I have already read tons of thoughts on this but thought I would try to get a better idea based on my specific case. I bought a bike at the weekend. This is the first bike I have had for about 15 yrs so its safe to say I'm a beginner! So far I have completed a 7 mile ride followed by a 6 mile ride the day after. Even on these short rides I'm getting what I would describe as tension pain in my neck/shoulders (feels knotted at the typical massage point like after a tough day at work!). Would general opinion be that this is down to getting used to the bike and being on it or due to positioning. If its positioning, what adjustments would be most likely to ease this?
New Bike, sore shoulders
- Thread starter gillian
- Start date
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Gravity Aided
Legendary Member
- Location
- Land of Lincoln
First, try some cycling specific stretches, and give things a week. You may also experiment with setting your handlebars higher. Starting off with a 6 and 7 mile ride right off may be the root of the problem, as some people have bum pain when first starting cycling. I'm not saying that is wrong, I'm saying it is putting stress on parts of your body that have not adapted to this form of exercise quite yet. Give it a little more time, and these things may work themselves out. If not, try stretches, followed by handlebar adjustment. If that doesn't work, you might check your fit on the bicycle, or have a proper fitting done, if you have not done so already.
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Yep all of the above, but I would advise to try a keep your upper body relaxed . and move positions around the handle bars.
Shortmember
Bickerton Cyclocross Racing Team groupie
I experienced the same symptoms due, I think, to leaning too far forward,so I fitted a steering tube extender which gave me a more upright riding position and alleviated the neck and wrist ache.
Sully
Über Member
- Location
- Nottingham
Time in the saddle 
i had this problem until recently when i had a full retul fit
i set-up my bike with the bars has high as possible with a 90mm stem - back angle at 57degrees
after the fitting, my stem was slammed by 35mm and the stem length was 130mm, seems my upper body was to hunched up over the bars causing neck and shoulder pain.....back angle now 47degrees and a lot more comfortable
new positions is a lot better and was well worth the £220 i paid altogether for fitting and new parts
i set-up my bike with the bars has high as possible with a 90mm stem - back angle at 57degrees
after the fitting, my stem was slammed by 35mm and the stem length was 130mm, seems my upper body was to hunched up over the bars causing neck and shoulder pain.....back angle now 47degrees and a lot more comfortable
new positions is a lot better and was well worth the £220 i paid altogether for fitting and new parts
Easytigers
Guru
I would say that you just need more time in the saddle...if it lasts more than a couple weeks then look at the fit :-)
Cheers folks, tried a few things today based on points I had read over the past couple of days. I attached a bottle cage so I wasn't carrying my water in my rucksack. I also tried to think about my position whilst riding I.e. shoulders not hunched up to ears! I moved around more and tried to stretch a bit, got off the bike more regularly and tried to relax and not hold on for dear life!! The result - 20 miles relatively pain free so I'm thinking I just need to get used to the bike. I'm happy with that having only been cycling for 5 days!
Mattonsea
Über Member
- Location
- New Forest
Well done
There was a lot of info to digest but you will instinctively know what is right for you with more miles.
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
Firstly, that's a good distance for your first rides, I only got 2 miles!
I had the same sore shoulders and neck, it turns out I was doing the hunched shoulders thing too, but also locking my arms straight. This caused any shocks from the handlebars to go to the neck and shoulder area and making them fatigue.
If you are not already, try keeping a slight bend in your arms so your shoulders don't get jarred so much. Be aware that bending your arms means you will be supporting more weight with your core, so be ready to feel like you have done a good abs session for a few rides until you get used to it.
I still sometimes lock my arms out, but I use the onset of any soreness as a reminder to bend the elbows.
Good luck!
I had the same sore shoulders and neck, it turns out I was doing the hunched shoulders thing too, but also locking my arms straight. This caused any shocks from the handlebars to go to the neck and shoulder area and making them fatigue.
If you are not already, try keeping a slight bend in your arms so your shoulders don't get jarred so much. Be aware that bending your arms means you will be supporting more weight with your core, so be ready to feel like you have done a good abs session for a few rides until you get used to it.
I still sometimes lock my arms out, but I use the onset of any soreness as a reminder to bend the elbows.
Good luck!
