Chicago Bicycle show is this weekend. I went two years ago, and nearly bought one of these at their booth. They are back again this year. Somewhere, someone told me these actually worked. I was wondering if anyone in my age group had ever used one.

Travel Stick · red grips · G-1750
This small 8 spindle model has a compact 17” length. It has recently been popularized by the USA Cycling team for use on the lower limbs.



The Stick

A quote from their home page reads:

"The Stick is the only body tool I have ever recommended for use on the calf of an elite athlete."

That rules me out.

I've never used one but would be interested to know how it works for you. I may need something like that after signing up to do two week long tours this summer. The bad thing is they're just one week apart....what was I thinking

I hardly have the calf of an elite athlete, but I certainly get the pain once in a while.

I think you are doing the Lakeshore Tour aren't you? It has a FEW hills. You might need one. I think I am going to try it.

I bought one from performance. Use it for really tired calves and quads. Gets the kinks out. realixes muscles. Especially nice when someone else uses it on you. Great for an aching back too. I bought the smaller size. Easier to take on trips. Just put it in our checked luggage.

Yes, I'll be doing the Lakeshort tour just a week after doing XOBA. At least we'll have our own SAG on the Lakeshore tour and I can take a day off if necessary

We had a wellness class at my school and a massage therapist recommended the stick for runners and bikers. But... she also said a plain old rolling pin is as good.

Haven't used that one, but I've got this, and it is really worth the money.

https://www.rei.com/product/706082?vcat=REI_SEARCH

I looked at that thing and thought it was something you bought to repel those dog attacks we keep hearing about!

Believe me, it's the best $5 I ever spent ( I'm a mailman).

They're wonderful.

I've got both the travel version and the longer "home" version...longer version is great for back/shoulders and is also easier to use on legs...more flex, more leverage for those tough knots...

My wife doesn't like them...says that they hurt her skin...?!?

FYI...I was carrying-on the travel version to combat DVT on a flight and almost had it confiscated as a "billy club"

Far too flexible for that. That's why I wouldn't get it. A Zefal pump works much better for discouraging dogs and inflates your tires much better, too.



Oh, it's for massaging yourself? Well, that's different. Never mind.

good stuff! for general working the muscle. And it has the advantage of still workin well when you're wearing a thin clothing layer.
a good self-massage is still better, but usually means hand directly to skin and muscle, no clothes, which may not be 'convenient' at times.
some old cycling or running tights or just a light pr of jersey pants and the stick is still effective.
I do recommend using it (or any firm or strong massage technique) on muscle in one direction and that is always in a direction towards the heart, not away.

I have the full-size model. Got it a few years ago on the recommendation of my chiropractor when I was having leg pain, and it helped. Don't use it much anymore, just got out of the habit, though now that you've reminded me about it I may start using it again.

But it's always nicer to have someone else give the massage

don't forget the neck. Great for neck pain.

A good friend and chiropractor let me borrow one after I experiencing muscle soreness following a running event. I loved it, but the price tag scared me away. I have been using an old fashion wooden rolling pin with just about the same results. A bit more cumbersome, but cheaper.

toward the heart, toward the heart

This is completely new to me. Thanks for the thread, but what does this do that a good massage or, as mentioned above, a wooden rolling pin, cannot?

I can't speak for the device, but the ad copy absolutely SCREAMS "Bogus!" If you condensed the genuine information in the text down to just the words necessary to get the facts across, it would be one short sentence long. There are made-up terms, vague references to benefits that aren't actually described, documented or explained and not a single reason it should be better than a length of dowel you could buy for two bucks at Home Depot.
I recognize it because that's what I used to do for a living. A friend called it "Blowing up chickens and selling them as turkeys."

I bought a (broom)stick at Ace hardware for $2.98. I'd be happy to sell it for $29.98 and I'll pay the S&H. I'll even cut it to length for you. Comes in a natural wood grain finish and will double as a dog repeller.