Neck Pain, is saddle too far back for me?

[PenttitheFinn]

Having returned to road cycling recently, having suffered an off road accident in 2003 which left me with restricted neck movement (loads of physio etc), I felt all was well again, so bought a new bike. But having spent quite a few rides sorting out my new saddle (Fizik Aliante VSX) to alleviate pain in the perineum, the stiffness and pain in my neck is now holding me back from longer distance rides. I have just moved the saddle forward 6mm. Is this the right move and how far forward can I go ? I am quite inflexible and have had a lifetime of soft tissue back injuries. TIA

 

[mjr]

Can you ask to be referred to a physio, preferably a sports one? We'll just be guessing. If you'd like guesses, www.SheldonBrown.com/pain.html#neck

have just moved the saddle forward 6mm. Is this the right move and how far forward can I go ?

It'll take some weight off your hands but could mean your knees and backside end up in the wrong place

 

[Racing roadkill]

Having returned to road cycling recently, having suffered an off road accident in 2003 which left me with restricted neck movement (loads of physio etc), I felt all was well again, so bought a new bike. But having spent quite a few rides sorting out my new saddle (Fizik Aliante VSX) to alleviate pain in the perineum, the stiffness and pain in my neck is now holding me back from longer distance rides. I have just moved the saddle forward 6mm. Is this the right move and how far forward can I go ? I am quite inflexible and have had a lifetime of soft tissue back injuries. TIA

Pay for a decent bike fitting. Lots of places do them. It's well worth the money, and it should sort out any discomfort caused by bad bio mechanical fit / alignment.

 

[screenman]

Do you wear glasses?

I would go bike fit, or at least let some of the experts on here see a side on picture of you on the bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Can you ask to be referred to a physio, preferably a sports one? We'll just be guessing. If you'd like guesses, www.SheldonBrown.com/pain.html#neck


It'll take some weight off your hands but could mean your knees and backside end up in the wrong place

No it will put more weight on your hands if you leave the bars where they are.

Your saddle position should relate to efficient pedalling and then you move/raise the bars to make you comfortable. Here is a good read if you ignore the guff at the beginning about crank length.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
I suspect higher bars and a less stretched position (by moving the bars not necessarily the saddle) might be the answer.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

Thanks for the answers guys.
Yes I do wear glasses, and yes the frame is too low making me crane my neck virtually to the limit, but even without it is a strain.
I appreciate the process of a bike fit, but does that take into account my lack of flexibility, and previous injuries?
When the bike was setup for me using height reach etc, I knew I would have to change it as I have had to on previous bikes, but the saddle it came with didn't suit me at all, so having changed it and the pain in the perineum is almost gone it's just my neck.

 

[Scoosh]

You need to venture to the Dark Side ...

- very good for shoulder/ neck/ wrist etc stiffness and injuries.

 

[Gert Lush]

Thanks for the answers guys.
I appreciate the process of a bike fit, but does that take into account my lack of flexibility, and previous injuries?

Mine did. We spoke about any injuries I'd had, which were none, but my dad had a bike fit in the same place and he had been getting pain from where he broke his arm which they took into account. They also made me do stretches to assess my flexibility and took that into account before adjusting the saddle etc.

 

[Sharky]

How recent is your recent return and how far can you ride without pain?
My experience after my fall (broken collar bone (s), ribs, whiplash etc.) made me raise the bars a bit, fitted a handlebar mirror to avoid turning round too much. I found the longer rides at first increasingly uncomfortable on the neck, but now rarely go for more than a couple of hours. Still get a little pain after 8 years on a longish ride, but the adjustments made to the bike have all gone back to their original settings.
Maybe just keep within the pain threshold and just increase gradually?
Good luck
Keith

 

[PenttitheFinn]

No it will put more weight on your hands if you leave the bars where they are.

Your saddle position should relate to efficient pedalling and then you move/raise the bars to make you comfortable. Here is a good read if you ignore the guff at the beginning about crank length.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
I suspect higher bars and a less stretched position (by moving the bars not necessarily the saddle) might be the answer.

A very good article, which is confirming that I am doing the right thing by changing things slightly. I also changed the seat angle to nose up first, as some suggest and it was worse, so I guess I have just got to do the miles and experiment.

 

[vickster]

What bike is it?

 

[PenttitheFinn]

I have only been back on the bike for 3 weeks, with 3 rides a week between 10 and 20 miles, after a break of 12 years. I am doing a few stretches before and after a ride and I know the benefit, having had a year of physio on a hip problem, caused by a back injury. The pain in my neck stops as soon as I stand upright but the stiffness remains. As I said I am very inflexible so maybe I just need to put in the miles.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

What bike is it?

Specialized Roubaix SL4 as I wanted a comfortable bike on rough country roads.

 

[vickster]

Can you raise the front end, flip the stem? Are the bars the right width and the stem the right length and rake?

In your shoes, I'd see a cycling Physio, get a bike assessment

 

[PenttitheFinn]

Can you raise the front end, flip the stem? Are the bars the right width and the stem the right length and rake?

In your shoes, I'd see a cycling Physio, get a bike assessment

Yes the stem can be flipped, and my arms and hands seem fine. Given the advice of getting a bike fit, I think I will keep my rides down to the same 10 to 20 miles, get my leg strength up, carry on with the stretching, tweak the saddle position and then have a bike fit.
Thanks again