thisisbenji

Hey guys!

Lately when I've been riding my bike I've been having a bit of neck pain.

My thought is that my handlebars are too low, however, I can't get them any higher.

Here's a photo of me on my bike.



I read online that my torso angle should be about 45 degrees and my arm angle should be about 90 degrees.

This bike seems to have me at 40 degrees for my torso and 80 degrees with my arms. The thing is, I'm not sure I'm measuring that properly.

I'm guessing I should go to a bigger bike, but even on my road bike which is the next size up I seem to be under the 45 degree torso angle that google suggests.

Thoughts?

I should mention I'm not the most flexible person out there, I can't touch my toes by a good three to four inches.

Carbonfiberboy 

Actually, that looks pretty good. Stem is maybe a little short. Your bars a only a little below horizontal. Totally reasonable. Many people ride with their bars several inches below their saddles.

Let's see a photo with your feet on horizontal pedals, hands on hoods, deep bend in elbows with forearms near horizontal. Don't go by Google. Neck pain will go away with time on the bike. Don't fit the bike to your limitations, get your body fit enough for the bike.

thisisbenji

That's a good point about getting my body fit enough for the bike.

I took just over a year off cycling and have only been back at it for about six weeks at this point. I don't recall this thing being so uncomfortable back when I bought it.

02Giant 

Hard to tell for sure but it appears your saddle is a little high. The drive side pedal isn't quite to the 6:00 position and your knee appears to be locked out.

thisisbenji

I think my cycling shoes ad in a bit of height, I'll have to check with those on.

GeneO 

Looks about right to me considering you are in sneakers.

Ali89

Even without measuring you look too upright. The actual measurement, (assuming your floor is level) I get is 52 degrees. I would suggest coming lower and perhaps slightly shorter.

noglider 

Too upright for what? There's no one correct angle.

Ali89

For the 45 degree target he mentions.

Also there is too upright depending on what you want to do. Looking at his choice of bike I'd assume that he has some interest in going quick, sitting up like a sail is likely to hinder this.

fietsbob

Spend some Money, Buy a More Up angled stem with shorter reach.. (Or a Stem Raiser)

you may have to re cable gears and brakes , to reach the new higher position..

Ali89

He doesn't need to higher. If he wants to keep the same (high) back angle that he has and reduce pressure at the front then he needs to move the saddle and possibly a shorter stem.

I would suggest that he needs to go lower which will reduce pressure compared to such a high position as has been suggested in other threads in this forum.