Sore wrists

[JoeBlow]

I have been using Ergon GP1 grips for over ten years. They are the first thing I fit to a bike I buy.
Read this.

GP1 – Das Referenzprodukt · Ergon Bike

Ergonomic products for cyclists.

www.ergonbike.com

Just ordered some this morning although the pain I get is behind the thumb, rather than as illustrated there, so I will have to wait and see. I had some ergonomic grips, different brand, fitted previously but the area where the forefinger is positioned had no padding whatsoever and I did suspect that this was actually making matters worse.

One of the problems with reading reviews is that you are never certain of the context. So whilst loads of people recommend DMR Death Grips I think it is because they are sticky and not necessarily because they are well padded. Which they are not.

I think the real problem is simply age

Al

 

[Dirtnvert]

Just ordered some this morning although the pain I get is behind the thumb, rather than as illustrated there, so I will have to wait and see. I had some ergonomic grips, different brand, fitted previously but the area where the forefinger is positioned had no padding whatsoever and I did suspect that this was actually making matters worse.

One of the problems with reading reviews is that you are never certain of the context. So whilst loads of people recommend DMR Death Grips I think it is because they are sticky and not necessarily because they are well padded. Which they are not.

I think the real problem is simply age

Al

Unfortunately i think youre right. Its age/wear for myself anyway. Interesting reads on both the revvgrips and the ergons. Im just hesitant to stray from a thin grip. I think i wouldnt mind something thinner than my lock on renthals. My favorite grip to date is a a slip on oakley bmx grip from the 80's. Ultra thin and grippy. I think id be more tempted to try a revv or ergon if the handlebar diameter was smaller so the revv and ergon technology could be applied in a smaller diameter. I get more control and grip strength with more finger wrap and that might be a good combo with the ergonomics of the ergon and damping of the revv. I dont want to sacrifice too much handling with a fat grip full of tech. Decisions decisions

 

[JoeBlow]

Comfort is my main (only) concern, I'm far too old and crap to be bothered about performance.

Al

 

[SupasafeElectroLumberjack]

Comfort is my main (only) concern, I'm far too old and crap to be bothered about performance.

Al

i like your style lol

 

[Dirtnvert]

I use the term performance loosely. If it was for a touring bike i wouldnt give a second thought to buying either a revv or ergon

 

[JoeBlow]

Ergon grips arriving tomorrow. Watch this space. I am satisfied that my position on the bike, flexed elbows etc. is OK. My core strength should also be good as I have been a rock climber for 55 years. I do suspect that I grip too tightly at times so I'll keep an eye on that. Heavy feet, light hands. I like that. Tyre pressures for my last ride were pretty low, 25 rear 19 front so not sure that will help. It's beginning to be narrowed down to style of grips and perhaps gripping too tightly.

Al

 

[seacapn]

I am beginning to develop some pain in my wrists during and after a ride. I've added DMR Death Grips as they seem to get good reviews and I wear gloves with some padding on the palms. I'm also fairly sure that I have all the controls set to the optimum angle. Does anyone have any hints or tips? Is it because I'm going too slowly over some obstacles? Could I be holding on too hard? I find rock beds particularly troublesome. I have a Trek Powerfly 4 FS with 130mm of travel and I have been considering a new bike with more travel but if I'm honest I think the Trek suits my current, limited skill levels. Plus I'm getting old and rickety

Al

Al,
I would suggest strengthening my hands/forearms . I use a adjustable hand grip mechanism you can buy online of at dicks/bigfive for 10 bucks and do sets of 10 on each hand then focus on the forearms while re adjusting the tension down. The max is 80lbs of resistance ....start low and work your way up to 80 lbs . you will defiantly feel a huge difference in your every day life tasks and riding as well. cheers mate

 

[JoeBlow]

Al,
I would suggest strengthening my hands/forearms . I use a adjustable hand grip mechanism you can buy online of at dicks/bigfive for 10 bucks and do sets of 10 on each hand then focus on the forearms while re adjusting the tension down. The max is 80lbs of resistance ....start low and work your way up to 80 lbs . you will defiantly feel a huge difference in your every day life tasks and riding as well. cheers mate

Like I said before. I have rock climbed to a fairly high standard for 55 years. I am confident that my finger and forearm strength is well above average already. During that time I have used hand grip exercisers frequently but thank you for your input.

Al

 

[carlosaberto22]

I used to really struggle with my wrists untill someone advised me to switch to 1 finger breaking. If your using 2 fingers give it a try it’s much better once you get used it. I still have 2 finger leavers just push them in abit so you can only reach with your index finger. Pull the leavers in as much as you can aswell so your not over extending the finger.

 

[JoeBlow]

I used to really struggle with my wrists untill someone advised me to switch to 1 finger breaking. If your using 2 fingers give it a try it’s much better once you get used it. I still have 2 finger leavers just push them in abit so you can only reach with your index finger. Pull the leavers in as much as you can aswell so your not over extending the finger.

Already do that but thanks.

 

[steve_sordy]

........I think the real problem is simply age ......

I have tried a variety of grips, but if I try anything except the Ergon GP1, I'm in trouble within half an hour. Wear and tear does take its toll, but some things just happen because of the passage of time, even if you stay fit and look after yourself..

I am 69, I've had Dupetreyn's Contracture in both hands and with subsequent operations. I've now got arthritis in both hands (thumbs and little fingers are oddly bent). But what's currently giving me gyp is that the arthritis has spread to the major joint of my left thumb, the one closest to the palm. I can't even squeeze a water bottle FFS! Hanging onto the grip on the rougher sections is becoming trickier by the week.

But judging by my other fingers, once it has burned itself out and done whatever damage it is going to do, the pain will go. Before each ride I rub some Volterol gel onto the thumb joint, I might as well as I'm rubbing it into my knees at the same time! Oh and of course a 400mg Ibuprofen tablet too. I wouldn't be able to ride without my drugs!! ?

When I had the DC I had to hold a pint of beer in both hands to drink it! (Now that is an ageing look)! ?

 

[Archer Yates]

I get a sore right wrist but not the left wrist, and I am right handed.

 

[steve_sordy]

I get a sore right wrist but not the left wrist, and I am right handed.

The thing with the Ergon grips is that they are not round, so each grip can be at a different angle. Upon initial install, I leave the grip just loose enough to twist with some force and then ride up and down the street. I move each grip independently until I feel happy, then tighten up. I may alter the angles slightly on later occasions.

My grandson borrowed my bike and pointed out that the grips weren't at the same angle. He was right, they weren't, but they were perfect for me!

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Isn't it funny when Ibuprofen becomes your riding buddy. Aging really is a bugger.

 

[mxtyphoon]

I have the Powerfly 5FS and redid my forks that helped allot. Also just tipping your bike upside down to let the oil in the forks drain back to the foam seals helps allot with the forks not sticking on small stuff. Getting the right air pressure for your weigh and tire pressure. I was running about 24-26 and have gone to 30-32 which really makes the tires work better. I’m at 200lbs so on the heavier side then most.

 

[Binhill1]

Must admit i

I am beginning to develop some pain in my wrists during and after a ride. I've added DMR Death Grips as they seem to get good reviews and I wear gloves with some padding on the palms. I'm also fairly sure that I have all the controls set to the optimum angle. Does anyone have any hints or tips? Is it because I'm going too slowly over some obstacles? Could I be holding on too hard? I find rock beds particularly troublesome. I have a Trek Powerfly 4 FS with 130mm of travel and I have been considering a new bike with more travel but if I'm honest I think the Trek suits my current, limited skill levels. Plus I'm getting old and rickety

Al

Had that when first got Ebike. Think I was riding more and harder than used to on ordinary bike. It is heavier as well . I wore a wrist support on one wrist which was always a bit weaker. Shoulders stiff as well . It has sorted itself out after few months whatever the cause I didn't adjust anything. 19 levo expert I have

 

[KGNZ]

Had the same issue with sore wrists, changed to SQ labs carbon bar and their 711 grips. This was a lot better than the stock Specialized ones but it hasn't eliminated it completely. I found the 'light hands' technique works but on steeper/technical terrain I think it's the weight of the bike that contributes to the pain after riding a 13kg analogue bike. You are right about getting older....the knee problem pushed me into the e-mtb.

 

[idave]

I have been using Ergon GP1 grips for over ten years. They are the first thing I fit to a bike I buy.
Read this.

GP1 – Das Referenzprodukt · Ergon Bike

Ergonomic products for cyclists.

www.ergonbike.com

Same - the GP1 helped heaps for me as well.

 

[Mikerb]

I am 69 and my main sport is windsurfing. Despite the stresses involved in that sport I have never suffered any repetitive strain type injuries. The same applies to emtb using an analogue bike. I bought my Levo 18 months ago since when the amount I ride has increased significantly. Within a year I developed shoulder pain..probably bursitis. In windsurfing muscles are largely being stretched or held in compression.....in emtb they are being pushed and vibrated. If I wind surfed it eased the pain, if I rode it made it worse.
The pain has gone now, so what made the difference? Bars grips riding style and time on the bike has not changed. What has changed is my forks. 2021 Lyric Ultimate 160 replaced the Revelation 150. Not cheap but worth every penny not just because of my shoulders. It has also transformed the handling of the bike. Think difference between the suspension of a 1970s Mini and a BMW!!

 

[JoeBlow]

I am 69 and my main sport is windsurfing. Despite the stresses involved in that sport I have never suffered any repetitive strain type injuries. The same applies to emtb using an analogue bike. I bought my Levo 18 months ago since when the amount I ride has increased significantly. Within a year I developed shoulder pain..probably bursitis. In windsurfing muscles are largely being stretched or held in compression.....in emtb they are being pushed and vibrated. If I wind surfed it eased the pain, if I rode it made it worse.
The pain has gone now, so what made the difference? Bars grips riding style and time on the bike has not changed. What has changed is my forks. 2021 Lyric Ultimate 160 replaced the Revelation 150. Not cheap but worth every penny not just because of my shoulders. It has also transformed the handling of the bike. Think difference between the suspension of a 1970s Mini and a BMW!!

Spending almost a 3rd of the price I paid for the bike just for replacement forks does not stack up in my book. I would probably buy another bike before going down that route. I'm sure however that they would make a difference. I have been contemplating buying a bike with 160mm forks.

 

[Jackware]

I find foam overgrips similar to 'Puppy Grips' improve the comfort factor.

 

[R120]

I would muck around with your stack height and bar roll, along with lever positions - quite often sore wrists are a symptom of poor body position, i.e they can be a symptom of something else that manifests itself as sore wrists/

 

[R120]

Also if you are not "shredding" for want of a better phrase and just general trail riding, it might be worth looking at the SQ Labs bars, these have more backsweep than a conventional MTB bar with the aim of alleging wrist pain. SQ Labs along with Ergon are probably the leaders in developing products best on optimising anatomical positioning etc on bikes.

SQlab GmbH Online Shop | Handlebars | Ergonomic bike equipment

SQlab bike handlebars provide an ergonomic position on the bike and are easy to adjust. Rise (height) and backsweep are crucial.

www.sq-lab.com

 

[paquo]

The thing with the Ergon grips is that they are not round, so each grip can be at a different angle.

i use the gp3 that has the small bar ends so it gives you multiple hand positions

 

[steve_sordy]

i use the gp3 that has the small bar ends so it gives you multiple hand positions

I tried those and for the same reasons as you. But the bar ends kept snagging on the shrubbery and having me off. So they had to go.

 

[JoeBlow]

I could not ride the trails I ride with bar ends either. They would have me off the bike. They may be OK on long, open relatively tame cross country trails but for anything downhill and/or in the forests, even as a novice, I can see they could be dangerous.

Al

 

[Mikerb]

Spending almost a 3rd of the price I paid for the bike just for replacement forks does not stack up in my book. I would probably buy another bike before going down that route. I'm sure however that they would make a difference. I have been contemplating buying a bike with 160mm forks.

I went to the Ultimate! There are however cheaper options. I don't know what forks you have currently but it is worth looking at upgrade kits and/ tuning by a suspension specialist. As a guide if you are not using most of the travel for your typical type of rides then they are too stiff.

 

[steve_sordy]

........... As a guide if you are not using most of the travel for your typical type of rides then they are too stiff.

Or you have too much travel.

However, I like to leave 10% of travel on the table for emergencies. By "emergency", I mean that drop that I didn't properly see coming and it was bigger than I thought!
It's the sort of thing that happens when I am following a mate on a trail that he knows and I don't. yikes!

 

[Astom22]

If you want another hand position option, check out TOGs. I never use them on anything technical for obvious reasons, but long single track, roads, etc they work very well.

 

[JoeBlow]

Thank you Steve_Sordy and whoever else recommended Ergon GP1 grips. I haven't tried them yet on a gnarly down hill but I can already feel the difference. What surprised me was how much I had to adjust the cockpit to accommodate them with an added bonus that all the controls now seem to sit in a more natural position. I can only only put it down to the change in angling of the palm and fingers that the grips facilitate. I also have a suspicion that the new positions will encourage bending the elbows. I had to move all the shifters and controls some considerable distance inboard. I can't believe how comfy and natural the whole cockpit now feels.

Al