Chronic neck problems - should I get a new bike?

[MomOnBike]

If you do decide to look at other bikes, a recumbent might be what you need. Depending on how laid-back the bike is, your head/neck can be in a pretty neutral position. And the right 'bents are speedy (and can be spendy).

I like mine, am planning on riding RAGBRAI this year on it, in fact. It's something to consider.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think today's common handlebar-lower-than-seat geometry is really designed for racing and may not put you in the best neck position for long distance riding and centuries.
If i were you I would look into touring bikes. They are designed to keep you comfortable over long distances. Rivendell bikes are one example (like my bike), but there are other brands.
I do not think straight bars are comfortable for riding centuries. You cannot change your hand positions around hour after hour of riding. Hybrid bikes tend to have you completely upright, which might not be good for long distances either- lots of weight straight down your spine onto your seat, instead of distributed. Touring bikes are road bikes built for more distance comfort and they usually can take a variety of tire widths to make dirt/gravel roads do-able too.
Just my two cents.

[farrellcollie]

have you tried a stem riser or something like this handlebar adapter http://www.yellowjersey.org/ax50.html or a combination? I use the adapter and a friend of mine uses the riser and the adapter on her Trek road bike (she has had several neck/back surgeries for some disc problem) - it was set up for her by her lbs. The adapter brings the handlebars in closer. I use it for a bad wrist and elbow. The combination has let my friend keep using her bike - which she really liked and did not want to change.

I tried a straight bar bike and it was uncomfortable to me. To make it work (and my problem is my arm - not neck so this may not be applicable) I would have put on north bars.

Just a thought - although the new bike thing is nice too.

[Wahine]

You likely have a lack of muscle endurance and as your neck muscles fatigue your posture fails and creates pressure and so on...

Here's a post of mine on a different thread. It has links to some exercises that I think may be applicable in you case.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...05&postcount=4

Hope that helps.

[kaian]

Hmmm...muscle endurance. That sounds like it makes sense because doctors and PTs are always talking about strength and like I said before, I don't think it's about strength specifically or having a weakness. My muscles may be strong for quick things, but lack the endurance they need for cycling. I will try those exercises, wahine. Thanks.

A touring bike may be a good idea as well. The only thing is I think touring bikes tend to come in larger sizes and I'm pretty small. Are there any that are smaller scaled for small women?

I don't plan on racing, really. Medium and long rides tend to be my thing and perhaps my bike isn't the ideal for the longer things. My handlebars are a little higher than the seat though, with the stem I have on it. It's a 17 degree rise stem, so it's relatively upright and the length of the stem feels great to me. I don't feel too stretched out and I don't feel crowded either. It's a bummer because the bike feels good to me. I know there's more to it though, too. The bike geometry overall can effect your body position and how your body feels.

[Eden]

Don't neglect stretching/moving around when you are *on* the bike as well. I find if I get too focused on my workout or race sometimes I forget to move around a bit as I ride and I hold my head quite stiffly, which causes my neck to start aching. Try to be conscious about keeping your shoulders relaxed and moving your head around every once in a while.
One caution about getting more upright. When I was having real shoulder problems I tried something along those lines and not only did my shoulder not get better - it made my back and butt hurt too....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A touring bike may be a good idea as well. The only thing is I think touring bikes tend to come in larger sizes and I'm pretty small. Are there any that are smaller scaled for small women?

If you are interested...
Here is Rivendell's site:
http://www.rivbike.com/home
Check out the "weights and measures" link for each model's sizes and geometry.
The Bleriot, the Glorius (a mixte), and the Saluki would be models that come to my mind for smaller sizes. The Bleriot is cheapest, but the Saluki also comes in the very smallest size they make (47cm). I am 5'5" and ride a 54cm Rambouillet.

[KnottedYet]

Surly Long Haul Trucker is also a spiffy touring bike.

http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

And the sizes are 42cm - 62cm.