Don't want the expense of a bike fit.

[gavroche]

After a couple of hours on the bike, my neck and shoulders hurt.
What do I need to adjust to correct it?
A bike fit is expensive and nobody round my way does it anyway so it would involve another petrol expense too.
I would be grateful for any tips you could give me.

 

[wafter]

I got this when the front end was too low and long - the result of both stretching forward and a lot of posterior rotation at the neck to get my head sufficiently upright to see.

This resulted in stiffness in my upper rhomboids and traps; ultimately leading to some nasty tension headaches originating from this tightness up the back and sides of my neck.

Easiest way to test this would be to fit a shorter stem, flipped to increase the stack.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

The simple answer is that you either need to get the bars raised or brought closer to you. This is of course assuming that the saddle is in the correct position to start with. Is the stem in the + or - position. If - then flip it. If + then are there any spacers above the stem, if so, put them under. As a rule of thumb, if you sit on the bike holding the tops of the bars look through to your front axle, it should be pretty much obscured by the bars. Remember, this is just a guide. Remember, just do one thing at a time and then try it.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Try this. It should at least give you a good starting point for further adjustments. Good luck.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Could be too much weight supported by upper body, in which case, move the saddle back a bit.

 

[figbat]

Could be too much weight supported by upper body, in which case, move the saddle back a bit.

This can also be a symptom of poor core strength - improving this can help with bike posture (or so I was told by my physio when I had a bike fit related ‘injury’).

 

[All uphill]

I'd be very cautious of random people on the internet giving advice (that includes me). This is doubly so when we don't know some basics about you and your bike.

Drop or flat bar, Your age and fitness level, type of bike, whether you take breaks etc, etc.

 

[Drago]

As Figgers suggests, theyre may be nothing wrong with your wet up but rather the achiness could be indicative of a physiological issue. Not uncommon for a chap in their 90's like you

 

[gavroche]

As Figgers suggests, theyre may be nothing wrong with your wet up but rather the achiness could be indicative of a physiological issue. Not uncommon for a chap in their 90's like you

75 if you don't mind.

 

[gavroche]

The simple answer is that you either need to get the bars raised or brought closer to you. This is of course assuming that the saddle is in the correct position to start with. Is the stem in the + or - position. If - then flip it. If + then are there any spacers above the stem, if so, put them under. As a rule of thumb, if you sit on the bike holding the tops of the bars look through to your front axle, it should be pretty much obscured by the bars. Remember, this is just a guide. Remember, just do one thing at a time and then try it.

I think you could be right. I have ordered a shorter ( 60 mm as opposed to 100 mm at the moment) and adjustable stem from Amazon.
If it works, I will have to get two more as I have three bikes and they all have 100 mm stem.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I think you could be right. I have ordered a shorter ( 60 mm as opposed to 100 mm at the moment) and adjustable stem from Amazon.

A 40mm difference is quite a lot. Have you tried this web tool ?

http://www.yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

A photo of your set up might help us. How long have you had your current set up for ? As we age the body does change and what may have been comfortable a couple of years back, may not be now.

 

[T4tomo]

75 if you don't mind.

I hate to say it, but is probably is a symptom of a slight decline in that core strength with age. in your prime you can supper a longer lower position, but as suggested above a shorter / raised or flipped stem should help.

 

[mikeIow]

Could be too much weight supported by upper body, in which case, move the saddle back a bit.

I always think my cycling could improve if I lost a bit of weight 🫣

 

[Fastpedaller]

FWIW I think (from what I've seen) having a bike fit may well be a waste of money. I don't have first-hand experience (never having tried one), but it seems many bike 'fitters' either don't ask what sort of riding you're aiming for, or just set you up for 'racing', which in itself can be quite varied....... compare a 200m sprint with a 12 hour time trial and the aims are very different.
Stretching movements (moderate) before and after riding have reduced any pain I have experienced over the last few years (I'm 67)
Good luck with your quest, and I'll add I agree (from my own trial and error/experiences the advice above about reach and bar height seems spot on!