Handlebar Height/Pinched Nerve
 

Is it possible that my handlebars were to high on my bike? Let me give a little background.... Recently on a week long short tour I began experiencing some tightness/pinched nerve in the back of my neck. I recently got home and looked at my other road bike and noticed that on my LHT the bikes handlebars were considerably higher in comparison to the seat than when I did the same comparison on my road bike.

I made a few adjustments (lowered handlebars)and it seems to feel better, but I haven't got to get out and do a real long ride and test it. The issue becomes that I leave for RAGBRAI tomorrow afternoon and won't really get a chance to really test it. Of course I will bring tools to make any changes but I was hoping to see if anyone has heard of or experienced a similar situation. I know that geometry is such a touchy thing and it's often small tweaks, but I thought I'd first ask.... Am I completely off base here?


Thanks guys

usually lower handlebars will give you that problem.

but since you have other bikes that are already setup for you, just try and mimic them as best as possible.

Agree, in addition check the "reach" between bikes. Even if the bars are higher do they put in in a more stretched out position? Is the frame or stem on the LHT much larger?

Just be careful as if you tweak that area it can be quite painful and slow to heal.

Curious to see how it all works. I went ahead and did mimic my Jamis, the only other question I ask myself is if maybe the reach is different and I've all together lost my mind by trying to lower my handlebars. ......

I see as I looked at the geometry that my top tube is a half an inch longer on my LHT. As I match up my bar height with the Jamis and now compare the longer top tube, does anyone have any experience on the longer top tube? Will this make a considerable difference ?

Very often, a 'crik' in the neck is caused by riding with your shoulders hunched from riding stiff-armed. i've found that riding 'long', more stretched out with my elbows bent, solved my problems.

If you haven't already tried it, move the saddle back, and down a bit. This allows you to shift your center of gravity rearward, off of your hands and shoulders, and stretch out the back, straightening the line between hips and base of skull.