riding position

Hello,

I am wondering if the crouching ridingh position on a pro-like road
bike is necessary for an amateur. I am new to riding road bikes,
and my neck was in pain while test riding. I was told I would
eventually strength my neck and get used to it.

I am just interested in getting some exercise, and am not after speed
itself that much. Do I have to force my head that low? Or will a
different frame geometry that allows a more upright position be better?

Thanks.

"Libuser" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

I am wondering if the crouching ridingh position on a pro-like road
bike is necessary for an amateur. I am new to riding road bikes,
and my neck was in pain while test riding. I was told I would
eventually strength my neck and get used to it.

Lazy bike shop.

Part of the expected service of selling you the bike is making you
comfortable on it. It's common for road bikes to be sold with the handlebars
set too low, in an attempt to make it look more racer-like. This is stupid
and unnecessary.

Go back to the shop. Insist on the installation of a new stem that raises
the bars to a comfortable position which, for most people, is somewhere
within an inch or so of the same height as the saddle. This should be done
without charge. If they won't do it, come back here and post the name and
address of the bike shop.

If there is no stem available that will get the bars to that height, then
the shop sold you a frame that's too small for you, and/or a bike with a
fork steerer tube that had been cut too short. They should rectify the
problem at no cost to you.

I am just interested in getting some exercise, and am not after speed
itself that much. Do I have to force my head that low? Or will a
different frame geometry that allows a more upright position be better?

You should not be uncomfortable on a properly fitted bike, unless perhaps
there's something unusually stiff about your neck.

RichC (for whom shops that don't know how/aren't willing to properly fit a
bike are a hot-button issue)

"Libuser" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

I am wondering if the crouching ridingh position on a pro-like road
bike is necessary for an amateur. I am new to riding road bikes,
and my neck was in pain while test riding. I was told I would
eventually strength my neck and get used to it.

Lazy bike shop.

Part of the expected service of selling you the bike is making you
comfortable on it. It's common for road bikes to be sold with the handlebars
set too low, in an attempt to make it look more racer-like. This is stupid
and unnecessary.

Go back to the shop. Insist on the installation of a new stem that raises
the bars to a comfortable position which, for most people, is somewhere
within an inch or so of the same height as the saddle. This should be done
without charge. If they won't do it, come back here and post the name and
address of the bike shop.

If there is no stem available that will get the bars to that height, then
the shop sold you a frame that's too small for you, and/or a bike with a
fork steerer tube that had been cut too short. They should rectify the
problem at no cost to you.

I am just interested in getting some exercise, and am not after speed
itself that much. Do I have to force my head that low? Or will a
different frame geometry that allows a more upright position be better?

You should not be uncomfortable on a properly fitted bike, unless perhaps
there's something unusually stiff about your neck.

RichC (for whom shops that don't know how/aren't willing to properly fit a
bike are a hot-button issue)

If you are new to (road) cycling, it will take a couple rides to ge
used to the position and your neck will probably be sore for a bit.
However, as the previous poster said, there is absolutely no need fo
an amateur to be in a position like a pro-racer

--
keydates

If you are new to (road) cycling, it will take a couple rides to ge
used to the position and your neck will probably be sore for a bit.
However, as the previous poster said, there is absolutely no need fo
an amateur to be in a position like a pro-racer

--
keydates

28 Aug 2004 12:44:09 -0700,
,
(Libuser) wrote:

I am just interested in getting some exercise, and am not after speed
itself that much. Do I have to force my head that low? Or will a
different frame geometry that allows a more upright position be better?

Simply raising the handlebars would be a start toward alleviating your
problem. The shop should be willing to swap stems until you're
comfortable.

If you roll your eyes up you don't have to bend your neck so far.

The more upright position on bicycles called "performance hybrids"
might be better suited to your needs and riding style. Though, there
is no reason you shouldn't be able to get comfortable with drop bars.
--
zk

28 Aug 2004 12:44:09 -0700,
,
(Libuser) wrote:

I am just interested in getting some exercise, and am not after speed
itself that much. Do I have to force my head that low? Or will a
different frame geometry that allows a more upright position be better?

Simply raising the handlebars would be a start toward alleviating your
problem. The shop should be willing to swap stems until you're
comfortable.

If you roll your eyes up you don't have to bend your neck so far.

The more upright position on bicycles called "performance hybrids"
might be better suited to your needs and riding style. Though, there
is no reason you shouldn't be able to get comfortable with drop bars.
--
zk

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 16:45:23 -0400, "Rich Clark"
wrote:


"Libuser" wrote in message
. com...
Hello,

I am wondering if the crouching ridingh position on a pro-like road
bike is necessary for an amateur. I am new to riding road bikes,
and my neck was in pain while test riding. I was told I would
eventually strength my neck and get used to it.

Lazy bike shop.

Part of the expected service of selling you the bike is making you
comfortable on it. It's common for road bikes to be sold with the handlebars
set too low, in an attempt to make it look more racer-like. This is stupid
and unnecessary.

Go back to the shop.

As I read the OP, he was test riding and hadn't bought yet. So I would
say that he should NOT go back to that shop. Find another one.

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 16:45:23 -0400, "Rich Clark"
wrote:


"Libuser" wrote in message
. com...
Hello,

I am wondering if the crouching ridingh position on a pro-like road
bike is necessary for an amateur. I am new to riding road bikes,
and my neck was in pain while test riding. I was told I would
eventually strength my neck and get used to it.

Lazy bike shop.

Part of the expected service of selling you the bike is making you
comfortable on it. It's common for road bikes to be sold with the handlebars
set too low, in an attempt to make it look more racer-like. This is stupid
and unnecessary.

Go back to the shop.

As I read the OP, he was test riding and hadn't bought yet. So I would
say that he should NOT go back to that shop. Find another one.

"Dan Daniel" wrote in message
...
As I read the OP, he was test riding and hadn't bought yet. So I would
say that he should NOT go back to that shop. Find another one.

Oops, yes, I missed the word "test." So you're right, the OP can evaluate
the shop based on their understanding of his needs and willingness to fit
the bike to his requirements.

RichC