jcb3

Hi folks,

Another bike sizing thread - I picked up this Trek 520 22.5" on CL have the handlebars 2" below the seat (max I can raise the handlebars) I probably should be into the 24.

Been hard back on it for about a month and a half - riding around 60 miles over the weekend (20 each fri, sat, sun). All is comfortable (seat, arms, hands), except neck pain. Looking through all the advice, seems I'm good on the fit otherwise (leg bend, knee over pedal, nose over handlebar, slightly bent arms). I'm 6'2, 230.

My health club guy got me away from bending my neck backwards to stretch it (makes it worse - doh!) - also I'm trying the exaggerated straight back.

Any thoughts - I'm starting to obsess on raising the handlebars - or tough it out - all will settle in time?

Below's a couple shots of the Trek, with and with me

Thanks

Joe

bicyclridr4life

Does not look to me like your holding your head back (stretching your neck back). Do you feel cramped on the bike?

bikemig 

Two inches below the seat is more aero but it can lead to neck soreness and this sort of problem does not get better with age. I'd get a taller stem so that you can run it at the same level as the saddle. Nitto makes great quill stems including some which are a taller than a conventional stem (to raise it two inches, you may have to get a nitto technomic). Also velo orange sells some taller stems.

Btw, that bike looks too small for you. You want to figure out what size bike you need before swapping out the stem. A larger bike will help you stretch out more; you look like you're pretty much sitting upright.

wphamilton

I don't know how much you'd been riding before a month and a half ago, but I do know that at first the issue can be flexibility and neck strength and it's mainly a matter of enough time on the bike to condition those muscles. Also, sometimes, I found that tensing my shoulders up as the rides got longer led to neck soreness, as did holding my head too long in the same position. Moving around and consciously relaxing alleviated that to some degree.

If that's the case with you, changing the bike or stem isn't going to help, not with the neck anyway.

jcb3

Thanks for the quick replies - I don't feel cramped on the bike and overall it feels and rides great, except for the neck.

And this has pretty much been the position I've trying to achieve (with the straight back) so the stretching the neck back does not appear to be too bad.

I do have to agree that the photo looks a bit ridiculous (ok, maybe more than a bit).

I have a 60cm Centurion which fits better - maybe I should spend spend some time riding that, and see if things are better.

The lowest gear on the Centurion is a 42x28, so I need to limit my rides - (and unfortunately a 144 bdc front crank)

Joe

Jinkster

I was going to offer you the stock adjustable angle 125mm stem I just replaced on my Giant for a shorter one but it appears you have a different type of steering head than mine//Edit begins here...but on 2nd thought?...I hafta agree with others here...that bike is just straight up too small for you and doesn't have near enough "Reach" to allow you to stretch out into a comfy position so you can relax the neck...maybe sell, trade or swap it out?

I think anything else would be an exercise in futility if not down right dangerous.

bikemig 

Here is the solution for that centurion:

Sugino XD Swiss Cross(48-34t) Double Crankset

or here,

Grand Cru 50.4 BCD Crankset MK II - Cranksets - Components

osco53

That bike is too small for you..

I'm 5' 11" tall and my old road bike was a 24.

You also most likely need stronger upper chest muscles.
Those take some training to hit.
for instance,
On your back on the floor, 10 lbs to start in each hand, move up as needed,, 20 to 25 should be your sweet spot.
elbows on the ground, just below level with the shoulders,
say elbows about nipple height,
forearms straight up, 12 o'clock,,,,,,,,,,,

Here is the biggie to hit the upper most chest :
When you bring the weights together they should touch above your belly button or belt line...

NO point of failure reps ever ! start with a dirty dozen,, max at 14 reps,,add weight as needed.

Your neck hurts because it is not supported from the front, leaving the back neck muscles, these are tiny, and upper shoulders
to hold your 14 pound bowling ball of a head up.....

jcb3

The point that I'm sitting too straight up would infer that a larger frame wouldn't help with the neck issue - although it would allow a higher stem.

jcb3

Thanks for the ideas on the cranks - however the Centurion cost $50, so a $150 new crank is not in the plan - also, the Centurion has anodized chainrings to match the other components. - I'm looking at a 34 rear for it - that should get me most of the way on most of hills around here. Plus I'll keep my eye out for sugino cranks on CL

osco53

Your body is too cramped, closed in.

jcb3

Ok, so I'll forget the stem and move onto getting a larger frame - I really appreciate the consistent advice that the bike is way too small.

Joe

jcb3

Did 20 miles today and noticed that I was scrunching my shoulders - trying to achieve straight back and also holding onto the bars too tight -

When I relaxed the shoulders/neck (allowed them to sag) - feeling immediately improved!

Clearly neck pain was largely technique related.

So Thank You wphamilton for the sage advice!

And thanks to the rest of you for all the help and advice (off to look for a larger frame!)

fastcarbon

I went thru the neck problem for years and was always in pain. My road bikes were 58's and I am 6 feet 1 inch tall. even with the tallest stems on racing frames my seat was 4 inches above the bars. I finally bought a Trek Domane in 60 cm with an extremely tall head tube. Even with an elevated stem my seat height is just even with bar height. My neck pain during rides is gone. I no longer have to strain the neck to see straight ahead. I do wear trifocals which did aggravate the problem.

jcb3

Hmmmm.... A new bike???

now that's a great thought!

osco53

It worked for me, "Honey, my neck hurts and the local guru said my bike Is too small, puuuleeeaaassse may I get a new bike ?"

Just remember to figure with the bike cost the added she will spend,,,you get a new toy, she gets a new toy

CrankyFranky

Interesting - but I can't visualize the exercise you describe. Is there a close equivalent on YouTube perhaps?

My upper body needs work, and though I have some cervical disc degeneration, some strengthening might relieve my growing neck issues.

ofgit

A longer/taller stem and maybe longer reach bar would help. The picture shows (IMO) too great a head up angle to maintain. A more stretched out position would work against that head up angle.

Timtruro

I agree that the bike is too small for you, but I'm not sure a larger size will help correct the neck issue. I try to rest the neck by bending my neck forward and looking down at the road (as safety permits) periodically. That, and riding more help strengthen the neck and the resting, head down position gives much needed rest on longer rides. My neck hurts and gets sore earlier in the season, takes a month or so to strengthen each year.

jcb3

Took out the MT bike today - 24" vs 22.5 frame, 33 vs 35 standover, Handlebars same height as seat, Seat tube to handlebar 29 vs 25, and relaxing the shoulders - no pain at 15 mi - here's before and after
Thanks for all the advise!

KDC19561954

I think your bike is way to small of a frame for you.

osco53

cervical disc degeneration, that's me

Simplified,
On the floor on your back,
A weight in each outstretched hand on the floor,
Keep your elbows on the floor and raise the weights up till your forearms are vertical .

Now the normal chest workout would be to just bring the weights together arcing up and touching over your neck..

Bring them up and touch together over your belly button....... or lower If you dare ! Caution here, It will feel real good, addictive.....

osco53

how Bout Dis ?

jcb3

KDC...

Do you think the Mt Bike (on the right) is too small as well?

Standover clearance is nil - and there is 5 more inches from the seat post to handlebars than the Trek

Agree with osco53 that on a drop bar, I should be stretched out a bit more - same idea on the Mt bike?

Although I should say these are static in the garage, when riding I'm lower with the elbows flexed like the guy osco53 posted

Thx

Zinger

My stem has crept up to seat height with age on my drop bar road bikes. I'm using Nitto Technomic quill stems. Another reason is that it's harder to keep my head up with eyes on the road on descents while tucking in and ducking down to the stem which I do a lot of.

Not as aerodynamic but I probably make up for it some by spending about half or more of my time on the drops which I probably wouldn't do as much anymore with a lower stem.