Pain in my neck - Giant SCR 3

[TKMextreme]

Last year I bought a Giant SCR3. I got a large as the chap in the shop (Madjitts in Diss) said I was too big for the medium, I am 15 and 6 foot 1. Every time I ride my bike I get a pian in the back of my neck if I look at what is infront of me, rather than just at the front tyre the whole time. The handlebars are as high up as they can go on the standard spacers, and was wondering what do I do to get them even higher?

[Hollywood Wheels]

I'm just over six feet tall, and I ride a large Giant FCR2 as my commuter bike. It's basically the same bike but with flat bars. I love it, just the right size. I felt that the toptube on the XL would just be too high for me and make the bike more difficult to handle. Have you been riding for long? You should develop a nice relaxed style. The stem of the bike should have several 'spacers' on it if it's like the other Giants I've seen, so perhaps you could pop the handlebars off and raise the bars a bit using them? Try sliding the saddle backwards or forwards a bit, there's plenty of adjustment on them.

[Nick_F]

I'd see a physio or osteopath to check that there's nothing wrong with your back/neck/shoulders; and assuming that there isn't then just ride more until you get used to it.

[TKMextreme]

Would moving the saddle backwards be better then, or should I go forwards?

[TKMextreme]

Would moving the saddle backwards be better then, or should I go forwards?

[LRdriver II]

Moving the saddle wont help you.. it will just screw your knees up. With the crank arms horizontal, feet on th epedals, you should be able to drop a plumb line from your kneecap so it intersects with the pedal axle. That where the saddle should be.

Your neck pain seems to be related to stem length and/or bar height. Try a riser bar or go with a slightly longer stem. Your bike shop should be able to help and exchange stems for you. Otherwise try raising the stem if you still have some spacers above the stem (simply move them under the stem..if youhave no spacers above it, then you are stuffed on that solution)

Oh yea.. try a stem with more "rise" as well..

Edited by LRdriver II on Saturday 4th July 12:41

[jafoole]

LRdriver II said:

Moving the saddle wont help you.. it will just screw your knees up. With the crank arms horizontal, feet on th epedals, you should be able to drop a plumb line from your kneecap so it intersects with the pedal axle. That where the saddle should be.

I may be wrong, but not strictly speaking true I think... IIRC Triathlon bikes have different geometry to save you for the run. Put the saddle where you want it. When I rode a lot I tended to have it a little further forward as I found I was then seated closer to standing up and would get a move on.