I had never experienced neck ache until I started wearing a helmet, but that only lasted until I reverted to the rag top !
----- Original Message ----- From: "Hedley, Phil" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 09:33 Subject: [obc] Aching neck > 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. So here's my first red flag statement. Proper saddle fore-aft adjustment has no dependency on handlebar reach. If you've adjusted with bar reach as a goal, I'm guessing it is very very wrong. Adjust the saddle height and fore/aft properly, with no regard to the reach. THEN adjust the reach through a combination of stem length and height. If it can't be done with some pretty normal components (for example, stems from 6cm to 13 or 14 cm is extreme) without exceeding their max insertion spec, then, well, the frame is probably very much the wrong size. Even with extreme components the frame MAY still be wrong, but you should get some degree of comfort until the next right-sized bike comes along at a bargoon. I understand that it is wise to economize with youngsters to see if they are going to stick with the sport, however, I think you can make a big mistake when the 'economical solution' gives such a negative experience, there's no chance they'll continue on. Shop around, there are some awesome starter-bike values out there right now, and they'll fit you out (no plugs here from me). > 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. It's common to have the bars lower or level with saddle, even for touring. Generally, the smaller the rider, the more level the settings. Very typical with women. This bike sounds very poorly proportioned for your daughter. Sounds like she should be sore. > > I'm starting to wonder if I should exchange the bike for a bigger frame, you said 'second hand'....how can you 'exchange' it? Sound like a good deal if so. If you mean just get a different frame, I'd say, yes, you probably have to, if new stems don't cut it. Here's an awsome link: http://www.bsn.com/cgi-bin/ergobike.cgi Yeah, its for racing bikes, but try it out anyway, at least for frame size general aspects, to get a ballpark of what you should look for. I believe tourists go for only slighter larger frames in the seat tube, perhaps shorter to equal the in top tube. Paul ------ 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 ------ 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 ==^================================================================
