

missmarple

It's been cured, but having said that - I have started visiting the gym 4 times a week now.

missmarple

AndyBike wrote:

I know its an old post, but i get similar problem and wondered have you sorted it yet?

I been fiddling with my seatpost height, saddle and bars forever to get a good riding position, followed all the guidlines about bike set up, but still getting sore shoulders/neck.

Best results came from lowering the saddle put me in a more upright position, came up a little short for leg extension/length to peddal though.

I am comming round to the fact I tend to lean on the h/bars heavy through my shoulders, hunching up - and have wondered if a Medium bike might have been better. I'm 5'11'' and about 14 stone.

Visits to the gym and strengthening the back muscles cured it.

dwpeek

To keep it from coming back, try looking around and enjoying the scenery. This will keep your neck loose as well as the rest of your body. Good relaxation technique.

ADJD

i too suffer from a very stiff neck after a ride and wondered if a shorter stem would help? the stem on my G3 is really long, but i am 6ft 5 ish and ride a 21inch bike-could it be too big?surely not!