S40 with the suspension adjustable headrest as a shorter cyclist (and what about the wedge?)

M

MNBentRider

Member
Now that I have ridden about 100 miles on my S40, I am feeling much more comfortable on the bike, so I can focus more on some of the little things that haven't been working so well for me.

One of those things is the adjustable headrest. We've adjusted it to be about as low as it will go, and yet it seems to always be in contact with my helmet. Granted, I have been riding with a mountain bike helmet that seems to go down lower in the back, but I tried switching to my old road bike helmet, and I still find it to be in contact with the headrest. I find that I don't use the headrest all that much, because it isn't the most comfortable when the helmet is in contact with it. It isn't painful or anything, it just doesn't feel right. So it might be that I just need to get used to it.

But I do wonder: do shorter cyclists tend to use the headrest, or not?

I've been considering getting the Foam Wedge Backrest Insert to try, as I think if I was just a little more upright, I probably wouldn't care anymore about the headrest (I certainly didn't have one on my old recumbent which was slightly more upright than the S40). So if anyone can speak to their foam wedge experience, that would also be of interest. I have been experiencing some lower back pain on the S40 - not bad, and not constant, just some twinges here and there, and so the wedge could potentially help with that as well.

Thanks!
 
Boreen bimbler

Boreen bimbler

Active Member
I use the stock headrest but only wear a helmet on the very odd occasion I ride with a group. When I just wear my cap the headrest is great but I hate it with the helmet (specialized echelon 2). I did take the headrest off for a while but even though I can only use it properly on the smooth bits of road I find it much better with it. You could try to borrow different helmets to see if it makes a difference. Or try the stock headrest.
I find the position on the S40 very good and have not suffered back pain. I'm 5'9" so not particularly short though.

Note - I realise helmet use is a divisive issue and each to their own but I trust my own riding enough to take the risk. I ride well within my limits nowadays and can't see myself going over the bars on the S40. I spent 3 decades riding BMX 90% with no helmet. Only used one in the later days and racing. And I'd always use one in groups as there is far more chance of a crash. Also always used them on MTB and when riding DF road bikes as I did tend to enjoy the descents.
 
IyhelM

IyhelM

Well-Known Member
Have you tried riding without the neck rest at all? For a significant number of people the seat angle is steep enough to do without it.
 
M

MNBentRider

Member
IyhelM said:
Have you tried riding without the neck rest at all? For a significant number of people the seat angle is steep enough to do without it.
Click to expand...
I have not removed it, but I would say 90%-95% of the time I'm just not using it. It isn't interfering with anything, so I hadn't thought about taking it off, but I could.
 
chicorider

chicorider

Zen MBB Master
Certain models of Lazer road helmets have the retention adjustment knob on top of the helmet, instead of in the back. I have used them for years for my V20 and S30, with no contact or interference between the helmet and headrest. It could be worth a look.
 
Tuloose

Tuloose

Guru
I use an inexpensive helmet I purchased from Amazon called the Basecamp. It comes with a magnetically attached eye shield sun visor. I can flip the visor in place or turn it up with one hand while riding. I also purchased a yellow tinted visor for better visibility on our foggy days here in the PNW.
But to get to your question, with this helmet I'm able to pull the occipital strap up a bit so it doesn't interfere with the headrests on my Silvio or my Vendetta. It seems that on this helmet the strap is just a bit higher than on my other name brand helmet.
 
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