Cycling Sisters

Question: I'm having pain in my neck/shoulders and in my wrists after a recent switch to a road bike, any suggestions?

Summary of responses:
Check the relative height of the seat to the handlebars

1. raising or lowering the seat post (usually there us a lever or bolt on the long tube underneath where you sit. Recommended fit to start with is to have some one hold the bike while you get on. With your heel on the pedal, your legs should be straight when pedals are in lowest position. That way when you move to the ball of your foot for riding you will have a slight bend in your knees.)
2. Lower or raise the handlebar stem either by adjusting or getting a shorter/longer stem. (As you're straddling your bicycle, facing forward, look down at your handlebars. The stem is the piece that connects your curving handlebars to your frame. Unscrew the nut you see, lift or lower your stem an inch or two, and screw the nut back down. If your stem is not adjustable you can get one that is longer/shorter). Safety tip: Make sure your stem bolt is tight! You should be able to grab the front wheel with your knees, twist the handlebars hard, and they should not move. If they move, you need to tighten your stem.

Distance between the seat and the handlebars

1. Moving the saddle forward or backward(Underneath your seat you should see parallel bars and a bolt contraption. Undo this and slide the seat forward or backward along the bars then tighten the bolt back down)
2. longer or shorter handlebar stem

Angle of handlebars and saddle

1. Handlebars (in the middle of your handlebars you should see a bolt. Loosening this will allow you to turn the handlebars forward or back changing their angle)
2. Saddle (under your saddle you should see a bolt contraption between two parallel bars. Loosening this and adjusting where the parallel bars fall within the contraption changes the angle of the saddle. It is recommended you try it perfectly flat to start with)

Other non-wrench related suggestions

1. Do crunches to strengthen the abdominal area so it will bear the weight instead of your arms
2. Focus on a light grip with straight wrists
3. Change hand positions frequently
4. New bar tape or cycling gloves can add extra padding relieving some pressure on the hands