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Have a degenerative spine issue, and a largely metal shoulder and recently, been increasingly sore so thought a full sus might ease things a little Vs my hardtail or 29er. Ride Kent singletrack so nothing big, and up until recently, my back/shoulder were largely OK.
The new (2nd hand) frame is 100mm travel, and geometry is pretty similar to my hard tails - a touch longer tt and seat tube Vs my 26er, but v similar Vs my 29er. I've built it up with my 26 hardtail kit so bars etc are all the same.
It instinctively feels a really good fit and v comfy, but after c.30 mins of easy riding, my upper back/lower neck starts to ache - never noticed this before. Gets pretty uncomfortable after 60 mins. Have raised the front end a little, ridden without my helmet to see if that helped not to hyper extend my neck, changed the bars to narrower but to no avail.
We're only talking small differences in geo. It may be coincidental, but just wonder if the changed geo is prompting the discomfort. Any hints or tips to test or resolve? (And I daily stretch/physio).
Thanks
If its any help I suffer a similar problem and have recently put some Renthal Fat Bars on my ride and it's eased the aching completely ?
Maybe at some point it,ll return but I'll just get even wider bars 😀
Can't really give an answer that will fix it but can share my own experience from a few weeks ago. I have a full sus that I have rode without discomfort for 12 months. A few weeks ago I wanted to adjust my riding position as I felt I was over the bars too much. All I did was swing the bars up and back a little to raise my hands and shoulders, 10 miles into the next ride the pain in the back of my legs and lower back was hideous, I stopped, changed the bars back to where they were and rode the next 25 miles pain free.
It amazed me that such a small tweak could have such an effect so I would encourage you to fiddle a bit to see if you can find that position which suits.
Hope you get it sorted.
Stretch out your shoulders and neck. You can look up stretching exercises on the tinterweb. You're probably just using your shoulder and nexk muscles in a way that they're not used to due to your new bike with a slightly different riding position. You'll adapt and stretching in the meantime might ease the stiffness and soreness. Works for me.
Consider spacers under the stem to raise it all up a bit, probably won't need to lift by much.
I'd have said the bars were too low and you are more stretched than before. can you try a shorter stem and a higher rise bar? or a higher rise shorter stem?
Deep neck flexor exercises for you.