Just moved from MTB to Road - is pain between the shoulders natural at first ?

[mikeyw]

Guys,

Been trying out my new Trek 1.2 and was amazed the difference over my Trek 4700 MTB, however the riding position feels a bit Alien been so low down but i guess i'll soon adapt.

However I noticed I was getting quite a bit of pain between my shoulder blades riding on the drops....is this natural at first ?

I'm going out for a longer ride tomorrow so will be interesting to see if the pain reamins.

Also should the leg be fully extended on the pedal stroke at the bottom ? - the bike shop set the bike up for me but I reckon the seat could be slightly higher to get a near full extension of the leg at the bottom.

TIA,
Mike.

 

[Tynan]

slight bend in the knee is right

rough guide is a straight leg when you have your heel over the axle rather than the ball

 

[mikeyw]

Thanks - and the shoulder pain ?

 

[jimboalee]

Yup, your Traps were not worked hard on an MTB. They will build in time.
Give it another day before going out again.
Get someone to massage the nodules out of your Trapazoidals.

 

[RedBike]

The pain between the sholders isn't common. However, a few aches and pains are to be expected with such a big change in position.

Unless you're a contortionist nobody finds the drops comfortable for long periods of time.

 

[mikeyw]

Thanks guys - i expect the default riding position is on the brake / shifters for most of the time.

 

[gbb]

I found it a little uncomfortable inbetween the shouders mikey, it passes.
Some of its probaby caused by not relaxing..try to relax.
I found the same when i went to cleats as well. My toes were bunching up...i just needed to relax.

 

[mr Mag00]

it is as stated all to do with the Trapazoidals. a result of a more upright riding postition on an mtb and in the road position bending the neck to look forward. do plenty of stretching on the neck muscles and try to keep it warm too

 

[Euan Uzami]

vary the riding position lots.

 

[mikeyw]

it is as stated all to do with the Trapazoidals. a result of a more upright riding postition on an mtb and in the road position bending the neck to look forward. do plenty of stretching on the neck muscles and try to keep it warm too

That's it ! - just remembered pain was at it's worst trying to look forward when on the drops....not recommended for any length of time unless you've a rubber neck ......guess some good stretching is the only way to ease it and strengtening those muscles

 

[Tynan]

you get used to it, I ride in drops for nearly all of my 50 min commute, the head up feels like it should be akward but I find it actually relaxes my rather tricksy bad neck/shoulders

hoods are good too though

 

[stevevw]

My neck and back are fine after the switch to road bike, it is my ribs that feel like I have had a good kicking. Probably is what I will get when the wife finds out how much this cycling lark is costing.

 

[Steve Austin]

A lot of MTBers when switching to roadbikes, continue to wrestle with the bars. You don't need to on a roadbike. This still causes me shoulder pain every now and then, when i find myself using the deathgrip on my bars. Relax a bit and the shoulder pain will go.