General Cycling Discussion - Handlebar/Geometry help needed

Earlier this year, I bought this (http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2006/smoke.htm). I have found that it may not be the best choice for my particular needs. Nothing wrong with the bike, but there is something wrong with me.

I have to wear glasses. When I ride for more than 10 minutes, my shoulders starts to voice their displeasure. So, I shift to the bar-ends to make them happy. Problem, though, is that if I ride too long on the bar-ends, then my neck starts aching from keeping my head tilted back far enough so that I can see with my glasses (instead of over them).

I don't know if I need to try a simple fix like changing bars, or consider a more upright (read 'praying mantis') type of bike. Any thoughts??

Are your shoulder and neck and arms relaxed? Or are you stiff and ready for the next pothole or being cutoff or whatever.
Loosen up and enjoy the ride.

Don't look so far ahead that your glasses center on the horizon. Don't be afraid to look down once in a while to relieve your neck. And, make sure that your posture from your hips to your shoulders is nice, relaxed, and close to straight -- experience with yoga and/or stretching (or even marching band... seriously) will help.

BTW, that's a neat-looking bike.

Time to start looking for a recumbent....... Sitting back in a seat and looking pretty much straight ahead is a good thing.

Earlier this year, I bought this (http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2006/smoke.htm). I have found that it may not be the best choice for my particular needs. Nothing wrong with the bike, but there is something wrong with me.

I have to wear glasses. When I ride for more than 10 minutes, my shoulders starts to voice their displeasure. So, I shift to the bar-ends to make them happy. Problem, though, is that if I ride too long on the bar-ends, then my neck starts aching from keeping my head tilted back far enough so that I can see with my glasses (instead of over them).

I don't know if I need to try a simple fix like changing bars, or consider a more upright (read 'praying mantis') type of bike. Any thoughts??

The answer depends on what you want, but some physical conditioning and learning to relax on the bike are a likely answer.

Are you a performance oriented rider, or do you just go out for a "stroll" on your bike? How long are your rides? If you ride slow and short distances an upright position may be the answer, but usually it is a poor choice if you want to ride fast or longer distances.

How many miles have you ridden per week in the last few months? it may just be that you need more miles under your belt.

Also glasses more suited to riding may help. I went with riding sunglasses (Optic Nerve Redhawk) and prescription inserts.

Time to start looking for a recumbent....... Sitting back in a seat and looking pretty much straight ahead is a good thing.

My thoughts exactly! But, man, they ain't cheap...

FWIW, here's how my bike is set up. I avoid too much neck pain by doing what I said in my earlier post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/BarracksSi/Bike/IMG_6326JPG.jpg

Try some different handlebars. My bike is similar and I know what you mean about the neck & shoulders (and yeah, I have glasses too), although it's not to the point that I feel I need to change anything at this point. I've been thinking of trying cruiser bars, or maybe trying some extensions.

FWIW, here's how my bike is set up. I avoid too much neck pain by doing what I said in my earlier post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/BarracksSi/Bike/IMG_6326JPG.jpg

Drop bars are out of the question. Both the wife and Dr. say not a good idea. I have glaucoma, and the best part of my visual field is downward. The upper part of my visual field is gone. To give an example, I use headlights as a comparison. My vision is like a spotlight, not a floodlight. Meaning, what I can see, I see pretty well, but there is a lot that I am not seeing as well. As I sit here typing on my laptop, I can see what I'm typing in this box, but I can't see the Bike Forums banner at the top of the page unless I shift my eyes towards the top of the screen.

And, yes, the Dr. says it is ok for me to ride...

Drop bars are out of the question. Both the wife and Dr. say not a good idea. I have glaucoma, and the best part of my visual field is downward.

Oh, you didn't say anything about glaucoma -- I thought it was just your neck getting tired.

If your shoulders are hunching and your upper spine is drooping, you're going to be working harder to hold up your head because your neck will have to bend at a sharper angle.

If you're already using good posture, or if it doesn't help enough, then definitely look for different handlebars. I'd also say to get some glasses that sit higher on your face with a raised optical center (firearms enthusiasts know about this), but changing glasses just for riding could be a bother, and I don't know how effective they would be for your glaucoma.

Try an Origin 8 space bar. It is the same bend as the On One Mary bar, except much cheaper. It will have more rise and sweep than your stock bar and should be easier on your wrist, shoulders and neck. You won't be able to use bar ends on it, but I haven't needed them since I first tried that bar.

You need some snooker player's upside down glasses:

http://www.nci-management.com/clients/photos/dennistaylor.jpg

Drop bars are out of the question. Both the wife and Dr. say not a good idea. I have glaucoma, and the best part of my visual field is downward.
I would say that was misguided advice. The style of bar has nothing to do with the height of the bar. I like drop bars low, but they can be mounted high and still offer more/better hand positions than flat bars even with bar ends. No need to change to drop bars if you like the flat ones, but also no reason to avoid drops just because you want a more upright position.

I've decided that I will try Nashbar's Trekking bar. Should be an inexpensive mod to my current bike, and allow for more hand positions while remaining somewhat upright.

Anyone know what else I should get when I place my order?

Do a search for Northroad, Swallow, Albatross and Mustache bars. Has been discussed a lot, especally in this and the Utility forum. Best hand positions, more upright. Also alot easyer / cheaper change than dropbars,

I've decided that I will try Nashbar's Trekking bar. Should be an inexpensive mod to my current bike, and allow for more hand positions while remaining somewhat upright.

Anyone know what else I should get when I place my order?

You might want try an adjustable stem to get the best fit with a trekking bar. And you'lll probably want some bar tape/wrap.

With the bar mounted in the usual fashion your cables will probably be long enough, but if you want the open side on top your cables may be too short.