Originally Posted by
bus_ter
...At the moment I have one criticism in the comfort that I need to address in the new bike. After longer rides (30 miles+) the back of my neck starts to hurt. I find myself not using the drops and sitting up straight to relieve the discomfort. Doing this defeats the object of having a dropped aero position. Apart from the neck strain I enjoy the dropped bar aero position (my back seems fine with it).
I understand now I need a more sportive or 'plush' geometry (thanks). I keep trying to envision in my head how different frame dimensions will affect my riding position. I can see there are two main ways to get less stress in the back of my neck. Either the TT can be shorter which will move my arms closer to me, or the HT can be higher which will raise my arms. Both ways should sit me up more, but which is best for neck strain while keeping an aero position?
A few people have suggested I can get a shorter TT by having a smaller frame and extending the Seat Tube. The problem with this is the relative height of the head to the seat and I think it will make my neck problem worse.
...
the neck issue is a common problem.
and is best addressed with multiple facets to a solution.
a. bike design and your 'setup'
b. riding posture improvements
Posture - and I'm saying this not knowing how your 'posture compares'...
If you tend to ride with elbows locked and/or splayed outwards, and you ride with your shoulders hunched up near the ears; your posture is a big cause of the problem.
see these folks, all locked elbows and one gent with some serious neck issues coming on...
http://gallery.venturacountystar.com/Images/27388.jpg
We all do it. When we get tired. The key is to be aware and work towards a better, more flexible, comfortable position.
Bend and Roll elbows downward, relax the shoulders down away from ears.
try this: sit up in chair, hunch shoulders up to ears, now bend the head/neck backwards - note how far you can go, in this position.
now - relax shoulders down, bend head/neck backwards again - note how much further you can comfortably go. This works in the riding position as well.
Now look at at Cancellera here, under stress after already 100 miles into Paris-Roubaix:
http://pvbike.com/merchant/723/image...raRoubaix2.jpg
He's 6' 1", more avg proportions, rides a 56cm with a short HT, has well bent elbows , shoulders down and comfortable, and in a very good aero position for the road.
No, we're not Cancelleras, but we can all learn from the good examples of good riders.
Posture is #1
Bike/Frame - my suggestions
Find bikes which has the closest possible TT to the 56 - 56.5 cm. Find a bike with no more than 73 Deg ST angle. in a 57 or 58 cm frame size, this should be easy.
Then within that selection look at Bikes which have longer HT lengths - for race bike specs most HTs in 58cm would be 180mm to 200mm, there are plenty of great performance machines with the taller HTs 210 mm to 230mm.
Bikes like the Spec Roubaix series, the Giant OCR (or latest designation). Almost every manufacturer has a bike within those specs.
Don;t worry about Wheelbase, chainstay length, center-front, rake, BB drop. If the bike is a decent road design, all those will fall properly into place.
DO concern yourself with chainstay if you plan to tour with a rack and panniers.
The stem you get on a stock 57cm or 58cm bike will likely be quite suitable for you, if the TT length comes close.
Have someone, with some strong and noted experience, help setup your position on the bike with you - from the proper saddle position, forward.
Work on a good riding posture (a lifelong process of attention - I'm workin on yr 43 out of 62 go-rounds...)
hope this helps