first 2 rides

olivergent
olivergent Posts: 6
edited June 2013 in Road beginners
hi everyone, sp ive been wanting to get a road bike for a long time and last week i went to decathalon and bought the triban 5. went on a first ride yesterday and did 13 miles, everything was fine could have gone further but the person i was with didnt want to. I went out again today by myself and did 21 miles, all way well apart from i find that i am straining my neck and shoulders a little bit, anyone got any ideas, i thinking that theres something wrong with my positioning? also i am very surprised and happy at how friendly all the other bikers are out there everyone i went past waves or says hello. i recorded my ride today on strava:
http://app.strava.com/activities/59270538

Comments

  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    That's a very respectable speed for a beginner. Great bike too.
    Living MY dream.
  • degsy46
    degsy46 Posts: 16
    I've got the same bike and was having the same trouble at first put it down to just getting used to a road bike after using mountain / hybrid bikes for years. But I noticed my mates bike's hoods were in a more upright position so I tilted my bars up just by a few degree's and what a difference. Give it a try mate.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Could be that your stem is too long or the bars are too low. You may be able to raise the bars just by turning the stem upside down. Pop into your local road bike shop (not somewhere which only sells mountain bikes, not Halfords) on a day when they won't be too busy (not a weekend) and ask them to have a quick look at your position. They may be able to advise on a suitable stem.

    Failing that get someone to take your pic from the side and post it here.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • olivergent
    olivergent Posts: 6
    thankyou for your response here are some photos
  • olivergent
    olivergent Posts: 6
    and the last 2
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Doesn't look too bad, depends how flexible you are. Some stretching exercises may help. I'd try flipping the stem to the upright position if it not there already, failing that a new stem.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • olivergent
    olivergent Posts: 6
    thanks for the advice, i shall give it a try
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    I think most get neck and shoulder pain/ache is pretty common at first, its just a case of getting used to the more agressive position of a road bike.

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