Neck/upper back pain
Scottsparkrider
Posts: 59
Hi,
I have had a Specialized Tarmac for around a year which I have ridden fairly regularly with no problems. However I recently decided that my pedal stroke was a bit cramped so I raised the seat around 4mm and moved the saddle forward on its rails around the same distance. The next long ride I did my pedalling felt much better however I began experiencing severe upper back/neck pain after a few hours riding. I thought that this must be because I have raised my saddle too high in relation to the bars and so I flipped my Richey stem so it has a rise instead of being almost horizontal (I did this because there is not enough room to add any more spacers). This had the effect of raising the bars higher in relation to the hight increase of the saddle. However during a long ride today I experienced the same severe upper back/neck pain. The pain is most acutewhen I get back on the bike after a short stop. After trying raising the handlebars I am at a loss as to what could be causing this pain - does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?
Cheers
I have had a Specialized Tarmac for around a year which I have ridden fairly regularly with no problems. However I recently decided that my pedal stroke was a bit cramped so I raised the seat around 4mm and moved the saddle forward on its rails around the same distance. The next long ride I did my pedalling felt much better however I began experiencing severe upper back/neck pain after a few hours riding. I thought that this must be because I have raised my saddle too high in relation to the bars and so I flipped my Richey stem so it has a rise instead of being almost horizontal (I did this because there is not enough room to add any more spacers). This had the effect of raising the bars higher in relation to the hight increase of the saddle. However during a long ride today I experienced the same severe upper back/neck pain. The pain is most acutewhen I get back on the bike after a short stop. After trying raising the handlebars I am at a loss as to what could be causing this pain - does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?
Cheers
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Comments
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moving your saddle up has increased the pressure on your neck because you have effectively moved your butt up and your head is moving down because of the change in angle. You are probably having to look up more so your neck is hurting. I had a bike fit on Friday, I had no idea how far everything was off, I just thought the stem was a bit long.0
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Thanks, thought as much. Any idea of a resolution? I am reluctant to lower seat as pedalling efficiency is much better now. Any other ways of getting around this?0
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you move one thing on a bike all other angles positions are changed. I had a bike fit, £90 of the best cycling money I have spent, especially because i have got a bad hip/lower back because of a poorly setup bike. My pedaling is even more efficient...0
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Where did you have it done? Obviously you would recommend them from your comment!mrwibble wrote:you move one thing on a bike all other angles positions are changed. I had a bike fit, £90 of the best cycling money I have spent, especially because i have got a bad hip/lower back because of a poorly setup bike. My pedaling is even more efficient...Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph
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It was a TREK affiliated bike fitter in York, York Cycleworks0
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Moving your saddle just a small amount forwards possibly had the effect of tipping your weight forward somewhat and onto your upper body and shoulders.0
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That is a good point Berk. I will move it back on the rails again and see if that works. Ta.0
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Bike fits start at the shoes/cleat position and work up from there, then forwards to the handlebars.
If your cleats are positioned correctly on your shoes to put the ball of your foot in line with the pedal axle, the seat height is then adjusted to get the optimum angle in the knee joint with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Fore and aft seat position is then used to get the knee joint vertically above the pedal axle with the crank arm horizontal (assuming the bike is on perfect level ground).
Once this is done, handlebar reach and position in relation to the saddle are adjusted for the style of riding/ flexibility of the individual rider. This involves headset spacer addition (if room) or removal as appropriate, stem length/rise using different stems and handlebar 'rotation' adjustment to get the correct positioning. The brake levers/hoods may also be adjusted to get correct/ comfortable positioning of the hands.
So, starting with your shoes/ cleats, get that right, then saddle height and THEN saddle layback. If this moves you significantly in relation to your old position, you will then need to adjust the front end to make sure you can still get comfortable.
Good luck.
PP
p.s. I used Adrian Timmis at Cadence Sport and he really knows his stuff.0 -
i was going to say, as a short term fix move the saddle all the way forward to take the pressure off your lower back. i was told my setback seatpost didn't help either and I have to buy an inline post.
My saddle was too far back so my hips and glutes weren't been utilised properly. I was getting all the power from my quads, which are pretty big.0
