Question:

OK, I don’t mean to start a major discussion steep vs, road AGAIN, however… There seems to be an inconsistency in the advice generally given. People complaining of pain in the shoulders and neck whilst riding road geometry are advised to buy a tri bike or get a forward seatpost. BUT tri bikes are criticised as being uncomfortable for long rides, i.e centuries and IM?? I get very stiff and sore upper body on long rides riding a crap road bike. I’m looking at a 650c steep frame in Reynolds 653 – can’t afford anything else. This bike has 78 deg seat, 73.5 deg head and will be 56cm to fit me. Will this bike be comfortable for longer rides??  Which is correct?? — Cheers, Richard. Arran Triathlon Club – we got both kindsa wind, out *and* back!

Response:

I wasn’t aware that tri geometry was recommended as a solution to neck and shoulder pain. If anything, the more aggressive aero position will increase neck pain because of the increased angle that the head has to be raised to provide forward visibility. This can be greatly relieved, in my experience, by conditioning the trapezius and neck muscles. Also, you’ll get used to looking forward with your eyes as much as your head. Also, I find I have fewer neck pains when I use a lighter helmet. Those muscles are often the first that tense up under stress, so they may be tight and uncomfortable even before you ride, but you may not notice it because you are so used to it. Try a massage–that will tell the story. Arm pain, as in elbows and hands, and lower back pain, is another matter. The original impetus behind aero bars, as I recall, was to provide a comfortable position for extended aero riding. Aero bars, when set up to provide proper forearm balance without excessive back arch, will allow an aggressive aero position without the gluts and lower back muscles having to support the weight of the upper body so much. It was later that people started to configure the bars to maximize aero efficiency with narrowly set elbow pads and hands very close together. A steep seat tube allows a comfortable aero position with the same angle between the thighs and body as a road racer has on a conventional bike. Tri geometry is designed for aerobar use; if you spend a lot of time with your hands on the tops of the bars instead of elbows on the pads, the steep seat tube will put you in a poor position. Pack riding precludes aerobar use, which is why roadies really can’t use tri geometry. Same goes for club rides in a pack. I’ve always used road geometry even on my tri-bike, because that’s what I’m used to. But I have to admit that the constant barrage of positive vibes from tri-bike users on these pages are wearing me down! I’ve begun to really notice how much time it takes for me to get into a comfortable running stride (at least as comfortable as running gets for me) after getting off the bike. So, I’m kinda thinkin’ about getting one of those forward seat posts… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I don’t mean to start a major discussion steep vs, road AGAIN, however… There seems to be an inconsistency in the advice generally given. People complaining of pain in the shoulders and neck whilst riding road geometry are advised to buy a tri bike or get a forward seatpost. BUT tri bikes are criticised as being uncomfortable for long rides, i.e centuries and IM?? I get very stiff and sore upper body on long rides riding a crap road bike. I’m looking at a 650c steep frame in Reynolds 653 – can’t afford anything else. This bike has 78 deg seat, 73.5 deg head and will be 56cm to fit me. Will this bike be comfortable for longer rides??  Which is correct?? — Cheers, Richard. Arran Triathlon Club – we got both kindsa wind, out *and* back!

– Richard W. Denney, Jr., P.E. Director of ITS Consulting Viggen Corporation 13101 Preston Road, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75240 972.726.6012 voice 972.726.6013 fax

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