Neck pain

roubaixtom
roubaixtom Posts: 316
edited September 2014 in Road general
Just completed a 185km sportive today on my specialized roubaix. At around 80km my neck started cramping and really put me off my riding. It happens every ride I do over a certain distance. Is this because of poor bike fit or is my neck to blame? I'm 5ft9 and on a 54cm roubaix that otherwise gives me no aches at all

Comments

  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    I'd say the frame is too big for your height and a 52 would be about right. If you're over reaching, you'll be stretching the neck to look up. Of course, your flexibility might be the issue. Find a proper fitter near to you and go get a fitting from them.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Chances are too that you could simply have a bit of a bad neck or be prone to it. Do you do neck stretches if you do? Chiropractor ever?
  • dilatory
    dilatory Posts: 565
    I completed a 200km audax on my slammed caad10. Sounds like a combination of the two!
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    I had a similar problem from doing too much indoor cycle training and sitting too upright. Just need to get in the habit of training the neck muscles and stretching out regularly. At the end of the day humans where not built to have our heads tilted that far back for so long.
    Guide to cheap bike lights Turbo Trainer Vids Play list
    Stretching & Workout Vids
  • Serious Cat
    Serious Cat Posts: 489
    548 mm on the roubaix is a long top tube for 5 ft 9 inches
    This serious internet site..............I serious cat
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Serious Cat wrote:
    548 mm on the roubaix is a long top tube for 5 ft 9 inches

    I'm not convinced this is a long top tube. A 54cm CAAD frame has a 545mm top tube, I'm 5' 8.5" and I've got this same length on the Rourke with 73.5deg seat tube angle and 110mm stem. I also have a short torso and longer legs for my height, and the reach is perfect for me.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • roubaixtom
    roubaixtom Posts: 316
    The reach feels greats and I have the saddle at the correct hight. It must be more down to flexibility. I cannot touch my toes if that helps, I can only get down to my knees and I'm only in my 20's
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Whats your saddle fore/aft position like? A forward saddle position will put you over the bars and may require the head to be angled upwards more...a photo would help.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • roubaixtom
    roubaixtom Posts: 316
    how do i upload photos? tried and it said, the extension is not allowed
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    What extension are you using? jpg is best.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    drlodge wrote:
    Serious Cat wrote:
    548 mm on the roubaix is a long top tube for 5 ft 9 inches

    I'm not convinced this is a long top tube. A 54cm CAAD frame has a 545mm top tube, I'm 5' 8.5" and I've got this same length on the Rourke with 73.5deg seat tube angle and 110mm stem. I also have a short torso and longer legs for my height, and the reach is perfect for me.
    Agreed, the size doesn't sound far off to me. I'm 5'10, fairly average proportions and my bike with a 549mm top tube and 100mm stem is about perfect. I could happily live with slightly longer TT but 549mm is about perfect.
  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    philthy3 wrote:
    I'd say the frame is too big for your height and a 52 would be about right. If you're over reaching, you'll be stretching the neck to look up. Of course, your flexibility might be the issue. Find a proper fitter near to you and go get a fitting from them.

    Excellent bike fit advice Dr Phil
  • nigelgos
    nigelgos Posts: 128
    Just checking... have you got a peak attached to your helmet?
  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    or a brick on a stick.
  • hdow
    hdow Posts: 186
    Sorting out your bike fit may or may not help. As your ache comes on during longer rides you would expect the more often you do them that the ache would reduce or appear later and later as your body adapts to your current riding position

    What may be the problem is that your shoulders need to stabilise/work against something. Normally this is the chest/core below them which is generally pretty strong. As you tire your shoulders may hunch up a little or a lot and loose that stability from below but as they still need to stabilise they try and stabilise against the neck. Neck muscles are nowhere near as strong as core muscles. Hence the neck ache. Fairly common with cyclists who increase their mileage or occasionally go much longer.

    The solution is quite simple. On longer rides periodically roll your shoulders backwards a few times and leave them in a middling/ neutral position: Neither pulled right down nor hunched
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Serious Cat wrote:
    548 mm on the roubaix is a long top tube for 5 ft 9 inches
    Do you know how long his legs are?
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    lawrences wrote:
    philthy3 wrote:
    I'd say the frame is too big for your height and a 52 would be about right. If you're over reaching, you'll be stretching the neck to look up. Of course, your flexibility might be the issue. Find a proper fitter near to you and go get a fitting from them.

    Excellent bike fit advice Dr Phil
    why?
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo

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