Sore Hands
 

A few days ago I was changing tires on a couple bikes and my hands are sore. Not surprised as I don’t do this often, and these tires were stubborn so extra effort needed. I’m sure it will pass, but was wondering if you have some recommendations for stretching and mobility exercises (I would think this may affect bike mechanics quite a bit?).

Thanks!

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning. It'll pass. Put some hand lotion on too.

I unfortunately can say if you are anywhere near my age osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of hand pain and dealing with that is complicated.

It sounds like hand strengthening exercises are what you need provided you don't have some other issues. How old are you, any arthritis or other joint/muscle problems? I'm 65, don't have any major issues...yet, and still have good hand strength but any kind of physical work, including changing multiple tires, leaves me feeling a little beat up at this stage. I'll just take some ibuprofen if the pain is severe and this is also an anti-inflammatory which helps speed up recovery and better than aspirin or naproxen (Aleve) which don't help much with inflammation. .

First decide whether it's joint, muscle, or skin or bruise pain.

These are all very different, both as to cause and management.

In any case, absent an underlying condition, all will resolve on their own.

After nearly 50 years of doing this stuff my age is catching up with my demands on it, hands included. Thankfully one of the filters for who will likely be doing this stuff for many years (a pro mechanic as example) is a certain ability to deal with physical discomfort, and this survives and helps me get through the day.

Another aspect that has helped is learning the little tricks and techniques to reduce efforts and increase results. Like using a tire bead jack on the really tough tire mountings.

If you do this stuff frequently your body will grow stronger, your skills will improve and your after work soreness reduce. Andy

Most of the people I have encountered in my life have had weak hands. When moving heavy furniture the big beefy guys were often of no help as they lacked the necessary hand strength. That said, I suffer from Dupuyutren's disease which is inherited and the first symptoms were hand cramps when doing tasks like painting where I needed to grip something for extended periods of time.

Thanks for the feedback. I’m nearly 50. Just some joint / muscle soreness. I should incorporate some hand exercises though, to go along with the 100 other things I now do to keep sharp :p

First suggestion would be changing a lot of bike tires. Like any other new exercise, start slowly with maybe a couple of changes a week and then add more and more changes until 2+ per day is not an issue. I find that no matter how good I am in shape for a given exercise, the only thing that gets me in shape for a different exercise is doing that different exercise.

Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack for your tires and a squishy ball for your hands.

There are some really horrific rim-tire combinations out there. No reason to foul up your hands.

As I’ve aged certain tasks that are a badge of honor have sometimes become a bandage of shame.

John

Tight fitting gloves with grippy rubber material on the are a great help.

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I would work on technique and anything that would give me a hand up, like letting the tire sit in the sun. Wire bead and continental tires combination give me the most trouble, so I avoid them unless I'm being cheap. Try https://www.amazon.com/hand-exercise...cise+equipment ?!

Wasn’t aware this existed. Looks good! Thx

+1 on the Kool Stop Jack! I don't use it often but when I need it, it usually helps quite a bit. On rare occasions I get the ultra difficult ones that just won't let me win but usually that will solve most of them.

I posted this on the tips and tricks thread a while back. It shows how I position tires to make them go on easier:

https://www.bikeforums.net/22494892-post744.html

I'm 73 and have osteoarthritis in one of my wrists. I'm able to change tires, but if they're tight it is a bit painful. I saw THIS device and thought I'd try it. It actually works pretty well. I don't have to use my thumbs to force the bead over the rim (that's the painful part for me). The only thing that I find difficult about this tool is getting it under the tire's bead to remove the tire. I use a single tire lever to provide space, then the Tyre Glider goes in; the rest is straightforward. Some force is still required, but it doesn't involve my thumbs.

Use your feet.
Take off your shoes, fit the tire to the rim as far as it is easy. Lay the wheel on the ground with the unset tire up and stand duck foot on the tire and use your heels like you would have used your thumbs
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...184885c7b2.jpg