New Trek Madone, New Neck Pain
Joe has a problem with his new Trek Madone, well not so much the bike as his body; he is having pains on the right side of his neck and back. We have a few suggestions as to check what’s causing it and what might cure his problem
Question: I just went from a Trek pilot to a Madone and I am having a tough time with my right side of my neck and back. I was fitted on my pilot and it was perfect. I was also fitted on my Madone but I get severe tightness on my right side only. What causes this and how do I alleviate it?
Hi Joe,
First thing is to check out the bike or have the shop or a friend who knows what they are doing check everything. Start with the obvious:-
1. Are the handle bars straight to the wheel?
2. Are the brake levers level to each other.
3. Are the bars level and not twisted in any way.
4. Is the saddle straight, in line with the frame?
5. Is the saddle level, the rails are not twisted.
6. Are the pedals straight and the cranks not bent?
7. The biggest question is the frame straight.
If these things are good then it is not the bike, compare your new bike to the old one, are there any changes that could affect the way you now ride, bars or brake levers lower, saddle further back etc. these things could be stretching you in a way that only affects one side of your body, we are not perfect, one side is different from the other. I never have problems with my left leg, always with the right, the littlest of changes and I am in trouble. Are the pedals further apart or closer together, this is important as it can feel very different.
 Madone |
Are your shoe plates worn, are using different pedals and did you buy new shoes when you bought the bike, you need to check everything for any slight change.
If everything checks out then this has nothing to do with the new bike, it is more likely you have done something to your body somewhere else, go to an osteopath or chiropractor, they can tell you if you have any neck or spine problems (skeletal or muscular) and sort you out. Your body adapts to change, but it takes time and if it is a radical change it can cause damage so be careful.
Good luck with the new bike.
