What Causes Neck Pain when Cycling (incl: three possible solutions)

What causes neck pain for cyclists? In this video expert bike fitter - Neill Stanbury - will share what causes cycling neck pain while providing an overview of the touch points on the bike that can be improved to support any neck pain you may be experiencing while cycling.

#cycling #neck #pain

[ThomasLaang]

Still confused, but at a higher level... 😅

[hectorfuji]

I had neck pain for the longest time, did not realize the reason was that I started using glasses and was raising my neck to be able to see the road clearly.
I'm sure someone else out there has this issue but has not realize it...

[mark-]

This guy really showcased for me the difference between a fitter and one who thinks he's a fitter. The latter does what anyone can do, which is set up basic starting points, and then calls it a fit. This guy made me realize that without a comprehensive understanding of physiology, bike fitters are a waste of time. Thank you for sharing him.

[nagylevi]

From my experience, neck pain is caused by trust. As in, I trusted the bike shop attendant when he said he knew his bikes and that I needed a Large.

[OneDougUnderPar]

FWIW I was getting really bad neck pain, and these Neil videos helped a little in that area (helped a lot in general though), but the cure came from realizing the issue wasn't with neck muscles or traps, it was tight lats. Doing dead hangs after rides and a few pull ups here and there fixed me up in a few days.

[gokaygs]

Thank you guys for all these videos, I come back to watch them over and over again. I read books on bike fitting, watched hundreds of videos on YouTube, got 4 bike fits and still I learned by far the most from these videos. I even found and went to an IBFI level 4 fitter and unfortunately he did not even come close Neil’s level. Neil is truly the %1 of bike fitters. Thanks again, much appreciated and looking forward to learning more from Neil’s expertise on these videos. And if I ever land in AU then I’m making an appointment with him %100.

[roguecode]

I always tell people that the idea is to ride the bike as if you were on a unicycle that just happens to have a convenient arm rest.
Your strength focus should be on your core and pedal push momentum from your legs. I often flex my abs when I ride now and it helps a lot. Obviously to improve on this it helps to do some weight training and calisthenics. Squats and goblet squats with moderate weight and lunges build the muscles for this and the core will strengthen over time when you add some all around body work like push ups and burpees. Riding after pull-up day is pretty hard on the neck muscles so you should really get your neck rubbed and relaxed before your ride.

[onstagephotography]

Still searching for a solution for the pain in my neck after 3 times whiplash after 3 car accidents. Stays a big problem and I still love cycling. Thanx for this video

[AdamEwart]

Comforting to know I'm far from the only person enduring this issue. And he's right... it's like a burning fork shoved into the spot where neck and shoulders meet, and rubbing for relief only makes it worse! Excellent, and very timely, content once again...plenty of food for thought here. Cheers Neill, thanks Cam 👍👍

[ferdidolot]

I had a neck pain first time after I was trying to move seat forward as I felt too far back. Turns out it was the one causing the neck pain. Thank you for this video!

[neillungerer]

Man I wish I can get a road bike fit done by you guys. Well done, great video.

[jeffmartin]

Thank you for a great video. I have been having a nagging pain in the neck for the past couple of years. Thought it was the wife, who knew it was my bike all along:) Seriously I've been to doctors, had MRIs etc. They found nothing. I showed my doctor the video, got my bike adjusted correctly and my pain is gone. YOU DA MAN.

[oeylille]

Great advice. I had some serious neck pain, which turned into a headache, on my last 100k ride. Probably too much weight on the hands.

[DIASDEMUSICA]

Neil Stanbury, probably the best bike fitter in the world, at least on the Internet!

[TheBClark]

This is definitely a help, will be looking to adjust my position soon. Always struggled with saddle position as I have a short back and long legs, so end up on smaller bikes with a high seat position. My neck pain has kicked in a lot sooner on rides than it used to, but I think I just need to accept that 33 year old me is not as flexible or strong as 23 year old me.

[zackmorisco]

Finally someone who makes sense. Thanks, now I know what to look for.

[AdamHansenOfficial]

So true, we have seen exactly as he says regarding pelvic movement with the LEOMO data.

[paulmaccann]

Hi Neil, we rode together a few times a while back, the last time we rode was just over 5 years ago, you were my guardian Angle that helped in my time of need, for that I will be eternally grateful.
The ride was the Epic, it lived up to it's name. I smashed my hip and with the help of friends managed to get back to the car and eventually back to Melbourne and the hospital.
It turned out to be a lot worse than I thought. Long story short I'm 61 now but still ride every day. Gone are the three peaks and the ego and life is so much better for the events of that day,
Thanks again, I wish you well.
Paul

[CavenInToTheWorld]

Based on my experience my neck pain caused by bigger frame size bike. My height can fit size 50-51cm bikes but i am more comfortable in 46cm. I had a caad8 50cm before when i rode it for 40km i already felt neck pain. But when i bought louis garneau cen 46cm no pain at all. So i changed my caad8 50cm to caad10 46cm and no pain issues after that. Because i am not over reaching.

[michaelanderson]

This is the best bike fit advice on the internet. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!