goo_mason said:
My switch to a road bike (only on week two now) has resulted in slight back pain and sore hands from riding on the hoods, but it's been lessening as the days go on and I adjust. I think you'll toughen up, though it might be worth looking at saddle and bar heights, and reach distance between saddle and bars.
Someone with proper set-up experience will be along soon to explain, I expect !
I doubt I'm that person, but...
My own experience suggests that the key is small adjustments - I spent a week getting my seat height more or less where it was "right". Regarding sore hands, a good quality mitt like the Specialized Body Geometry Comp may help (as will changing hand position - I don't like riding on the hoods much, but do find that road vibration there seems worse than in the bend of the drops). Some adjustments are counter intuitive - lowering my bar height relative to saddle height sorted out the sore back I was suffering with - this seems wrong, but allows me to ride with a straighter back, hence less pain (for me).
Try and think what riding position is giving you pain, and then try and sit so the position feels less stressful - then alter the setup of the bike so you can stay in that position while riding.
