Bicycle fit is really important to one's comfort. You do not say how tall your daughter is or how long her leg length is. With many women and some men who have different body proportions, it is not easy to find a bicycle that fits properly especially if you are short. Some with relatively long leg lengths may also have a short torso which affects the top tube length and ultimately comfort level if stretched too far over the top tube. I know how uncomfortable a bike that does not fit well can be. Mountain bicycles tend to be smaller because of the need for greater standover clearance. Best advice, go to a reputable bicycle shop for a good fit. If she is riding on the road, a good touring frame geometry might be in order rather than one with more of a racing geometry. Some adjustments can be made relative to one's comfort level can be made from there i.e. bringing the handlebar up further. The helmet from your description sounds too big for her and not adjusted properly.
Cyclemom > > From: "Hedley, Phil" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 2002/04/02 Tue AM 09:33:04 EST > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [obc] Aching neck > > My 15 year old daughter has taken up an interest in road cycling (not racing) and I >bought a second hand touring/racing style bike to see how she gets on. > > In the past she has always ridden mountain bikes and now she feels uncomfortable >when riding the bike I bought. The main problem seems to be that she feels as though >her shoulders are hunched and she gets a neck ache. The helmet she wears makes things >worse since she has to hold up her head further to avoid seeing the rim of the >helmet. I know from personal experience that I've had neck ache on both road and >mountain bike and I've thought that it is part of cycling and you just live with it. >Now I'm not too sure. > > On my daughter's bike I've adjusted the seat height to what she feels comfortable >with, it's also in the forward position so that the reach to the handlebars is as >short as possible. I've also lifted up the handlebars to compensate for the seat >height. However, at the moment the height of the seat and handlebars are at the >maximum, but the handlebars are lower than the seat which may be the reason for the >neck ache. > > I'm starting to wonder if I should exchange the bike for a bigger frame, whereby the >seat and handlebar height can be set so that the handlebars are not so low, but with >a bigger frame would the reach from seat to handlebar be increased resulting in the >same problem of neck ache? > > Any thoughts would be appreciated. > > Phil Hedley > > ------ > Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 > Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb > Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter > > > ----- Get your free WebMail account from Sympatico-Lycos at www.sympatico.ca ----- ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
