Adapting from Flat to Drop Bars

What I have done to help this out is to work out the neck with a head strap and about ten pounds at the end of the chain/rope. It's all a matter of stregnth on the back of the neck muscles to hold your head up. The helmet dosen't weigh much but at the end of a ride it feels like it weighs a ton. Hope this helps.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ebola
( I've een cycling about a year now. )

Recently I switched the handle bars over on my hybrid to drops
(giant fcr, pretty much an ocr with flat bars ).

The lower position is more fun but I find my neck hurts after a few minutes (if I look forward ) - so i'm using the hoods 95% of the time.
Is this something I'll just get used to in time ? How long does it take to adapt generally ?


I think the fit is ok (line between eye & front-hub, vs the bar, have messed with various stems)

Most people spend the majority of time on the hoods, but neck and lower back pain could be due more to the relative height of the bar to the seat not the reach which is what you are describing with the line between eye and front hub. What is the height of the top of the bar relative to the top of the seat. For a fairly neutral road bike position the bar should be about 1 inch lower than the seat. This and the reach to the bar from the seat are the most subjective adjustments you will make on your bike. A lot depends on your flexibility particularly in your ham strings. You may find that over time it gets better and you can go for a more race profile lowering your bar even further. For now just limit the time on the lower drops and let your body get accustumed to it.

All good advice above.

I have bought a flat bar road bike, Felt SR81, and will be using Aero Bars on it later in the year. I am too old and lack flexibility and balance for drops.

This configuration is becoming more popular for us "older" riders considering mini triathlons.

It may be a better alternative for you.

cheers
George

Interesting,
I have indeed tried clip on aero+flat bars which I did like - this overall coniguration does suit my purpose well. ( commuter / recreational cyclist, not competative ).

I may switch back if I don't adapt ( I'll give it a while yet ) but I'm hoping given access to controls that drops may prove more usefull.

r.e. the seatpost vs the stem - yes this distance is quite big, having flipped over to zero-rise when using flat bars.

gclark8 said:

All good advice above.

I have bought a flat bar road bike, Felt SR81, and will be using Aero Bars on it later in the year. I am too old and lack flexibility and balance for drops.

This configuration is becoming more popular for us "older" riders considering mini triathlons.

It may be a better alternative for you.

cheers
George

George,
Noted in your posts your mentioning the FCR series.
After considering every bike on the planet and elsewhere, just purchased an FCR3. Wanted a road bike but, at 59 yrs, couldn't deal with the bent over position. Looked at the OCR but felt the FCR was a better value and more suited for me. Love this bike. Time will tell about reliability etc. Any news out there from other FCR owners yet?
Thanks,
Dan

Dan,

Well done!!

Have a look in the Aus Forum we call them CRX down here. Aus is a real flat bar country and Giants, Avantis Felts seem the dominate the FB market.

[quote="davidbod"]Most people spend the majority of time on the hoods, but neck and lower back pain could be due more to the relative height of the bar to the seat

Thanks for that tip, I just purchased a new bike distance from saddle to bars is correct, but I am finding stress in my right forearm, neck and shoulders, after about 2 hours i am getting a dull persistant headache. My saddle is raked downwards slightly but if I put a straight edge from the rear of the saddle and run it parallel to the top bar of the frame, the handle bars are 2 inches lower than the saddle, so I will try raising them an inch.

Another problem, this is a light fast bike (Madone SL) although I have cycled all my life, I have never felt so threatened going downhill, I feel like I am going to get thrown over the bars, its also very tricky transfering from the hoods to the drops AND the steering is so light I feel I have to initiate these transfers with exagerated delicacy. maybe its just a case of getting used to a new bike, but thereagain maybe my setup isnt quite correct and I could do with some 'tips'