Hand Pain after riding my Karate Monkey - Thought I'd try here

[MMcG]

I have my 16" Karate Monkey set up with a Thomson Elite post and my Fizik Nisene saddle all the way back on the rails (wish I could get it a little further back actually) and I'm currently running a 110mm Thomson stem with 5 degree rise and some Titec Hellbent bars (the version with the slight rise to them). I have a couple of headset spacers underneath the stem and the bar height seems good.

However, after my rides of late, I've been experiencing pain in my hands. Almost like I'm getting bruised on the palm side of my hands - the area directly opposite of my knuckles if you were to be looking at the top of my hands (does that make sense).

I'm thinking it has something to do with my current set up. I've ridden the bike with a 120mm stem, but I dig the steering feel I get with the 110mm stem a bit better. Could I be running too short a stem and therefore not getting my hands in the right spot on the grips?

Should I give a pair of straight flat bars a shot?

I just changed to some SRAM shorty grips instead of the ODI lockons I was using previously, but after a ride the other day the pain remains.

I welcome any help and/or advice you guys might be able to provide.

And if someone says it is because I'm too old I'm gonna give one of these:

:nuts:

Thanks in advance.

Mark

[N8]

too much air pressure in your front tire?

[MMcG]

nope that ain't it.

[N8]

Perhpaps some new gloves with some gel in the palms?

[MMcG]

Did that.

[i-ride]

just a shot--maybe try rotating your bars ever-so-slightly (either in or outward)-- with the rise, rotation will move your grips in/out... I know little changes can make a difference.

[N8]

I notice I seem to grip my SS a lot tighter than my Racer X... but I have no hand pain..

[narlus]

grip thickness? try using a slimmer, lower profile grip?

[MMcG]

changed the grips already.

Maybe it's just me.

[mtbtom]

Have you seen the ergon grips ?
http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/large/4834.jpg

The idea is they evenly distribute the pressure your hand exert into your palms. Pricey but worth a shot - you don't want to injure yourself.

[Mackie]

changed the grips already.

Maybe it's just me.

Switch to baby wheels? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

OK, now that that's out of my system - I go with rotate the bars so the sweep point upwards a little more. Hope that helps.

[Drevil]

Have you seen the ergon grips ?

The idea is they evenly distribute the pressure your hand exert into your palms. Pricey but worth a shot - you don't want to injure yourself.
If you try the Ergons, make sure you buy them from a place that won't hassle you if you try them, don't like 'em, and want to return them.

My experience (http://forums.mtbr.com/showpost.php?p=867076&postcount=24). Basically, when I'd go down steep stuff, the end of the wings would press uncomfortably into my palms.

[MMcG]

I'm not diggin those ergons.

I would like to try a flat bar with sweep though to see how that affects things.

[MMcG]

Tried this tonight. I had been running my stems inverted and the hand pain began when I flipped my Thomson over so that it had rise. So to compensate I put the stem flush with the headset. Rode around a bit and it felt more comfortable. Need more time to properly evaluate it, but this feels like it helped.

I really need to get the steerer tube cut on my Reba.

[patineto]

Don Mark...

your problem is exactlly what i do for a living, exept I do it for motorcycles...

if you can please post a few pictures of you on the bike, a side view when you are sitting, another standing and if is possible a frontal view to see the size of your shoulders and also a view from the top will be great.(second floor point of view) to see the way your hands rest on the handlebars...

I don't promise much, but I'm being doing Dinamic ergonomics for the last twentysomething years so maybe I can help you a little.

your friend Ricardo

[MMcG]

Ricardo - I'll try to get my son to snap some shots tomorrow.

I trust you received the two Syncros Stems correct?

Hope all is well my friend.

[patineto]

Ricardo - I'll try to get my son to snap some shots tomorrow.Cool pictures help a lot...


I trust you received the two Syncros Stems correct?

Hope all is well my friend.

Yes I got them when i was on my way to Mammoth with my girlfriend and actually I end up ussing one of them...

thanks

[MMcG]

Awesome!! Glad they made it safe and sound.

[patineto]

Awesome!! Glad they made it safe and sound.
actually yesterday I feel down about 15 feet into a bunch of rocks after my right hand (bar, grip, etc) got cut and Totally stop the Bike on a branch I did not see when I was riding on lower rock creek singletrack..

I did not break anything but for sure it hurts like hell, maybe I'm getting to old for this sh^t like you are..

[MMcG]

Nah......we aren't old Ricardo, just well seasoned. ;) :) :dancing:

heal up my friend!!!

[N8]

MMcG,

I asked Ben what grips he'd installed on the single speed and here is what he said:

Those are my favorite. They are made by Dimention, and are available through Quality Bicycle Products. They are solid natural cork, and are both light and not terribly expensive. I use them on almost all of my bikes, from the cruisers to the Mtb's.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Take care Nate!

Ben
MilltownCycles.com

I must say they are very very very plush.... I like 'em!

http://www.singlespeed.nl/catalog/images/dimension_corks.jpg

[MMcG]

Do they make em for shorty gripshifts?

[N8]

Are you going to try them?

[MMcG]

well some fork adjustments and bar height/grip changes and no pain after my Friday and Saturday rides - so I think the issue has been resolved.

[tozovr]

I still think you need some On One Mary's :)

[MMcG]

I still think you need some On One Mary's :)

If only they didn't cost $55 or something like that I'd try em.

[N8]

If only they didn't cost $55 or something like that I'd try em.


or maybe a carbon fiber bar..?

[MMcG]

or maybe a carbon fiber bar..?

If only they didn't cost like $100!

[MMcG]

Spent a little time on a Single Speed with Mary Bars on it tonight.

I think I might have to fork over the $55 or so and get a pair. I really liked how they felt and how I was able to steer with them.

[fubar5]

I use those cork grips N8 posted a pic of and I love those suckers. The only drawback is that they tend to lose their grip on the handlebar and then rotate freely. Some grip glue or something should fix that though.