PanicDog

Is road cycling supposed to be uncomfortable? Or do some of you ride with absolutely no pain at all? I have been trying to adjust my fit to get rid of some contact point pain and numbness I have, but I'm wondering if discomfort is just something you learn to deal with on a road bike. How much non-fatigue related pain/numbness/discomfort do you have when riding? I'm talking things like chafing and saddle pain, hand/finger numbness, neck and shoulder pain, etc. Not your poor tired lungs, legs, or heart.

Jynx

depending how new you are soreness is normal at first and should go away
pain is not normal ever
numbness is not normal ever

for me personally there is no pain or discomfort anywhere. in the saddle i obviously feel like I am sitting on a saddle but no numbness or pain. just pressure.

Machka 

I voted slight because there are the occasional times when I do experience a little bit of pain when I ride. Most of the time I am as pain free as I am when I'm sitting in a chair typing at my computer.

I don't even experience much pain at all on 1200K randonnees.

So no, it's not supposed to hurt. If something hurts, an adjustment needs to be made.

I've been handing this link out all over the place. Have a good read through it, maybe it will help you get your bicycle set up correctly: https://www.cyclemetrics.com/Pages/Fi..._fit_links.htm


I will add here, however, that if you hop on your bicycle and roar out of the driveway and push yourself all the way through your ride at the upper limits of your ability, from start to finish, chances are there will be pain involved. But if you ride easy for a while, and take it easy when you need to during the ride, you'll reduce the chances of pain.

Also if you're doing things like riding into a headwind ... relax. Loosen your grip, drop your shoulders, stretch your neck from side to side occasionally.

JoelS

My biggest issue is right between my shoulder blades at the base of my neck. The muscles fatigue from holding my head up. I figure it'll go away eventually as they get stronger. I don't want a more upright position as other than this I have no discomfort.

Now today, my legs are wiped!

Machka 

Consciously work on dropping your shoulders, and moving your head when you ride. By "moving your head" I mean tipping it slowly to one side and back to the next. Look down occasionally when it is safe to do so. Turn it from side to side.

Also sit up now and then, and put one arm behind you in an "L" shape (as though you are signalling that you're going to pull out around something when riding in England). Straighten your back. Look down. Look from side to side. Then put the other arm behind you in an "L" shape and repeat. (If you aren't sure what I mean about the "L" shape move, I'll attempt to do a diagram). BTW - that move also gets the feeling back in your hands again if they happen to go numb toward the end of a very long ride or after riding very rough/bumpy terrain.

Also have a read over this site:
https://www.cptips.com/toc.htm#trntips

Especially this article:
https://www.cptips.com/backpn.htm

PanicDog

Wow, zero pain. I can only dream at this point.

Barrettscv 

I'll tolerate pain that lasts for 24 hours, but if I'm still in pain on the third day, I'll adjust my routine. With me, it's speed more than distance or riding frequency. Slowing it down for a few days is what I need to do, usually.

Having said that, I changed shoes and raised my handlebars in May to improve my long distance rides.

Michael

clausen

If your fit is good and your not pushing yourself you shouldn't have any pain. But even with a good fit if your legs, lungs and heart start to go, your form falls apart and that causes numbness, neck pain and saddle pain.

Machka 

Don't dream. Read all the articles I posted, and do something about it!!



BTW - how's your core? Are you working on that 6-pack regularly? A strong core = more comfort on the bicycle.

pdedes

when you're giving it the business, things will get sore. if you're just lollygagging around, there shouldn't be too much pain. so are you a cyclist or a lollygagger?

Turkey Feathers

Pain is weakness leaving the body.

Apparently I had a lot of weakness on yesterdays ride...

hairnet

Maybe my butt after a while. Sore sit bones, my saddle is kinda crummy.

Randochap

While one might expect some discomfort on longer rides, it should not be chronic and debilitating. Make sure your bike fits your particular needs -- which aren't the same for everyone.

roadiejorge 

If you're not set up on a bike that's your size then it can be painful, but if it is set up correctly then the only discomfort should be getting used to riding in a more aero position.

maddyfish

None during riding, if I overdo it, it can hurt afterwords. My bikes are comfortable.

JacoKierkegaard

Discomfort from the bike, no. Discomfort from what you're doing on the bike, oh yes. I think on some level I feel that if by the time I get home I'm not anaerobic and praying for an excuse to get off the bike and just pass out at the side of the road, I haven't gone far or fast enough.

MONGO!

Zero, no numbness, saddle discomfort at all.

If you don't know what you're doing then it's pointless adjusting your fit, pay the money and have it done by a pro.

Val23708

there should always be pain when cycling. if your legs arnt burning from lactic acid, you arnt going hard enough

rodrigaj

No pain.

I'm 60 yrs old and have arthritis in the neck vertebrae, large toe of right foot, right elbow. I take no medication. Believe it or not, bicycling lessens the pain of arthritis.

A properly fitted bike, a zone 3 - 4 ride at a fast cadence, proper breathing technique actually should reduce pain, not cause it.

Get yourself a decent fitting, fine tune it to your body's needs, work on core exercises, stretch after your rides, get "The Stick" to loosen tight muscles, get a decent pair of cycling shoes, find a doctor and a PT that understands the dynamics of cycling and follow proper nutrition.

Oh...and try not to fall.

Reynolds 

No pain at all here, even on long distance rides. But some saddle pain or discomfort is unavoidable for the first few days if you're new to cycling. How long you've been riding?

ridethecliche

I've had bad saddle issues lately, but I attribute that to adjusting saddle height and trying to adjust saddle angle.

Had a few saddle sores as well lately, but those aren't a big deal.

cyclezealot

From the actual act of cycling. I vote none. I am totally relaxed in the drops. Fatique is another issue.. Or exertion.. BUt, that is caused by physical exertion and not the act of cycling. . That exertion, tends to start after about forty miles and seems to start in the feet.

Johnny Colnago

You forgot the most important option for this poll:

[_] htfu

Eljimberino

Cycling for me is like bushwalking or hiking. There should be no pain caused by the gear. If so, you need to change your gear. Often when bushwalking I would come across people with sore feet and even blisters. They thought it was normal. It's not.

Same with cycling. There should be no pain. Spend money (worth it) and keep changing the settings until it feels good.

Randallissimo

It doesn't hurt any more or less than other serious relationship you'll have in your life.