Terror_in_pink

so i thought maybe the pain in the back part of my forearm was from skidding but now i think it might just be from my drops and simply gripping them while trackstanding and skipping and the very few occasional skids. does anyone have any suggestions? I couldn't bear putting any bullhorns on this frame. I ride anywhere between 8-12 miles a day, maybe i should build a beater commuter with bullhorns? anyone else commute on a track bike with deep drops?

HereNT

I commute on a track bike with deep drops, but I almost never ride in the drops. That's actually where I put my lights. I get some pain in my hands and wrist just from the different angle tha my road conversion, but just live with it...

Judah

I commute on B123 and sometimes B123AA (which are even deeper drop). I find that I get pain in my wrists if I'm not careful about how tightly I hold the bars. Seems like I get less pain if just loosely hold the bars, as opposed to giving them the kung-fu grip treatment. Also, get some padded grips for the flats, I've tried Oury and Serfas and like the Ourys more...

dolface

i don't commute with drops, but i do have a piece of paper that says i'm a certified personal trainer, and that i'm not qualified to give medical advice.

so i won't, but here are some wrist exercises that may help https://www.totalorthopediccare.com/e..._wristhand.htm

also, what judah said.

Terror_in_pink

thanks dolface. i don't think it's my wrist though. it's in between my bone and my muscle. when i grip something and try to lift it with one hand it hurts. maybe i should go to the doctor... maybe my arm will fall off

pitboss

I had tendon issues when I was a climbing instructor in CO - stretching and acknowledging that "if it hurts, don't use it" are good places to start...but a doctor will know more. Just don't let them "fix it" with a presription right off the bat. Ask him/her for tips, suggestions, referrals - this can lead to bigger things, so you best address it.

dolface

ok, so that sounds like tendonitis.
a couple things you can do to help are ice it after you ride, and take some ibuprofen to help with the inflammation.

the only thing that will make it get better though is to stop riding the way you do now, so either ride in the flats, or put some fat grips on the drops so your hands aren't closed so much, and try not to overgrip.

also, once the pain goes away find some wrist/forearm excercises to do so you can strengthen the muscles and tendons in your forearm.

if you work at a desk you can get a 5 or 6 pound weight and do them there.

absntr

If you can, try to see a sports specialist/physical therapist rather than a doctor. They know a heck of a lot more specific to sports related injury. If indeed, it is one.

pitboss

I really think you need to switch to a hybrid T_I_P...it is fitting you know.

habitus

terror, why do you insist on riding with drops (on that frame)?

fixedfiend

It sounds like some sort of carpel tunnel syndrome. those wrist excercises are great by the way because they stretch the ligamants in your forearm which could possibly be the problem. They tend to tighten up and stay that way which causes other problems in the wrist and elbow. b.t.w. I commute with drops and love them because of all the different positions you can put your hands. Maybe try not gripping the bars so tight, and changing positions often. Also, try keeping your thumb up where the rest of your fingers are instead of gripping the top bar completely all around.

Judah

Yeah, go see a sports medicine specialist. I went to see my closest sports physician (who happens to be the team doctor for the Giants) and after taking xrays and doing some tests similar to what Dolface posted up, he gave me a few exercises for strengthening the particular area that is bothering me. Those guys know a lot more about sports injuries than most MDs...

Terror_in_pink

you hush.

jim-bob

Riser bars. You know you want to.

Terror_in_pink

because that's what suits it best. it's a beautiful keirin frame and it looks better that way. I think i just need a road conversion/beater for commuting.

Terror_in_pink

eeewww.

Judah

IRO, like the rest of us bay area commute-monkeys....

Kiecker

What if you rode with your hands up by the stem? That would help relax your body and hand postion.

Terror_in_pink

will go see specialist, follow up with stretches, and try altering the positioning of my hands more frequently, but definitely no hybrid or riser bars. thanks guys.

Terror_in_pink

i ride like that maybe 60-70% of the time already. I think it's from gripping while doing other stuff

habitus

i agree with jim-bob. *all* track frames are "supposed" to be ridden with either drops or TT bars. but who wants a case of the supposed to's, anyway? look how far we've come! progress!

Judah

You could get a nice set of Nitto pursuit bars, I really like my RB017 bars.

amstr

Hey Terror, put some oury grips or really padded tape on the flats near the stem where you grip the most and stop trackstanding. I notice some pain in my wrists from gripping the bars when trackstanding.

It's better to put some grips on your bars then to ride bullhorns.

Kiecker

and/or learn to trackstand/skid/skip without being in the drops but up on the flats

Terror_in_pink

welcome to the world of drop bars Andy