Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebars amplifying road buzz

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Handlebars amplifying road buzz

rdtompki
08-14-09, 11:44 AM
Our tandem rides like a dream and fits me like the proverbial glove. But, certain road conditions cause my hands to go numb. I'm light in the handlebars, keep pressure off the various nerves, etc. I was blaming it on a resonant frequency in my CF fork, but I find that there is no buzz closer to the stem. It's got to be the Bontrager Al bars acting as a bit of a tuning fork. Short of buying CF handlebars which should offer more damping what are my options? Fill the hollow handlebars with expanding foam? Other?

Shimagnolo
08-14-09, 01:42 PM
a) Gel cork tape
b) Gloves with gel pads in the palms
Al Criner
08-18-09, 12:45 PM
A few psi less in the front tire will help, too.

cbchess
08-18-09, 01:40 PM
look for ESI Grips
also maybe point the end of your bars down a touch - this is how I relive ulnat nerve pinching on my big sweep bars - I set them up by pointing them towards the rear hub and adjust for comfort from there - this is all on a standard 29er and 26" bike not tandems.
+1 for Specialized BG gloves
bkaapcke
08-18-09, 02:28 PM
Check out vibranator.com. They help. bk
arborohs
08-18-09, 02:29 PM
http://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1546&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C442%2C496&iProductID=1546&bShopOnline=1 someone have these and do they work?
Saltybeagle
08-18-09, 03:08 PM
I just recently changed my carbon handlebars to AL and have the same problem now, more road vibration and both hands numb. Going back to carbon.
rydaddy
08-18-09, 03:24 PM
a) gel cork tape
b) gloves with gel pads in the palms

+1.
rdtompki
08-18-09, 06:21 PM
Thanks All!
Got the gel gloves already. I think I'll do a re-wrap either with gel cork tape or regular tape with gel underneath. I'd love to get carbon, but a)$'s and b)we're a 340+ lb team w/o bike so I'm not going any lower pressure on our 28mm tires!

Any recommended brand of gel cork tape?
rydaddy
08-18-09, 07:01 PM
I like the Specialized Bar Phat tape. You can choose 2 thicknesses. Somewhat pricy ($25-$30) but the gel can be reused.
illwafer
08-18-09, 10:06 PM
you can try getting some pipe insulation at the hardware store and cutting it down to fit your bars. you tape it to the bars (just the top), then wrap over the top. i would only put it in select areas where you put the most pressure on your hands. i have this setup on one of my bikes and it's luxurious.