Road Cycling - New Bike: Neck/Back Problems?

I recently purchased a new road bike and after trying it extensively for the first time (I used to have a mountain bike), I found that my neck is quite sore.

Is this common, and will I get used to it?

Or should I seek a better fit of bicycle (smaller, maybe)?

I'm confused as to how hunched over one should be. I keep hearing different opinions on this.

There is no "right" amount of "hunch over."

Whatever is comfortable for you, unless you are into something specialized such as racing.

I think some sort of neck pain is quite likely, since you used it "extensively" which I take to mean a pretty long ride??

Anytime you stress your body in new directions, your muscles will react. Generally it is best to ease into any new stresses on your body.

Were you fitted for the bike by a good fitter? If not, that is pretty important.

I would give it a couple of weeks max, easing into the new position. If it does not get better, I would go to a good LBS fitter and discuss it with them. Perhpas your bars need raising?

Do you vary your position on the bars? I have found 4 different positions, bars, hoods, drops and a modified hood where the hands are back just a bit.

I see only a handful of folks who ride in the drops for any length of time. Most folks I see ride the bars mostly and then the hoods. If you are trying to ride the drops all the time, that could be a strain, especially at first.

I agree with D.F.

Give it time to adapt to the new cycle position. When I first rode my new road bike last year, after many years of A.t.b cycling, my neck muscles were giving me "gip" but after a few rides and persivering it soon recovered, Just try and relax when you go for a ride, if like me you are tending to "tense up" as you become aquainted with your new ride....

This may seem like an obvious dumb thing, but if you have a visor on your helmet, take it off.

Was any thought given to the height of the handlebars relative to the height of the saddle when the bike was set up for you? How was this setting determined? There is only one valid criterion for it, and it's not the bike shop's opinion of whal looks cool or the manufacturer's arbitrary selection of steerer height and stem rise.

It's your comfort. If the bars are too low, go back to the shop and have them swap in a stem with more rise. This should be free of charge. See if that helps. Later on when you've become more accustomed to the position or you feel ready to try a more aggressive posture, you can try lowering the bars again.

How low are your bars relative to the saddle now?

RichC

Also note that most bike shops have the handlebars adjusted too low.

So when you put your hands on the hoods your really leaned over. Take a look at the Giro and see how high most of the riders have the hoods, I had to raise mine quite a bit to be comfortable.

That being said there will be some adjustment period getting used to any new position. Including riding. I also ride a motorcycle, I went from a BMW to a triumph sport bike, the bmw was very relaxed almost upright, going to the triumph I had to hold my head up higher to see down the road. So I started with short trips of 20-30 minutes, increase gradually,

Now 300-400 miles per day is no biggy. My neck will be a little tired at the end of the day, but by the next morning I"m good to go.

So if you get so much pain soreness that it lasts over 1-2 days, you definately need to change something, if it's a matter of just getting used to it, I would wait and see what happens when you get more time in the saddle!!!

You can't go by looking at the pro racers bikes. I think everyone here is giving good advice but the pros have extreme drops to the bars.
Like msparks says, the hoods are high on the bars but the bar itself is very low compared to the saddle. This has to do with many years in the saddle, so someone used to a more upright position needs a bit of time to work into a position that puts weight on the neck, shoulders and lower back.

I think the drop from my saddle to the bars is about 4.5" but some people have it higher or almost level with the seat... it depends on your flexibility, comfort and just how your body is put together.

Anyway, the transfer from mountain to road takes some time but no, you shouldn't be feeling soreness in the neck unless you have been riding for many hours in this unfamiliar (for you) position. I think seeking some adjustments is the best advice as Rich Clark and Dnvrfox have suggested.
Good Luck

Check your saddle adjustment as well. Moving it forwards or back may help put more of your weight on the saddle so your not supporting your upper body weight with your arms, shoulders and back. All of which can strain your neck as well.

It seems I am always adjusting something to make the ride more comfortable. Longer rides usually bring to light some other ill-fitting part. Eventually I'll get it right. But there is no point in riding if it is going to hurt anything but the muscles you are using to ride. Comfort rules!! Oh, and don't forget to stretch you neck, back, and shoulders before and after you ride.

Hope this helps,

ehenz

MSParks - 300 to 400 miles per day?? I'm impressed as would be Armstrong, LeMond, etc.. That's one long day under any conditions.

Originally posted by HOG-I
MSParks - 300 to 400 miles per day?? I'm impressed as would be Armstrong, LeMond, etc.. That's one long day under any conditions.

As speaking of: I went from a BMW to a triumph sport bike,

LOL, definately not on a bicycle.