Touring - Neck Pain

Greetings all. I'm new to road biking, having ridden a mountain bicycle my entire life. My Surly Long Haul came into my LBS on Friday, and sans Saturday spent at a wedding, I've been riding it all I can.

It fits me well, rides like a dream even by my doubtful standards. But then, I've never ridden a 14.5 pound carbon fiber frame either.

Anyway, I've had acute neck tension each time I've ridden. One of the owners of my LBS showed me how I should not lock my arms when ridding, and this helps a bit. But anytime I take anything but a near upright position the neck pain kicks in, unless I just stare at my front wheel, which is boring and unsafe.

Even though I'm young, I have had problems for years with my back and neck area, so I'm fairly sure this aggrevates it even more. But since I've never had this problem on my mountain bike, I'm also sure my body is not all to blame.

What can I do to try and alleviate this tensions? Should shoulders be very relaxed, hunched a bit? What can I do with my forarms (rotating them, for instance). I've tried various positions but usually only after the tension kicks in, and by that point switching position doesn't create a noticeable difference.

Thankfully I've yet to notice any soreness in my rump, but this neck problem more than makes up for it!

I thank you advance for any advice you might give.

Ever been in a car accident ?
jarhead#42

Ever been in a car accident ?
jarhead#42

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No car accident, no. I think it was the water bed I had as a kid.

If you have a visor on your mtn bike helmet, take it off.

If you are riding a lot in the drops, don't.

If none of the above, raise your bars.

I recently went through an episode of about a year of neck pain on my road bike. My LBS did a refit, raised my bars, and I am absoultely fine!

If you have a visor on your mtn bike helmet, take it off.

If you are riding a lot in the drops, don't.

If none of the above, raise your bars.

I recently went through an episode of about a year of neck pain on my road bike. My LBS did a refit, raised my bars, and I am absoultely fine!

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One thing that worries me is that the bike was fittted by my LBS when I purchased it. I do not wear a visor, but I do probably ride in the drops a bit much. I'll ask the LBS what they think.

Thanks for your help.

It also might be your stem length - if it's too long, you end up too far forward, and have to crane your neck. It's easy to swap to a shorter stem to try it out - your LBS should do this for you for free, but even if they don't you can get a cheap stem to try it out.

How does the fit compare to your MTB. Measure from the bottom bracket, in [x,y] to the saddle nose, and to the hand position (take the hoods as std). If the position is much different from your comfortable MTB, consider changing modifying your tourer so it approximates your MTB fit.

How does the fit compare to your MTB. Measure from the bottom bracket, in [x,y] to the saddle nose, and to the hand position (take the hoods as std). If the position is much different from your comfortable MTB, consider changing modifying your tourer so it approximates your MTB fit.
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The mountain bike I sold to a friend awhile ago, but it was way too small in any regard.

Might try a different stem length, as suggested. When number crunching, the LBS recommended a 58cm frame, but after they put me on the fitting bike, said a 60cm was the way to go. (Long legs, I guess).

On another, more optimistic note after the 14 mile commute this morning my neck feels many times better. I rode in the drops less, stretched my neck more while riding. Still is a little stiff, but doing just about anything stresses my neck a bit. (As I say, I might be in my 20's but I have the body of a 90 year old sometimes). My back, which normally is fairly stressed, feels great since I've started my commute.

so why not get rid of the drops? set up the bike more like a commuter/hybrid?
if you're not racing, there's no real need for drop bars. go with flat or slightly
raised bars, and add a set of bar ends.

If you have acute neck pain, stop right there! don't ride in the drops anymore and try to maintain a more comfortable position.
The spinal colum is a very sensitive area- preventitive maintence or permanent adjustments, your choice!

Once something goes out of alignment- it's going to want to go out ALOT easier from that point on. If your neck pain persists, you could pull your vertebrae out of alignment and cause more pain.

Get yourself re-fit (your bike shop didn't necessarly do a bad job- fit is just a very personal thing and a mm or cm can make a huge difference).

Also keep in mind that if you never have ridden in a lower position, your body just hasn't felt that before and is rebelling! It takes a bit of time to develop the flexibility and musculature to do that- or it simply may not be physiologically possible for you. That is not a good or bad thing. I know racers that sit more upright with no ill effect to their performance.

There are so many variable but pain tells you it's wrong! Good luck and wishes on enjoying your new ride!