Fifty Plus (50+) - Neck pain--helmet?.....

Lately, I've been developing a stiff, painful neck after even 15-20 miles of road riding. I'm using an old mtn.bike helmet with the visor removed. Are "road" helmets cut any higher in the front portion so my neck would be at a lesser angle? BTW--the bike fit is fine, and stem rise fits well, so would rather not go with a higher rise stem unless it's a last resort.

Are you simply having to move you head up more because of a lower "road" handlebar position than you are used to. If so, then the pain may go away after a few more rides or you will get used to rolling the eyes up more so as not to move the head as much. The latter can be a problem for some of us with glasses.

The MTB helmet should not be the cause of your problem.

Thx, you know, I never thought about glasses making me keep my head up higher (I do wear glasses). Guess it could also be from a few endo's on the mtn.bike (not that I endo that often-just about every other time I try a log crossing!)

I have the same problem, I lowered my bars so much I had to look over my glasses. That didn't work to well so I raised the bars again.

I had variable focus lenses and there was no "sweet spot" near the top of the lens. I changed back to normal bifocals and no longer have to tilt my head up as far to see. My neck likes that.

A year after going to the dark side and no back pain- no neck pain and no pain. Can't say how long it took- but it quietly crept up on me that the body had adjusted.

As to helmet- I still use my MTB helmet but This is a MET helmet and they are very light- In fact it was the lightness along with the fit that sold it to me. I have just bought a Rudy Project helmet and it almost as light as the MET- is just as comfortable and After checking- The profile is almost the same.

IMO, MTB helmets can cause neck pain on longer road rides. Borrow a standard road helmet for a few rides and see if it makes a difference.

My neck gets stiff on my road bike, especially when I don't relax my shoulders and keep my neck extended. Bunching up the shoulders accelerates the problem. Try keeping your shoulders "down" and your neck out, like a turtle.