frame size

skyway

Hi,

I've been commuting to and from Leeds from Shadwell for a year or so now on my Specialized Sirrus XL.

I'm now suffering from chronic neck ache to to extent that I'm practically unable to ride it as the pain during and after overbears the pleasure and my ability to sleep at night.

I've tried adjusting almost everything to try and alleviate the problem, and the conclusion I've come to is the XL frame is way to big for me despite my height (6foot1)

So, it's Cycle to Work scheme time, and I thought for a small-ish outlay a month (a bike for approx £400-500), I could replace the Sirrus with something that I can use off road and commute that wont overstretch me physically.

What would peeps suggest?

TIA

fidbod

I would seriously consider spending a bit of money figuring out what is causing the problem first.

I would guess XL is the right size for you. I am 6'2" and can comfortably ride an XL or XXL.

If you have got an underlying chronic problem changing bike isn't going to help. Trip to the local physio might be the best place to start.

UndercoverElephant

Get a proper bike fitting done. It could well be the best money you ever spend.

meanwhile

fidbod wrote:

I would seriously consider spending a bit of money figuring out what is causing the problem first.

I would guess XL is the right size for you. I am 6'2" and can comfortably ride an XL or XXL.

It isn't always that easy - there's leg length and then there's torso length. And flexibility varies. One 6'1'' guy could be an L and another an XL.

I'd say, very strongly, to take a take at the bicycle sizing and fit recommendations on Rivendell's site.

From what the OP said, I'd guess that he thinks the top tube is too long - skyway, where is the pain? Can you describe your position on the bike, how high the seat and bars are, what you have to do with your neck to see forwards? Have you tried setting the bars to seat height or a bit more, with or without putting on a shorter stem?

il_principe

Go to a shop that has a proper fitting service and get a pro consultation. Failing that, have you considered that perhaps something else you do has caused this issue and riding the bike simply exasperates things? Perhaps a trio to a physio/osteopath is in order.

roger_merriman

skyway wrote:

Hi,

I've been commuting to and from Leeds from Shadwell for a year or so now on my Specialized Sirrus XL.

I'm now suffering from chronic neck ache to to extent that I'm practically unable to ride it as the pain during and after overbears the pleasure and my ability to sleep at night.

I've tried adjusting almost everything to try and alleviate the problem, and the conclusion I've come to is the XL frame is way to big for me despite my height (6foot1)

So, it's Cycle to Work scheme time, and I thought for a small-ish outlay a month (a bike for approx £400-500), I could replace the Sirrus with something that I can use off road and commute that wont overstretch me physically.

What would peeps suggest?

TIA

I assume this is neck ache from being in too head down riding position?

if so before spending money i'd get a bike fit and get the bike set up with a more upright position? which shouldn't make your neck ache. or have you tried this and i'm telling folk how to suck eggs?

any how like others bike fit sounds a good idea before you get another bike.

meanwhile

Il Principe wrote:

Go to a shop that has a proper fitting service and get a pro consultation.

This is generally excellent advice but -

- Relatively few places do competent fittings; quite a bit of travel might be involved

- Fitting specialists normally think in terms of drop handles and racing and of non-cycling allergic bodies.

- It can be a bit of a bill; between travel and the service it's easy to spend £100. That's a no brainer on a £2K bike purchase, but a big chunk off a £400 bike. As this is a C2W bike at an effective 50% discount then it's HALF the budget gone.

My other suggestions would be to try an angle adjustable stem on the Sirrus - a great way to experiment with shortening it. And if/when you buy another bike get one with a shorter top tube - and have that angle adjustable stem fitted.

skyway

thanks for the suggestions.

I've actually got an an adjustable stem, which I've been experimenting with without any luck.

Can anyone suggest a fitting service in Leeds ?

TIA