I was looking for feedback on bike fit which seems to be a popular topic here. I have been experiencing severe neck pain when riding in the aero position on my tri-bike. It is a Pinarello Crono with Deda Aeroblue aerobars, effective seat angle is 78 degrees. The fit was done quite meticulously, in several sessions, but all of it was done on an indoor trainer. I can ride this bike very nicely, as long as I stay on trainer. For instance, my power output on this bike using my computrainer is essentially identical to my road bike, despite riding lower and farther forward. The hook is that when I actually ride this bike outdoors, my neck begins to hurt more and more until I can’t ride in the aerobars anymore. I believe this is because I actually have to look forward more when riding outside, whereas I can look straight down at the floor on the trainer. I went into another LBS, which is FIST certified on Friday and after looking things over, he suggested changing aerobars to ones that ride higher (the rise from the Deda’s is quite low), to reduce the strain on my neck. This seems very reasonable to me and we’re going to experiment with some set-ups on Monday.
Any thoughts and experience with this problem would be appreciated.
FYI, my neck is fine when I’m not riding the bike, so I don’t think this is any particular problem with my anatomy.
I would try and see if you can’t raise the armrests. Otherwise, get the VT base bar (as tested in my blog) and a pair of Syntace bars. The Syntace bars are actually quite high, have width adjustemnt, and thick pads. The VT base bar is a good compromise for the lack of aerodynamics that a round tube base bar normally has.
Definitely, you should be able to raise your head. One way to know for certain is whether or not in your trainer position the tail of an aero helmet is in the air or level. I know it sounds silly, but you could test this having an assistant take a picture of you on your bike in an indoor setting with a long-tailed helmet, not thinking of looking ahead. Digital camera would be best, as then you have instant feedback. Try to level your head in that position, see if your neck hurts then. Your assistant will be able to tell you when your head is level.
Sounds to me without even seeing this that your neck is craned trying to see the road in front of you.
Some people will have neck issues and not ever get really comfortable on a tri bike. One condition that some people have is a straightening or even a reversal of the normal curve in the cervical spine known as hypolordosis. Sometimes these people might have diffculty riding in an aggressive position with the neck extended over long periods of time. The only real way to tell if you are like this is to get a neck x-ray and to have your neck ranges of motion checked, I actually have these devices in my office that measures range of motion and these would make an excellent screening device for professional bike fitters.
It’s possible just raising your bars a bit might help. Try that first and if it doesn’t help you may have to reconsider different options either in fit or the type of bike to ride.
A couple of other things to try- don’t wear sunglasses that have a bar across the top becuase they force you to extend your neck more in order to see or don’t wear a visor on your helmet for the same reason.
A friend of mine couldn’t get comfy on a tri bike because of his neck but when he switched to a slam type position on a road bike he had no problems.
don’t wear a visor on your helmet for the same reason.
Completely agree - you can gain as much as 15 degrees vertical vision (I made that number up, but it sounds about right) by ditching the visor. Just alleviated my neck pain this week by doing exactly as cerveloguy suggests.
Some people will have neck issues and not ever get really comfortable on a tri bike. One condition that some people have is a straightening or even a reversal of the normal curve in the cervical spine known as hypolordosis. Sometimes these people might have diffculty riding in an aggressive position with the neck extended over long periods of time. The only real way to tell if you are like this is to get a neck x-ray and to have your neck ranges of motion checked, I actually have these devices in my office that measures range of motion and these would make an excellent screening device for professional bike fitters.
It’s possible just raising your bars a bit might help. Try that first and if it doesn’t help you may have to reconsider different options either in fit or the type of bike to ride.
A couple of other things to try- don’t wear sunglasses that have a bar across the top becuase they force you to extend your neck more in order to see or don’t wear a visor on your helmet for the same reason.
A friend of mine couldn’t get comfy on a tri bike because of his neck but when he switched to a slam type position on a road bike he had no problems.
I have exactly that issue. Chiro x-rayed me recently, and my spine has no curve in it from the base of my neck up to my skull. I’m doing those “forward head posture” exercises against a wall with a pillow behind my shoulder blades to try to help. That and lots of stretching with a roller under my shoulder blades, legs and top of my head on the floor. I may have to raise my position if that doesn’t work.
Did you ever for a solution to your neck pain? I’ve been having this same issue. I haven’t been able to train since August. I’ve seen chiropractors, have had accupuncture, 3 injections (relieves pain for a month), physical therapy, and am now considering surgery for next month.