mjoekingz28

Hey, just got a Trek 1200. Yesterday I rode it about 20 miles and toward the end I was about gone.

First, I got the seat situated where my legs are almost fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. What bothered me that is still hurting today is my neck. How can you look ahead to be safe in traffic and not cramp your neck? I would look down sometimes and it felt good, but I couldnt see up ahead. Also, I placed my hands on the top of the handlebar for an upright riding position and it still hurt my neck.

Also, the area between my sack and anus was really hurting bad but recovered to normal in just a matter of minutes after being off the bike. My 'sit bones' didnt really give me much trouble. I did lower the tilt of my seat 3 clicks (thinking it would help) but haven't been back on since. The seat was pretty comfortable besides what I just said and isnt hard like a plank but kind of mooshy, meaning I can press my thumb into it and it will depress probably all the way.

Any help, besides these two discomforts I had an excellent first day. If I could somehow eliminate them I could really get into this sport.

kuan

Raise the handlebars a bit. First you can loosen the clamp and tilt it up a bit until the area behind the hoods are level. If that doesn't help then you could search for a different stem. Shorter with more of a rise.

ericm979

If you have a visor on your helmet, remove it. The visor makes you tip your head back farther to see.

You need good cycling shorts, and a saddle that isn't squishy. A squishy saddle means that your weight is supported by your perineum instead of your sit bones. That's not good as you discovered.
Tipping the saddle down is a bad idea, that just means that you'll constantly be sliding forward and having to push back.

gfactor

Chamois cream

tallmantim

Congrats on getting going - advice here is good, listen to what makes sense but get back on the bike.

Neck strength will improve, as will your ability to deal with issues around your goulies.

Keep riding 20-30 mile trips until you are comfortable with both the bike and your experience on it and then look to push out the distance a bit.

Once you have the fit right and your body is more used to it you will enjoy the riding a lot more.

All the best.

Boogs

the neck is what always gets me if I take a much longer ride than I am used to. it'll get better! just increase your time on the saddle slowly and you'll get there.

numbness/discomfort in the groin area is absolutely the crucial thing to solve as it can lead to ED. keep playing with saddle position, and try a new saddle if things don't get better. everyone's anatomy is different, and it took some finessing to get this right for me.

mjoekingz28

thanks, its good to know I can adjust the handlebar (even if its just angle and not heighth) because the grip doesnt exactly line up with the fall of my arms. I have to kind of 'get under it' to get a good grip and be able to get at the brake levers.

Oh, another one. I experimented alot with different grips and I found one I liked, but thought it might tear up the bike. When sitting more upright, instead of resting on the top of the bars, I would face my thumbs inward and rest on the brake lever cover. It was quite comfortable and I could reach the levers with my fingers. I just am not sure if this would cause the brake lever cover to break off and cause me to lose control.

Funny you mention the sit bones, because I was expected pain and chafing in that area, and barely got any. I guess thats the plus side of a cushy saddle, but is nowhere near worth it for the pain it caused me in the perineum, Man, I thought I would never be able to function again.

I wasn't wearing a helmet, but when I get one I will make sure the visor or any other parts wont hinder my forward vision any further. Also, I will make a few blocks with my seat like that and if Im slipping down, a new seat will be in order. Its worth a shot to see if it ails my pain, because if it does Its one less thing to purchase and its a comfy seat for some parts.