Bike Forums - Ride #2 on the rent-a-Roubaix

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Quote:

Originally Posted by solveg (Post 6269546)

In all the posts I've read on BF, these are the only two I remember about thumb joint pain. Any one else get this? I'm having trouble even imagining it, since the thumbs aren't really being used particuarly much, and on road bikes you can access the brakes 2 different ways.

I mean, at least with me, the thumbs only close to make bars more secure in the crook of my hand... I don't really have to clench my thumbs. In fact, I could do a lot of braking with my thumbs extended.

I see Yen attributes it to resting on the brifter hoods, which I don't do a lot of, but Tom doesn't use road bars.

When setting up the aero base bar on the TT bike I discovered that thumb joint pain seemed to be assosciated with the hands trying to slide forward (thus causing me to grip too tightly or adjust constantly) on what would be hoods on your road bar. A small rotational adjustment to bring the bar ends/hoods slightly more vertical solved the problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yen (Post 6274420)

BSLeVan: You're right, that's totally counter-intuitive....I can't imagine it. It seems that the more upright one sits, the less the hands would need to support the upper body. Although maybe that depends on the angle.

.

With time I think you'll find yourself using the back/stomach muscles to support yourself and not the hands:) I've found tipping the nose of the saddle slightly up relieves most of the pressure off the hands. You don't want to get it tipped too much....that just causes other problems.

A good pair of gloves is a must. I use these and love them.

Good luck with the test rides. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Yen, if you can, the next time you ride, slide farther back on the saddle and you'll find,you'll hardly have any weight on your hands at all.

A 3" or 4" riser handlebar will reduce the weight on your hands!!!

Or a long stem extender.