Newbie with a sore neck
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Newbie with a sore neck
Postby Cosmo » Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:17 pm
I just got a Cannondale Synapse feminine road bike. Lonsdale St cycles in Canberra fitted it for me and didn't drop the bars to low as I am new to riding. I am very fit and am use to spin classes. The first 35km killed my neck and upper shoulders for two days. Once the paid subsided I did 2 short 20 min rides to my gym and back and alas sore neck again. I have a recurrent c2 neck pain which my Osteopath works on twice a year. Does anyone know if this will prevent me from riding comfortably or whether I am just breaking the body in.
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby Downhill » Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:27 pm
Hi Cosmo,
Cycling does place a strain on the neck. That doesn't mean that you can't cycle if you have neck problems. Like any sports, it pays to listen to your body (and your physio) and train within your limits.
If you're new to road bikes, it can take a little while to build up the neck muscles. Am I correct in assuming that the spin bikes leave you in more upright position?
You mentioned that your shoulders were sore after riding. It might be that you're reaching too far forwards. I had a lot of problems with neck pain too. Shortening the head set worked for me. It took the load off my wrists, arms and shoulders and transferred it to the back muscles. That made a huge difference.
Have a look at "Managing Neck Pain" thread in the "Cycling Health" forum.
Cycling does place a strain on the neck. That doesn't mean that you can't cycle if you have neck problems. Like any sports, it pays to listen to your body (and your physio) and train within your limits.
If you're new to road bikes, it can take a little while to build up the neck muscles. Am I correct in assuming that the spin bikes leave you in more upright position?
You mentioned that your shoulders were sore after riding. It might be that you're reaching too far forwards. I had a lot of problems with neck pain too. Shortening the head set worked for me. It took the load off my wrists, arms and shoulders and transferred it to the back muscles. That made a huge difference.
Have a look at "Managing Neck Pain" thread in the "Cycling Health" forum.
Today's effort = Tomorrows reward.
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2010 Oppy C6
- Hamster
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby Hamster » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:48 am
Sheldon Brown, as usual has some good advice.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
In my case neck pain always follows from having the handlebars too low.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html
In my case neck pain always follows from having the handlebars too low.
It would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest achievement of the nineteenth century.
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby G-Ride » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:10 pm
Sounds like your fore-aft position is wrong as a start point followed by your bar position. As an experiment move your saddle nearly all the way back (don't worry about your knee position etc) and try to get your bars level with your saddle. Try a few rides even if you hold the bars on the back edge so your not over reaching. If you feel the load on your neck is reduced all the better. Then try your hands a bit further forward - if it feels worse you may have to shorten your handlebar stem. If it all sort of works ride like that for a while and you can refine/lower your position as your body will let you.
Don't be afraid to get your bike shop to do this for you - tell them you want to move your centre of gravity backwards and level your bars and saddle. They may try to convince you that the knee has to be over the peddle etc etc but tell them thats what you want and you'll work with them as your position changes.
G.
Don't be afraid to get your bike shop to do this for you - tell them you want to move your centre of gravity backwards and level your bars and saddle. They may try to convince you that the knee has to be over the peddle etc etc but tell them thats what you want and you'll work with them as your position changes.
G.
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby patriciacycling4fun » Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:27 pm
I am also pretty new to cycling but found that the position of the bicycle was vital to having no pain anywhere, from saddle to the position of the cleats....
I was experiencing some pain at the back of my knee and found that the problem was I was over stretching (as my saddle was to high)
You can go to your local bicycle shop and they should be able to help you with the correct measures. Good luck
I was experiencing some pain at the back of my knee and found that the problem was I was over stretching (as my saddle was to high)
You can go to your local bicycle shop and they should be able to help you with the correct measures. Good luck
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby notwal » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:56 pm
I think neck pain is pretty typical for newbies. When I got back on the bike last year after a long lay off it was the neck pain that limited my rides.
I didn't modify my position I just persevered with it and it slowly subsided. After about 8 months I stopped noticing it. That's a long time to be uncomfortable.
In retrospect it makes more sense to get more comfortable at the start.
If you have already had a fit at the bike shop you could go back and ask for a shorter higher stem. Any cheapo thing will do. It's only temporary.
You could also get a lighter helmet. Standard mid priced helmets weigh ~300 g. The lightest Limar weighs ~180 g and there's a Giro about the same weight.
I didn't modify my position I just persevered with it and it slowly subsided. After about 8 months I stopped noticing it. That's a long time to be uncomfortable.
In retrospect it makes more sense to get more comfortable at the start.
If you have already had a fit at the bike shop you could go back and ask for a shorter higher stem. Any cheapo thing will do. It's only temporary.
You could also get a lighter helmet. Standard mid priced helmets weigh ~300 g. The lightest Limar weighs ~180 g and there's a Giro about the same weight.
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Re: Newbie with a sore neck
Postby notwal » Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:15 pm
Just noticed this thread on the cycling health forum.
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