Neck Pain, is saddle too far back for me?

[cyberknight]

I used to get neck pain on long rides, i had a to longer a stem on and now i have one 20 mm shorter ,no neck pain .

 

[fossyant]

The biggest issue with getting back on a bike, it getting used to the position. I had bikes that were a perfect fit, but having had a few years working too far away to ride, then getting back they hurt. I resisted changing anything, and the more regular I cycled, it all came back, and was happy on a bike all day.

I'm going to have that same issue soon having had a broken back - the worry is I won't be able to get in the position to ride my road bikes - fairly long, low and stretched.. Not a chance at present.

 

[Kajjal]

For bike fit the saddle position is about getting the legs in the right position not to adjust reach to the bars. The first easy change to try as mentioned before is to flip the stem up right, this increases bar height and reduces reach. Your bike should fit you not the other way round. Also you can try moving the spacers. Most people have the bars anything from level with the saddle to an inch or so below.

 

[Sharky]

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.

I doubt if your position is too far out, but after a break of 12 years its going to take a little while to build up to the distances you want to do. Give yourself two to three months of gradual progression before you start over thinking solutions.

Cheers Keith

 

[ayceejay]

It is possible that the bike is not the cause, maybe your posture throughout the day is the problem look at the skeleton here

if this is you and you have the same posture on your bike you will get neck pain guaranteed.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

It is possible that the bike is not the cause, maybe your posture throughout the day is the problem look at the skeleton here
View attachment 121114
if this is you and you have the same posture on your bike you will get neck pain guaranteed.

After a lifetime of being fairly mobile at work, my last 9 months was mostly sitting. Thankfully I saw the light and jacked it in, as I am already in receipt of a pension.
I have had many years of back problems/injuries, so if I have to sit I am quite careful to sit correctly, but I am still not sure if I have the flexibility to get my back into the best position.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

For bike fit the saddle position is about getting the legs in the right position not to adjust reach to the bars. The first easy change to try as mentioned before is to flip the stem up right, this increases bar height and reduces reach. Your bike should fit you not the other way round. Also you can try moving the spacers. Most people have the bars anything from level with the saddle to an inch or so below.

Having looked at a few sites it seems as though the experts can't agree of whether you should have a curved or sway back, but it's comfort I need first not performance, so your suggestion will be one of the next things I try, this will take the bars slightly above the seat.

 

[Kajjal]

Having looked at a few sites it seems as though the experts can't agree of whether you should have a curved or sway back, but it's comfort I need first not performance, so your suggestion will be one of the next things I try, this will take the bars slightly above the seat.

Its whatever works best for you, keep it simple and make gradual changes over time so you can see the effect. After a while you get a feel for the effect each adjustment has. My new bike only took about three attempts to get the setup spot on for me.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

Up-date: After putting the seat forward, todays ride was a little bit better, but I did make a point of moving my head up and down, and looking left and right, every few minutes.