New Cyclist, and it's horribly uncomfortable

Hi Rick,

1st:
Some neck pain is to be expected, if one isn't used to riding on the AERO bars. That goes away with practice. However, you should have your bike fit checked by an expert, if only to rule out fit problems that might contribute to the pain.

2nd:
Your helmet is too big for you. If you can't adjust it to the proper size via the built-in adjustment system, you'll have to buy a new, smaller helmet that fits your head. Similar with the glasses; if the nose piece can't be adjusted to fit your nose, you'll have to buy glasses that do fit.

Were you fit to the bike by a real bike fitter? Or did they just have you stand over it? Sounds like your first problem is improper bike fit.

As to the helmet, sounds like you don't have it adjusted correctly. It should be snug on your head, if it's sliding around It is not doing you much good when/if you wreck.

Sunglasses... if they don't feel good then you bought the wrong glasses...

You need to get fit to the bike by a tri bike fitter.
You need to spend quite a bit of time training to get used to the position but it should never hurt even from day one
Your glasses are not right for cycling.

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I'll spend some time an make some adjustments. Right now, I think my helmet is my issue. If I can not fit it right, I'll get a new one. I did not get the bike professionally fitted, I just don't have the cash for that right now, as the shops want a ton of $$ for that. I used some info online, one was the link below that help me get started.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR&ANSWER...

When i got my tri bike I was professionally fitted and on the first ride realized my neck could not handle aggressively positioned aerobars. I have two herniated disks my my neck. I got refit with a new longer stem that raised the aerobars about an inch and went for a long ride. My neck bothered me and when i got home I realized I had lost significant strength in my right hand that lasted for two weeks. I went bake a 3rd time and got the longest stem they had that raised the aerobars another inch or so. I'm not as aero, but my neck could handle this setup. That was a couple of years ago. I still have the same setup.

Getting comfortable on a road bike can be tough.
Getting comfortable on a tri specific bike can be waaaayy tough.

Get you helmet and glasses fixed, then ride LOTS. I'm like you , in that I don't have the $$$ to get professionally fitted, but i think you can get pretty close on your own.

Just wanted to chime in here too. I am a fellow runner going into triathlons and experienced the same neck pain as you did. It has not lasted into the night after a morning ride but it is something I have noticed. As others have mentioned it will likely go away with continued practice. I have aero bars on my road bike and I have found that makes it somewhat more comfortable for some reason.....either way I am looking forward to getting a cycling base to get the kinks worked out to being the "norm"

Good luck!

Fit is king. It makes a bigger difference than you think.

That said there is a balance on $$ and value.

My fitter has 3 types of fit they offer. A "Basic" fit for $100, a DFU fit for picking a new bike (or getting a custom bike), and a RETUL fit for $300.

Even with the basic fit he spent time evaluating my position, and had me come back in after I ordered a seat post from another shop that he hooked me up with that carries my brand.

You should spend the $$$ to get fitted properly or you will eventually have a clothes hanger/dust collector hanging in your garage because you find biking is just not worth the pain.

Shop around at the LBS and see what they will do for fits. I spent $80 on my last fit, while cheap, got me where I feel very comfortable. I had 3 sessions to get everything dialed in properly. Raised my bars 10mm, raised my seat 10mm, moved my seat back about 30mm, adjusted my cleats so get rid of knee pain, etc etc. I could barely ride for an hour before getting fitted.

Helmet -- get yourself the proper size of helmet if you can't adjust it so it doesn't slip down.

Like I said before --- if you are not enjoying it you will eventually give it up and then you will have all that money sitting there for no reason

I have the same issue. My bike has been professionally fit, but as an older guy with some neck issues, the "head up" aero position is simply uncomfortable.

The solution as noted by others is a longer stem to raise the bars higher. You'll be less aero, but it's pretty hard to ride well if you are in agony. I still have neck pain when I ride, but it stops as soon as I sit upright and immediately goes away when I hit T2. I've also noticed that simply riding longer does allow some level of conditioning....so if you can get the right adjustment, you should be able to get a set up that you can at least tolerate.

Good luck