Learned bike users, I come to pick your brains.
Bikes are all still a bit foreign to me (except for the three gear bike of my childhood, that's an old friend ) and I really am trying my best to love my road bike. The saddle issue is sorted - I think. I can spend longer on it than I used to be able to, but now I'm finding I'm getting neck/shoulder ache. Is this likely to be another fitting issue? Poor technique? Just a case of getting used to it?
Bizarrely, I think my glasses are making me tip my head into an unnatural position so I can still see through them when I'm positioned on the drops.
I've entered the Great Notts 50 mile ride next weekend, and I'm dreading to neck ache!
Comments
When you start riding you get some neck ache however if this has persisted through a decent period of time it's time too get a proper fit, as it shouldn't hurt at all... Except maybe your underside if you know what I mean
A picture would be useful. You could be too low, too long, or a combination of both but it is hard to tell.
How tightly do you hold your handlebars? If you're hanging on for grim death that could be a factor; tension in your lower arms can cause tightness in shoulders/neck as well as magnifying vibrations from the road.
I find flipping/rotating the handlebars up a bit helps. It may not suit the purists but who cares!
I second the tension thing in your lower arms are you staying in one particular position for too long?
Hmm, maybe I need to raise my handlebars? They're quite low, but I didn't think I had them in a death grip... it's definitely something to try though!
I tend to ride in the drops, even though it's much more comfortable on the hood. I just don't feel like I can reach the gears/brakes properly from a more upright position. To be fair, I've probably got terrible posture when I'm on a bike, but I just assumed that everyone does!