Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: The Solo Socialist on 04 December, 2018, 09:29:34 pm

Title: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: The Solo Socialist on 04 December, 2018, 09:29:34 pm

After 100 km neck and upper back become painful, to the point where holding my neck up has become difficult.
This after a Bike Fit!!
Advice.
I ride a Dolan FXE, fixed wheel, 25 mm tyres ( Max that will fit).
Aged 70, otherwise fit and healthy!

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: andrew_s on 04 December, 2018, 10:16:56 pm

Any abrupt change in riding position can give problems, especially if you dive straight in to longer rides without giving yourself chance to get used to it. It's best to change gradually, or as gradually as the components allow, over a few weeks (eg raise the seatpost 5 mm at a time over 4 weeks, rather than 20 mm in one go).

Also, the older you are, the longer it will take to adjust.

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 05 December, 2018, 08:15:49 am

"neck and upper back become painful, to the point where holding my neck up has become difficult."

Sounds like "Shermer's neck"

The solution is generally to strengthen the core muscles, which takes time.

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: whosatthewheel on 05 December, 2018, 08:42:14 am

Was it better before the bike fit?

I don't believe in bike fits if you have a long history of cycling... they are made for Joe Average and your body might have developed over the years to cope better with a different position from Joe average. Take someone who has never cycled, give him a bike fit and it'll be gold...

I think the only bike fit that works is "trial and error"

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: ElyDave on 05 December, 2018, 10:09:10 am

Try a recumbent, worked for me, I've been beck pain free since.

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: The Solo Socialist on 14 February, 2019, 03:16:58 pm

whosatthewheel yes Bike Fit was to sort knee problems, which it did! However first rides over around 50/60 km neck and shoulder pain started.
Saddle height and cleat position changes. Saddle lowered ,cleats moved back 3mm.

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: whosatthewheel on 14 February, 2019, 03:57:58 pm

Quote from: FixedWheel@70" on 14 February, 2019, 03:16:58 pm

whosatthewheel yes Bike Fit was to sort knee problems, which it did! However first rides over around 50/60 km neck and shoulder pain started.
Saddle height and cleat position changes. Saddle lowered ,cleats moved back 3mm.

It will probably be some time before you get used to the new position. Some off the bike core body strength work is always a good bet

Title: Re: Pain in Neck and Upper Back
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 14 February, 2019, 08:00:57 pm

One question to ask is what you were fitted for.  Most fitters seem to fit fo racing rather than audax style riding.  This will certainly put a strain on your neck