Mountain Biking - Handlebar grip while going downhill

Hello, I need some advice on how to grip your handle bars and brake levers while going downhill on very technical, windy, rocky singletrack. I currently grip the handle bars (while going downhill) with my thumb and index finger while using the middle, ring, and pinky fingers to grip the brake levers and apply the brakes. I feel the most “confident” with this grip but my hands and fingers get extremely sore. Obviously, one’s grip is merely personal preference, but I was just wondering if there is some special, fundamental grip (for going downhill) that I do not know about. I guess I do have a death grip on the handlebars since I am a newbie (intimidated by these downhill stretches) but I just wanted to throw this question out in the forums to see how some of you more experienced riders handle your grip. Thanks!

I use my middle and index finger to grip the brakes (a lot of people use only their index). The type of brakes you have play a HUGE part in making your hands sore. If you have mechanicals or 6 inch disks and are doing downhills, or anything that requires real braking, your hands/forearms will get really tired. Also your position on the bike plays a part.

I use my middle and index finger to grip the brakes (a lot of people use only their index). The type of brakes you have play a HUGE part in making your hands sore. If you have mechanicals or 6 inch disks and are doing downhills, or anything that requires real braking, your hands/forearms will get really tired. Also your position on the bike plays a part.

I use just my index fingers w/ hayes 6" hydro discs.

Juicy 5's, 8 ", and use only index. With my handicap I was unable to single digit brake with hayes hydros 8".

Index is all you need or SHOULD need. Obviously if your brakes are not powerful you might need more fingers, but index and middle at the MOST.
Place your levers inwards so when you pull the levers they dont smash your other fingers.
If you are using 3 fingers to brake, you have a reduced grip on the bar and your hands are going to get super tired on long decents.

I have avid juicy 7's, index finger at 40mph full skid, same thing with my old hayes.

If you are using 3 fingers to brake, you have a reduced grip on the bar and your hands are going to get super tired on long decents.


Try not having fingers, I single digit brake and am left with a pinky and a thumb to hold on hahaha

Try not having fingers, I single digit brake and am left with a pinky and a thumb to hold on hahaha

Ouch!